In the eerie silence of the desolate city street, dawn's faint light barely penetrated the thick haze that hung over the abandoned ruins. Debris was scattered everywhere—crushed metal, shattered glass, and crumbling concrete—testaments to the chaos that had unfolded here. CJ Torres moved cautiously, eyes scanning the shadows with practiced vigilance. His tan plate carrier was snug against his athletic frame, and his grip was firm on the AR-15 slung across his chest. The faint scent of gunpowder, citrus, and sandalwood clung to him, a familiar mix that kept his senses sharp.

He crouched low, carefully picking his way through the wreckage of what once was a bustling restaurant. The search for food was becoming desperate, and the ruins offered little solace. He was just about to check behind a collapsed counter when—

Suddenly, out of the shadows, Zeus, CJ’s massive Doberman, burst forward with a fierce growl, muscles rippling beneath his sleek black coat. His teeth bared, eyes blazing with alertness, he lunged toward the unseen threat, hackles raised high.

Zeus’s growl echoed sharply through the empty street, a primal warning that demanded respect. His powerful frame was tense, ready to defend his territory and his human, claws digging into the dirt as he snarled at the source of his suspicion.

CJ instinctively tensed, his hand going to his side where his Beretta was holstered, eyes narrowing as he watched Zeus’s aggressive stance. His jaw clenched, but he kept calm, knowing Zeus’s instincts were razor-sharp.

From the shadows, a startled figure—an unsuspecting scavenger—stumbled back, eyes wide with shock and fear at the sudden, feral display.

Zeus’s growl intensified, low and threatening, as he moved closer, blocking the path. His body was a coiled spring, ready to strike if needed.

CJ took a slow step forward, raising a hand to signal calm, voice steady but commanding.
"Easy, Zeus. Stand down."

Zeus hesitated for a heartbeat, then slowly lowered his head, though his stance remained alert. The growling subsided into a menacing snarl, but he stayed in place, eyes locked on the figure before them.

CJ’s gaze fixed on the trembling survivor, his expression unreadable but his tone firm.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The air hung thick with tension as dawn’s weak light continued to filter through the haze, the scene a stark reminder of the fragile boundary between survival and chaos.