Irvin scanned the area for the remaining creatures. One lay dead near the forest's edge, next to the body of a young boy. Further away, he spotted two women and another man cornering the final monster.

That's mine, Irvin thought, his eyes narrowing. He knew it wasn't the smartest move, but the desire for that final kill - and whatever rewards it might bring - overwhelmed his caution.

He sprinted towards the group, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The monster was trapped, snapping and snarling as the newcomers closed in. Just as they were about to finish it off, Irvin burst through their circle.

Time seemed to slow as he brought the claw down in a vicious arc. It connected with a wet thunk, crushing the creature's skull. The monster went limp instantly, its eyes glazing over as it slumped to the ground.

Silence fell over the group. Irvin could feel their eyes on him, a mix of surprise and suspicion in their gazes. He straightened up, trying to control his ragged breathing as his mind raced for something to say.

"Is... is everyone alright?" he managed, his voice hoarse. "Do you need help with any injuries?"

The man who had been cornering the monster with the women stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. "What the hell was that?" he spat. "We had it under control!"

Irvin raised his hands placatingly, acutely aware of the blood-soaked claw he still gripped. "I was just trying to help," he said, forcing a note of concern into his voice. "I saw you had it cornered and thought I would finish it off quickly. Before someone got injured"

The man opened his mouth to argue further, but one of the women placed a hand on his arm. "James, stop," she said softly. "He did help, even if we didn't need it. We're all just trying to survive here."

James clenched his jaw, clearly still annoyed, but he nodded grudgingly. "Fine," he muttered. "Thanks for the assist, I guess."

Irvin relaxed slightly, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. That was too close, he thought. I need to be more careful. Can't have them turn against me.

"We should check on the others," Irvin suggested, eager to change the subject. "I saw Alex get bitten earlier."

I need to get stronger, he realized. Fast. But I also need these people, at least for now. I have to play this carefully. They made their way back to the main group, Irvin surveying the aftermath of the battle.

His chest heaved as adrenaline slowly left his system. The once-peaceful clearing now resembled a gruesome sight of carnage. Bodies of both humans and monstrous dogs dotted the freshly sprouting grass.

Their original group had suffered additional casualties. A younger man with scrawny beard lay motionless near the edge of the clearing, his chest torn open by vicious claws. Not far from him, a woman with short blonde hair stared sightlessly at the sky, her neck bent at an unnatural angle. The sight of their lifeless forms sent a chill down Irvin's spine, reminding him of how close he'd come to sharing their fate.

That could've been me, he thought. I need to avoid these fights. Can't afford to make mistakes.

Doing some quick math Irvin counted ten guys and twelve women who huddled near the entrance to the rubble, their faces etched with shock and fear.

The newcomers lost people just on arrival and Irvin could smell trouble. A young boy, no older than twelve, lay crumpled near the forest's edge. His small form looked even more fragile in death, a stark reminder that the whole city is in shambles.

Irvin's eyes went to an elderly couple in their sixties which somehow managed to survive. Their eyes darted about nervously, as if expecting another attack at any moment.

As the situation calmed, the groups converged to assess injuries and discuss their next move. Irvin felt a sudden wave of pain wash over him, his muscles screaming in protest as his back flared with pain with each step. He gritted his teeth, fighting to remain standing as he became acutely aware of the gash across his back.

Shit. He reached around to gingerly probe the wound. If I don't clean this soon, infection's gonna be the thing that kills me.

While the others stood together and arguing about what is going to happen next, Irvin found himself alone. His gaze fell on the two dog-like creatures he'd managed to kill. Can't let that meat go to waste, he reasoned. Might be the only food we have for a while.

Ignoring the protests of his aching body, Irvin dragged the carcasses towards his bird. He knelt beside them, his hands shaking slightly as he gripped the bird-like claw he'd used as a weapon. Taking a deep breath, he began the gruesome task of butchering and skinning the creatures.

***

Sarah stood frozen, her heart still racing from the recent attack.

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Her eyes drifted to Irvin, who had already turned away from the group. Without a word, he began dragging the carcasses of the dog-like creatures he'd killed. Sarah watched, a mix of confusion and disbelief washing over her as Irvin knelt beside the bodies and started butchering them.

How can he just... do that? she wondered, her stomach churning at the sight. We just lost people. Doesn't he care?

Around her, the survivors huddled together, their faces etched with shock and grief. Soft sobs and murmured comforts filled the air. This felt real to Sarah - a natural response to the horror they'd just experienced. Irvin's detachment, by contrast, seemed almost inhuman.

Yet, as she watched him work, Sarah couldn't shake the memory of what had transpired moments ago. When those creatures attacked, Irvin hadn't hesitated. He'd stood his ground, fighting off the beasts that threatened her and Lisa. While others fled, he'd remained, putting himself between the monsters and the two women.

He saved our lives, Sarah realized, her perspective shifting. Maybe I've misjudged him.

The thought gave her pause. Since Irvin had joined their group, Sarah had been wary of him. His calculating gaze and apparent lack of empathy had set her on edge. But now, seeing his actions in a new light, she found herself reconsidering.

We need someone like him, she admitted to herself. Even if he is here only for his own benefit.

Sarah couldn't entirely shake her initial misgivings. His emotional detachment, so evident now as he calmly butchered the creatures, still unnerved her.

What if that same coldness turns against us? she wondered. What if he decides we're no longer useful to him?

Sarah's gaze drifted back to the group. They were scared, vulnerable - easy targets for someone with Irvin's apparent lack of moral constraints. The thought of being manipulated or betrayed by someone they depended on sent a chill down her spine.

I don't want to experience it again. She hugged herself. I need to be careful around him.

As she wrestled with these conflicting thoughts, Sarah noticed Lisa trembling beside her. The younger woman's eyes were wide with fear, darting between the bodies on the ground and Irvin's methodical work.

"It's okay," Sarah found herself saying, placing a comforting hand on Lisa's shoulder. "We're safe now."

The words felt hollow, even as she spoke them. Safety, she realized, was a relative term in this place. But as her gaze returned to Irvin, she couldn't deny the small measure of security his presence provided.

Maybe that's enough for now.

***

The work was messy and difficult. Irvin's hands slipped on blood-slicked fur, the unfamiliar anatomy of the beasts making the process even more challenging. As he worked, his mind went blank in the process.

This meat's gonna spoil fast, he realized, glancing at the darkening sky. Nobody's gonna start a fire anytime soon. Maybe if I can find some water...

The thought of water made Irvin acutely aware of his parched throat and the sticky feeling of drying blood on his skin. He needed to clean himself and the meat if he had any hope of avoiding infection or food poisoning.

Wiping his bloodied hands on his already blood covered body by habit, Irvin approached the group. Their conversation died as he neared, all eyes turning to take in his gore-covered appearance. He could see the mixture of fear and revulsion in their expressions.

"Did any of you see water when you went out?" Irvin asked, his voice hoarse from exertion.

The newcomers exchanged glances before the old man spoke up. "Yeah, we passed a river on the east side of the city. It looked like it had grown into a much larger stream since... well, since everything changed."

Irvin nodded, processing the information. A larger stream could mean more evolved creatures, he mused. But I need that water. It's a risk Ill have to take.

"I see," he said. "What made you go this way rather then staying near the water?"

The old man crossed his arms, "looking for food, we know where the water is, but there are no shops or restaurants where food might have been."

Irvin opened his mouth to speak, but Mike cut him off abruptly.

"We already discussed the need to get water and start a fire," Mike declared, his voice firm. "We need to decide who goes for the water and who starts an fire to prepare the meat. It's our best chance at surviving.

Irvin nodded, relieved that someone else had the interest in leading and organizing the group. He felt the sticky residue of blood on his skin, the gash on his back throbbing with each heartbeat.

Before anyone could respond to Mike's suggestion, a woman sitting nearby suddenly erupted.

"Are you all insane?" she shrieked, her eyes wild with a mixture of fear and anger. "How can you be so... so composed? People are dead! Our friends are dead!" She gestured wildly at the bodies scattered around the clearing. "And you're talking about cooking meat like it's a goddamn picnic!"

Mike's face fell, his earlier confidence shook. "I... I'm sorry," he stammered. "I didn't mean to sound insensitive. We just need to-"

Irvin tuned out Mike's fumbling apology, his mind turning to the speaking women. She's right, in a way, he realized. We're surrounded by death. But if we let ourselves feel it... If we actually try to process any of this crap, someone will break down and take the group with them.

Some people adjust faster, Irvin mused, his gaze sweeping over the group. Others never will. And those who can't adapt...

He left the thought unfinished, but a cold certainty settled in his chest. Those who couldn't adapt to this new, brutal reality wouldn't survive long.

Not wanting to get drawn into the building argument, Irvin turned away from the group. He moved purposefully, gathering items he deemed essential for their water run.

A fur from one of the dog creatures, its texture coarse and unfamiliar under his fingers. A couple of the curved claws, their edges still sharp enough to slice through flesh. The hind legs of the butchered meat.

As he collected the items, a twinge of annoyance flared in his chest at leaving the remaining meat behind. Such a waste.

But practicality won out. If his guess was right, the river shouldn't be more than an hour's walk away - likely the same one that had run behind the park near his dormitory.

Irvin hesitated, glancing back at the arguing group. He had no idea if they planned to leave now or later, but the gash on his back pulsed with urgency. The thought of dying from something as mundane as an infection, especially now, at the dawn of this new world, was frightening him.

I can't wait for them to sort this out, he decided. I need that water now.

As Irvin turned to leave, the argument behind him grew louder. The woman's voice rose to a fevered pitch, while others joined in - some agreeing with her, others trying to calm the situation. Mike's attempts at peacemaking were drowned out by the cacophony of fear and grief.

Irvin closed his eyes, focusing on the strange, intangible sensation of his augments. With a thought, he pulled two more points into his constitution, feeling a subtle shift as the augment settled into place.

Five points now, he noted. Should help with healing right? Or at least keep me alive if it does anything like the name would suggest.