The algae coated waters swept against the jagged rocks below. They churned with each pull of the tide; hiding secrets beneath it's surface. You swallowed absently in an attempt to rid yourself of the strange lump that had formed in your throat. It never went away however. The aged wood creaked with each step and each board shuddered under your weight. Prying your gaze from the cliffs below, you continued over the bridge.
Upon reaching the other side a breath of relief past over your lips. The moment was short lived however as the landscape in front of you came into view. The ground was dark and scorched. A few sparse trees that littered the area were a stark ash-colored white against the darkening sky. There was no foliage or cover. Where were you supposed to hide?
Panic welled in your chest and without thought, your paws carried you down the slope. You cursed your foolishness mentally. Perhaps exploring hadn't of been the greatest idea. You needed a place to hide. There had to be some sort of shelter, right? There was no plant life on this side of the island. It was too far away from what little remained of the human village as well. There'd be no debris to use for cover.
The realization of darkness finally reached you. No sooner however did a lone howl screech through the once familiar silence. The one howl was followed by many and joined by a chorus of growls and snarls. There was no time' you had to move now!
Blood pounded in your ears and your heart felt like it'd burst from your chest at any moment. The world became a blur as panic descended upon your mind. Desperately you scurried behind a large rocky outcropping. Your frame pressed against the stone in a poor attempt at hiding. There was nothing to shield you here from keen eyes. All they'ed have to do was look at the boulder at certain angles and you'd be spotted.
Your gaze was locked to the sky above as you attempted to keep yourself calm. Shades of reds and orange swirled above to form a canvas of rust. You've heard stories that the sky wasn't always like this, but it's all you've ever known. You couldn't imagine it any other way. It wasn't clear how long you'd been hiding, but there was a lack of noise now. You pricked your ears and listened for a sound that never came. Had they left already? Clenching your jaw, you peered around the rock. There was nothing.
Tentative steps carried you away from the barren wastelands of Ground Zero. Instead you drifted back towards the swamp area you had grown accustomed to. The ground beneath your paws was damp as you drew closer to the shores. There was no way you'd be traveling over the bridge so soon, so you'd take the longer route to your destination. Mud squelched between your toes as you waded through the water. It held no burden however when compared to the terror you had just went through.
A thick fog settled over the lands and you made certain to keep to the shadows. You did your best to embrace the tales you'd been told of the ghosts. The tribe was rarely seen or heard, but left it's mark on Ground Zero. They thrived against the infection until they simply vanished one day, true to their name. You were more then eager to remain unseen for just a while longer until you found your way. The infected brutes, the nonconforming renegades or would you bare the burdens of this chaos alone? Sometimes maybe rumors were worth listening to after all.. What path will you carve? How long until you succumb to the plague?
