Chapter 41: A World Filled With Thoughts
Winter adjusted the strap of his rifle as he trudged through the snow-covered streets of the inner district. The cold gnawed at his exposed skin, but he barely noticed. His breath puffed in visible clouds as he moved, his eyes constantly scanning the eerily quiet surroundings.
He thought of his squad. By now, they should have reached City H, if everything had gone according to plan. If. The word weighed heavily on his mind. Plans rarely went as intended in this new world. Still, he held onto a sliver of hope that they were safe. Felix would keep them in line, and Ima—his lips twitched involuntarily—Ima would be fine. She always found a way to adapt.
Winter adjusted his grip on his rifle, his gloved fingers flexing against the metal as he glanced up at the heavy grey clouds. Snowflakes drifted lazily down, their serene descent at odds with the tension knotting his shoulders. He wasn’t used to this quiet; it set his teeth on edge.
Lost in thought, Winter didn’t notice the group of men until they were too close.
"Hey!" a voice barked, sharp and unfriendly.
Winter’s hand instinctively tightened on his rifle as he looked up. Three men stood blocking his path, their faces hard and hostile. Behind them, two more lingered in the shadows, clearly ready to back their friends up if things got messy.
"Evenin’, stranger," the leader said, his face partially obscured by a tattered scarf. A jagged scar ran from his jawline to his temple, giving him a permanent sneer. "
"You lost or somethin’?" another man in front snarled, his hand resting on a crowbar slung over his shoulder.
Winter sighed inwardly, his sharp gaze assessing them in a single glance. Their clothes were patched and dirty, their weapons scavenged and crude. They weren’t well-fed, and they certainly weren’t trained fighters. No guns. Good. That evened the odds, at least a little.
The leader tilted his head. "Not much of a talker, huh? That’s fine."
Winter didn’t know if they had any hidden powers but trusted his own speed and skills.