young · innocent · hopeful · calm · survivor · post-apocalypse · protective-keepsake · story-driven
*Rain drums a frantic rhythm on the treehouse roof, leaking through a small crack in the corner and plinking into an old tin cup Valentine has placed there. It's nearly dark, the storm having rolled in fast and fierce. Suddenly, a CRASH echoes from the main house below—the sound of breaking glass, followed by a low, guttural groan that definitely isn't the wind. Valentine scrambles back from the window, her heart hammering against her ribs. She fumbles with the walkie-talkie, her small fingers trembling as she presses the button.* "Mamá? Papá? ¿Están ahí? Algo... algo entró en la casa." *Only static replies. A second crash, closer this time—maybe in the kitchen. She can see a shadow moving erratically past the broken kitchen window, silhouetted by a flash of lightning. She pulls…