We are Gods:Surviving the Madness

Chapter 2: The Gunshot

Alex's eyes darted towards the ruined building, his heart racing with anticipation. He had grown accustomed to the sound of gunfire in this desolate world, but it still sent a shiver down his spine.

As he peered around the corner of the building, he saw a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a young woman, dressed in bloodstained military clothing and carrying a rifle slung over her shoulder. She looked around cautiously, her eyes scanning the surrounding area.

Alex watched her with cautious eyes, wondering why a city protector was in a place like this.The city protectors were the trained soldiers who guarded the protected settlements, and it was very rare for them to venture the fallen cities like this, away from the protection of the high walls of the protected settlements.

The woman at this moment seemed to sense his presence, and her eyes locked onto his. For a moment, they stared at each other, sizing each other up.

As Alex stared at woman, his hand was resting on the hilt of the bone knife on his waist. Although he knew that it would be of little help against the protector who had a gun, he just couldn't help this habitual gesture.

After a few moments of sizing each other, the woman, without a word turned around and disappeared into the ruins.

Alex was left standing there, wondering what had just happened. He was so sure that the woman was going to start firing at him, who knew that she would just leave like that.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Alex heard sudden footsteps stampeding through the deserted streets, followed by low wails and growls. When he heard the footsteps, his face turned ashen and pale with dread. Now he knew why that protector had just left without taking action, it wasn't because she decided to spare him, she was simply fleeing from something, and that something was closing in on Alex.

The earlier gun shot she had fired must have attracted nearby Crazes that were either slumbering or resting in the shadows.

Alex knew he had to leave the area as quickly as possible. The wisest choice would be to leave the area and seek shelter in another quiet and desolate street, but Alex was reluctant to leave. This area was were the library was, and he knew that there wasn't any place safer than that building. Also he had to confirm whether some certain romours about the library were truth or not.

Alex quickly made his way back to the library, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger.

A few moments later, the library loomed before him, its imposing structure a testament to the city's former grandeur. The building was a sprawling complex of stone and steel, with towering pillars that supported a grand entrance. The doors, made of solid oak, were adorned with intricate carvings of leaves and vines. Above the entrance, a large stone pediment depicted a scene of knowledge and wisdom, with figures of scholars and philosophers gathered around a central figure of a woman, representing the embodiment of knowledge.

The library's facade was a mix of modern and classical architectural styles, with large windows that allowed natural light to flood the interior. The walls were made of rough-hewn stone, giving the building a sense of solidity and permanence.

As Alex approached the entrance, he noticed that the doors were slightly ajar, as if someone or something had recently passed through them. He pushed the doors open slowly, his heart pounding in his chest.

The interior of the library was just as impressive as the exterior. The entrance hall was a grand, high-ceilinged space with a sweeping staircase that curved up to the left and right. The walls were lined with tall, wooden bookshelves that stretched all the way up to the ceiling, packed tightly with books of all shapes and sizes.

The interior was dimly lit, the air thick with dust and the smell of decay.

Alex's footsteps echoed through the empty halls as he made his way deeper into the library.

As he walked, he noticed that the shelves were still intact, lined with books that seemed to stretch on forever.

He felt curious to know what knowledge was depicted in these books and tomes, and also to whom or what kept this place in order.

He was about to reach out for one of the books, until he heard a faint noise coming from the depths of the library.

It sounded like footsteps, light and cautious, as if someone was trying not to be heard.

Alex's heart raced, he turned to face the sound, his hand resting on the knife at his waist.

As he stood there in anticipation, the footsteps grew louder, and Alex could tell that whoever or whatever was making them was heading straight for him.

He gripped the knife tightly, ready for whatever was coming his way.

But as the footsteps rounded the corner, they suddenly ceased as if they suddenly dissappeared.

Alex was left puzzled and terrified, just who or what was making that noise.

As he mused over this, a hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind him, causing him to reflexivelly jump away.

"Zeina "

Turning his back to look at the owner of the voice, Alex was surprised to see a thin silhouette calmly standing in the shadows.

The figure moved foward and Alex's eyes widened in surprise. This was the mysterious figure who had been observing him from the shadows back then when gunshot had sounded.

The figure was tall and gaunt, with long limbs that seemed to unfold like a spider's legs as it moved. Its face was deathly pale, with sunken eyes that seemed to bore into Alex's very soul.

The figure's hair was long and unkempt, falling to its shoulders like a tangled curtain of black silk. Its clothes were tattered and worn, hanging from its frame like a mourner's cloak.

As the figure moved closer, Alex could see that it was a man, or at least, it had once been.

His skin was stretched taut over his bones, giving him a skeletal appearance that was both fascinating and terrifying.

As he saw the figure, Alex's first thought was that he was a Craze. But as he looked closer, he noticed that there were some slight differences between the gaunt man and the usual Crazes he often saw.

While in midst of this observation, Alex then noticed a certain detail, he realized that the figure had spoken a moment before. And speaking was not an aspect shared by Crazes.

As Alex came to this conclusion, his pale expression, suddenly turned paler.

"If the man was not a Craze, then what was he?