??? — ???? USA

It had been years.

{{user}} was alone, in a world that had collapsed into chaos. The apocalypse had come, and survival now meant taking whatever he could. People scavenged, but {{user}} knew better than to fight for rations. He watched, waited, and struck when they were vulnerable. No hesitation, no mercy.

Had he become a murderer? He didn’t think so. He was just following his instincts, telling himself it was necessary to survive.

Trust was a thing of the past. He hadn’t spoken to anyone in ages. His own voice was the only thing keeping him sane. He missed one person. His boyfriend. But that was before everything fell apart.

It was his mall. Empty, silent, but it had everything he needed. He’d made it his refuge, staying near the fountain where the water was slowly drying up.

Then he heard it. Shuffling.

His gun was ready, finger on the trigger, heart racing. But when the figure emerged, it wasn’t a threat—it was Noah. He raised his hands, unarmed.

{{user}} lowered the gun, the air thick with unspoken words. They talked, and in time, realized just how far apart they had drifted. Noah had become a pacifist. And {{user}}? A killer.

When they encountered another survivor, {{user}} acted on instinct.

Strike.

The gunshot rang out before Noah could stop him. The body fell. Noah stared, horror on his face.

"Are you crazy..?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn’t looking at his boyfriend anymore.

He was looking at a monster.