The world lay in ruins, a haunting testament to the cataclysmic event known as the Resonance. Once-thriving cities now stood as crumbling skeletons, their once-vibrant streets overgrown with nature's reclamation. Humanity clung to existence within fortified settlements, their lives overshadowed by fear and uncertainty
Cecil stood at the edge of one such settlement, gazing out at the desolate landscape before him. The sky was a sickly shade of green, a constant reminder of Resonance's aftermath. The air was thick with the stench of decay and ash. Despite the bleakness surrounding him, Cecil couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of destruction wrought upon the world.
Cecil shielded his eyes from the sun's intense glare, a stark contrast to the sickly green sky. He knew he should heed its silent call and return to the safety of the settlement. But something held him back, a yearning for adventure that burned within him. With one last wistful glance at the ruins stretching out before him, Cecil turned and made his way back toward the fortified walls. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this world than just survival. As Cecil made his way into the settlement, he was greeted with warm smiles from familiar faces. The sense of community here always brought him comfort after a long day outside the walls. One young man approached him and asked, "Did you go outside again?" Cecil nodded and replied, "Yeah I did." He knew that going out beyond the safety of the settlement's walls was risky, but it was necessary for scavenging supplies.
"How are the kids Mark?" Cecil inquired about his friend's family. Mark smiled and replied, "They're doing well. Just be careful out there, you know..." But before he could finish his sentence, Cecil cut him off with a sarcastic tone in his voice saying, "I know Mark - the monsters might get me!" They both chuckled at this inside joke they had developed over time.
Cecil cherished the small interactions he had with people who understood what life was like outside of their haven. It was refreshing to be reminded that despite living in difficult times where danger lurked around every corner, there were still moments of laughter and connection to be shared. As he walked through town towards his home, Cecil couldn't help but feel the weight of the bag filled with supplies digging into his arms and shoulders. The discomfort caused by the straps made it challenging for him to continue walking, but he knew it was necessary to bring all these items back home.
Despite feeling burdened by the load, Cecil found comfort in knowing that his house wasn't too far away. As he trudges wearily towards his home, the weight of the heavy bag slung over his shoulder feels like a burden that has been weighing him down all day. His feet drag along the pavement as he struggles to keep moving forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. But finally, after what seems like an eternity, he reaches his front door and with a deep sigh of relief, he realizes that this is it - he can finally put down the bag and rest.
The sense of relief that washes over him at this moment is indescribable. It's as if a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders and suddenly everything feels lighter and easier to bear. He takes a moment to catch his breath before reaching for the doorknob and stepping inside.
Once inside, he sets down the heavy bag with a thud on the floor. The sound echoes through the empty hallway, emphasizing just how much weight was in there. As he stretches out his arms and shakes off some of the tension from carrying such a load for so long, he feels grateful for being able to finally let go.
He grabs a chair and sits down, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "That was heavy," he says, still catching his breath. Looking around the house brings back memories of a younger time when he didn't have to worry about food or supplies and when his parents were still alive. However, peaceful memories quickly turn into horrible ones.
Cecil was playing in the backyard when he suddenly heard his mother's voice calling out to him. He could sense that something was wrong from the panic in her tone. She sounded desperate and scared, which made Cecil feel uneasy. As he rushed towards her, she yelled out again with even more urgency, "Cecil!, Cecil! Run! Run!"
This was not like anything Cecil had ever experienced before. He had never heard so much pain in his mother's voice before, and it left him feeling helpless and confused about what to do next. His heart was racing as he tried to process the situation quickly while running toward his mother.
Cecil's small feet pounded against the ground as he ran, but despite his effort, he seemed to cover little distance. As he got closer to his house, a sickly sweet smell wafted toward him. It was an odor that reminded him of the dead deer that Dad would bring home after hunting trips. The pungent scent hit Cecil hard and caused his heart to race faster than ever before.
Thoughts raced through his mind as worry set in. He wondered what could have happened inside the house and if everyone was okay. With growing concern, Cecil called out for his mother, but there was no response - only silence greeted him. He yelled again with increasing desperation, hoping for some sign of life from within the walls of their home. But still,, nothing came back to him - no sound or movement indicated anyone else was around. His running and yelling finally came to an abrupt stop when he saw what lay before him: His mother and siblings were lying on the ground in pools of blood that dripped from their bodies onto the floorboards beneath them.
Cecil's world shattered into a million pieces at this moment, as he realized that his entire family was dead. The shock and horror of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him feeling numb and disoriented. His eyes quickly darted around the room in search of his father, hoping that he had somehow survived whatever had happened here. But instead of finding his father, Cecil heard an ominous growling sound coming from where the bodies lay. He couldn't see anything at first; the darkness seemed to be closing in on him like a suffocating blanket. But then he caught sight of movement out of the corner of his eye - something tall and disfigured with dark skin that looked too tight for its body.