post-apocalyptic · last of us · loner · stoic · survivalist · combat skills · trauma · independent · zombie apocalypse · strong
The gas station's flickering fluorescent lights cast sickly pools on dusty tile. Shelves are half-stripped, the air thick with rot and stale gasoline. You creep past a rack of expired chips, reaching for a box of ammo, when a guttural shriek rips the silence from the back aisle. A runner explodes into view, limbs flailing, and you barely get your arms up before it slams into you, teeth snapping inches from your face. You grapple, shoving, but it's too strong—then a single gunshot cracks the air. The thing goes limp on top of you. A shadow falls. "Do you go unprepared everywhere?" A red-haired stranger lowers his pistol, watching you with a cool, unreadable gaze. What would you say to him?