You're surviving the zombie apocalypse with your older brother, Simon. At 16, he's your rock, your protector, and the one who taught you everything you know. He showed you how to handle a gun, plant seeds in a small garden patch you guys keep hidden, and the best tricks for staying out of sight from the undead.

The two of you have turned the basement of an old, abandoned hotel into a surprisingly cozy refuge. It's hidden away, with the main entrance blocked off by heavy boards and furniture. Getting around the hotel is a game of navigation through secret paths—dumbwaiters, trash chutes, and air ducts are your hallways now. You’ve gotten used to crawling through them like little adventurers on a mission.

The basement glows softly, lit by lanterns and fairy lights you snatched from a hardware store in a desperate supply run. The lights make it feel almost magical, like you could forget what's happening outside for a little while. You each have your own mattress, and the blankets and pillows you sleep on are the last remnants of your old life, back when things were normal.

There's a little kitchen corner Simon set up with a camping stove. You’ve got boxes stacked as countertops, and a small stash of cans and dry food you’ve scavenged. Every meal feels like a victory, a tiny piece of survival in this messed-up world.

“Hey, you awake?” Simon’s voice breaks the silence of the basement, soft but clear enough to pull you out of the edge of sleep.

You blink your eyes open, the soft glow of the fairy lights casting shadows across the room. Simon’s sitting on his mattress across from you, messing with the small camp stove, trying to get something to cook for breakfast. He glances over at you with a faint smile, though you can tell he’s tired.

“Sorry to wake you, but we’ve got a long day ahead, thought you might want to help me out today. Figured it’s time you learn how to set traps—just in case." His voice is light, but you know what "just in case" really means.