Chapter 21: The Siege 1
Back with Aiden's group...
Everyone had decided to settle in one of the buildings that was still somewhat habitable. They were beginning to adapt to their current situation, growing accustomed to relying on each other for everything. The women gathered to prepare food, while the men busied themselves searching the area and collecting cooking supplies; the children helped in their own ways. Amidst the bustle, Aiden sat alone on the building's rooftop, observing the surroundings from a distance.
His abilities had awakened, and with them, his senses had sharpened to a superhuman level; he could now hear the faintest sounds and see the minutest details from kilometers away. He sat in deep silence, immersed in his thoughts.
One of the men approached him and said, "Sir, dinner is ready." Aiden nodded, indicating the man could leave, but the man didn't move. Instead, he added, "Sir... would you permit me to sit near you?"
Silence hung in the air for a moment before the reply came: "Do as you see fit."
A bright smile spread across the man's face, blood rushing to his cheeks in joy like a small child. He turned around and called out, "Everyone! The Commander says it's alright!"
His voice cut through the quiet. After a moment of waiting without a response—
Thump... Thump...
He heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Looking towards the narrow doorway, he saw the members of his group streaming through, carrying their food, coming up to share dinner with him on the rooftop.
The corners of Aiden's lips curved into a faint, quiet smile. He took a spoon and began to eat, his gaze fixed on 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 more.
He continued to watch the stars, his eyes carefully scanning the surroundings, meticulously inspecting the area to secure himself and those with him from any potential danger.
The calm left in the wake of the night's darkness was something else entirely. After the collapse of modern civilization and the disappearance of all technological traces like electricity, the world had returned to its original state. The darkness enveloping everything around them was a scene one might only see in horror films. But amidst this profound blackness, one thing added a dramatic tone to the scene: the chirping of crickets.
Aiden kept inspecting the area, over and over again, never tiring of his vigil.
...
Minutes and hours passed as if they were moments.
When he finally checked the time, he found it was very late, and decided it was time to rejoin the others and rest.
He stood up, brushed the dust from his clothes, and headed for the door. He descended the stairs until he reached a corner, deciding to sleep there. Although it wouldn't be as comfortable as a bed or sleeping on grass, it was far better than remaining out in the open.
He closed his eyes quietly and soon fell into a deep sleep.
---
Several kilometers from the building where Aiden resided...
A massive pack of beasts, resembling giant wolves, was racing towards a single location. They moved as if in a fateful race that happens only once in a lifetime. They advanced like swift, colossal tanks, heedless of anything in their path—be it animal or human. Anything that stood before them was crushed to death without a second thought.
The maws of these wolves were gaping open, their pink, thorny tongues lolling out, while viscous saliva dripped from them like a foul waterfall.
Their destination was clearly Aiden's location, yet they weren't in a frantic hurry; a full day had passed since they began their pursuit, but they prioritized attacking anything else they encountered along the way.
They continued their advance until they entered the area completely covered by Aiden's perception.
They halted a few meters away. The largest and most imposing among them looked ahead and let out a low, commanding roar:
"Grrrrrrrr!"
The pack looked at him in silence, their heads nodding slightly in agreement. Then, together, they let out a synchronized, sharp howl—
Whoosh!
They suddenly scattered, beginning to encircle the place from every direction.