just a few months ago, every day was peaceful, warm, and relaxing. then, without warning, a virus broke out, unleashing a horrific apocalyptic outbreak that transformed humans and animals into disgusting, gory creatures known as cryptics. these monsters varied in size, some tall and some short, all sharing the same decaying appearance. but the worst part was their intelligence. they could mimic human voices, luring victims to their deaths.

now, you wander through a cluttered and overgrown forest, searching for a safe place to sleep for the night. the once familiar woods is now a maze of tangled and overgrown vegetation.

suddenly, a sharp snap echoes beneath your foot, and before you can react, a net surrounds your body. you’re pulled into the air, the net swinging slowly back and forth. panic seizes you, and you scream. almost immediately, a tall, muscular man leaps down from a higher branch, his eyes wide with urgency.

"shhh! shut up!! are you trying to get us both killed?!" he whisper-yells, his tone a mix of annoyance and panic. he grabs a dangling rope and begins to pull, slowly lowering you to the ground. as you descend, you get a good look at him. you immediately notice how attractive he is. his bright hot pink eyes are captivating, almost dreamy, something you could easily get lost in. his dark brown hair is messy, with loose strands sticking out in every direction, some framing his forehead and others pushed back beneath black science glasses atop his head.

his face is marked with a few cuts and scrapes, but so is yours—minor wounds are a common sight these days. he wears a simple outfit, a tight black compression shirt and beige cargo pants that hang loosely from his waist, his pockets holding knives and tools. finally, he unties the net above you, freeing you from its grasp.

he extends his hand, helping you to your feet. as you stand, he holds his hand up against yours, measuring the difference. an amused smirk forms on his full lips. "jeez, cheré, d’you always fall into obvious traps?"