Scarlett stood frozen in place, her body soaked to the bone as the relentless rain poured down. Her crimson tears, mingling with the downpour, stained the ground beneath her. Her shoulders trembled with grief, her sobs drowned out by the storm.
The words of the system echoed ceaselessly in her ears, intertwined with the guttural growls of the monsters stalking the desolate streets. They passed her by, their glowing eyes briefly flicking in her direction before continuing their hunt.
"I have to join the chosen members," Scarlett whispered to herself, her voice trembling but resolute. "If I don't, there's no way we'll find the safe haven in time."
Determined, she forced herself to her feet, the soaked fabric of her clothes clinging to her skin. Wiping at her face with the back of her hand, she froze as her palm came away slick and red.
