On the hospital rooftop, Jake and Mia strategized under the red moon's eerie glow.

Mia: "We need to be careful. The city looks dangerous."

Jake: "Agreed. Let's avoid mutants and find a safe place."

Before leaving, Jake grabbed an axe from an emergency box, giving his pocket knife to Mia.

Jake: "You might need this more than I do."

They set out toward a distant structure, bags packed and senses alert.Walking through the silent streets guided by the red moon, Jake and Mia avoided unnecessary confrontations with mutants lurking in the shadows.

Mia: "We need clues about what happened and why."

Jake: "And find other survivors. Strength in numbers, right?"

As they ventured, they faced the challenge of crossing streets, hiding from the attention of a zombie pack. Hearts pounding, they moved quietly, narrowly avoiding detection.

Jake: whispering "Stay low, stay quiet. We can't let them see us."

Mia: nervously "I really don't want to find out what happens if they do."

Inching past the wandering zombies, Jake and Mia continued toward the apartment building, the red moon casting an unsettling glow on their path.

Reaching the sturdy apartment building, Jake and Mia cautiously approached, bags packed, and senses heightened.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Mia: "Let's check it out, see if it's secure."

Entering, echoes in empty halls hinted at a past hurried exit. Jake and Mia moved quietly, ensuring the building was safe.As they explored, tension hung in the air. Suddenly, they stumbled upon a man with a scar on his right cheek, standing in the shadows. Startled, they locked eyes.

Jake: startled "Who are you?"Scarred Man: defensively "

I could ask you the same. What's your business here?"In the dim light, fear and uncertainty gripped them. Each mistook the other for a potential threat, thinking the world outside had turned them into enemies.

Mia: nervously "Are you... one of them?"

Scarred Man: "No, I'm not. I'm just trying to survive."

Jake: relieved "We are too. We're not... infected."

Scarred Man: "Neither am I."

A collective breath released as they stepped back, the realization sinking in that, in this new world under the red moon, fear could easily turn allies into accidental adversaries.

The tension eased as the scarred man, Jake, and Mia realized they were all survivors in this uncertain world beneath the red moon.

Jake: "I'm Jake, and this is Mia. We're just trying to make it through all this madness."

Scarred Man: "Name's Marcus. I served in the military before all this chaos. We've got to stick together in times like these."

Mia: "Nice to meet you, Marcus. We were worried, you know, with everything going on."

Marcus: "Understandable. It's a tough world now. We can't be too careful."

With introductions made, the trio shared a collective understanding. In this new reality, alliances were crucial for survival.

Jake: "So, Marcus, what brought you here?"

Marcus: "I took refuge here. This place used to be an infamous hotel. It's got plenty of beds, and it seemed safer than some other spots."

Mia: "Infamous hotel, huh? Well, it's better than being out in the open."

Marcus nodded, they decided to share the food they had gathered.

Jake: "Let's pool our resources. We're all in this together."

With the sharing of stories and meager supplies, Marcus revealed more about his background.

Marcus: "I found a pistol and a sword on my way here. Military training comes in handy in times like these. Plus, I've got some decent physique."

Jake: "That's a big help. We can use every advantage we can get."

Mia: "Having someone with military experience is reassuring. We need all the help we can get in this new world."

As they settled in the refuge of the infamous hotel, the trio felt a sense of security with Marcus's presence. The pistol and sword, symbols of his preparedness, added an extra layer of protection in this unpredictable environment

As Jake, Mia, and Marcus settled into the refuge of the infamous hotel, exhaustion weighed heavy on their shoulders. The decision to rest for the night was unanimous.

Jake, lying on a creaky bed, closed his eyes, seeking solace in the embrace of sleep. However, when his eyes shut, he found himself in an unfamiliar place-a surreal dreamscape that defied logic.In this strange environment, a mysterious voice echoed.

Voice: "Welcome, Jake. You've entered the System."

Confused, Jake looked around, discovering an ethereal interface hovering before him.

Voice: "This System will aid you in your journey. It grants you abilities to survive the challenges ahead."

A series of images flashed before Jake-stats, levels, and skills, all seemingly tied to his existence in this apocalyptic world.

Voice: "As you progress, you will gain experience and unlock new potentials. Embrace this power, for it is your key to survival."