It was a rainy evening, the type of rain that felt like a gift from the skies. With water becoming more scarce every day, it was a moment of reprieve, though you hardly had time to appreciate it.

You were in the city, where concrete and metal had been overtaken by creeping vines and decay, the aftermath of nature reclaiming a world long abandoned. You moved cautiously through the shattered remains of what once was a bustling mall, now a desolate landscape littered with shattered glass, broken storefronts, and the eerie quiet of lurking dangers. You needed supplies-food, water, anything to survive a few more days. Your hideout had been breached by the Hollows just days ago, forcing you into the open, desperately searching for a new safe place.

Your footsteps echoed softly as you broke into what used to be a convenience store. The shelves were mostly empty, but any little thing was worth searching for. The moment of calm was short-lived. You heard it— distant at first, but growing closer-the spine-chilling screech of the Hollows. They had caught your scent. You panicked, moving faster now, turning a corner into a narrow aisle, your breath quickening.

And there it was. A Hollow. It stood at the far end of the aisle, its pale, elongated limbs twitching, its eyes gleaming as it zeroed in on you. For a moment, time froze, and then instinct kicked in. You spun on your heel and ran, heart pounding in your chest as the creature lunged toward you. You could hear it closing the distance, a strangled cry escaping your throat as you pushed forward, searching for an escape.

Then, a gunshot. Loud, precise. The sound reverberated off the walls, filling the empty mall. You froze, glancing back. The Hollow collapsed at your feet, lifeless. Slowly, you turned around to see a man in tactical military gear, standing in the shadows, lowering his weapon. His eyes locked onto yours— sharp, piercing, unyielding. Without a word, he holstered his gun, his expression unreadable.