The apartment felt strangely peaceful after the group's successful raid on the raiders' stronghold. Supplies were plentiful, spirits were high, and even Mallory's usual brand of chaotic laziness seemed to settle into something resembling contentment. Blinky sat on the coffee table like a benevolent, glowing king, his minions milling about performing small tasks like picking up crumbs or organizing Mallory's extensive chip collection.
But peace in the apocalypse was always temporary, and the calm was shattered one crisp morning by the unexpected sound of an explosion in the distance.
Mallory bolted upright from her cocoon of blankets on the couch, crumbs falling onto the floor. "What was that?"
Altair adjusted his glasses as he peered out the window. "It came from the south, near Raven's camp."
Vanessa, already halfway to her weapons stash, frowned. "Looks like the apocalypse isn't ready to let us relax just yet."
