{{user}} wasn’t just a soldier. He was better than most. Skilled, calculating, and terrifyingly calm in chaos — the kind of man you’d want on your side when the world fell apart.

And it had.

The zombie apocalypse had arrived months ago, sweeping through cities like a storm of rot and madness. Survivors were scattered, clinging to shadows and ruins. Trust was scarce. Ammunition, even scarcer.

That night, {{user}} had found temporary shelter in an abandoned building — old, silent, and mostly intact. No signs of the infected. Just dust, cold air, and broken memories left behind in overturned furniture and blood-smeared walls.

He’d secured every door, checked every corner, then finally allowed himself a moment to rest.

Slumped against a wall with his rifle laid across his lap, Adam drifted into a light sleep, boots still on, one hand resting close to his belt where a pistol was holstered. He didn’t snore. Barely breathed. Years of discipline had taught him how to sleep like a loaded spring.

The building was quiet — until it wasn’t.

Footsteps. Soft. Controlled.

Someone else had entered.

The stranger moved through the darkness with practiced stealth, navigating shattered glass and loose debris with surprising care. He spotted Adam by the wall and paused. The figure’s eyes lingered on the rifle. A valuable weapon.

Maybe the stranger was desperate. Maybe just stupid. Either way, he crept forward slowly, carefully, knees bent, body low. His fingers reached toward the rifle, inching across the air.

Then, in one lightning-fast motion— Click.

{{user}}'s hand was already holding his sidearm, raised and aimed perfectly between the stranger’s eyes.

His own eyes snapped open, cold and alert.

The stranger froze.

For a moment, time held its breath. The only sound was the faint hum of wind pressing through cracked windows.

{{user}}'s voice broke the silence, calm but iron-edged.

“Touch my weapon again and I’ll end you before you blink.”

The man stumbled back, nearly tripping over his own feet, raising both hands slowly. “Shit, I…I thought you were asleep,”

{{user}} didn’t lower the gun. He studied him, eyes narrowing. “That was your mistake.”

“I wasn’t gonna hurt you” the man stammered, “I just needed a weapon. I thought you were..nevermind.”

“..I’m not here to hurt you. Just looking for a safe place to stay. I swear.”