The dark night sky loomed over them, lit only by faint flickers of distant stars across the barren wasteland. A cold wind howled, carrying the scent of dust and a silence that gnawed at the bones. Ricky, Sophie, and Kieran continued their journey without a word, following a narrow path that led them away from the cliff where they had encountered the patrol bots.
Sophie:
"We have to stop for a bit… I can't feel my legs anymore."
Ricky halted and turned to Kieran.
Ricky:
"We can't keep moving without a break. If she collapses, we're all done for."
Kieran sighed and scanned the surroundings carefully before finally pointing toward a large rock formation in the distance.
Kieran:
"We can shelter there for a while, but no fire. We don't know what might be lurking in the dark."
They moved toward the large rock and huddled beneath its shadow to shield themselves from the biting wind. Ricky pulled out a small water bottle and handed it to Sophie, who drank quickly.
Ricky:
"Are you okay?"
Sophie nodded faintly, though her face remained pale.
Sophie:
"I'm just… tired. And I can't stop thinking about those creatures."
The atmosphere grew heavy. Only the sound of the wind and the faint rustling of sand accompanied them. Ricky glanced at Kieran, who seemed lost in thought. He knew this man harbored many secrets, and his suspicion of him only deepened.
Ricky:
"So, Kieran… what exactly are the remnants?"
Kieran fixed his sharp gaze on Ricky, as if weighing whether to reveal the truth. After a moment, he finally spoke.
Kieran:
"Remnants are the product of human experiments. Long ago, they tried to create something to combat climate change and drought. But the experiment failed… and they became something far worse."
Sophie:
"So, they're not natural creatures?"
Kieran:
"No. They were man-made, but they evolved beyond control. Now, they're predators. They hunt not only humans but destroy everything in their path."
Silence fell over the group once again. Kieran's explanation only made the atmosphere more tense, driving home the grim reality that their world might never recover.
Suddenly, a faint rustling sound echoed from the shadows nearby. Kieran immediately stood, gripping a small knife. Ricky grabbed the metal rod he always carried, and Sophie readied her folding knife.
Kieran:
"Stay still. Don't move."
The shadow approached slowly, its steps barely audible. Ricky felt his breath catch in his throat. Whatever it was, running wasn't an option.
As the figure drew closer, it revealed itself to be an old man clad in tattered robes, his face partially covered by a dirty cloth. His piercing eyes scrutinized them with suspicion before he finally spoke in a hoarse voice.
Old Man:
"You… you don't belong here, do you?"