Date: 27/06/2029
The Survivors had finally found a place they could call home—a sturdy, abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. It wasn't perfect, but it was safe. The walls were strong, the doors could be reinforced, and there was enough space for everyone. After days of uncertainty, they had a chance to breathe.
But their relief was short-lived.
As X stood watch outside, his eyes caught movement in the distance. A lone figure approached, carefully stepping over debris, hands raised in a non-threatening manner. X tensed, his instincts ready for a fight. But then he recognized the face.
"Who is that?" Blaze asked, squinting into the distance.
X's heart skipped a beat. He stared at the figure, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. "I... I don't know his name, but I've seen him before."
The figure stepped closer, and X's memory clicked—he remembered the scientist from the government facility. That face. Those eyes. It was the same man who had watched them from the shadows, a silent observer in their darkest days.
But that was all X could recall. No name. No details. Just the vague memory of the man's presence. He never knew if the scientist had been an ally or just another cog in the machine of their torment.
"Is that one of the government scientists?" Blaze's voice was low and filled with suspicion.
"I don't know," X replied. "But I think we should keep an eye on him."
The figure stopped at a safe distance, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. His features were calm, but there was a deep weight behind his eyes.
"Who are you?" Blaze demanded, his fire powers flickering to life around his hands. "What do you want?"
The man lowered his hands slightly, standing tall but unthreatening. "I'm not here to fight," he said, his voice steady but carrying a sense of urgency. "I'm here to ask for your help."
X's brow furrowed. "I remember you," X said cautiously. "From the facility. But I don't know your name. Why are you here?"
The man gave a small nod. "I was one of the scientists there. My name is Han. I... I need shelter."
Blaze's voice cut through Han's introduction. "No. No more lies." Blaze stepped forward, flames dancing in his palms. "You're part of the reason we're in this mess. You were with them!"
"I wasn't with them," Han said, his voice softer now, as though he was trying to reason with someone who was already angry. "I didn't agree with what they did to you. I tried to help when I could. But I couldn't stop them. I just—" Han paused, taking a deep breath. "I need a place to stay, somewhere safe. They're still hunting me, and I've been running ever since you all escaped."
X, still unsure, turned to the others. "We're not in a position to be picky," he said quietly. "We need all the help we can get."
"Help? From a government scientist?" Blaze growled. "What makes you think we're going to let you into our camp?"
Han's face tightened, but he remained calm. "Because we have the same enemy. I don't work for them anymore, but I know things about them. I can help you fight them."
Frost, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "And why should we trust you? We've had enough of people who say one thing and do another. You don't look like you're just 'running.'"
"I'm not asking you to trust me right away," Han replied, his gaze meeting Frost's. "I just need a place to stay, somewhere safe. I've been on the run for too long. And if you let me in, I can help you. I know how this virus works, I know how the government works... and I have skills that can help you survive."
X studied him, trying to make sense of the situation. He didn't know Han's true motivations—he didn't even know if he should trust him. But there was something in Han's eyes, something that told him this man wasn't here to harm them.
Gloss, who had been standing at the back of the group, spoke in a soft voice, her anxiety obvious. "But… what if he's lying? What if he's just waiting for the right moment to betray us?"
X turned to her, his expression calm but firm. "I understand the fear, Gloss. But we can't just keep running forever. We need to make decisions, even if they're hard ones."
Light, who had been quiet up until now, stepped forward with a sigh. "I don't think we should let him in," she said, her voice cautious. "But if you trust him, X, then I'll follow your decision."
X nodded slowly. His gut told him to be careful, but there was a part of him that wanted to believe Han's story. He turned back to the man standing in front of him. "Alright," X said finally. "We'll let you in. But don't think for a second that you have free rein. We'll be watching you."
Han nodded gratefully, relief washing over his face. "Thank you. You won't regret this."
As Han stepped inside, the group exchanged wary glances. No one spoke, but everyone was thinking the same thing: Trust was a fragile thing, and Han would have to prove himself.
Later that evening, Han found X alone near the back of their new base, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room. Han hesitated before speaking. "I know this isn't easy for you," he said quietly. "You don't trust me, and I don't blame you. But I'm not here to hurt anyone. I just want to survive."
X turned toward him, still unsure of what to say. "I remember you," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. "From the facility. But I don't know your name. Why didn't you say anything before?"
Han sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I wasn't sure if you'd remember me. I never meant to be part of the system, X. I wasn't like the others. I did what I could to make things better for you. But I had to stay in the background. I couldn't risk being discovered."
X studied him for a moment, sensing the truth in Han's words. "You're not like the others. But how do we know you're not playing some kind of game?"
Han took a deep breath and raised his hand. X watched as the air around them seemed to grow heavy. The pressure increased, and X felt a slight weight in his chest before Han released it. "I have powers too. Just like you. I can manipulate air density. I've kept it secret because I didn't know who I could trust."
X's eyes widened. "You have the same power as me?"
Han nodded. "Yes. And I can help you control it. You've been using it instinctively, but if you learn to focus, you'll have more control over your abilities."
X blinked in surprise. "Wait, I—" He stopped himself, looking down at his hands. "I copied it. I copied your ability when I was at the facility. I didn't even realize it."
Han's gaze softened, his voice almost reassuring. "That's how your ability works, X. You don't just mimic powers. You absorb them. And with time, you'll learn how to control them, just like I have."
X nodded slowly, still processing the revelation. "So you're telling me I've been using your power all this time without knowing?"
Han smiled slightly, "Yes. But now that you know, we can work together to hone it. It'll be important in the battles ahead."
X felt a surge of determination. "Alright," he said, his voice resolute. "Let's train. Let's see what I can do with this power."
As the days passed, X began training with Han in secret, learning how to control the air density around him. It wasn't easy, and there were plenty of failed attempts, but slowly, X could feel himself gaining control.
The others, however, remained distrustful. "I still don't like him," Blaze muttered one day, his eyes narrowing as he watched Han from across the room.
"I know," X replied. "But he's not the enemy. He's just someone who wants to survive, like us."
Frost, who was polishing his boots, chimed in, "We'll see how long that lasts. He's still a government scientist. They don't just change sides."
Gloss added quietly, "I don't want to get hurt again. We've lost so much already."
X sighed. "I understand. But right now, we need all the help we can get. We're not just fighting zombies anymore. The government is still out there, and they're going to keep hunting us."
Light crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "I don't know if I trust him. But… I trust you, X. If you say we need him, then I'll stand with you."
X smiled, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Light. I'll do my best to make sure we don't regret this."
And so, despite the uncertainty and tension that lingered in the air, The Survivors moved forward. With their new ally, Han, by their side, they faced the future with a renewed sense of determination—though still, the questions about trust and survival loomed large.