A week later, everything remained peaceful. The frostbitten world outside continued its relentless grip, but inside their small shelter, Karl, Jane, and Layla found solace in the routine they had built. There were no more strange noises at night, no knocks at the door, and no figures lurking in the shadows.
Karl spent his days ensuring their supplies were well-organized. Jane focused on reinforcing their shelter using materials scavenged from nearby ruins. Layla, ever resourceful, kept hunting small animals, providing fresh food to supplement their stored supplies.
One morning, as the pale winter sunlight seeped through the boarded-up windows, Karl sat at the table, updating his map of the area. Jane sharpened her dagger absentmindedly, while Layla tended to the fire.
"Do you think they're gone?" Jane finally asked, breaking the silence.
Karl looked up from his map, his expression calm. "Seems like it. We haven't heard or seen anything unusual for days."
