In a narrow, dim alley between high-rises.
His throat burned from ragged breathing. Looking up, he could see only a sliver of sky. His vision jolted as he ran, glancing back over his shoulder. His combat boots splashed through puddles as he trudged forward step by weary step, and the equipment on his body grew heavier and heavier...
The lone, separated soldier carried a heavy pack and a squad automatic weapon. Miraculously, he still had over two hundred rounds of ammunition.
Panting, he reached the mouth of the alley and pressed himself against the wall, pulling out a shard of mirror to carefully observe his surroundings.
The road was completely empty.
Occasional gunshots rang out in the distance, echoing between the high-rises.
The six-lane road before him was far too wide for him.
"I hate crossing the street."
To escape the fallen city, he had to cross this broad main road.
He slowly slid down against the wall to rest awhile, constantly watching the situation. He also ate some food and drank some water he had picked up to restore his strength. The ham had been found on the road outside a market. The otherworldly invasion had come so suddenly that things had been discarded everywhere.
When he checked again with the mirror shard, he spotted several figures in the distance.
He craned his neck and looked carefully for several moments, vaguely making out camouflage uniforms.
"After running for half the day, I finally found people. Wonder which unit those brothers belong to. You have to wait for me, little brother."
He wolfed down the rest of his food in a few bites, fastened his helmet, picked up the squad automatic weapon, and crouched as he crept out of the alley. Using all sorts of debris for cover, he ran