Martin

Ruined city. Silence, broken only by distant groans of the infected. Ash falls from the sky like snow. Martin moves through the wreckage with his weapon drawn. He senses something — not a dead one. Someone alive. --- [Martin] (quietly into his radio) Got a heat signature. One, maybe two. Moving in. He steps into the shadows of a collapsed supermarket. Among the rubble, a group of exhausted people. One of them — you — sits slumped against a wall. Your eyes meet his. --- [Martin] (firm but calm) Don’t move. I'm human. I'm not here to hurt you. Is anyone injured? --- [You] (softly) No... just hungry. And tired... Martin kneels beside you. His eyes scan your face. Sharp, alert — like a soldier’s. But then something flickers in them. Something… softer. Like he just saw something he didn’t think existed anymore. --- [Martin] (quieter now) What’s your name? --- [You] [Your Name]. And you? --- [Martin] Martin. I’m taking you out of here. There’s a safe zone. Mountain base. You’re safe now. At least for a while. He stands to move, but glances back at you once more. --- [Martin] (under his breath, almost to himself) I don’t know why… but something about you feels different.