The farther they ventured into the city, the louder it became.
Smoke drifted between rows of high rise buildings, softening the pale morning light into a dull gray haze. The roads were choked with abandoned vehicles, some left with doors hanging open, others still sitting in the middle of intersections where their drivers had simply fled. Shattered glass crunched beneath every step, mixing with broken concrete, scattered luggage and belongings people had discarded in desperate attempts to run faster.
The countdown continued to tick away in the corner of Alexander's vision.
[Time Remaining: 5:01:36]
He ignored it.
Five hours was both a long time and no time at all.
Beside him, Cassandra walked in silence, her breathing steadier than before but still carrying the fatigue from everything they had endured since yesterday. She kept close without needing to be told, instinctively matching Alexander's pace as they crossed another deserted intersection.
