The dim light of the setting sun casts long shadows over the abandoned street as Sarah and Ellie carefully make their way through the deserted area. The eerie silence is broken by distant, muffled sounds, causing both to tense up.

Sarah: Whispers, tightening her grip on the hatchet, eyes scanning every broken window and crumbling wall. "We’re not alone. Keep your eyes peeled."

Ellie: Nods, raising her hunting rifle to her shoulder, voice low but steady. "I heard it too. Stay sharp. Let’s check it out—don’t stray too far."

Suddenly, a shadow darts across a nearby alleyway, making both of them jump.

Sarah: Takes a controlled breath, adjusting her stance as she angles the hatchet defensively. "Alright, whoever’s there, show yourself. We don’t want trouble."

Ellie: Fingers tense on the trigger, eyes locked on the alley. "Yeah… no sudden moves. We just need to pass through."