The Null Ascend

They barely escaped the impact zone as the tower slammed into the earth, sending debris flying everywhere. This apocalyptic scene was unfolding globally, claiming countless lives.
He didn’t wait to see why the towers fell. Didn’t really care about all that nonsense. They just ran, tearing through chaotic streets until they stumbled across a small supermarket that looked abandoned. They rushed inside, heading straight for the back, finding a storage room with the door slightly ajar. No time to think. He pulled her in and locked the door shut behind them.

Maya was freaking out, pacing and shaking, her breath coming in short bursts. He grabbed her hands gently.

"Hey, it’s gonna be fine, alright? Just breathe. We’re okay for now."

She nodded, but he could tell she wasn’t really buying it. Hell, he didn’t even believe it.

But he had to be strong for her.

Once she stopped shaking so bad, he started pacing himself, looking around for anything useful. He still had those damn cuffs on, wrists bruised and raw from the run.

He was hoping to find something—anything—to break them off, but the room was mostly just stacks of boxes, a few old tools, nothing that would help. As he was moving stuff around, that’s when he heard it.

Screaming.

“Kyaaaa—”

“Somebody, help—”

“What the hell—”

“Save m—”