Chapter 37 Fortification BeginsThe soft hum of machinery buzzed as I walked along the sanctuary’s perimeter. It wasn’t much yet, but in the midst of this brutal world, a barrier, any barrier, felt like a small miracle. The others moved around me with renewed focus, each taking on their assigned roles as they adjusted to our layout—medical units to the left, storage for supplies near the center, and fortified towers spaced across key points along the fence. Resources were scarce, and every inch we fortified represented hours of blood, sweat, and planning. Morgan was up on the north tower with Eli, discussing the installation of automated defenses. If all went well, we’d soon have something akin to a working surveillance system, rigged up from salvaged motion sensors and cobbled-together spotlights. Every angle had to be covered. It was a small step, but in times like these, it could mean the difference between life and death.I leaned on the rail beside Hana, watching her mark coord
Scouting and New AlliesThe morning sun broke through the thick clouds, casting a pale, washed-out light across the desolate landscape. There was a strange calm about it, the sort of silence that stretched on for miles in every direction, broken only by the wind carrying dust and whispers of the devastation that had come before.I adjusted the strap on my pack, scanning the broken skyline of what was once the town of Fairbank. Abandoned buildings stood like grave markers, silent and still, each one holding its own story of whatever last stand, last struggle, or final failure had taken place. Now, they were nothing but remnants, waiting for someone—or something—to reclaim them.Eli was a few paces behind me, eyes sharp and alert. His movements were quieter now, more controlled than they had been even a few days ago. Out here, you either learned fast, or you didn’t last long. Hana, our head of reconnaissance, scouted ahead, her figure small against the empty streets but every step delib
The Rise of Anomaly WarfareThe air around the sanctuary felt charged, a tension like the edge of a storm. It had been days since we’d welcomed Morgan and his people, days spent combing over the information he’d shared about The Coalition and experimenting with new defenses. There was no mistaking it—the fights ahead were going to be unlike anything we’d faced before.I stood in the clearing at the center of camp, watching as the team gathered in a circle around me, faces set with grim determination. Today was going to be different. We couldn’t rely on luck or makeshift tactics anymore; it was time to see what we were truly capable of.“Everyone here?” I called out, my gaze sweeping over them. Eli, Hana, Morgan, and the rest of our crew. Each of them had something unique to offer, powers that, if used right, would make us a force no one could take lightly.“Today, we’re focusing on harnessing our anomaly powers,” I continued. “We’re not just going to be survivors. We’re going to be re
Reinforcing Morale and PurposeThe camp was quiet—too quiet. The kind of silence that settled in after a close call, when adrenaline faded and left behind only exhaustion. Yesterday’s attack had taken its toll on everyone, from the veterans to the rookies. I could see it in their slumped shoulders, the heavy footsteps, the way they barely spoke, each one wrapped in thoughts of what lay ahead.As I moved through the camp, I felt the weight of each gaze that avoided mine, each nod that barely mustered a trace of energy. We couldn’t go on like this, not if we wanted to survive. It wasn’t just our defenses that needed fortifying—it was us.“Everyone,” I called out, my voice cutting through the silence. Faces turned toward me, wary but attentive. “Meet at the center of camp tonight. We’re going to take a breather.” There was a murmur, but I saw the flicker of curiosity spark in a few eyes. Good—that was something.When evening came, I set up a small gathering space in the center of camp, a
The Resource DilemmaThe early morning haze settled over the sanctuary, and with it, an uneasy silence. I stood in the supply depot, taking stock of what little remained. Shelves that once held row upon row of rations and water purifiers were now close to bare. Despite our best efforts to ration, the supplies we had carefully hoarded were disappearing faster than I’d anticipated.The reason was simple—our numbers were growing. Every day, it seemed, we encountered new survivors, each one desperate for a safe haven. While every face we saved was another chance at rebuilding, it was also another mouth to feed, another body to protect. Resources that were once enough for a small team were now stretched thin, and it was only a matter of time before we’d hit a breaking point.I ran a hand over my face, the weight of our situation settling heavily on my shoulders. As I glanced up, I saw Hana walking in, her expression as grim as mine.“You see the numbers?” I asked, though I already knew the
Securing the BunkerThe air inside the bunker was heavy, thick with the stench of decay and mildew. Darkness clung to every corner, broken only by the faint beams of our flashlights cutting through the gloom. Our footsteps echoed off the walls, too loud in the oppressive silence, a constant reminder that any wrong move could alert whatever was hiding in the shadows.“We need to keep this tight,” I whispered, gesturing for Hana and Eli to flank me while Morgan covered the rear. Every nerve in my body was on edge, senses sharpened by the knowledge that we were trespassing in a place that hadn’t seen light—or life—in a long time.We moved cautiously down the main corridor, the walls lined with cracked tiles and patches of mold, evidence of years of neglect. Storage rooms branched off on either side, some doors ajar, revealing shelves stacked with cans, boxes, and forgotten crates. Supplies—exactly what we’d come for—but none of us dared move just yet. This bunker had the same feeling as
A New Power EmergesThe night air was crisp as I walked alone through the perimeter of our sanctuary, letting my thoughts settle after the intense mission at the bunker. We’d secured the supplies we needed, but my mind was restless. There was a heaviness that lingered, the shadows of past battles and the ominous sense that greater challenges lay ahead.I closed my eyes, focusing on the space around me, feeling the familiar hum of energy that had become second nature. My spatial domain had always been a part of me, a constant pulse in the background of my awareness. But tonight, something felt... different.A faint tremor sparked deep within, an unfamiliar sensation, like a flicker of electricity jolting through my veins. The power felt stronger, denser, as if it had grown in intensity, shifting from a steady current to a raging river. I drew in a deep breath, grounding myself as I let the energy spread, expanding my domain further than I’d ever dared.As I did, time itself seemed to s
Encounter with the Cult of the AwakenedThe day was unseasonably warm as we trekked through the wasteland, our boots kicking up dust that clung to the dry air. Hana walked ahead, her gaze fixed on the horizon, with Eli and Morgan following close behind, alert and ready. We were scouting a rumored safe zone to the south—a lead Morgan had picked up from a trader who’d passed through days ago. If the trader was right, the place could have shelter, even stockpiles of water.We reached a clearing, where a small compound sat nestled against the rocks. But as we approached, something felt... wrong. A heavy silence hung in the air, thicker than usual, almost oppressive. I stopped, signaling for the others to halt as we took in the scene.The compound was oddly pristine, its walls painted with symbols that looked like a twisted fusion of religious icons and geometric patterns, each one centered around an eye. At the front gate, two figures stood guard, clad in robes embroidered with the same s