The ruined town stretched before them like a graveyard of human ambition. Broken walls, shattered windows, and burned-out vehicles littered the streets. Ava's stomach churned at the sight—this wasn't just destruction; it was a warning, a message left by something worse than nature.
"We shouldn't split up," Arlo muttered, scanning the shadows. His hand tightened on the flashlight, the weak beam flickering over broken storefronts.
Rhea's eyes were sharp, scanning rooftops and alleyways. "There's movement. I see them."
Ava's heart jumped. Movement—human movement. Figures darted along the edges of buildings, staying in shadows, watching. But their posture wasn't natural. Their limbs jerked at odd angles, their faces obscured by tattered masks or scars. Weapons glinted in the moonlight: knives, rusted pipes, crude spears.
"They're… human?" Lila whispered.
Arlo shook his head. "Partially. Haven's experiments… maybe survivors. Maybe the ones they left behind. Either way—they're dangerous."
Ava swallowed hard. "What do we do?"
Rhea growled, gripping her crowbar. "We move quietly. Stick to cover. Don't draw attention."
The group crept through the streets, ducking behind cars and ruined walls. Every step felt heavier than the last. The air was thick with the scent of decay and fire. And the closer they got to the center of town, the more signs of habitation appeared: makeshift barricades, graffiti marking territory, and piles of stolen supplies.
Then, from a darkened alley, a voice hissed. "Look what we have here… fresh meat."
Ava froze. Figures emerged from the shadows—five of them, wearing scraps of armor made from metal and leather, their eyes wild and feral. One stepped forward, a knife in hand, grinning beneath a cracked mask.
Arlo pulled Ava behind him. "Stay calm. Don't make a sound."
The leader laughed, a low, guttural sound. "They've got someone with them… a girl. Perfect."
Rhea's grip tightened. "They don't get to take her."
Before anyone could react, the marauders lunged. Arlo shoved Ava behind a barricade, swinging his flashlight like a weapon. Sparks flew as it collided with metal. Rhea swung her crowbar, knocking one of the attackers to the ground with a sickening crack.
Chaos erupted. The narrow streets amplified the noise—shouts, screams, and the clash of makeshift weapons echoed against the hollow buildings. Ava's pulse raced as she tried to stay behind cover, her eyes darting for an escape route.
One of the marauders spotted Lila. "Gotcha!" he snarled, grabbing for her.
"NO!" Ava screamed, rushing forward. She grabbed a length of metal pipe lying nearby and swung with all her strength, connecting with the attacker's shoulder. He staggered back, letting go of Lila.
Arlo and Rhea fought fiercely, creating a path toward an alley that led deeper into the town. "Move!" Arlo shouted. "This way!"
The group ran, ducking into narrow passages between collapsed buildings. Behind them, the sounds of pursuit grew fainter—but not gone. The marauders were relentless, driven by something more than hunger—something twisted, a corruption born from Haven's experiments.
They paused in a small courtyard, breathing heavily. Ava's hands shook, her chest heaving. "They… they're human, but… not entirely. Haven… changed them."
Rhea wiped blood from her crowbar. "And if this is what's left outside… imagine what's still in Haven."
Arlo's eyes darkened. "We need a plan. We can't just run blindly. The experiments didn't end with the facility—they spread. Haven's influence… it's everywhere."
Lila shivered. "Then… we fight?"
Ava looked at the horizon, where the ruined town stretched endlessly. The moonlight cast long shadows between the buildings, and every corner seemed alive with danger. "We survive first," she said. "Then we fight. We have to find others… and find a way to end this."
Rhea nodded. "Survive. Adapt. Then take the fight to them."
Arlo's jaw clenched. "First, we find shelter. Then, answers."
As they moved deeper into the town, the distant hum of machinery reached them again—a faint reminder that Haven was still alive, still spreading, still watching. And somewhere in the shadows, the marauders regrouped, eyes glowing with hunger, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.
Ava swallowed her fear. This was no longer just about escape. It was about survival.
And for the first time, she realized: Haven had created more than monsters. It had created a world where humanity itself had become the enemy.