SOMETHING IS WRONG

AUTHOR’S POV 

The argument began before sunrise.

“We cannot keep doing this!”

Harlan’s voice rang through the communal hall as he stormed inside, startling several survivors from their breakfast. Elena was securing the lid on a water container when he stopped in front of her.

“We’re running out of food,” he continued. “Yesterday’s hunting party brought back barely enough to feed everyone. The northern trail is useless, and now you want to send another group into the forest?”

Elena tightened the strap around the container.

“Good morning to you, too.”

“This isn't a joke, Elena.”

“Neither is starvation. Which is why we're organizing another supply expedition.”

Harlan threw up his hands. “To where? Another abandoned settlement? We've searched the nearest buildings already.”

“There are older settlements farther down the mountain. Some were abandoned years before the plague. We might find food, tools, or medical supplies.”

“Or infected people.”

“Then we'll take precautions.”

“And when someone gets killed?”

Elena finally looked at him.

“Then we'll deal with that risk. But sitting here arguing won't make our supplies last any longer.”

A few survivors exchanged glances. Garrick, who had been repairing a hunting knife near the fireplace, rose from his chair.

“I'll lead the expedition.”

Harlan scoffed. “Of course you will. You two seem to think this place belongs to you.”

“No,” Garrick replied. “We simply understand that complaining won't fill our stomachs.”

Elena stepped between them before Harlan could respond.

“We leave in an hour. Garrick, take three hunters. Watch for tracks, avoid unfamiliar buildings unless necessary, and leave immediately if you find signs of infection.”

“Understood.”

“And I'm coming.”

Garrick's expression changed.

“No.”

Elena raised an eyebrow. “That wasn't a question.”

“You're a healer. If something happens here, they'll need you.”

“If something happens out there, the injured will need me, too. Besides, I know what medical supplies we're looking for.”

“Elena—”

“Garrick.”

They stared at each other.

Finally, he exhaled sharply.

“Fine. But when we reach the buildings, you stay behind me.”

“I'll consider it.”

“That's not what I said.”

“Then you should have phrased it differently.”

One of the hunters snorted. Garrick shot him a look before turning toward the door.

“An hour,” he reminded her.

Elena finished packing her medical bag, checked the small knife secured at her waist, and filled two bottles with clean water.

Then she followed the men into the forest.

The morning mist clung to the trees, blurring the narrow trail ahead. Their boots sank into damp earth as they moved through the undergrowth, scanning the ground for tracks and the trees for movement.

Something was wrong.

Elena had noticed it the moment they left the settlement. No birds called overhead. No squirrels darted through the branches. Even the insects seemed to have disappeared.

The forest was holding its breath.

Something is here, Luma murmured.

Elena tightened her grip on her medical bag.

The plague has infected half the world. That's hardly surprising.

Not like this.

Before Elena could ask what she meant, the hunter in front raised his fist.

“Stop.”

Everyone froze.