Devyn pushed open the rusted hatch leading down into the hidden depths beneath the old, abandoned factory. The metal stairs groaned under his and Malakai's weight as they descended, the faint sound of creaking filling the still air.
Above them, the factory was a relic of a long-forgotten era, its broken windows, decaying walls, and overgrown vines masking what lay below. From the outside, the place looked like just another ruin left behind by the collapse of society, but Devyn knew better.
In his visions, this part of town had always remained untouched, as if the monsters and rifts were unaware of its existence.
It was like a blind spot, an area out of reach for the chaos. That's why Devyn had chosen it, knowing that this place offered him a chance at survival while the rest of the world crumbled.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, the space opened up into a reinforced underground bunker.
It was a stark contrast to the decaying world above, a hidden fortress designed with survival in mind.
The clean, sterile smell of metal and disinfectant greeted them, a sharp reminder of the careful planning that had gone into this place.
Bright LED lights illuminated the bunker's interior, revealing steel walls lined with insulation, designed to keep out both the elements and any potential intruders.
The space was compact but efficient, every inch of it optimized for survival.
Along one wall, several rows of metal shelving were neatly packed with supplies: non-perishable food, water filtration systems, medical kits, and tools for repair. Everything was meticulously organized, a testament to Devyn's careful preparation.
A large backpack filled with emergency gear sat by the door, always ready for a quick exit.
To one side, a small workbench was cluttered with blueprints and maps of the surrounding area.
Lines and symbols marked the locations of rifts, paths of destruction, and notes in Devyn's scrawled handwriting suggested potential escape routes. It was clear he had spent countless hours studying and planning, trying to stay one step ahead of the ever-encroaching disaster.
"Welcome to my haven." Devyn said quietly, stepping further into the room. He turned to glance at Malakai, who stood at the base of the stairs, surveying the bunker with an unreadable expression.
"It's... cozy," Malakai remarked dryly, eyes glinting with mild curiosity as he studied the space. His voice held an edge of sarcasm, but there was something else, a deeper acknowledgment of Devyn's work.
"You've certainly thought of everything, very impressive."
Devyn shrugged, though he couldn't stop the flicker of pride from surfacing.
"I had to. I've seen this place in my visions. It's untouched by the chaos outside. It feels like... I don't know... like it's a blind spot for the monsters and the rifts."
Malakai turned to him, his silver eyes catching the cold LED light. "You trust your visions that much?"
"I don't have a choice," Devyn replied, his voice steady. "I've seen what happens when I ignore them. People die, Malakai. That family we passed on our way here... we could've helped them."
At the mention of the family, Malakai's face darkened. His posture stiffened, and he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "I told you before, I'm not here to save everyone. You can't take responsibility for every stranger we meet."
Devyn's frustration bubbled up again, his emotions raw after the long journey and the constant threat of danger. "So we're just supposed to leave them? Just like that? How can you be so cold? We have enough supplies. We could've taken them in, given them a chance."
Malakai's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with an intensity that made Devyn's heart race. "I'm not risking your safety for anyone else. Not for strangers."
Devyn's voice soared unintentionally. "So, what? You're just going to turn your back on everyone? I thought you cared! You helped me, why can't you help others, too?"
"Because I care only about your safety," Malakai snapped, stepping forward, his silver eyes blazing with intensity. "You're the one I'm here to protect. You're the only one who matters."
Devyn took a step back, the weight of Malakai's words hitting him like a punch to the gut. His mind raced, confusion swirling through him. "Why? Why am I so important to you? You act like saving me is the only thing that matters, but you won't tell me why."
Malakai hesitated, his expression flickering with something unreadable. For a moment, it looked like he was on the verge of revealing something, but then he clenched his jaw and shook his head. "I have my reasons," he said, his voice low and guarded. "But now isn't the time to discuss them. We need to focus on surviving."
Devyn frowned, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "I don't understand you, Malakai.
You're willing to fight off monsters and protect me, but the moment someone else needs help, you act like they don't even exist. What are you hiding from me?"
"Nothing important," Malakai retorted, his voice sharp. "I'm being realistic. This world has changed, Devyn. We don't have the luxury of saving everyone. You're the priority. You're... important."
Devyn opened his mouth to argue but closed it again, unsure of what to say. The way Malakai spoke, the way he looked at him, there was something deeper going on, something Malakai wasn't telling him. But as much as he wanted to push, he knew he wouldn't get any answers right now.
He let out a frustrated sigh, his hands falling to his sides. "Fine. But if this place is so safe, why can't we help just a few more people? We have enough supplies to take them in for a little while."
"Nobody's finding this place," Malakai replied, his voice firm and final. "We're not taking anybody in, I'm not risking your safety for anyone else. If you can't accept that, then we have a problem."
Devyn's jaw clenched, anger and confusion twisting inside him. "I don't want to be the only one left alive because we turned our backs on people who needed us. That's not how I want to survive."
Malakai's gaze softened, but only slightly. "You won't be alone. I won't leave you, no matter what happens. I promised to protect you, and I will. But I can't...He cut himself off, exhaling sharply as if he were holding something back. "This isn't up for debate, Devyn."
"We can't just live like this, avoiding people, Malakai." Devyn muttered, heading toward the small kitchen area in the corner of the bunker.
He grabbed a can of food and set it down on the counter, his hands shaking slightly from the tension of their argument.
Malakai followed him, his presence looming behind Devyn like a shadow. "You're going to have to accept that we're on our own. You and me. No one else, you're the only one I'm here save."
Devyn froze, his hand hovering over the supplies. He turned slowly to face Malakai, confusion etched across his face. "What do you mean by that?"
Malakai's expression was unreadable, his silver eyes reflecting the sterile light of the bunker. "It doesn't matter right now. What matters is that we're safe here, for the moment."
"I don't get you," Devyn whispered, his voice barely audible.
Malakai was silent for a while, the air between them thick with unspoken emotion. Then, finally, he spoke again, his voice low and firm. "You don't have to get me. You just have to trust me."
Devyn swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. He wasn't sure if he could trust Malakai, not with everything he was holding bback
But at the same time, there was something undeniable in the way Malakai looked at him, something that made Devyn feel like he wasn't as alone as he thought.
"Eat something," Malakai said after a long pause, his voice softening again. "You need to rest. We'll figure out our next move tomorrow."
Devyn nodded, though his mind was still spinning. He grabbed a spoon and took a bite of the cold, canned food, his thoughts far from the meal in front of him.