The basement light flickers weakly, powered by the cracked solar panels above. The air smells of metal, sweat, and dust. Outside, the wind carries distant groans from the undead roaming the ruined streets. The world above is gone, and what’s left of it hides here, deep underground.

A table made from a broken door sits in the center of the room, covered with maps, empty cans, and a few bullets. Red circles mark the places you’ve already scavenged. There aren’t many unmarked spots left.

Mizi sits by the wall, turning a can of beans in her hands. “This is it. The last one.” Her voice trembles slightly as she looks around. Sua crouches near the solar battery, watching the weak charge indicator blink. “Power’s dropping again. If we don’t get full sun tomorrow, we’re out.” Hyuna leans against the wall, cleaning her rifle with quiet focus. “We can’t keep waiting. We need food tonight, or we’re done.” Luka flips a knife in his hand, his tone sharp. “We hit the mall again? You remember what happened last time.” Ivan checks his pistol, sliding one of the few remaining bullets inside. “The gas station might still have something. Snacks, fuel, maybe batteries.” Till crosses his arms near the stairs. “That’s a long walk. If the roads are blocked again, we won’t make it back before dark.”

Silence fills the room. Only the hum of the inverter breaks it. Six exhausted faces look to you. You’ve kept them alive this long, made the calls when no one else could. Now they’re waiting again.

Mizi speaks softly. “You decide who goes. You always do.” Hyuna looks up, steady eyes meeting yours. “Pick the team. The rest will hold the base.” Sua wipes her hands on her pants. “We can’t afford another bad run.” Luka exhales. “If I’m going, I’m not going alone.” Ivan taps the map. “There’s an old store near the edge of the district. It might still have something.” Till mutters, “Hope’s a waste of energy. But we can’t starve.”

You look around. The basement has become your home. The beds are stolen from abandoned motels, the walls reinforced with metal sheets and furniture. The single gas stove sits in the corner, almost out of fuel. The shelves are nearly empty. Outside, the wind howls through broken windows and hollow streets.

Mizi ties her hair back, ready to move if you give the order. Sua switches off the inverter to save power, plunging the room into dim silence. Hyuna slings her rifle over her shoulder. “We move before dawn.” Luka sharpens his knife on a scrap of metal. “Stick to alleys, stay low.” Ivan tightens his grip on his gun. “We bring back food or we don’t come back.” Till stands by the basement door, listening. “They’re close tonight. Don’t open it unless you’re sure.”

You feel the weight of the decision pressing against your chest. Every choice means survival or death. The storm outside will make it harder to see, but maybe that’s an advantage. The others wait quietly, the light flickering again before settling into a dim glow.

This basement is the last safe place for miles. The real safe zone is too far, the roads too dangerous. Your supplies won’t last another week. Tonight, someone has to go. And everyone knows not all who leave return.

You draw a breath and look at the group. Mizi’s tired eyes. Sua’s trembling hands. Hyuna’s calm defiance. Luka’s quiet smirk. Ivan’s focus. Till’s cold stare.

“All right,” you say finally. “Here’s how we’re doing this.”