The sun was barely peaking through the clouds as the wind bellowed around.
The loud tramping of heavy duty boots landing on asphalt sounded through the air, behind, it was followed by the sound of several sneakers and even the flip flap of flip flops.
While normally these sounds were common, usually surpassed by the thousands, with the unusual quite in the air, and the dead sound of an empty city, the sound of running was rare.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
The sound of gunshots suddenly rang through the air, the sound of tramping speeding up, quickly followed the whacking of sneakers and the flip flap of flip flops.
*Bang!*
Gunshots rang out as the air swiveled around, with each blow of the wind Cutting the silence between shots.
*Bang!*
Soon, a groan could be heard.
A groan that split and multiplied with each passing second, as what once was the sound of a couple stumbling steps quickly turned into thousands.
*Bang!*
"Fuck!"
The sharp sound of a desperate man having run out of bullets pierced through the air.
"Look! We're almost there! We can make it!"
The gentle voice of a woman, full of replenished hope seemed to calm the scene all on its own, as the wind slowed to a halt, and the gunshots came to a sudden stop, though the footsteps seemed to speed up rather then halt, as hope filled the eyes of all in the group of five.
A tall tower was in view, ladders flowing down both sides, a safe haven, one of the only few.
"Jason! Come on!"
The woman's voice cried out to the only lagging member, a tall man with dark hair, eyes full of vigor, a limp slowing him down, his left leg having been caught in the crossfire from before.
"I'm coming! just make sure you are all up the ladder before I get there"
Jason's voice called back, in a calm and calculating tone. Being one of the eldest here, he felt he must keep the others safe, often putting their safety above his own, proof of which, was the limp leg slowing him down.
With a look of reluctance, so rarely seen, the four others sped up, only slightly hindered, quickly reaching, the ever promising ladder, a promise of safety, so rarely seen, though the days before, such a thing was common, with safety being free.
Though now, in this deserted city, such a thing was almost akin, to legends if not myths, with the peaceful life of all, having been, just a few months prior, a normal thing.
Now though, all life was lost, with the only few, simply hanging on through luck, and when it ran out they knew, their days would end, so simple too.
An anomaly, never seen, with eyes unlike the rest, a young man among them, having never given up, his mind made up, oh so long ago, he, unlike the rest, would survive, of that much he was sure, it was not up to time he thought, there was no choice, for he, unlike the rest, still had to live, for his love, could never dwindle, its burning flame, resting, half dormant, inside his heart.
Some may call him crazy, others foolish, for him it was certain, for how could he know?
For if there was a chance, and chance there was, he would find, his love oh so worried, and full of fear, though not like the rest, for life would fill her eyes, not like the rest, her heart beats could be heard.
Thus, unlike the rest, he pulled himself forwards, climbing the ladder, up to the safe heaven, for he had no choice, he must live, for he had to find, his true love waiting.