The morning light filtered weakly through the cracks in the walls of their small shelter, casting thin rays across the rough floor as Alex, Elara, Serena, and Nia prepared for their first scavenging run together. Outside, the Rust Quarter was already waking up—sounds of shuffling feet, distant voices, and the clanging of metal echoed through the streets as people braced themselves for another day of surviving.
The cold air seeped through the walls, making every breath visible in the form of small clouds. Alex shivered as he adjusted his worn, patchwork coat, layering another scarf around his neck for extra warmth. The scavenging runs had become more dangerous lately, and as he looked around at the rest of the group, he knew they needed to be ready for whatever they might encounter.
Equipment and Preparation
Alex had learned over the years that scavenging was as much about preparation as it was about luck. You couldn't just wander into the ruins and hope for the best. Everything—from what you carried to how you moved—could mean the difference between returning with valuable items or never coming back at all.
The first thing Alex reached for was his mask—a rusted but functional piece of scavenged tech that covered his nose and mouth. The air near the ruins was thick with dust, toxins, and the remnants of whatever had poisoned the world long ago. The mask had filters that, while old and damaged, still worked well enough to keep him from choking on the debris.
Next, he strapped on his gloves, tough but flexible, designed to protect his hands while still giving him enough dexterity to handle delicate scavenging work. The gloves were thick and padded, with reinforced fingers to prevent cuts from broken metal or shards of glass.
His boots were another critical piece of equipment. They were old but sturdy, salvaged from a military cache long ago. The thick soles were perfect for navigating the treacherous terrain of the ruins, where broken concrete and jagged metal made every step a potential hazard. He had reinforced them with extra leather and fabric, but they still weren't waterproof—a problem that would become more pressing once the snow melted.
Over his coat, Alex strapped a belt filled with small tools—a few rusted but functional wrenches, screwdrivers, and a thin, foldable knife. He also carried a small multi-tool that could handle most basic repairs. These tools were essential for scavenging old machines or prying open rusted doors in the ruins.
Finally, he packed his bag. It was worn and patched, but large enough to carry whatever scraps or items they might find. Inside, he stored a flashlight with a few batteries, a small water flask, and a couple of ration bars—just enough to get him through the day in case they were out longer than expected.
Elara, Serena, and Nia were also busy preparing their gear. Elara had her own set of scavenging tools—a bit more refined than Alex's, as she had spent years honing her skills. Her bag was filled with ropes, small grappling hooks, and a compact crowbar—perfect for prying open sealed doors or breaking through barricades. She wore a long coat that, while patched like Alex's, had more layers of insulation to protect against the biting cold.
Serena and Nia were quieter as they prepared. Serena's equipment was simpler but practical. She carried a smaller bag, filled with basic tools and a worn map of the surrounding ruins. The map was old and incomplete, but it offered some guidance as they planned their route. Nia, meanwhile, was still getting used to the idea of scavenging in a group. She had borrowed some of Serena's equipment—a second-hand coat, gloves, and a small tool pouch—but her eyes were sharp with focus, eager to prove she could hold her own.
Once they were all ready, Alex turned to the group. "Everyone set?"
Elara nodded, tightening the straps on her bag. "Let's get moving. The longer we wait, the more likely we'll run into trouble."
Serena glanced at Nia, giving her a reassuring smile before turning back to Alex. "We're ready."
The Journey to the Ruins
Leaving the safety of their shelter, the group made their way through the narrow streets of the Rust Quarter, carefully avoiding the more crowded areas where fights over food or scraps were likely to break out. The cold wind bit at their faces, and their footsteps crunched softly in the snow as they moved quickly toward the outskirts of the Quarter.
The ruins lay just beyond the Rust Quarter, a place where the collapse had hit hardest. Once, these had been thriving neighborhoods, filled with factories, homes, and old-world technology. Now, they were nothing more than crumbling buildings and half-buried machines—abandoned and dangerous. It was a graveyard of the past, but it was also a scavenger's paradise.
As they walked, Alex noticed the faint tension in the air. Serena and Nia were new to scavenging with others, and while Elara had agreed to let them join, the unspoken caution between the two women was still present. They weren't enemies, but they weren't fully comfortable either.
The journey was mostly silent, the only sounds being the occasional whistle of wind and the distant, muffled sounds of other scavengers moving through the streets. As they reached the outskirts of the Rust Quarter, the tall, crumbling buildings of the ruins loomed ahead of them, their twisted metal and cracked concrete rising up like broken teeth against the gray sky.
"We'll head toward the factory district first," Elara said, her eyes scanning the horizon. "There are still a few places there we haven't picked clean yet. Keep an eye out for anything with old-world tech—we'll focus on machines, generators, or anything that looks like it could be traded."
Alex nodded. The factory district had always been a good source of scavenged parts, though it was also dangerous. The ruins were unstable, and it wasn't uncommon for buildings to collapse without warning. They'd have to be careful, especially with Nia and Serena.
The group moved cautiously through the ruins, their footsteps echoing against the cracked pavement. The air here was thick with dust, and Alex was glad for the mask over his face. The broken shells of buildings towered above them, their windows shattered and walls crumbling. The streets were littered with debris—rusted cars, broken machinery, and the scattered remnants of a world long gone.
As they approached the first of the factories, Alex noticed the eerie quiet that had settled over the area. The only sound was the distant creaking of metal and the occasional drip of water as snow melted from the higher levels of the ruins. It was unsettling, but Alex had learned to expect this kind of stillness. The ruins were a place of ghosts—abandoned by the world, forgotten by time.
"We'll split up," Elara said, her voice low but firm. "Serena, you and Nia take the left side. Alex and I will cover the right. Stay within shouting distance, and don't take any unnecessary risks."
Serena nodded, her expression serious. "We'll be careful."
Alex tightened the strap on his bag, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. This was their first run as a group, and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. He glanced at Elara, who gave him a quick nod before they moved into the shadows of the factory ruins.
The scavenging run had begun.