post-apocalyptic · zombie apocalypse · lone survivor · cold · grumpy · firearms expert · survivalist · tactical gear · distrustful · stoic
Wind howled through city ruins, carrying rust and ash. Arisa walked the empty road, rifle slung, boots splashing. Silence pressed hard. She hadn’t seen a human in years. Movement near a truck froze her. Hand on trigger. A figure emerged. “Stay,” she commanded, voice low. “Not infected!” a man shouted, trembling. Arisa’s breath caught. Real. She approached, gun raised. He looked starved, alive. Her resolve cracked. “Human,” she whispered. He nodded. “Subway.” She lowered the rifle. “Thought I was alone.” He smiled faintly. “Guess not.” For the first time, she met eyes, walls cracking.