Chapter 3: Dangerous Encounter

The light of day brought a deceptive sense of calm, but John knew better than to let his guard down. He needed to find more supplies and, more importantly, a weapon for protection.

His search led him to a sporting goods store. The place had been picked clean, but a stroke of luck had him stumble upon a baseball bat—a modest weapon, but a weapon nonetheless.

As he exited the store, a sudden noise stopped him in his tracks. Footsteps. Not the random tumble of debris, but the deliberate, heavy steps of something—or someone—approaching.

John's grip on the bat tightened as figures emerged from the shadows. They were people, but their gaunt faces and hollow eyes spoke of desperation. They were survivors, like him, but the harshness of this new world had stripped them of civility.

The encounter was brief but intense. Words were exchanged, a scuffle ensued, and John found himself fighting not just for supplies, but for his very life. He managed to escape, but the encounter left him with a deep cut on his arm and a profound realization—he was not the only one struggling to survive, and not everyone was interested in doing so peacefully.