1. Chapter 1

It had been years since the apocalypse began. I didn't know what lay beyond the dark underground tunnel where my mother and I lived. But three days had passed since she ventured outside to search for food, and she still hadn't returned.

I was only twelve when the world ended. The creatures outside were neither human nor beast. They moved in silence, clad in robes of deep red cloth. No living soul had ever seen their faces, because seeing them meant instant death.

They appeared only at a specific hour of the day, slaughtering every living thing in sight. Survival meant one simple rule: hide until the Red Hour passed.

My mother had kept us hidden in this damp sanctuary for as long as I could remember. She never allowed us outside, taking on the burden of foraging alone once the Red Hour cleared. But now, three full days had slipped by without a trace of her.

I looked down at my little brother resting his head in my lap. Noah’s large brown eyes were dull with exhaustion. I had no idea what remained of the world above, or if any other humans were left alive. But one truth was clear: if I didn't find food soon, neither of us would survive the coming days.

“Noah,” I whispered.

He lifted his head, resting his chin on my knee.

“Mom isn't back yet,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat as my resolve took hold. “I'm going out to find food. Wait here for me.”

Noah’s eyes dropped, his small shoulders slumping as he realized what I was planning. “But Mom told us to wait for her. No matter what.”

I refused to believe my mother was dead. But right now, staying alive meant taking action, and I was the only protection my brother had left.

“What if you never come back?” Noah asked, his voice trembling as glass-like tears welled in his eyes.

“I’ll come back, Noah. I promise,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady even as my heart hammered against my ribs.

“I'm coming with you,” Noah said, scrambling to his feet. His chest heaved with quick, shallow breaths. “We find food together. I’m not sitting here waiting alone!”

“Noah, what if….”

“I don't care!” Tears spilled down his cheeks, leaving clean streaks through the grime on his face. “I’m coming. You’re all I have left!”

He was right. We only had each other, and the world above was an unknown nightmare.

“Okay,” I breathed, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly. “Come with me. But promise me you won't leave my side. I will do everything in my power to protect you.”

He gave a tight nod.

I unlatched the heavy storm door leading upward, shoved it open, and crawled out into the dim daylight before hauling Noah up beside me.

“Wow...” Noah gasped.

The world before us was far from beautiful. It was a desolate wasteland stained with rust and dried blood. Holding Noah’s hand with a vise-like grip, I pressed forward. I had no map, no plan, only the urgent need to find provisions.

We picked our way past broken structures and still bodies scattered across the pavement. Instinctively, my eyes scanned every fallen silhouette, terrified I might recognize my mother’s coat. I reached over to cover Noah’s eyes, but he shoved my hand away, staring straight ahead with grim determination.

After what felt like hours of endless walking, the rusted frame of a shopping mall emerged from the haze. Its oversized sign hung crookedly from a single bolt. Without hesitating, I pulled Noah into a sprint toward the entrance.

“We made it, Elara!” Noah breathed.

Shadows were stretching long across the broken asphalt, dusk was creeping in. If we moved quickly, we could load up and make it back to the hatch before the Red Hour arrived.

We moved frantically through the abandoned aisles, stuffing our backpacks with canned goods, bottled water, and anything non-perishable that could sustain us while we waited for Mom.

“Let’s go,” I whispered.

Noah nodded, offering a small, tired smile. Hand in hand, we stepped back out into the open air.

I paused, scanning the horizon. We had walked straight from the tunnel, so I turned us back toward the direction we came. But the ruined streetscape seemed to shift; every corner looked identical.

A cold wave of panic hit my chest as we rounded a block only to find ourselves standing directly in front of the mall entrance again. We were walking in circles.

“We’re lost, Elara,” Noah whimpered, his voice dropping. “And we don't know when they’ll….”

Thud... gud.

A heavy, rhythmic vibration shuddered through the ground, the exact sickening sound that had marked the arrival of the Red Ones years ago.

My hands shook violently. Panic threatened to freeze me where I stood, but when I looked down at Noah, he was staring up at me, waiting for me to save him. He still believed in my promise. I forced the terror down and braced myself.

“Run, Noah! We need to hide!” I yelled, pulling him along.

We bolted down the center of the street. I dared a glance over my shoulder and froze, far down the avenue, figures were closing in at impossible speeds. They moved with unnatural fluidity, crimson garments fluttering around them, long blades gleaming in their hands.

Hiding in the mall was never an option; the Red Ones tracked prey into enclosed spaces with horrifying precision. Our only chance was finding an unseen niche out in the open.

I glanced back once more to judge the distance…

“Ahh! Elara!”

A sharp cry cut through the air as Noah crashed onto the concrete, having tripped over a shattered bottle. I spun around and dropped to my knees beside him, hauling at his arm, but my limbs felt heavy and weak from exhaustion.

The crimson shapes were closing the distance fast.

Confusion and terror scrambled my thoughts as I pulled my brother close, staring frantically at the approaching shadows.

Is this how we die?