In the year 2080, after the Great Biological War, the world as we knew it came to an end. Cities turned to ash, and the air became a deadly poison. Those who survived fled underground, into a massive tunnel stretching for thousands of kilometers, where life was divided into zones and people were isolated from one another in the name of survival. We no longer live... we simply wait for death in silence.
Ryan (speaking quietly as he looks through the ventilation hole):
"In 2080, the Great Biological War broke out... the world's nations used viruses as weapons. There was nothing left outside. Trees burned, the sky fell, and the seas turned into black pools.
Those who survived descended into the tunnel, thinking it was a safe place... a refuge.
But we didn't know we had walked into our graves.
The outside became a nuclear waste graveyard, and silence... silence is death. No one goes out. No one comes back."
In the capital of the British Kingdom, London, within the massive tunnel, human life exists, where survival itself is considered a divine blessing. Each sector in this tunnel differs from the others.
Ryan, a 19-year-old young man, works in pipe maintenance and the ventilation system. He has a strong physique and sharp features that reflect a sense of toughness despite his youth. His dark brown eyes and short brown hair give him a composed and serious appearance, yet his presence exudes a certain challenge. Ryan is not one to easily admit fear; on the contrary, he shows great courage when facing daily challenges, though he suffers from occasional anger outbursts, making him prone to sudden fits of rage.
Today, as on every other day, Ryan was in his usual workspace, inspecting the old pipes that stretch along the massive tunnel walls. The walls were filled with cracks and crevices, and the musty scent in the air grew heavier. He moved between the pipes with expert hands, watching every detail of the installation and ensuring that the system was functioning properly. He was accustomed to this routine work, but something felt strange this time.
As he was inspecting an old pipe in the wall, he heard a faint sound through the pipes—an unsettling sound, as if someone were whispering in his ear:
"You're not alone... this is not your place."
Ryan froze. He stood still for a moment, trying to convince himself that what he heard was just a malfunction in the air pressure or noises from the ventilation pipes. But something deep inside told him that something was different.
"Am I crazy? Was that just a hallucination?" he muttered to himself, but quickly dismissed the thought, trying to refocus on his work. Yet, the sound, as though emanating from the walls themselves, lingered in his mind.
At that moment, a blonde girl approached him, her features soft and delicate. Her golden hair flowed over her shoulders, and her blue eyes were like the calm sea. She wore a simple work uniform, but its soft colors made her appear like a bird flying through a monotonous place. It was Maria, his friend for years, always appearing in the moments he needed peace.
Maria approached Ryan with a warm smile, then gently placed her hand on his shoulder. She didn't look at him directly but instead pulled his hand to the side of his face gently, before kissing his cheek affectionately. It was her way of expressing her support for him in these difficult moments.
Maria (in a calm voice):
"Are you okay, Ryan? Don't let these thoughts affect you. You know we're in this together, and you'll never be alone."
She then embraced him, overwhelmed by her love for him.
Ryan felt comforted for a moment, but he couldn't escape the thoughts swirling in his mind. Maria had always been there to support him, but the voice in the walls kept following him, whispering in his mind, making him question: was there something more than just a delusion?
Ryan (in a calm voice, gazing at the pipes):
"We've become prisoners here, Maria. Even the pipes are starting to decay. No one knows how much longer we'll be able to survive. Things get worse every day."
Maria (worried, looking at the ground):
"I know... food supplies are running low. The poorer areas of the tunnel may face starvation. People are starting to lose hope. Poverty is stronger than ever."
Ryan (with slight anger):
"The rich live in relative comfort, but us... the ones living in the worst conditions, we have barely anything. And then there's something worse: the assassinations."
Maria (shocked, moving closer to him):
"Assassinations? What do you mean?"
Ryan (sadly, closing his eyes):
"Yes. Most of the dead are from the poor, Maria. People from the lower classes are being killed under mysterious orders, disguised as chaos. Some believe they're being eliminated to lessen the pressure on limited resources. Death comes quickly, without warning."
Maria (angrily):
"Is this what our world has become? The strong killing the weak just like that? How can we live in such a world?"
Ryan (with deep sadness, crossing his arms):
"Our lives have become a game in the hands of those who hold the power. Everyone here lives in fear, trying to survive by any means. And the Silence... no one knows if it's just a myth or if it's a real threat hiding in the shadows. But we, those who have nothing, are always the first to go."
Maria (looking at him sadly, placing her hand on his):
"You're not alone, Ryan. We're together... I'll make sure we stay together. Don't let this world lead you into darkness."
Ryan (sighing, raising his head slightly):
"I don't want to be just a number in this system. If there's any hope for us to live a better way, we have to find the path out... despite everything they say about 'The Silence.'"
The massive tunnel, which stretches for thousands of kilometers underground, is the only refuge for humans who survived the Great Biological War. The massive concrete walls are surrounded by old pipes, and dim lights flicker weakly, casting long shadows on the walls. The tunnel is divided into zones, each containing its own residents. Life is divided into neighborhoods, each assigned to different social classes, with each area dedicated to work and manufacturing, while most people live in harsh conditions in overcrowded sections.
It is said that a mysterious disease called "The Silence" hovers outside. Anyone who dares to leave the tunnel or get too close to the exit leading to the outside world is doomed. No one has ever known exactly what "The Silence" is, but all reports indicate that it is a fatal disease that kills without mercy anyone who attempts to leave. Everyone lives in constant fear, for no one dares to think of leaving the tunnel.
The Z-47 tunnel was a dark and cold place, with the smell of moisture hanging in the air. Among the dim lights of the tunnel, Fatima Al-Zahra entered. She was a Muslim woman wearing a simple black abaya and a black veil that covered her face. Her face carried calm and humble features, and her glowing eyes reflected strength and patience. Her hair was carefully wrapped under the veil, and as she walked, a deep calm moved with her. Despite the harsh life in the tunnel, Fatima always smiled through the difficult circumstances, holding a strong belief that what was happening now was just a test.
Fatima Al-Zahra was a mother to several children, who grew up under the harsh conditions of the tunnel, surrounded by the difficult life that everyone there experienced. She and her husband had managed to keep their family intact as much as possible, and she always paid attention to her relationships with those around her, showing them great respect and love rooted in her deep faith. Her encounters with Ryan and Maria were always an opportunity to provide emotional and moral support in this dark world.
Fatima Al-Zahra approaches cautiously, she meets Maria and Ryan. She sits calmly and observes her surroundings before she begins to speak.]
Fatima Al-Zahra (with a gentle smile, looking at them):
"Peace be upon you, my siblings. How are you today?"
Ryan (with a tense voice, trying to smile):
"Peace be upon you, Sister Fatima. We're fine, thank God. How are you?"
Fatima Al-Zahra (calmly, sitting and sighing):
"Thank God, but I have bad news. The judge has issued an order for your arrest, Ryan."
Ryan (shocked, looking at her in disbelief):
"What? Me? Why?"
Fatima Al-Zahra (looking at him sadly, speaking in a soft voice):
"They've accused you of being responsible for the recent assassinations. They say there is evidence against you, even though everyone knows you're not that type."
Ryan (sighing, trying to comprehend):
"But I didn't do any of that. I don't even know who these people are that were killed. This is a false accusation."
Maria (worried, placing her hand over her chest):
"Could this be a trap? Could the judge be involved in this?"
Fatima Al-Zahra (reluctantly speaking more, looking at them):
"The truth is, everyone in the tunnel is in a fragile state. There may be forces bigger than us controlling what's happening. No one dares speak against the judge or even oppose him."
Ryan (angry, clenching his fists):
"I won't let this go unchallenged. I'll make sure the truth comes to light, no matter the consequences."
Fatima Al-Zahra (looking at him with concerned eyes):
"You're like a brother to me, and you both are like siblings, and I want to protect you. But things are getting complicated. It might be better for you to disappear for a while until things settle down."
Maria (holding firmly, looking into his eyes):
"We're with you, Ryan. We'll stay together in this fight until the end."