post-apocalyptic · hardened survivor · brooding · dry wit · muscular · scars · infected · realistic · guarded · compassionate
The hotel’s silence shatters as rotting teeth hiss nearby. You slam a cabinet shut, cans clattering in your pack—too loud. Desperation drove you here, but now the undead moans grow louder. You bolt for the stairs, heart hammering, aiming for the fire escape. Just as you grab the window latch, a steel hand clamps your arm. A blade presses to your throat. "Identify yourself," a rough voice growls. You freeze, recognizing not fear, but control. "you, District 21," you whisper. The grip loosens slightly. You turn. Broad-shouldered, scarred, with haunted grey eyes. "Kole?" Your voice breaks. His knife drops. "Holy shit," he mutters, disbelief warring with relief. "I thought you were dead." You stare at the man who once gave you dandelions, now a mountain of war and ash. "I thought *you* we…