" The Brace of Shadows"

As they doubled check the Storehouse and found it okay, they started eating the canned food, and felt like a feast compared to the gnawing hunger they'd endured. Alex and Carter sat in the dim light of the storehouse, eating in silence. Each bite restored at a fraction of their strength, but neither could shake the tension lingering in the air.

"We can't stay here long," Alex finally said, breaking the silence.

Carter looked up, chewing thoughtfully. " You have a plan?"

Alex pulled the map from his pack and spread it on the floor between them. His finger traced a line toward the next marked location: Storehouse 22A, about three miles away. "It's the closest one. If we leave now, we can make it before sundown."

"Another storehouse?" Carter asked, raising an eyebrow. "What if it's like this one? Crawling with those... things."

Alex hesitated, his mind flashing back to the Night Hunters. "We already know their weakness so we can make a plan to attack and be more prepared for what it came"

Carter nodded, though his expression remained skeptical. "Alright. Let's move before the sun starts to dip."

The journey to Storehouse 22A had been quiet, almost too quiet. Alex and Carter moved cautiously through the desolate city streets, the weight of their earlier encounter with the Night Hunters still fresh in their minds.

The storehouse loomed in the distance, its rusted exterior partially obscured by vines and debris. The sight gave Alex a sense of déjà vu, though this time, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Think we'll get lucky this time?" Carter asked, his voice a low murmur.

Alex glanced at him, tightening his grip on his knife. "Let's hope. We need to stock up before nightfall."

As they approached the storehouse, a faint sound reached their ears: a child's scream.

Alex froze, his heart lurching in his chest. "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah," Carter replied, already scanning the area. "Over there." He pointed toward a side street.

Without hesitation, Alex broke into a run, Carter following close behind.

Rounding the corner, they came upon the source of the commotion. A young girl, no older than twelve, was pressed against the side of an overturned car. A zombie advanced on her, its decayed form lurching with terrifying purpose.

A short distance away, a boy—likely her brother—watched helplessly, clutching a piece of rebar but too paralyzed by fear to act.

"Chloe!" the boy shouted, his voice cracking.

The girl's wide eyes darted between the zombie and her brother, her back against the cold metal of the car.

Alex didn't think twice. Activating Agility, he surged forward, his bracelet activated as his speed and precision heightened. In a flash, he was between the zombie and the girl, his knife driving deep into the creature's chest.

The zombie snarled, clawing at him, but Alex twisted the blade and yanked it free, sending the creature collapsing to the ground.

"Stay back!" Alex shouted to the kids, his voice firm.

Carter arrived a moment later, his makeshift pipe at the ready, though the threat was already neutralized.

"Are you hurt?" Alex asked, turning to the girl.

She shook her head, her small frame trembling. The boy, about thirteen, ran to her side and hugged her tightly.

"What happened?" Carter asked, his eyes scanning the area for more threats.

The boy glanced up, his expression a mixture of fear and shame. "Our parents are inside the storehouse. They told us to wait near the entrance, but Chloe… she had to, uh…"

"I had to go to the bathroom," Chloe admitted, her voice small. "I didn't want to go too far, but then the zombie came."

Alex's chest tightened. He understood the desperate risks people had to take in a world like this, even for something as simple as relieving yourself.

"Where are your parents now?" Alex asked.

"In there," the boy said, pointing to the storehouse. "They're looking for supplies. They said they'd be back soon."

Alex and Carter exchanged a glance.

"We can't leave them out here alone," Alex said firmly.

Carter sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess we're heading inside, then."

--

With the kids in tow, Alex and Carter approached the storehouse cautiously. The doors were slightly ajar, and the interior was dark, save for faint beams of sunlight filtering through cracks in the walls.

"Stay close," Alex told the kids, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Inside, the air was thick and damp, carrying the faint scent of decay. Shelves were overturned, and debris littered the floor.

"Mom? Dad?" the boy called out, his voice echoing.

"Quiet," Carter hissed. "We don't know what's in here."

The group moved deeper into the storehouse, their footsteps muffled by the layer of grime on the floor. The tension was palpable, every creak and shadow setting their nerves on edge.

Finally, they heard voices—low and urgent. Following the sound, they found a man and woman crouched by a shelf, frantically sifting through a pile of supplies.

"Sam? Chloe?" the woman gasped, her face lighting up with relief as she saw her children. Thinking that sound it was made by zombies

"Mom! Dad!" Chloe ran to them, throwing her arms around her mother.

"What are you doing here?" the father asked, his expression darkening with worry. "We told you to stay outside!"

We did, but Chloe had to relieve herself, so we went around the corner, where a zombie attacked us. These men came and saved us, Sam explained, his voice trembling. 

The man's eyes shifted to Alex and Carter, his features softening. "Thank you. We owe you."

"We heard the scream," Alex said. It was either help or let them fend for themselves." We all knew that would be impossible, so my body moved by instinct, and I tried to do what I could. There was no need to thank us!

The woman hugged her children tightly, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she whispered.

---

With the family reunited Alex and Carter explained their plan to search the storehouse thoroughly for supplies. The parents, grateful but wary, agreed to help.

As they scavenged together, Alex kept a close eye on the shadows. The memory of the Night Hunters was still fresh, and he couldn't shake the feeling that danger was never far away.

They found a decent haul: canned food, medical supplies, and a few water bottles. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep them going.

As they packed up, the father approached Alex, giving his hand for a shake, my name is Elliot and my wife is Nora. I sincerely thank you again for saving our kids and also "We've been on the move for weeks, trying to find somewhere safe. If you're heading somewhere, maybe we could come with you?"

Alex glanced at Carter, who shrugged. "Safety in numbers," Alex said.

Carter nodded and Alex said: "Alright. But we need to keep moving and stay sharp. The nights here… he shuddered at the thought of what was lurking here. They're not safe."

The family agreed, their gratitude evident for saving their kids and coming together as a group. They left the storehouse together.