The Fallen Do Not Rest

—Another nightmare? —Mara asked, sitting down next to Ethan. The campfire crackled in the center of the room, casting dancing shadows on the worn walls of the abandoned building.

Ethan nodded, his gaze fixed on the fire. The nights were getting shorter, but the exhaustion never seemed to lift.—Yeah... —he finally replied—. It's always the same. The explosion in the lab, the black cloud spreading... and then the screams.Mara pressed her lips together and glanced at the rest of the group, all sleeping in silence or keeping watch from the windows. They knew that any strange noise could mean the end.—It's not just a nightmare —she said, lowering her voice—. It all started there. Do you remember how they told us it was just a chemical accident?—Accident? —Ethan let out a bitter laugh—. That's what they said at first. After they realized they couldn't contain it, they called it a "calculation error." As if one of humanity's most dangerous experiments could be a mere mistake.—And now we have the "Empty Walkers" roaming every damn street —Mara continued—. Eyeless zombies, hunting by sound. What did the scientists call them? An early stage of infection?—Yeah, but those aren't the worst —Ethan added, pointing through a broken window at the shadows outside—. The "Rotten"... they're the ones I'm worried about. They move slowly, but it's like their skin is made of stone. Only a direct hit to the brain will stop them, and even then...—Even then, they keep moving, as if pain means nothing to them —Mara finished—. And then there are the "Whispers." Those who... who seem to be talking, whispering among themselves. Sometimes I hear them in my head.Ethan nodded in silence. The "Whispers" were a mystery. No one knew why some of the infected retained a semblance of humanity. They uttered words, nonsensical phrases, as if trying to remember who they were before they died.—All because of that damn experimental virus —Mara said, abruptly changing the subject—. What were they trying to do, anyway? Biological weapons? Mind control?Ethan shook his head. They never got clear answers. Everyone got lost in confusion when the first outbreaks started appearing in the larger cities.—The only thing we know is that there's no cure —he replied hoarsely—. And that we're not alone in this. Survivor groups, like us, are out there, searching for answers, fighting for what's left. But not everyone has good intentions.—And meanwhile, the world keeps rotting. —Mara stood up, her face hardened with determination—. We need to move at dawn. This area has become too dangerous. Last night, I heard a group of "Shadows" near the building. They were testing our defenses.Ethan nodded. The "Shadows" were the most dangerous infected, moving quickly in the dark, sensitive to light. They didn't attack in large groups, but when they did, they were relentless.—Alright. —Ethan stood up, adjusting the strap of his backpack—. At dawn, we leave. But this time, let's take the longer route. I'd rather face the "Rotten" than the "Shadows" on their own turf.Mara nodded. Both knew that, in this new world, every decision could be the last. The apocalypse had left them with nothing but tough choices, but as long as they were alive, they would keep fighting.—I'll see you in the morning, Ethan —Mara said before walking away.Ethan watched her leave and then looked back at the campfire. The days were dark, the nights even darker. But if there was one thing they had learned since all this began, it was that the real danger wasn't just the dead. It was the living.Dawn arrived slowly, painting the sky a dull gray. In this new world, the sunrise no longer brought hope; it only illuminated the ruins of what once was. Ethan made sure everyone was awake and ready. The group, a mix of former strangers who had come together out of the need to survive, packed their belongings in silence.—Remember, we don't want to attract attention —Ethan said, tightening the strap of his backpack—. We'll take the route through the old industrial park. It's longer, but less exposed.—That is, if the "Rotten" haven't claimed it as their nest —Axel replied, a teenager with a worn cap, adjusting the stock of his rifle—. I saw them around there a week ago.—Better to face them than the "Shadows" —Nina, the group's nurse, who was checking the medical supplies, responded—. At least with the "Rotten" we know what we're dealing with.—Still, we can't underestimate them —Mara said, approaching the group—. Ready to move?Ethan nodded and looked at each member of his team. They had been together long enough to understand each other with a mere glance. They knew the risks of moving, but staying in one place for too long was a death sentence.—Keep the pace and don't split up —Ethan said, leading the way to the back exit of the building.The group moved cautiously through the shattered streets. Around them, the ruined buildings and abandoned vehicles were a constant reminder of the chaos that had plunged the world into darkness. There had been no real warning when the "Ashland Accident" occurred; just a sudden explosion in one of the government's most secretive research labs, followed by a black cloud that spread like a silent plague across the cities. Within days, the infection had spread, and the world they knew had ended.—I heard some survivors talking about a cure up north —Axel said as they walked—. That a group of scientists is trying to find one.—I've heard that rumor for months —Mara replied without taking her eyes off the dark windows—. And no one has come back with proof. The only reality we know is this one.—Shhh, silence —Ethan interrupted, raising his hand. They had reached the edge of the old industrial park. The facilities were rusty and overgrown with vines, but the worst was the absolute silence. There were no birds or insects; only the whisper of the wind passing between the remains of rusted machinery.—The "Rotten" are here —Nina murmured, her eyes scanning the area—. I'm sorry... that smell... you know it when you smell it.Ethan nodded. The sour and fetid stench was unmistakable. The "Rotten" were slow but relentless, their bodies swollen and hardened by the infection, making them difficult to take down. They stopped, assessing the terrain.—I'm going to climb that truck and take a look —Axel said, pointing to an overturned vehicle—. Cover my back.Ethan nodded, and the group prepared. Axel climbed onto the truck's hood with agility, raising binoculars to see beyond the fog that enveloped the industrial park. After a few seconds, he slowly came down, his face pale.—What do you see? —Mara asked.—There are too many... more than I thought. And they're moving in our direction.The group tensed. They knew what that meant: the "Rotten" didn't move unless something attracted them. Ethan frowned and looked around.—Could they have smelled or heard us? —Nina asked, her voice barely a whisper.—I don't know, but we need to move —Ethan replied quickly—. Back, now. There's another route to the east. Maybe we can circle around them.Just as the group began to retreat, a metallic noise echoed from somewhere behind them. The sound cut through the air, and everyone froze in place. At that moment, the first low, guttural growl was heard from the fog, followed by more.—Damn it! —Mara shouted—. Quick, we have to go!The group began to run, but the "Rotten" were already on the move. They were slow, but relentless, their decomposed bodies staggering in a grotesque dance of death. Ethan fired a quick burst, hitting one of them in the head, but more emerged from the fog, drawing more and more from the horde.—We can't face them here! —Axel shouted—. It's a trap!—This way! —Ethan took the lead, guiding the group towards an old factory. The doors were slightly open, and although they didn't know what awaited them inside, it was their only option.They entered the factory, and Ethan turned to close the metal door, securing it with a rusty bar. Outside, the growls continued, and the sound of banging on the door resonated through the structure.—This... is going to be a long night —Mara murmured, breathing heavily.Ethan looked around. The factory was dark, but it seemed clear for the moment.—Let's check the area and make sure there are no more surprises. We'll stay here until things calm down. Everyone, stay alert. And remember: the fallen do not rest.The group nodded, and with renewed determination, they set about fortifying their new refuge.Inside the factory, the darkness was almost complete. Only a few rays of light filtered through the cracks in the ceiling and broken windows, revealing dust in the air. Ethan turned on a flashlight, illuminating the moldy walls and remnants of old, abandoned machinery.—Axel, take the right flank. Mara and Nina, check the upper floors. I'll take care of securing the entrance —Ethan ordered calmly but firmly. He knew keeping them busy helped them keep their heads cool.Mara and Nina climbed the metal stairs carefully, avoiding any debris that might make noise. Each step was calculated; they knew that in this world, they couldn't afford a single mistake.—How are you? —Mara asked as they climbed.—Better than yesterday, I suppose —Nina replied, forcing a small smile—. But I still can't sleep. Those "Whispers"... I feel like they're always close, like they're calling me.Mara nodded. Everyone in the group had had their encounters with the "Whispers." They were the worst, not only because they could still speak, but because their voices echoed in your mind. There were stories of people who had gone insane listening to them.—If you get too close, they drive you mad —Mara said—. I've seen it. Sometimes I wonder if we're becoming like them.Nina looked at her, but before she could respond, a metallic noise resonated from one of the corners of the upper floor. Both stopped, exchanging a glance loaded with tension.—Did you hear that? —Nina whispered, raising her pistol.—Yes, stay behind me —Mara replied, moving slowly toward the source of the sound. The shadows in the corner seemed denser, as if hiding something.On the ground floor, Ethan and Axel continued inspecting the area. Ethan had found some beams that they could use to reinforce the doors and windows. While he worked on securing the entrance, Axel checked the darker corners.—This is crazy, you know? —Axel suddenly commented, his voice sounding younger than usual—. A year ago, I was playing video games and worrying about school. Now, I'm here, killing zombies and looking for food in abandoned factories.Ethan gave a tired smile. He knew Axel was young and had seen things no one his age should have. But he had also proven to be strong, even amid chaos.—It's tough, but you've survived —Ethan said, nailing another beam to secure the door—. And that's more than many can say.Suddenly, a deafening crash shook the factory. Something had fallen from the upper floor. Mara and Nina appeared at the edge of the second-floor balcony, their faces tense.—Something's up there! —Mara shouted.Before Ethan could react, a low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows. It wasn't a "Rotter." It was a "Whisper." The voices began to flow like a collective murmur, a whisper that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.—Axel, watch out! —Ethan shouted as the murmurs intensified.Axel swung his flashlight toward one of the corners and saw a pair of glowing eyes. The "Whisper" was there, with its pale, grayish skin, its lips moving in a cacophony of incomprehensible words.—Damn it, it's in my head! —Axel shouted, covering his ears.—Don't look at it! Don't listen! —Ethan tried to move Axel, but another "Whisper" appeared from behind a pile of rusty boxes.The group was being surrounded. The presence of the "Whispers" was insidious; their voices pierced the mind like sharp knives. Mara and Nina quickly descended, shooting into the shadows.—Cover me! —Ethan shouted while trying to reach Axel, who was paralyzed with fear.Gunshots echoed through the air, and some of the "Whispers" fell, but their voices persisted, filling the space. It was like being trapped in a living nightmare.Ethan managed to reach Axel and grabbed him by the shoulders.—Look at me! Axel, look at me! —Ethan shouted. The boy's eyes were vacant, as if lost in his own mind. Ethan had no other choice. He gave him a quick, firm slap.Axel blinked, coming to his senses. His breathing was rapid and shallow, but he was back.—Thank you... thank you... —Axel murmured, trembling.—There's no time for that. We need to move now —Ethan said. He and Axel ran toward the exit, where Mara and Nina were holding off the "Whispers."—More are coming from the west side! —Nina shouted—. We can't stay here!—Through the back door, quickly! —Ethan led the way, pushing a metal door that led to a narrow hallway. The group hurried out, closing the door behind them.Outside, the sun was just beginning to rise on the horizon, bathing the world in weak, gray light. There was no time to rest. The "Whispers" would soon be on their trail.—What now? —Mara asked, still with adrenaline coursing through her veins.Ethan looked around, assessing their options. They didn't have many.—We'll head east. We need to find a safe place before nightfall. We can't stay put.The group nodded, all understanding that the world they knew had ended, but the fight for survival was just beginning.And as they walked down the desolate path, Ethan could only think of one thing: finding answers. Because he knew that, in this new world, the fallen did not rest. And neither would they.