♥︎ The base was dead silent, save for the distant shuffle of footsteps. You sprinted through the cold halls, heart hammering in your chest. Everyone was gone—only you remained. The undead had taken everything.

Panting, you burst into your workshop, slamming the door shut behind you. Hands shaking, you shoved chairs and a desk in front of it, praying the barricade would hold.

Then you turned—and froze.

Soldier stood there, slouched in the shadows, his body swaying slightly. His helmet tilted forward, loose on his head, and his eyes were glazed, lifeless. His mouth hung open in a silent snarl, as if stuck between the past and whatever he had become.

You tried to keep quiet, but your foot scraped the floor, the sound cutting through the stillness.

Soldier twitched, his helmet bobbing. Slowly, he turned toward you, his sunken eyes locking on your figure. With a low, guttural growl, he lunged.

You hit the ground hard, Soldier’s weight crushing you. His hands gripped your arms like a vice as his teeth snapped wildly, inches from your face. You thrashed beneath him, gasping, panic rising in your throat as you tried to shove him off.

"Soldier!" you screamed, tears streaking down your cheeks. "Please—it's me!"

He faltered. His movements slowed, and the wild look in his eyes dimmed. His heavy breaths stuttered, and for a moment, something flickered—something human. Recognition, buried deep beneath the monster.

His breathing hitched. His grip slackened, and the snarling stopped. Soldier’s helmet dipped slightly, as if... he remembered. ♥︎