[The Forsaken Survivors]

As Kiara and her companions entered the room, a palpable sense of bewilderment consumed them, their eyes widening in astonishment and dread as they took in the disarray before them—an empty room tainted only by splatters of blood and the haunting remains of a severed wrist caught in handcuffs.

Standing at the threshold, Kiara's gaze fixated on the gruesome scene before her, tracing the gruesome path of crimson footprints that ominously trailed towards the window.

"How did I not see this coming? I have just killed an innocent man", said Kiara, falling down to her knees as she held her face while sobbing silently.

James, a friend of her's approached and gently laid his hands on her shoulders, offering reassurance amidst the tragedy that unfolded.

"It wasn't your fault, none of us saw this coming"

However, the time for solace wasn't now, altering everyone's attention, a cadet spot a calamity outside, his gaze fixated upon a massive, black-scaled, colossal anaconda silently encroaching upon their vicinity.

"Guys, get down.. there's a monster outside", he whispered.

Urgently, as he motioned to alert his comrades, and the two individuals stationed by the entrance sprung into action, rallying five heavily armed soldiers to brace against the nearby windows.

Meanwhile, the towering anaconda gradually ascended, its predatory gaze sweeping the empty room, fixated on an unlocked door.

Its serpentine form writhed, hissing ominously and slobbering droplets of saliva that splattered onto James' face, invoking terror within the group. Kiara's eyes locked with that of her teammate, sharing an unspoken understanding of the dire situation they faced.

With the gesticulation of her wrist, her companion conjured a veil of smoke, obscuring the vision of the serpent, effectively blindsiding it.

Foolishly seizing an opportunity, one of the soldiers desperate for an escape made a daring sprint towards the door.

But fate proved cruel as the anaconda's coiling body ensnared the soldier's leg, its menacing tongue snaking out to bind and ensnare its prey.

"Haaaaaa... help me! Please help meeeee!

Desperation filled the air as the soldier's agonized plea for help pierced through the room, only to be met with the grim realization that his comrades could only bear witness to the horrific demise that awaited him.

With brutal force.. Baaam'...the monstrous anaconda mercilessly slammed the man's body through the unforgiving wall, snatching away his paralyzed form, and leaving a chilling reminder of the ruthlessness of their apocalyptic reality.

"Hee...hee... heeeelp meeee"

———

Meanwhile...

Michael descended the staircase with deliberate steps, his destination set firmly below ground where the forsaken survivors, abandoned by the remnants of a once-governing authority, sought refuge.

As he arrived at his intended location, a somber sight met his eyes—others who shared his fate, bodies wearily leaning against drab walls in a room bereft of sustenance, devoid of food, water, or any means of survival.

'How long are we going to last without food?', thought Micheal.

Even the meager resources he had pilfered from Kiara's campaign were now but empty remnants of a fleeting respite.

Yet, among this desolation, a glimmer of hope surfaced in the form of an innocent child, who, upon spotting Michael, exclaimed with unadulterated delight, "Mommy, look! It's Michelangelo! He's going to bring supplies!" 

A flicker of feigned cheer briefly danced across Michael's face, though the adults among the forsaken survivors understood all too well that this time, their stalwart savior arrived empty-handed, lacking the means to alleviate their insufferable plight amidst the unyielding grip of the merciless apocalypse.

"Yo, Mickey!"

Michael fixed his gaze upon a boy of his age, urgently calling for his aid. Responding to the summons, our protagonist swiftly navigated his way to the designated spot—the top of the stairs—where he was met by Ronnie.

His childhood friend, and partner-in-crime from their days as skilled outsider thieves in the desolate aftermath of the apocalypse.

"Dude, what's up?... you ain't looking too good man." questioned Ronnie, a hint of concern threaded through his words.

"It's nothing, I'm fine", Micheal denied. Wondering what would happen if he had said he got bitten, no, he got eaten by zombies and survived.

Michael examined his wrist in disbelief, his mind swirling at the miraculous sight of its regenerated state, despite his vivid recollection of his severed wrist trapped within Kiara's handcuffs.

However, his reverie was interrupted by a gentle touch from a female presence behind him.

"Hey, Michaelangelo... guess what? I mean don't guess, it's just a way of saying I'm gonna say something"

Micheal and Ronnie shared a look of confusion and stared back at Cassandra. "Anyways.. we've been working on ways to get more supplies for months, and luckily... we think there's a way"

Mystified, Michael glanced at Cassie, well aware that the notion of acquiring supplies capable of lasting months was seemingly impossible—a mere illusion amidst the relentless trials of the apocalyptic world they inhabited.

Yet, his astonishment intensified as Ronnie and Cassie exchanged a sinister smile and dropped a round metallic object onto the floor, mirroring Kiara's device, projecting a floating holographic screen displaying an intricate network of buildings.

Micheal chuckled, already knowing what they were about to say, same old topic.. "the exam"

"We can't pass the exam, the government makes sure only those with abilities would be able to", said Michael "look guys, we've fail more than 30 times, even when Mika was with us.. the only one with abilities.. we still failed"

Ronnie felt down for a bit, sadly he spoke.

"This week's exam is about stealing resources... you and I've been master planners of thieves.. if we can pull this off, I think we'd feed ourselves and then too"

"At least tell me you've got a plan to pass this time around", said Micheal.. realizing how harsh he had spoken.

Ronnie smirked, and turned his gaze to Cassie, cuz they were about to blow his mind. He stared at the map and began explaining how the plan Would work out.

Excitement cursed through his veins as he was about to explain his plans.

"First, we infiltrate the Nazi headquarters for weapons. I know, the road to the Nazis is hell" Ronnie declared before Cassie picked up where he left off.

"But last night, some Nazis dropped a shipment of weapon six blocks from here"

Michael regarded them, a mix of bewilderment and awe coursing through his veins as he studied the map, then shifted his gaze back to his comrades.

"Even if we succeed in obtaining weapons, guns are ineffective against the calamities we face," he pointed out.

Cassie interjected, a blazing determination emanating from her as her hands ignited in red flames, leaving Michael astonished at her newfound abilities.

"True", said Ronnie.. staring at Cassandra has her hands were burning with flames.. "we've got our own secret weapon.. the guns are just for detractions"

Ronnie, the figure in front of Michael was nowhere to be found, he had also be touched by the apocalypse gift. Only to reappear behind Micheal with his hands folded.

"So what do you say? We Steal from the main source of we countinue hijacking Kiara's campaign?"

Eyes shifting between the survivors downstairs and his friends, Michael posed the question that lingered in his mind.

"When did the two of you even get abilities?"

"Just a few days ago," came the response, coupled with a mischievous grin.

"Cassie managed to unleash a torrent of fire, engulfing an entire building during her practice. Just imagine what she could do to those aliens," they explained, their words filled with awe and anticipation.

A smug smirk danced across Michael's lips, an air of confidence enveloping him.

The exam was all about finding resources and proving to the government survivor academy that they could contribute.. also, the higher the numbers in the academy, the higher the chances of winning the apocalypse and feeding these forsaken Survivors.

"So what do you say? keep on stealing from Kiara or we get it the right way for once", asked Ronnie, knowing true well they'd been failing the exam for the past weeks... either because they were powerless, overpowered by the rest exam takers or they cowered.

But this time, Ronnie has a glimmer of hope.

"Man.. it ain't gonna be an easy battle with the aliens.. but... I'm in", said Michaelangelo.

"Waiting room here we come", Ronnie said jovially.

The trios shared a round of hug and began walking down the stairs like some mob bosses. Because they're about to crash the party.. or so they think.

-[The exam has been altered! Warning! Only brave souls would be lucky enough to survive]

Beeped the holographic computer... with no one there to see the notification.