Chapter 21: Siege 1
Returning to Aiden's group...
Everyone decided to settle in one of the buildings that was still somewhat habitable. They began adapting to the current situation, getting used to relying on each other for everything. The women gathered to prepare food, while the men busied themselves inspecting the place and gathering cooking supplies. The children helped each in their own way. While everyone was occupied, Aiden sat alone on the building's roof, observing the situation from afar.
His abilities had awakened, and with them, the sharpness of his senses had risen to a supernatural level; he became able to hear the faintest sounds and see the finest details from kilometers away. He sat in deep silence, immersed in his contemplations.
One of the men approached him and said: "Sir, dinner is ready." Aiden nodded his head, indicating he could leave. But the man didn't move; instead, he added: "Sir... may I sit near you?"
Silence prevailed for a moment, then the reply came: "Do as you see fit."
A bright smile spread across the man's face, and blood rushed to his cheeks in joy like a small child. Then he turned around, shouting: "Guys! The commander said it's okay!"
His voice resonated in the quiet, and after moments of waiting without response—
Running... running...
He heard the sound of hurried footsteps, and when he looked towards the narrow door, he saw members of his group flowing in, carrying their food, coming to share dinner with him on the roof.
The corners of Aiden's lips rose in a calm smile, then he took a spoon and began eating while staring at the twinkling stars in the sky.
...
After dinner ended, everyone returned inside the building to take shelter and get some rest, while Aiden remained alone once again.
He kept watching the stars, scrutinizing the surroundings, inspecting the area carefully to secure himself and those with him from any potential danger.
The calm left by the darkness of the night was something else. After the collapse of modern civilization and the disappearance of all technological manifestations like electricity and such, the world returned to its original nature. The darkness enveloping everything around them became a scene only seen in horror movies. But in the midst of this pitch-black darkness, there was one thing that added a dramatic touch to the scene: the chirping of crickets.
Aiden kept inspecting the area repeatedly, not tiring of observation.
...
Minutes and hours passed as if they were moments.
When he checked the time, he found it was very late, so he decided it was time to join the rest and rest.
He stood up, brushed the dust off his body, and headed towards the door. He descended the stairs until he reached one of the corners and decided to sleep there. Although it wouldn't be as comfortable as sleeping on a bed or on grass, it was much better than staying in the open.
He closed his eyes quietly and soon sank into a deep sleep.
---
Several kilometers away from the building inhabited by Aiden...
A massive group of beasts, resembling giant wolves, were racing to reach one location. They moved as if in a fateful race that only happens once in a lifetime. They walked like fast, giant tanks, disregarding anything in their path, whether animal or human; everything in their way was crushed to death without concern.
The mouths of these wolves were wide open, their pink, thorny tongues dangling, while their sticky saliva flowed like a dirty waterfall.
Their destination was clearly Aiden's location, but they weren't in a frenzied hurry; a full day had passed since they started their chase, but they prioritized anything else they encountered along the way.
They continued their advance until they approached the area completely covered by Aiden's perception.
They stopped a few meters away, then the largest and most majestic among them looked forward and let out a low growl of command:
"Grrrrrrrr!"
The pack looked at him in silence, their heads shaking slightly as a sign of agreement, then together they let out a simultaneous, sharp howl—
*Whoosh!*
They suddenly dispersed and began besieging the place from every direction.