Sofia perched on the rooftop of a dilapidated building, her sharp eyes scanning the streets to the east of their base through the lenses of her binoculars. The morning light cast long shadows over the ruined city, and a chill breeze swept through the deserted streets, carrying the distant sounds of wind-whipped debris. She focused on a small, makeshift encampment nestled within the skeleton of an old apartment complex. This base was different—its inhabitants had twisted the remnants of society into something grotesque.
Below her, the scene was grim. The base was a crude reflection of the world that once was, now governed by the cruel law of the strongest. Guards armed with makeshift weapons patrolled the perimeter, their eyes always alert for threats from the outside—and from within. Inside the fenced-off area, Sofia spotted her target, the man she intended to recruit.
He was in his early twenties, with disheveled brown hair that hung just above his eyes, a wiry frame, and a face hardened by months of struggle. His clothes were tattered, a simple shirt and worn jeans, caked with dirt from the laborious work assigned to him. Despite his appearance, there was something in his demeanor that caught Sofia's attention—an unwavering kindness in his actions. She watched as he toiled away, lifting heavy crates, repairing broken structures, and tending to small, neglected gardens that barely produced enough to feed a few. What truly set him apart, though, was how he treated others. Each time he received a meager portion of food, he would share it with the elderly and the children, those who could not fend for themselves.
Sofia narrowed her eyes, considering her next move. "Is he truly worthy?" she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the wind. "Or is he just another desperate soul clinging to survival?" She needed to test him, to see if his kindness was genuine or if it was simply a facade.
She marked his routine over the next couple of days, noting how he spent his time after his labor was done. The man, branded as a slave, was not permitted to enter the main compound. Instead, he slept outside with the other "unworthy" survivors, those who had not awakened or shown any particular skill. Despite this, he never complained, never tried to escape. It was as if he had accepted his fate, finding solace in the small acts of kindness he could still offer.
The test began on the third evening. As the man made his way down an alley, heading back to his meager shelter, he found Sofia slumped against the wall, seemingly unconscious and badly injured. Blood stained her clothes, and her breathing was labored. Without hesitation, the man rushed to her side.
"Hey, can you hear me?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. He gently lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to his humble abode. His steps were careful, but his hands trembled slightly, revealing his fear and uncertainty.
Once inside, he laid her on a makeshift bed, his movements clumsy as he tried to administer first aid. Sofia could feel his hands shaking as he cleaned her wounds, his inexperience evident. Despite his lack of skill, he never faltered in his care.
When Sofia opened her eyes, she pretended to be disoriented. "Where am I? Who are you?" she asked, feigning fear.
The man stepped back, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "You're safe, I promise. My name's Alex. I found you in the alley, and I brought you here to help. This is the best I could do, though I'm not much of a doctor," he said, offering a nervous smile. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, wrapped piece of chocolate. "Here, eat this. It'll help you regain your strength."
Sofia eyed the chocolate, recognizing it immediately. She had seen him receive it earlier, his only food for the night. Realizing that he was offering her his last bit of sustenance, she was momentarily taken aback by his selflessness.
"Thank you," she whispered, taking the chocolate from him. She could see the hesitation in his eyes, the hunger he must have been feeling, but he never wavered in his offer.
As she ate, Alex began to speak about the base. "It's not a good place," he said quietly. "But it's the only place where I can get food, even if it's just scraps. The people in charge, they don't care about us. We're just tools to them, slaves, really. But... it's better than being out there alone. At least here, I can help the others, even if it's just a little."
Sofia nodded, listening carefully. His words matched what she had observed—he had no desire to escape, not because he was weak, but because he believed he was doing some good, however small.
"Don't tell anyone about me," Sofia said suddenly, her voice firm. "The base leader... they want to capture anyone they find outside, especially women. If they find out about me, it won't end well."
Alex looked conflicted but nodded. "I won't say anything, I promise."
That night, after Alex had returned to the base, Sofia climbed onto the roof of his home, watching him through her binoculars. She needed to see if he would keep his word or if he would betray her. For the next few days, she observed him, noting how he interacted with the others and how he carefully avoided mentioning her to anyone. It was clear that he was a man of his word.
But fate had other plans. One afternoon, as Sofia watched from her perch, she noticed another survivor from the base spot her. Panic flashed across his face before he turned and sprinted back towards the main compound. Sofia cursed under her breath, quickly packing her gear. She knew it was only a matter of time before the guards came.
She rushed to Alex's home, slipping inside just as he returned. "Someone saw me," she whispered urgently. "They're going to come for me, and you'll be caught in the crossfire."
Alex's eyes widened in fear, but he didn't hesitate. "Hide here," he said, gesturing to a small, hidden space beneath the floorboards. "I'll deal with them."
Before Sofia could argue, heavy footsteps approached, and the door was kicked open. A group of awakened guards stormed in, their eyes cold and predatory. Alex stood in front of them, trying to block their path.
"What do you want?" he demanded, his voice shaking but determined.
"We know you're hiding someone," one of the guards sneered. "Where is she?"
The man who had spotted Sofia earlier stepped forward. "I saw them together, eating in the dining room. They were sharing food."
"That's a lie!" Alex shouted, his voice growing desperate. "There's no one here!"
The guards ignored him, beginning to ransack the small home. When one of them made a move towards the hidden space, Alex reacted. With a shout, he threw himself at the guard, punching and kicking with all his strength. "Run!" he screamed at Sofia, even as he was overwhelmed by the guards.
But Sofia wasn't one to abandon someone who had passed her test. With a fluid motion, she emerged from her hiding spot, her movements swift and lethal. In a matter of moments, she had disarmed and incapacitated the guards, leaving them groaning on the floor.
Alex stared in shock, blood dripping from a cut on his lip. "Who... who are you?"
Sofia smiled, a glint of respect in her eyes. "Someone who's impressed by your actions. Come with me. I have a place where you'll be treated like a human, not a slave."
As they prepared to leave, Sofia looked back at the unconscious guards. They wouldn't stay down for long, but it didn't matter. She had found what she was looking for. Alex was coming with her, and he would be a valuable addition to their team.