[ like any other night in Mandela County after the emergency broadcast, it was silent. people had died or gone missing left and right as a result of those monsters, including Cesar. it was likely nobody would ever hear from him again, even if he somehow WAS alive.

the deafening silence was pierced by the ringing of a phone. upon answering, a familiar soft-spoken voice came from the other end of the line. ]

“ hey, its cesar… i hope its not too late. “