Chapter 3: Into the Shadows
The ruined city stretched before them—a labyrinth of fallen towers, shattered streets, and whispering ghosts of the past. The squad moved cautiously, their boots stirring up dust that danced in the thin beams of light filtering through broken windows.
They chose a crumbled rooftop as their temporary camp, the city sprawling endlessly below. From this height, the silence felt heavier, as if the ruins themselves were holding their breath.
While the others began checking their gear or scanning the horizon, Miya settled beside Rhys, pulling out a small portable device. "You know," she said softly, "this place would be a nightmare for our squad's comms if it weren't for these relays."
Rhys glanced at her, a small, amused lift at the corner of his mouth. "You and your gadgets."
Miya smirked. "And you with your tactical plans. We're quite the team."
He nodded without looking away from the city. "Would be boring if you weren't around to challenge me."
There was a rhythm to their exchanges—a playful tension beneath the surface that never needed words. When Rhys handed her a water pack, their fingers brushed briefly. Neither flinched, but both felt the spark.
"I trust you," Miya said quietly, eyes meeting his.
"Same," Rhys replied with a nod. The city below felt colder, but here, on that cracked rooftop, something warmer stirred.
For everyone else, the day was about strategy and silent wars in the shadows. For Rhys and Miya, it was a brief moment where friendship held strong, even as the unspoken hung between them.