The world burned in quiet misery.
Eko's boots crunched over broken glass as he moved through the abandoned district. Smoke curled from collapsed rooftops. The sky was ash-gray. The city felt dead—except for the sharp growl behind him.
A zombie—skin cracked like dry earth, veins glowing faintly red—crawled out of a wrecked taxi.
Eko smirked. "Late to the party, buddy."
He fired a modified bolt straight into its skull.
"You done showing off?" Lolly asked as she dropped from a nearby balcony, ponytail swinging.
"Just staying sharp," Eko replied, but his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary.
Geo walked ahead, scanning the street. "We need supplies. Focus."
Lolly rolled her eyes. "Relax. We've survived this long."
Geo looked at Eko. "Because I plan. And you two improvise."
Eko shrugged. "Improvising is fun."
Lolly laughed. Geo didn't.
The triangle's tension sparked immediately—and it had only begun.