The rain poured down in steady sheets, a constant drumbeat against the roof of the small safehouse. Inside, the survivors gathered around a tiny camping stove, the soft hiss of boiling water mingling with the distant growls of monsters outside. The dim light flickered, casting long shadows across the walls, but here, in this little shelter, they were safe—for now.Zhang Wei stirred the pot of instant noodles, steam rising in the cool, damp air. "Better eat this meat now," he muttered, tossing a few pieces of the frozen meat they'd scavenged into the pot. "It won't last much longer."Maria sat nearby, arms wrapped around her knees, watching the rain through the cracked window. "It's like the world's trying to wash itself clean," she said quietly, her voice almost lost beneath the sound of the downpour.Jason let out a short laugh, though it was more out of exhaustion than amusement. "Too bad the monsters didn't get the memo."Carter, crouched near the door, kept an eye on the street, his crossbow resting in his lap. "At least the rain keeps them away, for now," he said. "They don't like it."Zhang nodded, pouring the cooked noodles into makeshift bowls and handing them out. They ate in silence, the rain outside providing a soothing backdrop. The taste of the noodles wasn't great—bland and a little too salty—but in that moment, it felt like a feast. The meat, though slightly tough, was a welcome addition. Zhang chewed slowly, savoring the warmth of the meal.They all sat together under the faint glow of the stove, a shared bedsheet draped over them as they huddled close for warmth. It wasn't much—just a thin layer of fabric—but it made the small, cramped space feel almost cozy. The cold bite of the night air was kept at bay, and for the first time in what felt like days, they could relax."Feels like it's been forever since we just... sat like this," Jason muttered, stretching out his legs. "No running, no fighting.""Yeah," Maria agreed, resting her head against the wall. "It almost feels normal."Zhang didn't say much, just listened to the quiet chatter of his companions as he ate. The rain was still pounding on the roof, but inside, it was peaceful. A fleeting peace, but one they would hold onto while it lasted.They finished their meal slowly, savoring every bite as if it might be their last. Carter poured a small amount of alcohol into a plastic cup and passed it around. It wasn't enough to get drunk, just a small sip for each of them to warm their throats and ease the tension."To surviving another day," Carter said, raising his cup before taking a swig.The others followed, the small act of sharing alcohol reminding them of times before the fall of the city, when drinking with friends was a normal part of life. Zhang, too, took a small sip, feeling the burn of the liquid slide down his throat.Once the meal was finished, they cleaned up quietly, trying to conserve their energy. The rain outside showed no signs of stopping, a constant barrage of water crashing down from the heavens. With nowhere else to go, they lay down on the cold floor, spreading the single bedsheet across them like a thin barrier against the harsh world outside.Zhang lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. The sound of rain was soothing, a steady rhythm that lulled him into a light sleep. His muscles ached from days of scavenging, and his mind was weary from constant survival. But here, with his team, even if only for a few hours, he could finally rest.The safehouse wasn't much—just four walls and a roof—but tonight, it was enough.Zhang woke with the soft patter of rain still in his ears. It hadn't let up; if anything, the storm outside had grown even fiercer. He sat up slowly, careful not to wake the others. The room was still dim, the faint morning light barely filtering through the rain-soaked windows.As he stretched, his eyes caught something on the dusty shelf against the far wall. He stood, moving quietly toward it. Hidden behind some old, forgotten books was a small box. He pulled it down, opening it to reveal several bullets and a small pistol, dusty but still functional.He weighed the pistol in his hand. It wasn't much—just a standard issue—but it was better than nothing. He checked the chamber, finding it empty, but the bullets fit. Carefully, he loaded the weapon, tucking it into his belt for later.His gaze shifted to the arrows they had scavenged. An idea sparked in his mind as he looked over the supplies they had gathered. He took some of the alcohol-filled plastic bags and began carefully tying them to a few of the arrows. It wasn't much, but it might be enough to make an explosive if they ever needed a distraction."Exploding arrows, huh?" Jason's voice came from behind him, groggy but amused. He had woken up and was watching Zhang work.Zhang nodded, tying off another arrow. "Just in case. Could come in handy."Maria stirred as well, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. "Rain's still coming down," she muttered. "Doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon."Carter yawned, stretching out his arms. "Good thing we got those supplies when we did. No way we're scavenging in this mess."They sat in the cozy little safehouse, the rain still pouring down outside. The storm had provided them with a rare night of peace, but Zhang knew it wouldn't last.