Story 360: The Web Tightens

Zara crouched by the mercenary’s lifeless body, her fingers swiftly inspecting his armor for clues. The insignia, a strange emblem resembling a spider wrapped in barbed wire, was etched into the chest plate. It wasn’t a symbol she recognized, but her gut told her it was tied to something far bigger than a random bounty hunter.

She retrieved his comms device—a small, sleek earpiece—hoping it would yield more answers. Turning it over, she noticed a faint blinking light. A tracker.

Her blood ran cold.

The trap wasn’t just for her—it was still active.

The faint hum of drones approaching from the distance pulled Zara to her feet. She sprinted to the nearest window, glancing out at the ruined landscape beyond. The buzzing grew louder, and through the crumbled edges of the building, she spotted two aerial drones weaving between the skeletal remains of buildings. Their sleek metallic forms reflected the faint moonlight, each equipped with glowing sensors and mounted weapons.