As Rylan explored his surroundings, desperation pushed him to seek an escape route. His gaze fell upon a massive metal gate guarded by two sentinels on each side. It was impossible to reach the gate without engaging in a dangerous confrontation. Reluctant, he dismissed the idea of shooting the guards.
While continuing his search, he glanced up at one of the walls and noticed an unsettling object, a watchful eye in the form of a camera. Unfamiliar with technology, he soon realized that he had been detected as a trespasser. Panic gripped him as a deafening alarm pierced the air.
His heart sank, knowing that he was the reason for the alarm and that the camera had caught sight of him. Time was of the essence , he had to find a way to escape because they were closing in on him. He raced down a random path, desperately hoping to stumble upon something that could aid his escape. Echoing footsteps grew louder from behind, the sound of multiple soldiers drawing nearer with inhuman speed.
"Stop right now!".
Their extraordinary speed surpassed anything Rylan could muster, even in his prime condition. The gravity of his situation weighed heavily on him as the soldiers closed in, their intent unknown. They refrained from shooting, perhaps intending to interrogate him or return him to slavery. Rylan's flickering hope dimmed as the guards drew within a dozen meters of him. Then, he caught sight of his potential way out.
At the end of the path stood a large container, bearing a familiar word: "Synthoil." Although he couldn't read, Rylan recognized it from its presence in the engines compartments. One thing he knew for certain was that Synthoil was highly flammable. With his gun in hand, he aimed at the tank, the guards perilously close. Without hesitation, he fired multiple shots, anxiously scrutinizing his aim. Taking cover behind a low wall, which offered minimal protection, Rylan prepared to endure whatever came next, hoping the explosion would save him.
Seconds stretched into an eternity. Doubt and fear gnawed at his resolve. Had he missed his mark? Was the tank too resistant? Questions plagued him as the guards closed in, nearly grasping him. Just as he closed his eyes, resigned to his fate, the earth shattering sound of an explosion filled the air, accompanied by a searing shockwave. Rylan clung tightly to his sheltered position, feeling the heat scorch his exposed skin.
'Endure it. Endure it'
He waited, knowing he must wait for the shockwave to pass before making his next move. Unaware that the soldiers had been thrown off balance or burned by the explosion, he could only speculate. The synthetic substance inside the tank was no ordinary fuel it burned hotter and stronger than anything nature had provided after the depletion of natural oil over thousands of years.
Moments later, the shockwave subsided, and Rylan cautiously rose to his feet, opening his eyes. Casting a glance at the soldiers, he saw them scattered and severely injured, some missing limbs, while one appeared to be less affected by the blast. Though battered and disoriented, the partially shielded soldier would soon recover.
Wasting no time, Rylan focused on his objective. He locked his gaze on the destroyed tank, flames around it, and sprinted towards the remnants, evading scorching hot metal fragments and patches of fire. Drawing nearer to the source, the blistering heat became almost unbearable. Navigating through the wreckage, his heart brimmed with elation. The explosion had torn a hole in the metal fence, granting him a passage to freedom. Overwhelmed with joy, he dashed through the breached barrier, leaving the intense heat and destruction behind.
Outside, the scenery unfolded like a desolate desert sand stretching endlessly, devoid of trees, with only scattered boulders and rocks dotting the barren landscape. Yet, there was no time to savor his newfound liberty. He couldn't afford to rest, for the explosion would undoubtedly attract others,
Exhaustion consumed Rylan as he had been running for hours without respite. His memory faltered, his body pleaded for water, and the frigid environment chilled him to the bone. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, yet he couldn't keep track of the countless needs demanding attention. Determined to press on, he walked aimlessly, seeking refuge to rest his weary body.
Finally, he discovered solace beneath an elevated, flat boulder.
"Just a nap I'm just gonna rest my eyes"
he murmured, hoping to rejuvenate his fatigued mind and body. Sleep claimed him swiftly, his body yearning for the rest it deserved after enduring the harrowing events of the day. But fate had other plans.
Suddenly, searing pain jolted through Rylan's neck, jerking him awake. He found himself being dragged out of his hiding place, picked into the air. Gasping for breath, he glimpsed his assailant, the young soldier in the tank top who appeared strangely recovered since their last encounter.
"Got you, rat," the soldier sneered.
Fear gripped Rylan as panic surged through his veins. He instinctively reached for his gun, but before he could react, his wrist was seized, the grip crushing. The disparity in strength left him bewildered.
'h-how!'
Time was running out, and his situation grew increasingly dire. Choking and unable to muster the strength and not knowing how to fight , he felt the crushing weight of despair. But he was a man, and men shared a common vulnerability. Summoning every ounce of strength he could muster, Rylan aimed a swift, well-placed kick at the soldier's balls, pain ran through his leg he felt like kicking a rock.
The soldier's face contorted in agony, a scream escaping his lips.
"Aghh, you fucker!"
Rylan collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, desperately crawling away from his assailant. However, his rest was short as the soldier grabbed hold of his leg.
"I'm going to kill you!"
Helplessly dragged back toward his tormentor, he got all the time he needed, he managed to turn around, his trembling hand pointing the gun mere centimeters from the soldier's face. The young man's surprise was evident, but even with his physical superiority, he couldn't evade the imminent danger.
"Die!"
Rylan shouted, pulling the trigger with rapid intensity. The gunshot shattered the air, and fragments of flesh and blood sprayed across Rylan's face, staining his clothes. The soldier's headless body collapsed to the ground, saturating the sand with crimson.
Taking a moment to compose himself, Rylan scoured the lifeless body for anything of value, but found nothing. He cursed under his breath, rose to his feet, and continued walking as if nothing had transpired. The sun crept over the horizon, casting its intense light upon the desert. Rylan trudged on for hours, his movements reminiscent of a weary zombie, his mind consumed by a single thought.
"Water... water... water..."
Recalling the muddy liquid he would give anything for, he trudged forward, unsure of his destination. Rylan's body succumbed to fatigue, his wounds worsening with each step. His left arm hung limp, useless. His legs finally gave way, causing him to collapse onto the scorching hot sand. He attempted to rise but found himself immobilized, defeated by his own physical limitations.