February 3, 102 P.A.

  The first rays of dawn pierced the darkness, painting the eastern sky in hues of orange and pink. A chill clung to the air, but the promise of warmth lay on the horizon. Jed woke with a start, his hand instinctively reaching for the reassuring weight of his rifle. The events of the previous day came flooding back—the adrenaline-fueled encounter with the scavengers, the unease of the mysterious figure glimpsed in the cave. His muscles protested as he sat up, stiff from sleeping on the hard ground.

  Jed took a moment to survey his surroundings, blinking sleep from his eyes. The ruins of Weston sprawled before him, crumbling buildings and debris-strewn streets bathed in the soft light of dawn. There was an almost ethereal quality to the devastation, beauty and destruction intertwined in the shifting shadows.

  With a quiet groan, Jed unpacked his meager supplies. Breakfast consisted of a standard ration bar—dry and tasteless, but sustenance nonetheless. As he chewed mechanically, Jed contemplated his next move. The ruins of Weston held the tantalizing promise of valuable salvage, but danger lurked around every corner. Yesterday’s encounter with the scavengers served as a stark reminder of the brutality that ruled this world.

  Swallowing the last chalky bite of his ration bar, Jed packed up his belongings with practiced efficiency. A renewed sense of determination settled over him as he prepared to face whatever challenges the day might bring. He’d come too far to turn back now.

  Jed began his descent from the plateau, picking his way carefully through the rubble. The rising sun cast long shadows across the ruins, highlighting the stark contrast between the natural beauty of the surrounding hills and the utter devastation wrought by the apocalypse. It was a reminder of what had been lost, and what little remained.

  As he ventured deeper into the heart of the ruined city, Jed relied on his finely honed Wilderness Scout skills to navigate the treacherous landscape. The streets formed a maze of collapsed buildings and overgrown vegetation, each turn potentially concealing hidden dangers. He moved with practiced caution, avoiding obvious hazards and keeping a sharp eye out for any signs of trouble.

  The deeper Jed ventured into the ruins, the more pronounced the devastation became. Entire blocks had been reduced to little more than piles of twisted metal and shattered concrete. The air hung thick with the dust of ages, and the only sounds were the occasional creak of rusted metal or the mournful cry of a bird wheeling overhead. It was as if the very essence of desolation had seeped into the bones of the city.

  After navigating through a particularly treacherous section of debris-choked streets, Jed’s attention was caught by an imposing sight. A towering ruin of a building loomed before him, its upper floors partially collapsed but the majority of the structure still standing defiantly amidst the surrounding destruction. The facade was scarred and blackened, its windows shattered, empty eye sockets staring out at a world forever changed. Yet there was an air of resilience about the building that drew Jed in, a sense of strength that had weathered the apocalypse itself.

  As Jed circled the base of the building, he noticed a gaping hole in one side that appeared to lead into some kind of loading dock. The ragged edges of twisted metal and crumbling concrete framed the opening like jagged teeth, hungry for the unwary. Jed knew it was a risky proposition to venture into such an unstable structure, but the potential rewards were too tempting to ignore. Who knew what valuable technology or supplies might be hidden within those crumbling walls?

  Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Jed approached the yawning entrance with his laser rifle held at the ready. The weight of the weapon was comforting in his hands, a lifeline in a world where death lurked around every corner. As he stepped over the threshold, darkness enveloped him. Jed paused, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim light filtering through cracks in the walls.

  The air inside the loading dock was thick with dust and the cloying scent of decay. Jed’s ears strained to catch any sound of movement, but the only noise was the steady drip of water echoing from somewhere deep within the structure. He moved forward cautiously, each step carefully placed to avoid disturbing the debris littering the floor.

  The loading dock was a labyrinth of twisted metal and shattered concrete, its original purpose obscured by the ravages of time and destruction. Jed’s eyes darted from shadow to shadow, every sense on high alert for any sign of danger. He’d survived this long by never letting his guard down, and he wasn’t about to start now.

  As Jed made his way deeper into the building, he came across a set of stairs leading up to the next level. The steps were cracked and crumbling, but they seemed sturdy enough to support his weight. For a moment, Jed was tempted by the lure of what might lie above. But caution won out—it was always best to secure an area before moving on. He decided to explore the loading dock further, hoping to find something of value before venturing into the unknown dangers of the upper levels.

  The loading dock proved to be a maze of interconnected bays, each one filled with the ghostly remnants of pre-Rifts commerce. Jed moved from one to the next, his trained eye scanning for anything useful amidst the wreckage. In one bay, he came across a collection of overturned crates and barrels. The possibility of supplies made his heart quicken, and he approached with renewed purpose.

  Kneeling beside one of the crates, Jed pried it open with practiced efficiency. A grin spread across his face as he peered inside—the crate was filled with dusty but intact cans of food. It wasn’t a king’s ransom, but in this world, a reliable food source was worth its weight in gold. Jed carefully transferred several of the cans into his backpack, already calculating how long he could stretch the extra rations.

  Buoyed by his success, Jed moved on to the next bay. This one contained a jumbled pile of rusted machinery, the purpose of which he could only guess at. But as he rummaged through the wreckage, his efforts were rewarded. A functional tool kit emerged from the chaos, along with a coil of copper wire and various other odds and ends that might prove useful down the line. Jed added these treasures to his growing collection, a sense of satisfaction settling over him.

  As Jed explored further into the depths of the loading dock, a faint skittering sound reached his ears. He froze, muscles tensing as his hand tightened instinctively on his laser rifle. The sound drew closer, setting Jed’s nerves on edge. Then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes emerged. A large rat, its fur matted and teeth bared in a vicious snarl, scurried towards him with alarming speed.

  In one fluid motion, Jed switched to his hunting rifle. The familiar weight settled against his shoulder as he raised the weapon, its red dot sight dancing over the rat’s mangy form. Jed took a calm, measured breath, years of training and survival instinct kicking in. Time seemed to slow as he lined up the shot, tracking the creature’s charge.

  With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, the rifle cracked. The sound echoed through the loading dock, momentarily drowning out all other noise. The rat leapt into the air, a bullet tearing through its skull with deadly accuracy. It fell to the ground with a lifeless thud, its eyes glazing over as the last spark of life faded.

  Jed approached the fallen creature cautiously, nudging it with the toe of his boot to confirm its demise. The rat was larger than any he’d seen before, its body bloated and diseased-looking. A voice in the back of Jed’s mind warned him against touching it with his bare hands—who knew what mutations or diseases it might carry?

  With the immediate threat neutralized, Jed continued his exploration of the loading dock. But now his senses were on even higher alert, painfully aware that even the smallest creatures could pose a deadly danger in this harsh world. He moved with renewed caution, scanning each shadowy corner for potential threats.

  As Jed pressed on, he found several more bays filled with discarded junk and broken machinery. It would have been easy to become discouraged, but his patience and thoroughness were rewarded. Among the refuse, he uncovered a set of working flashlights—their beams still strong despite years of disuse. A battery-powered radio emerged from another pile of debris. Though Jed couldn’t find any stations broadcasting, the potential for future communication was too valuable to pass up.

  The true prize, however, came in the form of a sealed crate tucked away in a far corner. Jed’s heart raced as he pried it open, revealing a cache of medical supplies. Bandages, antibiotics, painkillers—items worth their weight in gold in this unforgiving world. He carefully packed these treasures into his backpack, their added weight a welcome burden.

  Jed was just considering whether to press his luck further or move on to the upper levels when a loud screech echoed through the loading dock. The sound froze him in place, every muscle tensing as adrenaline flooded his system. It was followed by the ominous thud of heavy footsteps, growing louder with each passing second.

  Jed spun around, his rifle raised and ready. From the shadows emerged a nightmarish sight—a creature that defied easy description. It stood over eight feet tall, its massive body covered in thick, matted fur. But this was no ordinary bear. Mutation had twisted its form into something grotesque and terrifying. Muscles bulged unnaturally beneath its hide, and wickedly sharp claws clicked menacingly against the concrete floor with each step.

  The mutated bear’s eyes gleamed with predatory hunger, fixing Jed with a gaze that promised violence. Another deafening roar split the air, saliva dripping from a maw filled with jagged teeth. The stench of its breath reached Jed, a foul miasma of decay and corruption.

  Jed’s heart pounded in his chest, blood roaring in his ears as his body prepared for the fight of his life. There was no time for hesitation, no room for error. In one smooth motion, he raised his Wilk’s 447 laser rifle. The familiar weight settled against his shoulder as the red targeting reticule danced across the mutated bear’s massive chest.

  Time seemed to slow as Jed took a deep, steadying breath. He pushed aside the fear, the doubt, focusing solely on the shot before him. With a gentle squeeze of the trigger, he unleashed a searing beam of energy. The laser struck the bear with a blinding flash, the smell of burnt fur filling the air. The beast roared in pain and rage, stumbling backward but refusing to fall.

  Jed didn’t hesitate. He adjusted his aim and fired again, this time targeting the creature’s head. The laser beam burned through its skull with deadly precision, and the massive body collapsed to the ground with a bone-jarring thud that shook the very foundations of the building.

  As the quiet whine of the laser rifle’s charge faded, an eerie silence settled over the loading dock. Jed lowered his weapon, breathing heavily as the adrenaline began to ebb. The mutated bear lay motionless before him, its once-menacing form now nothing more than a lifeless husk.

  For a long moment, Jed simply stood there, his senses hyper-alert for any sign of further danger. But the only sound was the pounding of his own heart and the faint drip of water from somewhere in the darkness. Slowly, the tension began to drain from his muscles, replaced by a bone-deep weariness that came in the wake of mortal peril.

  With the immediate threat neutralized, Jed took a moment to catch his breath and reload his weapons. The familiar motions helped to center him, pushing back against the lingering edge of fear. He knew all too well that one moment of complacency could be fatal in this unforgiving world.

  As his breathing steadied, Jed’s thoughts turned to what lay ahead. The encounter with the mutated bear served as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the ruins. But it also reinforced his determination. He hadn’t come this far to turn back now.

  With renewed caution, Jed approached the stairs he’d noticed earlier. They creaked and groaned beneath his weight, the sound echoing through the empty hallways like a warning. The air grew colder and damper as he ascended, carrying with it the faint smell of mold and decay that clung to the walls like a shroud.

  Reaching the next level, Jed found himself in a long, dimly lit corridor. Doors lined the walls on either side, most hanging open on broken hinges like gaping mouths. The floor was a treacherous maze of debris, and water stains marred the ceiling, testament to years of neglect.

  Jed moved slowly, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet that still clung stubbornly to the floor in places. He peered into each room as he passed, eyes scanning for anything of value or interest. Most were picked clean, their contents long since looted or destroyed by the ravages of time. But a few still held remnants of their former occupants, ghostly echoes of a world long gone.

  In one room, Jed came across a scattered collection of children’s toys. A faded teddy bear stared up at him with button eyes, a broken toy car lay on its side nearby, and a stack of picture books with torn and yellowed pages completed the tableau. The sight hit Jed harder than he expected, a pang of sadness twisting in his chest. It was a stark reminder of the lives lost, the innocence shattered by the Coming of the Rifts. For a moment, he allowed himself to wonder about the child who had once played here, about the family torn apart when the world ended. But he pushed the thoughts aside. Dwelling on the past was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

  Moving on, Jed discovered another room that gave him pause. This one contained a makeshift shrine, a collection of candles and trinkets arranged with care around a framed photograph. The image showed a smiling family—mother, father, two young children—frozen in a moment of happiness that now felt like it belonged to another world entirely. The flickering light of burning candles cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an eerie, almost reverent atmosphere.

  Jed felt like an intruder here, witnessing a private moment of grief and remembrance. He backed out of the room quietly, leaving the shrine undisturbed. There were some lines even a hardened survivor wouldn’t cross.

  As Jed continued his methodical exploration of the floor, he came to a door that stood out from the rest. Unlike its neighbors, this one was closed, its surface unmarked by the violence that had claimed so much of the building. A sense of anticipation built within him, tinged with wariness. Could this be the room that held the true treasure of this ruined building? Or was it simply another dead end, another reminder of all that had been lost?

  Jed approached the closed door with a mixture of caution and curiosity. He tested the handle, unsurprised to find it locked. Taking a step back, he examined the doorframe closely, looking for any signs of weakness or a way to bypass the lock. The wood was old and weathered, but the hinges and lock seemed surprisingly sturdy given the state of the rest of the building.

  After a moment’s consideration, Jed reached for the Bowie knife at his belt. The worn leather handle fit his grip perfectly, a tool that had seen him through countless tight spots. He wedged the blade into the gap between the door and the frame, angling it towards the lock mechanism. With a grunt of effort, he applied pressure, twisting and prying until he heard a satisfying snap. The lock gave way, and the door creaked open on protesting hinges.

  Jed raised his laser rifle, ready for whatever might lie beyond. The room beyond was shrouded in darkness, the only illumination filtering in from the hallway behind him. He flicked on one of his newly acquired flashlights, its beam cutting through the gloom like a knife.

  What the light revealed was a stark contrast to the rest of the derelict building. The room was clean, well-organized, and surprisingly well-furnished. A large wooden desk dominated one wall, its surface covered in books, papers, and various electronic devices that spoke of purpose and importance. A comfortable-looking armchair sat before the desk, positioned to take advantage of the panoramic view offered by a large window—though the cityscape beyond was now one of ruin rather than bustling life.

  A faint humming sound drew Jed’s attention to a machine tucked into one corner of the room. Its lights blinked rhythmically, a steady pulse of life in the otherwise still space. Upon closer inspection, he recognized it as a sophisticated computer terminal. The screen was filled with lines of code and complex diagrams that were beyond his comprehension.

  Jed moved cautiously around the room, his eyes darting from one object to the next. The books stacked on the desk were a mix of technical manuals and pre-Rifts literature, their pages yellowed with age but still intact. Scattered among them were papers covered in handwritten notes and calculations, some of which seemed to relate to the computer terminal in the corner.

  Jed’s attention was drawn to a collection of electronic devices arranged neatly on one corner of the desk. He recognized a few as pre-Rifts relics—a handheld scanner, a portable data storage device, and a multi-tool with various attachments. In this scavenged world, such items were potentially priceless finds.

  The computer terminal, however, remained the most intriguing object in the room. Its screen flickered with complex data, and its keyboard was covered in arcane symbols that Jed couldn’t begin to decipher. He wasn’t sure if it was still fully functional, but its mere presence suggested that this room once belonged to someone of significant importance or technical expertise.

  Jed carefully gathered the books, papers, and electronic devices, stuffing them into his already bulging backpack. Each item added weight, but also potential value—whether in terms of information or trade. He hesitated for a moment, considering the computer terminal. It was far too large to carry, and he wasn’t entirely sure if it would be worth the effort even if he could move it.

  But something about the terminal drew him in. A sense of curiosity, perhaps, or a deeper instinct honed by years of survival. In this world, information could be as valuable as food or weapons. Jed decided to try and activate it, hoping to glean some clue about its former owner and the purpose of this hidden sanctuary.

  He approached the computer terminal with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. His fingers hovered over the archaic keyboard, the unfamiliar symbols making him acutely aware of his own limitations. The screen flickered with static, remnants of some long-forgotten program or data.

  Taking a deep breath, Jed pressed what he hoped was the power button. The machine hummed to life, its internal components whirring as if awakening from a long slumber. The screen cleared, replaced by a series of prompts and loading screens that meant little to Jed. After a few tense moments, the terminal fully awakened, revealing a command line interface.

  The screen displayed a simple message:

  WELCOME, USER. PLEASE ENTER YOUR CREDENTIALS:

  Jed frowned, his brow furrowing in concentration. He had no idea what the credentials might be, but he wasn’t about to let that stop him. He decided to try a few generic options, typing in “admin” and “password” with clumsy fingers unused to such delicate work. The terminal rejected both attempts, leaving Jed feeling frustrated but undeterred.

  He took a closer look at the keyboard, trying to discern some pattern in the unfamiliar symbols. It seemed to be a variation of a standard QWERTY layout, but with additional characters that he couldn’t begin to guess the purpose of. Jed began to experiment, trying different combinations of keys in hopes of stumbling upon the right sequence.

  After several failed attempts, each one increasing his frustration, Jed’s persistence was rewarded. He input a sequence that seemed to trigger a response. The screen flashed, and a new message appeared:

  ACCESS GRANTED. WELCOME, DR. ELIZABETH HAYES.

  Jed let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. The terminal now displayed a menu of options, including files, programs, and communication logs. He hesitated for a moment, a twinge of uncertainty gnawing at him. The information on this terminal could be incredibly valuable, a window into the world before the Rifts. But it could also be dangerous, leading him down paths better left unexplored.

  In the end, curiosity won out over caution. Jed began to navigate through the computer terminal’s menu, his eyes widening as he realized the scope of what he’d stumbled upon. The files were a mix of personal logs, dense research data, and communication records. It quickly became clear that Dr. Elizabeth Hayes had been no ordinary scientist, but someone working on a top-secret project in the days leading up to the Rifts.

  The research data was largely beyond Jed’s comprehension, filled with technical jargon and complex theories. But he managed to glean enough to understand the basics of Hayes’ work. She had been studying dimensional anomalies, trying to understand the nature of the rifts and their impact on the world. Her logs were filled with theories, observations, and experiments that bordered on the fantastical.

  It was the communication logs, however, that truly captured Jed’s attention. They contained messages exchanged with other scientists, military personnel, and even high-ranking government officials. As he read through them, Jed could sense the growing desperation in the exchanges. The tone became increasingly panicked as the rifts escalated, revealing a sense of helplessness in the face of the approaching cataclysm.

  One message, apparently dated just days before the Great Cataclysm, stood out from the rest. It was a distress call from Dr. Hayes to an unknown recipient, pleading for help and warning of an imminent disaster. The message ended abruptly, cut off mid-sentence, leaving Jed to wonder about the fate of its author.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  As he continued to sift through the files, hoping to find more clues about Dr. Hayes’s fate and the true nature of her research, Jed stumbled upon something that made his breath catch in his throat. It was a set of schematics for a device called a “dimensional stabilizer,” along with pages of notes detailing its potential applications.

  Jed’s mind raced as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing. The device seemed designed to harness the energy of the rifts themselves, but its true purpose remained frustratingly unclear. Was this a weapon? A tool for closing the rifts? Or something even more profound?

  As Jed delved deeper into the files, a sense of unease settled over him like a heavy cloak. The information he had uncovered was both fascinating and deeply disturbing, hinting at a world far more complex and dangerous than he had ever imagined. Knowledge, he realized, could be a double-edged sword—illuminating and treacherous in equal measure.

  With a growing sense of urgency, Jed’s eyes darted around the room until they settled on a blank notebook among the books on the desk. He snatched it up along with a nearby pen, his hands shaking slightly with the weight of what he was about to do.

  Jed began to meticulously copy the schematics for the dimensional stabilizer, his pen moving across the paper with careful precision. Each line and symbol was transcribed exactly, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked. He knew he might not understand all of it now, but someday this information could prove invaluable.

  As he worked, Jed couldn’t help but wonder about the implications of this device. Could it be the key to understanding the rifts that had torn their world apart? Might it hold the power to repair the damage done, to restore some semblance of the world that was lost? Or was it a weapon, something capable of unleashing even greater destruction upon an already ravaged planet?

  The questions swirled in his mind, but Jed pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. There would be time for speculation later. For now, his priority was preserving this potentially world-changing information.

  When he finished copying the schematics, Jed turned his attention to Dr. Hayes’s accompanying notes. He transcribed every detail, making sure to capture the full scope of her research. The work was tedious, but Jed felt a sense of accomplishment washing over him with each page he filled.

  Finally, Jed set down the pen, flexing his cramped fingers. He carefully stowed the notebook in his backpack, nestling it securely among the other items he’d collected. The weight of the information he now carried felt far heavier than its physical presence would suggest.

  Jed took one last look around the room, wondering if there was anything else of value he might have missed. But a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach told him it was time to move on. The longer he stayed in this building, the greater the risk of discovery—whether by scavengers, mutants, or something even worse.

  As Jed turned towards the door, his mind racing with the possibilities and dangers that lay ahead, a sound from the floor above stopped him in his tracks. It was faint at first, a subtle scraping noise that he might have dismissed as settling debris or his own imagination. But it grew louder, more deliberate—the unmistakable sound of something heavy being dragged across the floor.

  Jed froze, his hand instinctively tightening on the grip of his laser rifle. His heart began to pound, adrenaline flooding his system as his body prepared for fight or flight. He strained his ears, trying to discern more details about the source of the noise.

  After a moment’s hesitation, curiosity and caution warred within him. The smart move would be to leave now, to take the valuable information he’d gathered and make a clean escape. But the possibility of finding more answers—or facing a threat that might follow him if left unchecked—tugged at him.

  With a quiet sigh, Jed made his decision. He would investigate, but with the utmost care. He moved towards the stairwell, each step measured and silent. The scraping sound grew louder as he ascended, accompanied now by muffled voices. The words were indistinguishable, but their tone was harsh and aggressive, setting Jed further on edge.

  Reaching the next level, Jed found himself in a hallway similar to the one below, but darker and more cluttered. The scraping sound seemed to be coming from a room at the far end. Jed moved stealthily, hugging the shadows and avoiding loose debris that might give away his presence. As he drew closer to the source of the noise, the muffled voices became clearer, rising and falling in what sounded like a heated argument.

  Jed pressed himself against the wall beside the partially open door, his rifle raised and ready. He peered cautiously around the corner, taking in the scene with a practiced eye.

  The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a few flickering candles. A group of four figures huddled around a table, their faces hidden in shadow. One of them held a large burlap sack, its contents bulging ominously. The others were armed with crude weapons—pipes, sharpened pieces of metal, and in one case, what looked like a pre-Rifts handgun.

  Jed’s instincts screamed danger as he assessed the situation. The harsh voices, the makeshift weapons, the ominous sack—all pointed to trouble. He had stumbled upon something he wasn’t meant to see, and now he had to decide how to proceed.

  For a moment, Jed considered slipping away quietly. He had the information he came for, and engaging with this group could only lead to violence. But a nagging sense of responsibility tugged at him. Whatever was in that sack, whatever these people were arguing about, it couldn’t be good. If he walked away now, who knew what consequences might unfold?

  Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Jed made his decision. He stepped out from behind the corner, his laser rifle leveled at the group. The sudden appearance of an armed figure silenced the room, their argument abruptly halted. Four pairs of eyes widened in shock and fear as they turned to face him.

  “Drop your weapons!” Jed commanded, his voice echoing through the room with an authority born of survival.

  For a heartbeat, nobody moved. Then, as if on cue, the figures reached for their makeshift weapons. But Jed was faster, his reflexes honed by years of life-or-death situations. He squeezed the trigger of his Wilk’s 447, unleashing a deadly beam of energy.

  The first figure, the one holding the sack, crumpled to the ground with a smoking hole in his chest. The others scattered, their weapons clattering to the floor as they desperately sought cover. But in the confined space of the room, there was nowhere to hide.

  Jed fired again and again, each shot finding its mark with lethal precision. The air filled with the acrid smell of burnt flesh and ozone, punctuated by the screams of the dying. In a matter of seconds, the threat was neutralized. The four figures lay motionless on the floor, their weapons scattered uselessly around them.

  As the echoes of the last shot faded, Jed approached the fallen figures cautiously. The burlap sack lay where it had fallen, its contents spilling out onto the floor. Jed’s stomach turned as he saw what it contained—the severed head of a dog-like creature, its eyes still open in a frozen stare of terror.

  Jed lowered his rifle, his heart pounding in his chest. The violence had been swift and brutal, but necessary. In this world, hesitation could mean the difference between life and death. He took a moment to compose himself, pushing down the surge of adrenaline and the twinge of regret for lives ended, no matter how justified.

  With a heavy heart but a steady hand, Jed began the grim task of searching the bodies and the room. It was a necessary evil in this world—the dead had no use for supplies, and anything of value could mean the difference between survival and death for him.

  The search of the bodies yielded little—a few meager scraps of food, some rusty metal bits that might be useful for repairs, and a small pouch containing a handful of silver coins. The coins were old and worn, their markings barely visible, but they might still have some value in the right barter situation.

  Jed turned his attention to the room itself. The table where the figures had gathered held little of interest beyond a few empty bottles and a deck of playing cards with crudely drawn faces. The rest of the room was sparsely furnished, containing only a few broken chairs and a dusty bookshelf with a handful of tattered books.

  Hope flared briefly as Jed opened the books, but it was quickly extinguished. They turned out to be pre-Rifts novels and textbooks, their pages yellowed with age and their contents of little practical use in this new world. Disappointed but not surprised, Jed moved on to search the rest of the floor.

  Most of the rooms were as empty and desolate as those he’d encountered below, their contents long since looted or destroyed by time and the elements. But Jed’s thorough search was not entirely in vain. He managed to find a few more items of interest: another working flashlight to add to his collection, a pair of sturdy boots that looked to be about his size, and a backpack containing a first-aid kit and a few energy bars.

  As Jed continued his methodical exploration of the floor, the scraping sound he had heard earlier returned. This time it seemed to be coming from a room at the far end of the hallway, beyond where he had encountered the group. He approached cautiously, his rifle raised and ready for whatever new threat might present itself.

  The door to the room was slightly ajar, a sliver of darkness visible beyond. Jed pressed his ear against the weathered wood, listening intently. A faint, rhythmic breathing reached his ears, punctuated by the occasional soft groan. Whatever was in there, it was alive—and possibly injured.

  Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Jed pushed the door open. He raised his flashlight, its beam cutting through the gloom to illuminate the scene within. What he saw made him pause, a mixture of surprise and wariness washing over him.

  The room appeared to be a makeshift bedroom, sparsely furnished with little more than a mattress on the floor and a few scattered blankets. But it was the figure lying on the mattress that truly caught Jed’s attention. With a jolt of recognition, he realized it was the woman he had encountered in the basement—Sarah Connor.

  But Sarah was not alone, and the sight of her companion made Jed’s blood run cold. Perched on her chest was a grotesque creature that defied easy description. It resembled a nightmarish fusion of lizard and scorpion, its exoskeleton gleaming dully in the dim light. Multiple eyes were fixed on Sarah with predatory intent, while its barbed tail was poised to strike.

  Sarah struggled weakly beneath the creature’s weight, her face contorted in agony. Her eyes met Jed’s, and he could see the desperate plea for help written across her features. There was no time for hesitation or careful planning—action was needed, and needed now.

  Without conscious thought, Jed raised his hunting rifle. The familiar weight settled against his shoulder as he took aim, the creature’s segmented body filling his scope. He took a split second to steady his breathing, knowing that a miss could spell disaster for Sarah.

  With a practiced squeeze of the trigger, the rifle barked. The bullet streaked across the room, piercing the creature’s chitinous hide with deadly accuracy. A shriek of pain filled the air as the monster recoiled from Sarah, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack.

  Jed didn’t waste the opportunity. As the creature scrambled off Sarah, he adjusted his aim, focusing on its head. Another squeeze of the trigger, another thunderous report, and the bullet found its mark. The creature’s body convulsed violently before going limp, its multifaceted eyes glazing over in death.

  For a moment, the only sound in the room was Sarah’s ragged breathing and the faint ringing in Jed’s ears from the gunshots. He approached cautiously, his rifle still raised, checking for any signs of life from the creature. Satisfied that it was truly dead, he turned his attention to Sarah.

  She had collapsed onto the mattress, gasping for air. Her jumpsuit was torn and bloodied, revealing several nasty puncture wounds where the creature’s claws had dug into her flesh. Her face was pale and drawn with pain, a sheen of sweat glistening on her brow.

  Jed knelt beside her, his mind racing as he tried to assess the severity of her injuries. But even in this dire situation, he couldn’t quite suppress the urge to inject a bit of levity into the moment. It was a defense mechanism, a way of coping with the constant stress and danger of this world.

  “Hey there Sarah,” he said, forcing a casual tone into his voice. “Fancy meetin’ you here. You reconsidering my offer to become friends with benefits?”

  Sarah looks up at him, her eyes filled with pain and confusion. “Jed? Is that you?” she rasps, her voice weak and raspy. She tries to sit up, but a sharp gasp of pain forces her back down.

  “Friends with benefits?” she manages to say, a flicker of anger flashing in her eyes. “Is that really what you’re thinking about right now? I was just attacked by a monster, and you’re making jokes?”

  Her voice rises, fueled by pain and adrenaline. “Get out of here, Jed! Just go! I don’t need your help, and I certainly don’t need your crude advances!”

  She turns her face away from him, tears welling up in her eyes.

  Jed raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Alright then, Sarah. I guess I’ll go. Nobody will find you here, but well... good luck I guess.”

  Jed turns and walks towards the door, his boots echoing in the silent hallway. As he reaches the threshold, he pauses for a moment, glancing back at Sarah’s prone form. A wave of guilt washes over him, but he pushes it aside. He did what he could, and now it’s up to her to survive.

  Jed steps out into the hallway, closing the door behind him. The sound of Sarah’s sobs fades as he descends the stairs, leaving her alone in the darkness.

  Back in the loading dock, Jed gathers him belongings and prepares to leave the building. The sun has begun to rise higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the ruins of Weston. The air is filled with the sounds of birdsong and a distant rumble.

  As Jed steps out into the morning light, he takes a deep breath, the fresh air a welcome change from the stale atmosphere of the building.

  Jed hesitates for a moment, a flicker of doubt clouding his resolve. But the memory of Sarah’s desperate plea for help overrides his pride. With a sigh, he turns and heads back up the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the silent building.

  Jed reaches the room where he left Sarah and gently pushes the door open. She’s still lying on the mattress, her breathing shallow and ragged. The dead creature lies where it fell, a gruesome reminder of the danger she faced.

  “Sarah,” Jed says softly, stepping into the room. “I forgot to mention something.”

  She doesn’t respond, her eyes closed and her face pale. He kneels beside her, his voice barely above a whisper. “I found the schematics for a device called a ‘dimensional stabilizer’. Just thought you’d like to know, ’cause you seem to like do-dads.”

  Jed pauses, watching for any reaction. Her eyes flutter open, a spark of curiosity igniting in their depths.

  “A dimensional stabilizer?” she whispers, her voice hoarse. “What is it?”

  Jed explains what he found on the computer terminal, the research data, the communication logs, and the schematics. As he speaks, Sarah’s eyes widen, her breathing quickening.

  “That’s incredible,” she says, a hint of excitement in her voice. “A device that could potentially harness the energy of the rifts? It could be a game-changer.”

  She struggles to sit up, wincing in pain. “Where are these schematics?” she asks, her voice urgent.

  Jed shrugs, a facade of indifference masking his concern. “That don’t matter none... ‘cause you’re lookin’ kinda pale. Don’t look so good. Well, I guess I’ll be headin’ off.”

  Jed turns to leave, but Sarah’s weak voice stops him in his tracks.

  “Wait,” she rasps, reaching out a trembling hand. “Please... help me.”

  Her eyes plead with him, a mixture of pain, fear, and desperation etched on her face. The venom from the creature’s sting is clearly taking its toll. Her skin is clammy, her breathing shallow, and her body trembles with fever.

  Jed says, “So... friend with benefits?”

  A weak, humorless chuckle escapes Sarah’s lips as she grimaces in pain. “You... you really are something else, Jed Carter,” she wheezes. “Even now, you can’t resist...”

  Her words trail off as another wave of pain washes over her. She clutches at her chest, her body wracked with tremors. It’s clear that she’s in no condition to argue, let alone engage in any kind of negotiation.

  The sight of her suffering is a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the wilderness. Jed knows that time is running out, and if he don’t act soon, Sarah might not survive.

  A shadow of disappointment flickers across Jed’s face as he registers Sarah’s silence. He shrugs, masking his concern with a facade of nonchalance. “Well, that wasn’t a ‘yes,’ so I guess I’ll be goin’.”

  Jed turns and heads towards the door, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. As he reaches the threshold, he hesitates, glancing back at Sarah’s pained form. A wave of guilt washes over him, but he pushes it aside, reminding himself of the harsh realities of this world.

  Jed steps out into the hallway, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the silence. The sun is now fully risen, casting long shadows across the ruins of Weston. He descends the stairs, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

  Back in the loading dock, he gathers his belongings, the schematics of the dimensional stabilizer tucked safely in his backpack. He exits the building, stepping out into the bright morning light.

  The city sprawls before Jed, a vast landscape of destruction and opportunity. But the image of Sarah, lying helpless and poisoned, haunts his thoughts.

  A sigh escapes Jed’s lips as he turns back towards the stairs, his resolve crumbling under the weight of his conscience. He can’t shake the image of Sarah’s pain-stricken face, her plea for help echoing in his ears.

  With a resigned shrug, Jed climbs the stairs once more, his footsteps heavier this time. He reaches the room and finds Sarah in the same position, her breathing even shallower now. Her face is pale and clammy, her lips tinged with blue.

  “Dang,” Jed mutters, kneeling beside her. “I thought the schematic would change your mind.” He pauses, searching her face for any sign of improvement. “Look, if I treat your wounds, do I at least get a kiss?”

  His words hang in the air, the only sound the rasp of Sarah’s labored breathing. Her eyes flutter open, her gaze meeting his with a mixture of surprise and desperation.

  The words hung in the air for a moment, followed by a weak, pained smile tugging at the corner of Sarah’s lips. “You drive a hard bargain, Jed Carter,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. “But... yes. A kiss. If you can save me.”

  Her words were a fragile promise, but they offered a glimmer of hope in the face of despair. Her eyes closed again, her body trembling as whatever venom the creature had injected continued to ravage her system.

  Jed’s expression sobered quickly, the gravity of the situation hitting him anew. “Alright,” he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “I found a bunch of medical supplies earlier. I’ll fix you up right as rain.” He couldn’t help but add, with a soft chuckle, “I was hopin’ to get your clothes off, but I wasn’t planning on it being to dress your wounds.”

  A weak chuckle escaped Sarah’s lips despite her pain, a testament to Jed’s offbeat humor. “You’re incorrigible, Jed Carter,” she murmured, her voice raspy. “But at least you’re honest.”

  Pushing aside the banter, Jed quickly retrieved the medical supplies from his backpack. He laid them out on the floor beside Sarah, his hands moving with a sureness that belied his lack of formal medical training. Survival in this world often meant becoming a jack of all trades, and basic field medicine was a skill Jed had picked up out of sheer necessity.

  He examined her wounds carefully, noting the puncture marks and the surrounding inflammation with growing concern. The venom was clearly spreading, but Jed was determined to counteract its effects. He started by cleaning the wounds with an antiseptic wipe, wincing in sympathy as Sarah hissed in pain at the contact.

  Next, he applied a soothing ointment to reduce the swelling, his calloused hands surprisingly gentle as they worked. The antivenom injection was next, the needle piercing Sarah’s skin with a slight hiss. Jed finished by bandaging the wounds securely, ensuring they were clean and protected from further infection.

  The entire process took several minutes, during which Sarah remained silent, her eyes closed and her breathing labored. When he finished, Jed sat back on his heels, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as he looked down at Sarah’s pale face.

  “There,” Jed said, unable to keep a hint of pride from his voice. “That should do it. The antivenom will take a while to kick in, but you should start feeling better soon.”

  He watched Sarah closely, expecting some word of thanks or at least a nod of acknowledgment. But her eyes remained closed, her breathing shallow and irregular. A wave of concern washed over Jed, threatening to drown the cautious optimism he’d been clinging to.

  “Sarah?” he asked, leaning closer. “Sarah, can you hear me?”

  The lack of response sent a jolt of fear through Jed. He quickly reassessed her wounds, noticing with growing alarm that the swelling around the puncture marks had worsened. Her skin had taken on a sickly pallor, and a sheen of cold sweat covered her brow.

  Panic threatened to overtake him, but Jed forced it down. Panic wouldn’t save Sarah. He needed to think, to act. With renewed urgency, he delved deeper into his medical supplies, searching for anything that might help.

  His hands closed around two items that gave him a spark of hope: a vial of potent antibiotics and a syringe filled with a clear liquid labeled “Nano-Repair Stimulant.” Jed hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks. These were experimental treatments, their long-term effects unknown. But faced with Sarah’s deteriorating condition, he knew he had to take the chance.

  With a steadying breath, Jed administered the antibiotics first, injecting them directly into Sarah’s bloodstream. Then, with a hand that trembled slightly despite his best efforts to remain calm, he injected the nano-repair stimulant. The clear liquid disappeared into her veins, and Jed found himself holding his breath, waiting for any sign of improvement.

  For several agonizing moments, nothing seemed to change. Then, almost imperceptibly at first, Sarah’s breathing began to stabilize. Color slowly returned to her cheeks, and Jed felt a surge of relief as her eyelids fluttered open. She looked at him with a dazed expression, her eyes gradually focusing on his face.

  “Jed?” she whispered, her voice weak but stronger than before. “What... what happened?”

  A smile broke across Jed’s face, the tension of the past few minutes draining away. “Well,” he said, unable to resist falling back on humor, “it was a big job... So it better be a big kiss.”

  A weak smile flickered across Sarah’s face as she processed his words. “A big job... deserves a big kiss,” she repeated, her voice still raspy but with a hint of amusement. “Alright, Jed Carter, you’ve earned it.”

  She slowly sat up, wincing slightly as she moved. Jed watched, ready to support her if needed, but she managed on her own. Sarah reached out a hand, her fingers brushing against Jed’s cheek. Their eyes locked, and Jed saw a mixture of gratitude and newfound respect shimmering in her gaze.

  Sarah leaned forward, her lips meeting Jed’s in a gentle kiss. It was brief, but it carried a warmth and sincerity that surprised him. As she pulled away, her smile widened, becoming more genuine.

  “Thank you, Jed,” she whispered. “For everything.”

  Jed felt a warmth spreading through his chest that had nothing to do with the kiss. He’d spent so long looking out for only himself, trusting no one in this harsh world. But in this moment, he felt a connection he hadn’t experienced in years.

  “You’re welcome, Sarah,” he said, his voice gruff to hide the emotion threatening to overwhelm him. “Favor for favor, as it should be, right?”

  A wry smile tugged at the corners of Sarah’s lips. “Favor for favor,” she echoed, her voice still weak but laced with a newfound warmth. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

  She reached out and squeezed Jed’s hand, her touch surprisingly strong despite her weakened state. “Thank you again, Jed. For saving my life. Twice.”

  Sarah paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “I have a lot of questions,” she said, “about you, about this dimensional stabilizer you mentioned, about everything. But I’m not quite up to a deep conversation yet.”

  She leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes for a moment. “I need to rest,” she murmured. “But when I’m feeling better, we’ll talk. And then... well, we’ll figure out what to do next.”

  Jed looked down at their still-clasped hands, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. “Ho-ly smokes!” he said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the moment. “Now we’re holdin’ hands.”

  A weak laugh escaped Sarah’s lips, her hand still in his. “I guess we are,” she admitted, a hint of amusement in her voice. “Desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose.”

  She gently squeezed Jed’s hand, her touch warm and reassuring. “Thank you, Jed. For everything.”

  As Sarah’s eyes closed again, her breathing becoming more regular as she drifted off to sleep, Jed found himself at a crossroads. The smart thing to do would be to leave now, to take the valuable information he’d gathered and make his escape while he could. But something held him back, a feeling he couldn’t quite name.

  “Do ya mind sharin’ that mattress?” he asked softly, not really expecting an answer.

  A soft snore was the only response he received. Sarah had succumbed to exhaustion and the effects of the antivenom, her grip on his hand loosening as she fell into a deep sleep.

  Jed gently extricated his hand, taking care not to disturb her rest. He looked around the room, considering his options. The mattress, though stained and worn, looked invitingly soft compared to the hard floor he was accustomed to. He could easily find another room to rest in, but the thought of leaving Sarah alone in her vulnerable state didn’t sit well with him.

  “Ah, hopefully she won’t mind,” Jed muttered to himself, making his decision. “Favor for favor. I’ll share my blanket with her.”

  A soft smile touched Jed’s lips as he spread his bedroll next to Sarah’s mattress. He carefully arranged it so that she remained undisturbed, then gently draped his blanket over both of them, ensuring she stayed warm and comfortable.

  As he settled down beside her, the warmth of her body radiated through the thin fabric, a comforting presence in the otherwise desolate room. Jed closed his eyes, the events of the day replaying in his mind. The adrenaline rush of combat, the tense encounters with strangers, and the unexpected act of kindness he’d just performed—it all swirled together in a confusing mix of emotions.

  Sleep came more easily than Jed expected, the rhythmic rise and fall of Sarah’s chest beside him a soothing lullaby. As he drifted off, he found himself dreaming of a world before the rifts, a world of green fields and bustling cities, a world where fear and violence were not the norm.

  But the dream faded as quickly as it came, replaced by the harsh realities of his existence. Even in sleep, Jed knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, new dangers. But for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel quite so alone in facing them.

  In the quiet of the ruined building, as the night deepened around them, Jed and Sarah slept. Two survivors, brought together by chance and circumstance, finding a moment of peace in a world that offered precious little. Whatever the dawn might bring, for now, they had this—a small pocket of safety in the chaos of the post-Rifts world.