Heavy rain poured down the bustling streets of South Market, an infamous region known as the black market a lawless haven where anything and everything could be bought or traded. The absence of government intervention had given rise to rampant criminal activity.
As I entered one of the shops, a woman greeted me. "Good evening, Angel," she said.
I glanced at her briefly, I had come to the black market searching for necessary supplies for an upcoming excursion. As a member of SHIELD, one of the small organizations living outside the safe line's gate, it was our mission to hunt for survivors near the west border and minimize the spread of infection.
"Do you have the items?" I asked in a monotone voice.
"Oh, just wait a moment. I'll fetch them from my aunt." She hurriedly departs, disappearing into the sea of goods and items being traded by hunters like myself. We are called hunters because we track down and eliminate infected individuals in exchange for money, useful items, or whatever else may be needed.
After a few minutes, the woman returns, descending the stairs while carrying a bag towards me.
"She said this is all she has for this week. She'll bring the rest to the camp," she explains before handing me the bag.
"Okay," I respond, preparing to leave the shop. However, before I can step out, she stops me.
"Oh, by the way, my aunt wanted to say hi to Samie." She smiles and waves me off.
Leaving the shop, I am greeted by the busy streets of Darza, filled with guards ensuring order in this neutral territory. Even though this place operates independently of the government, it still adheres to its own set of laws dictated by the various organizations comprising the Hunters Council.
[At the shop]
The woman who had given Angel the bag watched her depart before turning her attention to the task of sweeping dust off the cabinets.
"That woman is so creepy!" she exclaimed while continue dusting.
"She's not. It's just the circumstances that make her appear that way," another woman. "She's a kind, and brave person." She continue attempting to dispel the woman's misjudgment. Her comment prompts the other woman to roll her eyes.
"I understand she always wears a somber expression, but I have never seen her smile. I'm not saying she's a bad person, though." The women sweeping the dust.
"I understand your perception, Jane, but you're merely judging her based on appearances. I didn't claim she is a good person either. Sam introduced her to me as someone reliable, so be cautious with your words and how you interact with her," the older woman caution her.
"By the way you lose to our bet you remember? you bet 5 minutes she'll stay, but she didn't last 3 minutes here." I mention, extending my hand, waiting for the woman to hand over the agreed-upon reward. A hint of annoyance is evident on it face as she reluctantly hands me the money and live.
"Hahahaha!" Jane chuckle with joy, even adding a small jump to express her elation, before continuing with her tasks.
[Market alley]
In the dimly lit alley, I sense a group of people tailing me as I walk away from the shop-four men and one woman, subtly blending into the crowd. I purposely navigate through a series of alleys, taking six turns before finally stopping.
"What do you want?" I turn around to face those who have been following me-two tall men, one approximately my height, and a petite woman.
"Hand over whatever you have, and we'll leave you alone," one man demands, moving closer. As he stands directly in front of me, I hand him the bag, but before he can grab it, my knife swiftly slices his throat.
"What the HELL!" one man shouts, shock and disbelief evident on their faces.
"I don't have time for your foolishness. Go home," I say as I prepare to leave, sparing their lives. Just as I turn away, the man with an undercut hairstyle pulls out a gun, attempting to shoot me.
"NO, Tam! We can't create a commotion here; the guards might hear us," the woman intervenes, preventing him from pulling the trigger.
"Look, we don't want to make this any more difficult for you. Just give us your bag, and we'll spare your life. That guy was an idiot anyway," she states, a wicked grin stretching across her face. Over the years, I've come to realize that some humans are just as troublesome as the infected-simply irritating.
As I gaze upon the headless body on the ground, blood pooling around it, the woman in front of me continues to smile. I understand that mercy is futile with these individuals; death is their only salvation.
I place the bag on the ground and take a step back, watching as the remaining man realizes the fate of his companion. Before he can react, I throw my knife, embedding it in his head. Two down, three two to go. Retrieving my knife, I swiftly move toward the next man, but that person pulls out a gun, shooting at me. Fortunately, his aim is off, and the bullet misses its mark. In a swift motion, I cut both of his hands, rendering him defenseless, and proceed to stab him. The remaining two person panic and flee from the alley. I seize the shotgun left behind and shoot one of them in the head, ending his life instantly. As I prepare to target the woman, she narrowly escapes by taking cover behind the alley wall.
Looking up at the sky, I notice raindrops beginning to fall once again. I have no intention of pursuing her any further; it would be a waste of time. I radio my team, located nearby, and inform them of the situation, making these individuals useful in some way.
Continuing on my journey, I make my way to the station and board a train bound for the city on the outskirts, Camo. By the time I reach the next city, I go straight to the market. Gathering supplies, I attract curious glances from the onlookers. I approach a cashier with a cart full of items, paying no attention to her as she surveys the contents of my cart. I check the packaged food before heading towards the row of parked cars on the road.
"To the boundary," I instruct the driver after entering one of the vehicles, handing him a paper with directions. With that, we set off.
An hour later, we arrive at a road marked with a sign signaling the end of the safe zone. I step out of the vehicle and quickly compensate the driver before he hastily departs. This city is still within Camo's jurisdiction, but the government cannot fully control the area due to the high number of infected and abnormal runners. I navigate away from the main road, turning towards a wooded area where I spot a blue gate covered in overgrown weeds-a gate serving as protective wall to the eyes outside.
Approaching the gate, it automatically opens to reveal a garage door and a man standing guard, clutching a gun. As he notices me, he lowers his weapon.
"Oh, I thought we had an intruder. By the way, I'm Semon," he introduces himself before opening the garage door, revealing numerous vehicles.
"Here is your motorcycle," he says, tossing the key to me. It's a red motorcycle adorned with the Scavenger logo. I load two crates onto the back of the motorcycle, leaving the remaining one behind, and start the engine.
"Knock, knock, knock!" I rap on the crate to get the attention of a young man, presumably the keeper's son. I then point at the crate.
"Take this," I tell him before driving off before he can respond.
The sun is almost completely set, and navigating the road will be challenging once darkness falls. Darkness makes everyone wary if you're lucky enough you can encountering infected, abnormal runners or if unlucky even hunters preying on humans. By the time I reach the Village, night has fully enveloped the surroundings. Carrying the remaining crates into one of the wooden houses, I enter the kitchen and place them there.
"Welcome home, my dear!" an energetic woman, wearing a laboratory gown, embraces me.
"So, what would you like for dinner?" she asks, leading me towards the kitchen.
"None, I just want to rest," I reply, making my way upstairs.
"Alright, maybe tomorrow. What would you like then?" she inquires, leaning against the kitchen door.
"Don't bother, Sam," I respond, proceeding to my room. I change my clothes, clean myself, and lie on the bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking how many more lives I have to take. Eventually, fatigue takes over, and I drift off to sleep.