Chapter 6: Shelter Rules and the Pulse of Danger
The murmuring Kaelen heard grew into the soft hum of about twenty people, gathered in a spacious underground room likely used as an old warehouse or main laboratory. The walls were bare concrete, dimly lit by hanging flashlights and small fires flickering in metal barrels, spewing smoke that filled the air with a acrid smell.
As Kaelen and Emily entered, a sudden silence fell. All eyes turned to them. Faces were pale, tired, marked by worry and hunger, but there was a wary, sometimes suspicious, look in their eyes. Some carried makeshift weapons: rods, wooden planks, kitchen knives. It was clear these were desperate survivors, simply trying to gather in any relatively safe spot.
"Come on," said the taller, calmer man, rising from his spot. This was Harun. His tone wasn't harsh, but weary, carrying the clear weight of responsibility. He gestured to an empty corner near one of the burning barrels. "Sit there. You can rest for a bit."
Kaelen gently helped Emily sit. Her injured arm clearly pained her, and her face was pale. He tried to comfort her. "We'll be fine here," he whispered, though he wasn't entirely sure himself. He felt eyes on them, gazes that wondered about these newcomers, gazes devoid of direct hostility but filled with fear and general confusion.
While they waited, Kaelen began to scan the room, assessing the occupants. Most seemed to be students and staff, but there were also some older individuals, perhaps professors or administrators. He didn't see anyone else with a System screen above their head like Emily or himself.
After a short while, Harun approached them, accompanied by the two men Kaelen had first met at the entrance: Zain (the shorter man with the rod) and Laith (the one with the flashlight).
"What happened to you out there?" Harun asked in a low voice, sitting on an overturned chair in front of them. "How did you manage to get here? It was absolute hell above ground."
Kaelen briefly explained what happened: how the rifts began, how he found Emily, and how they used the back route. He deliberately avoided mentioning the System or his powers, as he didn't trust them enough yet to share that information.
Harun listened intently, sighing deeply. "Many didn't make it. You two are lucky." He then continued, his tone more serious but still weary: "This isn't a university anymore. This is just a place we're hiding. But it requires some organization to survive. Everyone must contribute to scavenging for supplies or defending the place. There's no waste. Most importantly: safety is our top priority. Any reckless actions that endanger everyone will be dealt with severely."
His gaze then shifted to Emily. "Her arm needs treatment. Zain, take her to the third corridor. There are some old medical supplies there. 'Layla' can help."
Zain slowly left with Emily, while Harun and Laith remained with Kaelen.
"When you were coming in, I saw you handle the rubble at the back entrance," Harun said, his eyes fixed on Kaelen. "That was surprisingly quick and strong for a student. You don't seem like just an ordinary student." His tone wasn't suspicious as much as it was curiosity mixed with sharp observation.
Kaelen froze. He hadn't expected them to notice that. Did this mean his new strength was becoming obvious? Or was Harun more perceptive than he'd thought? Their minds had noticed something unnatural in his movements, in the way he cleared the debris.
Kaelen's eyebrows rose slightly. He couldn't fully deny it. He had put in significant effort, but not to the extent that would justify the "unexpected strength" Harun had seen. He realized that attempting to deny it might only raise more suspicions. "I'd been lifting weights a bit before the catastrophe," Kaelen said with a strained smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps the adrenaline helped me push past my usual limits."
Harun's expression remained unchanged. He nodded slowly, as if weighing every word. "Adrenaline... yes, it does wonders in times like these." He then leaned back, his eyes still fixed on Kaelen. "But you weren't scared, were you? When I met you, you weren't trembling like most survivors. You were oddly calm."
This question was deeper than Kaelen had anticipated. He wasn't as scared, partly due to the System's effect on him, and partly because he was used to survival scenarios from games. But he couldn't say that. "Shock makes people react differently," Kaelen replied, trying to appear as normal as possible. "Perhaps my focus on saving her kept the fear at bay."
Harun looked at Laith, who nodded in agreement. "Alright, Kaelen," Harun finally said, rising. "You and the girl will be under our watch. Everything's new here. We'll see how you adapt." His tone wasn't a direct threat, but a clear warning. "In the morning, you'll start helping to search the upper rooms for supplies. You need to prove you're useful."
Kaelen felt a slight chill run down his spine. He had entered the shelter, but he wasn't entirely safe. He was being watched. At that moment, he heard a faint but sharp scream coming from the direction of the third corridor where Emily had gone with Zain. The scream was followed by the sound of metal crashing, then sudden silence.
Kaelen, Harun, and Laith looked at each other. Terror began to show on Harun's face for the first time.
"What was that?" Laith mumbled.
End of Chapter 6