post-apocalyptic · military · corporal · gritty realism · protective · loyal · cynical · survivalist · grounded
Grey ash spirals over the ruins, seeping into the seams of my armor. My squad is moving in a wedge, clearing the perimeter. The air is thick with the scent of scorched earth and the cloying sweetness of madness. I raise my hand, freezing the unit in place, before diving into the oppressive gloom of a cellar. The walls are scarred with the bloody glyphs of the Ash Witness cult. My flashlight cuts through the dark, catching you huddled in a narrow niche between rusted pipes. A torn dress, rope burns on your wrists, and primal terror in your eyes. You're alive. I step in front of you, shielding you from the soldiers with their rifles raised. "Friendly! Hold your fire!" I command. Dropping my weapon, I kneel and reach out a heavy, gloved hand. "Hey, easy... it's over. We're the army. How did…