stretching his stiff muscles and listening to Mason's steady breathing
Noah rose quietly, careful not to wake Mason yet. Today was different. The first drills had honed reflexes and awareness, but now it was time to turn those skills outward. Supplies had to be gathered, routes mapped, safe locations scouted.
He quietly packed a small backpack with essentials—water bottles, a few medical kits, his notebook, and the folded map he'd drawn the night before. Each item had its place, carefully balanced. Noah checked the edges of the building from the small balcony, scanning the street. The city was deceptively calm, the distant hum of traffic a faint background noise.
"Mason," he called softly. The other man stirred and opened one eye. "Time to move."
Mason stretched and grunted. "Already? Feels like we just slept."
"No time to linger," Noah replied, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "If we don't move now, we lose valuable hours. Supplies won't wait for us."
The streets were quiet, empty except for the occasional stray dog or a lone pedestrian hurrying to work. Noah led the way, moving with the same calm precision as yesterday, but now their mission was practical—find and secure supplies before anyone else could claim them.
First stop: a small convenience store a few blocks away. Noah motioned Mason to stay low while he assessed the building. "Observe first," he whispered. "Every entrance, every window. Note potential dangers. Enter only when sure."
Mason nodded, keeping his movements careful. Noah slipped inside, quietly checking the shelves. Some items were gone, but there were still canned beans, water bottles, a few first aid kits, and batteries. He moved deliberately, placing each item in the backpack and mentally noting what would be needed next.
"Not much left in the back," Mason said quietly, watching from the doorway. "We'll have to come back later."
"Noted," Noah said, leaving the store as quietly as he had entered. "Efficiency over greed. Only take what we can carry and hide our tracks."
Next, they moved toward the pharmacy across the district. Mason had a keen eye for practical locations, and Noah relied on it to supplement his own knowledge. Inside, Noah carefully selected antiseptics, bandages, and painkillers. Every item was examined for usefulness—nothing wasted. Mason kept watch, checking the streets outside, his body tense but alert.
"This place could be a stronghold if we needed it," Noah said, glancing around. "Notice exits, weak points, everything. Knowledge is as important as supplies."
Mason nodded, taking notes mentally. "I never realized how much detail matters. It's not just grabbing what we need—it's knowing how to use the environment to survive."
"Exactly," Noah replied. "Tomorrow, we expand. We map routes, stash supplies, and learn shortcuts through alleys and abandoned buildings. The more prepared we are, the better chance we have when things go wrong."
By midday, they paused on a quiet street corner, catching their breath. Noah pulled out the map, adding new markings: safe exits, high-value locations, and areas to avoid.
"See this block?" Noah said, pointing to a cluster of small shops. "If chaos hits here first, we can funnel through these alleys, avoid main streets, and stay hidden. Always plan escape routes before entering an area."
Mason traced the routes with his finger. "Like a game," he said. "Only if we make the wrong move… it's not just a loss, it's life or death."
"No game," Noah corrected. "Strategy. Execution. Timing. If we do this right, we control what we can. The rest… we adapt to."
The afternoon was spent testing these routes, moving between buildings and back alleys, noting obstacles and timing how long it took to move from one safe location to another. Mason learned quickly, adjusting his pace, practicing quiet movements, and observing potential threats like Noah had taught him.
"This street," Noah said, pausing by a collapsed wall, "is a potential choke point. Could trap us if something comes from behind. Notice the exit over there? That's our real escape. Always look for more than one way out."
Mason nodded, taking mental notes, impressed by Noah's foresight. "You really think about everything, don't you?"
"I have to," Noah replied. "Five years isn't enough to prepare for everything—but it's enough to prevent mistakes that got us killed last time."
Evening crept in, and the city's quiet began to feel uneasy. Noah led Mason to a small park, using it as a final observation point. They sat on a fallen bench, both of them tired but alert.
"Tomorrow, we build on this," Noah said, scanning the streets around them. "We stash supplies, practice moving under cover, and prepare for our first real scenario—multiple threats at once. It's not just about being strong. It's about being smart, fast, and invisible when we need to be."
Mason nodded, his face serious. "I understand. The stakes… they're higher than I realized. And yet, I feel… more ready than ever."
Noah allowed a small smile. "Good. That's exactly what we need. Confidence without arrogance, focus without hesitation. That balance will save our lives."
A sudden clatter echoed from a nearby alley—a trash can tipping over, rats scurrying. Both men froze, eyes scanning the darkness. The city was calm… but Noah could feel the tension building.
"Stay sharp," he whispered. "It's never too early to be ready."
Mason nodded, gripping his backpack tighter. "We're getting better every day," he said. "But I can't shake the feeling that this calm… it's a warning."
Noah didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out the notebook, marking new observations from the day's scouting run. Routes, locations, supply counts—all recorded carefully.
The sun finally disappeared completely behind the skyline, leaving streets shadowed and silent. Noah and Mason returned to the apartment, exhausted but satisfied. They had new knowledge, new supplies, and a better understanding of the city—and most importantly, they had momentum.
Noah exhaled, looking out the window at the streets below. "Tomorrow… we push further. We expand our reach. The city won't wait for us to be ready—but we will be."
Mason leaned back, still catching his breath. "Then we get ready. Whatever comes, we face it together."