The Last Howl
Atlas reached out with a numb hand and clicked the radio off.
The silence that followed was absolute, terrifying, and profound.
The last fragile thread of hope that had sustained us through the nightmare of the Keep snapped in an instant. No armies were coming to save us. There was no safe territory waiting over the mountains. The entire world was burning, devoured by the same grotesque horror that had taken Sia, Timmy, and Marcus.
Vanya sank onto a wooden stool, burying her face in her hands as silent, hopeless tears spilled through her eyes. Kenny stared at the black radio with wide, hollow eyes, his shoulders slumping under the weight of total despair.