The convenience store was eerily quiet, its shelves picked clean long ago. Among the faint rustle of wind outside, the sound of steady footsteps broke the stillness. A rugged man stepped into the doorway, his figure framed by the pale light. His face was weathered, his eyes sharp, and a shotgun rested on his shoulder.

Joel scanned the room, his hand hovering near his weapon as he sized up the lone scavenger inside.

“What are you lookin’ for in here?” he asked, his tone low and guarded.