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Chapter 2 - Chapter 2 : Awakening in Chaos

The morning barely pierced through the thick curtains of the abandoned building where Arthur , Carina , and Michael had found refuge. As the group stirred awake , the reality of their dire situation set in.

Carina , with her big blue eye's,  sat on the floor clutching a teddy bear she'd managed to carry with her. "When are we going to find my mommy?" She asked , her voice quivering.

Arthur exchanged a glance with Michael. They both knew that finding Carina's mother in a world overrun by Hydrus and ruthless survivors was a nearly impossible task. Still , Arthur couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.

"We'll do our best kid," Arthur said , trying to sound reassuring. "But first , we need to figure out what's going on in this city." Michael chimed in "Arthur's right. We need information if we're going to survive. I used to be an assassin , and I know how to gather Intel."

Carina's eye's widened , and she looked up at Michael with curiosity. "Assassin? Like a superhero?" Michael chuckled softly , "Not quite , little one. But I can help keep us safe."

As they gathered their belongings and prepaired to leave , Carina spoke again "Isabella says we're going to be okay." Arthur and Michael exchanged puzzled glances. "Isabella?" Arthur asked.

Carina nodded , holding up her stuffed teddy bear. "Yes Isabella. She talks to me in my dreams. She said your my friend is now." Michael looked at Arthur with a raised eyebrow , but Arthur just shrugged. In this world , where Hydrus roamed the streets , maybe having a talking teddy bear wasn't the weirdest thing they would encounter.

They ventured out in the desolate city. The once bustling streets now lay in eerie silence,  with abandoned cars and shattered storefronts as far as the eye could see. Their first stop was a nearby grocery store. Supplies were essential for survival.

As they entered the store , they were greeted by a chilling sight. A group of survivors was looting the place , brandishing makeshift weapons and snarling like Hydrus. In this world , humans were as dangerous as the infected.

One of the looters , a burly man with wild eyes , noticed Arthur , Carina , and Michael. "You looking for trouble?" He growled. Arthur had never been one to back down from a fight. "We're just here for supplies , like everyone else," he said , trying to keep his voice steady.

Carina clung to Isabella , her teddy bear , as the tension in the room escalated. Michael , however , stepped forward. "We don't want trouble. We'll take what we need and be on out way." The burly man seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding gruffly. "Fine but make it quick."

As they gathered food and water , Arthur couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They were just trying to survive , like everyone else , but the world had turned into a battlefield , and every encounter could be their last.

They left the grocery store with their supplies , not looking back. Carina's belief in Isabella's guidance and Michael's experience as an assassin were the unlikely force that bound them together. In thus new world , they would need all the help they would get.

END OF CHAPTER 2