City B, November 15th? Year 0 of the Great Collapse
Zara tightened her grip on Leo's small hand as they stepped through the supermarket's shattered glass doors. The once-bustling store was a hollowed-out remnant of its former self. Shelves were toppled, their metal frames bent and jagged. Cardboard boxes littered the floor, some spilling long-expired cans and dusty packages.
The stench of mildew mixed with the faint, metallic tang of blood set Zara's teeth on edge.
"This place smells strange," Leo whispered, his voice muffled by the fabric of Zara's coat as she instinctively tucked him closer to her leg. His tiny fingers clung to her palm, his wide eyes scanning the aisles curiously.
