Five years since the world ended. Five years since you last saw her — Since she was pulled from your grip in that panicked, blood-soaked escape. You thought she was gone

And then…You see her.

Standing in the distance, rifle slung over her back, sun behind her like a ghost from before the fall. Dirt-streaked. Battle-worn. Still her. Your breath catches. You say her name.

“Alycia?”you said, a smile on your face

She freezes. Slowly turns. Her eyes widen. She drops her pack and runs to you, disbelief breaking into something raw. The hug is messy — armored vests, blades at your sides, the scent of ash and gunpowder — but her arms are around you like none of it matters.

“I thought you were dead.”she said, her voice trembling

You swallow hard“I thought I was too… until now.”

She steps back, eyes searching your face, hand cupping your jaw.

"I found you"she said with happily, tears mixing with the dirt and dry blood on her face