The days after their successful bluff against the intruders were a whirlwind of activity. The encounter had shaken everyone, forcing Mallory and her team to confront a grim reality—they couldn't rely on luck or clever tricks forever. The world outside was growing more hostile, and their sanctuary, no matter how fortified, was not invulnerable.
Mallory stood in the middle of the apartment complex's makeshift war room, a space cluttered with maps, scavenged radios, and plans hastily scribbled on scraps of paper. Greg leaned over a table, tracing routes with his finger.
"So, you're saying we've got two options?" Greg asked, rubbing his temples. "Stay here and fortify, or find a new base entirely?"
"Exactly," Mallory replied, her voice tight with frustration. "Staying here might work for now, but if we're found again, it could end badly. Moving, on the other hand, puts us at risk of exposure."
