Story 305: Signals in the Fog

Zara crouched on the castle’s rooftop, her gloved fingers gripping a battered two-way radio. The cold wind whipped through her hair as she adjusted the frequency dial, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding wilderness. The castle, once a grand fortress, was now a crumbling ruin draped in vines and mist, its ancient walls providing a fleeting refuge from the chaos below.

“Come in, base. Do you read me?” Zara’s voice was calm but edged with urgency. The radio crackled with static, and she frowned, smacking the device lightly.

“Still no signal?” Callum asked, leaning against the parapet with her rifle slung over her shoulder. She kept her gaze on the tree line, where faint movements hinted at lurking threats.

“Something’s jamming the frequencies,” Zara muttered, her frustration simmering. “Either that, or we’re too deep in this dead zone.”

Callum tilted her head. “Dead zone... or someone doesn’t want us calling for help?”