As Kiara and her companions entered the room, a palpable sense of bewilderment consumed them, their eyes widening in astonishment and dread as they took in the disarray before them—an empty room tainted only by splatters of blood and the haunting remains of a severed wrist caught in handcuffs.
Standing at the threshold, Kiara's gaze fixated on the gruesome tableau, tracing the gruesome path of crimson footprints that ominously trailed towards the window, leaving them all entangled in a web of questions, uncertainty, and the terrifying unknown.
"How did I not see this coming? I have just killed an innocent man"
Within the dimly lit room, Kiara found solace when a fellow survivor, James, approached and gently laid his hands on her shoulders, offering reassurance amidst the tragedy that unfolded.
"It wasn't your fault, none of us saw this coming", said James.
However, in the blink of an eye, the atmosphere shifted as the piercing realization struck one of the men, his gaze fixated upon a massive, black-scaled, colossal anaconda silently encroaching upon their vicinity.
Urgently, he motioned to alert their comrades, and the two individuals stationed by the entrance sprung into action, rallying five heavily armed soldiers to brace against the nearby windows.
Meanwhile, the towering anaconda gradually ascended, its predatory gaze sweeping the empty room, fixated on an unlocked door.
Its serpentine form writhed, hissing ominously and slobbering droplets of saliva that splattered onto James' face, invoking terror within the group. Kiara's eyes locked with that of her teammate, sharing an unspoken understanding of the dire situation they faced.
In a swift display of skill, her companion conjured a veil of smoke, obscuring the vision of the serpent, effectively blindsiding it.
Seizing an opportunity, one of the soldiers desperate for an escape made a daring sprint towards the door.
But fate proved cruel as the anaconda's coiling body ensnared the soldier's leg, its menacing tongue snaking out to bind and ensnare its prey.
"Haaaaaa... help me! Please help meeeee!
Desperation filled the air as the soldier's agonized plea for help pierced through the room, only to be met with the grim realization that his comrades could only bear witness to the horrific demise that awaited him.
With brutal force, the monstrous anaconda mercilessly slammed the man's body through the unforgiving wall, snatching away his paralyzed form, and leaving a chilling reminder of the ruthlessness of their apocalyptic reality.
———
Meanwhile...
In a state of disarray, sporting a blood-splattered visage and tattered attire that concealed an astonishing absence of injuries upon his exposed midsection.
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Michael descended the staircase with deliberate steps, his destination set firmly below ground where the forsaken survivors, abandoned by the remnants of a once-governing authority, sought refuge.
As he arrived at his intended location, a somber sight met his eyes—others who shared his fate, bodies wearily leaning against drab walls in a room bereft of sustenance, devoid of food, water, or any means of survival.
Even the meager resources he had pilfered from Kiara's campaign were now but empty remnants of a fleeting respite.
Yet, among this desolation, a glimmer of hope surfaced in the form of an innocent child, who, upon spotting Michael, exclaimed with unadulterated delight, "Mommy, look! It's Michelangelo! He's going to bring supplies!"
A flicker of feigned cheer briefly danced across Michael's face, though the adults among the forsaken survivors understood all too well that this time, their stalwart savior arrived empty-handed, lacking the means to alleviate their insufferable plight amidst the unyielding grip of the merciless apocalypse.
"Yo, Mickey!"
With a determined focus, Michael fixed his gaze upon a boy of his age, urgently calling for his aid. Responding to the summons, our protagonist swiftly navigated his way to the designated spot—the top of the stairs—where he was met by Ronnie.
His childhood friend, and partner-in-crime from their days as skilled outsider thieves in the desolate aftermath of the apocalypse.
"Dude, you're a mess. Are you holding up okay?" questioned Ronnie, a hint of concern threaded through his words.
Michael examined his wrist in disbelief, his mind swirling at the miraculous sight of its regenerated state, despite his vivid recollection of his severed wrist trapped within Kiara's handcuffs.
However, his reverie was interrupted by a gentle touch from a female presence behind him.
"Hey, Michaelangelo. We've devised a plan—a scheme to secure a cache of resources that will sustain both us and these struggling survivors for months.. this time, am certain we'll pass the damn exam," announced Cassie, her voice brimming with confidence.
Mystified, Michael glanced at Cassie, well aware that the notion of acquiring supplies capable of lasting months was seemingly impossible—a mere illusion amidst the relentless trials of the apocalyptic world they inhabited.
Yet, his astonishment intensified as Ronnie and Cassie exchanged a sinister smile and dropped a round metallic object onto the floor, mirroring Kiara's device, projecting a floating holographic screen displaying an intricate network of buildings.
"We can't pass the exam, the government makes sure only those with abilities would be able to", said Michael, but was dumbfounded when he saw a holographic map.
"This week's exam is about stealing resources... you and I've been master planners of thieves.. we can pull this off", Ronnie assured.
"At least tell me you've got a plan to pass this time around"
Ronnie smirked, and turned his gaze to Cassie, cuz they were about to blow his mind. He stared at the map and began explaining how the plan Would work out.
"First, we infiltrate the Nazi headquarters for weapons. I know the path to reach that hellish domain," Ronnie declared before Cassie picked up where he left off.
"But here's the kicker—some disgruntled Nazi defectors dropped off shipments in the school when they were ambushed by a Level 14 zombie, unburdening the vehicle. The school is just two blocks away," Cassie revealed.
Michael regarded them, a mix of bewilderment and awe coursing through his veins as he studied the map, then shifted his gaze back to his comrades.
"Even if we succeed in obtaining weapons, guns are ineffective against the various calamities we face," he pointed out.
Cassie interjected, a blazing determination emanating from her as her hands ignited in red flames, leaving Michael astonished at her newfound abilities.
"True, but not all threats are immune to gunfire. The aliens, for instance, are Level 1, allowing for a relatively easy elimination. Besides, we have an awakened member among us—an grand hunter," Ronnie revealed, directing attention towards Cassie.
In a breathtaking flourish, Cassie showcased her powers just as Ronnie demonstrated his own by disappearing and appearing stealthily behind Michaelangelo, who couldn't help but be awestruck by their formidable skills.
With reassurance resounding in their voices, Ronnie affirmed.
"We've got this, Mickey. The three of us—me, you, and Cass—we can pull this off."
Eyes shifting between the formidable survivors downstairs and his friends, Michael posed the question that lingered in his mind.
"When did the two of you acquire these abilities?"
"Just a few days ago," came the response, coupled with a mischievous grin.
"Cassie managed to unleash a torrent of fire, engulfing an entire building during her practice. Just imagine what she could do to those aliens," they explained, their words filled with awe and anticipation.
A smug smirk danced across Michael's lips, an air of confidence enveloping him.
The exam was all about finding resources and proving to the government survivor academy that they could contribute.. also, the higher the numbers in the academy, the higher the chances of winning the apocalypse and feeding these forsaken Survivors.
"So what do you say? keep on stealing from Kiara or we get it the right way for once", asked Ronnie, knowing true well they'd been failing the exam for the past weeks... either because they were powerless, overpowered by the rest exam takers or they cowered.
But this time, Ronnie has a glimmer of hope.
"Man.. it ain't gonna be an easy battle with the aliens.. but... I'm in", said Michaelangelo.
"Waiting room here we come", Ronnie said jovially.