Narration –
"The city no longer screams. It whispers. Every broken wall and dark alley… holds a secret. And some secrets are watching us."
6:52 AM – Inside the Old Warehouse Shelter, Sector 17-B
The morning sun crept through the broken ceiling.
Everyone was slowly waking up. Sana was folding the map, Shivam and Lucky were cleaning makeshift weapons. Kartik and I sat by a broken window, keeping watch.
Suddenly, Kartik pointed towards something in the distance.
Kartik:"See that big house near the metro bridge? It's huge, has walls, solar panels, and looks abandoned."
Ayush:"You thinking base?"
Kartik (nodding):"A proper one. A place where we can finally rest."
7:30 AM – On the Way to the House
We moved fast, staying low, avoiding open areas.
Sana (whispering):"There's no infected here… too quiet."
Ananya (softly):"Yeah… which means danger is hiding."
We reached the gates. They were rusted, but not locked. The house was big. Three floors. No infected. Only dust and silence.
Inside – bedrooms, a working kitchen with a few canned foods, some old furniture. The best part? A working solar inverter. Electricity.
Lucky:"Dibs on the couch!"
Shivam:"This place is safe. Let's set up."
Room Division – Night Plans
We decided the room setup for the night:
• Room 1: Ayush and Ananya, Kartik and Sana
• Room 2: Shivam, Lucky, and Abhi
• Room 3: Extra supplies, weapons, and rest area
Finally, a little comfort… even if only for a while.
9:02 AM – On the Rooftop
Kartik and I were checking the perimeter from above. Then he suddenly froze.
Kartik (whispering):"Someone's watching… behind that east wall."
As soon as Kartik looked that way, the person disappeared.
Kartik:"He ran. Fast. But I saw him."
I didn't say anything. I just moved to that thing.
9:11 AM – East Wall, Outside the Base
I crept around the side quietly, staying hidden.
Then I saw him—a guy in our school uniform. He wasn't infected. Just breathing fast, alert… watching.
I jumped him from behind. Rear naked choke. Controlled, clean. Not enough to kill or knock out—just enough to make him freeze.
Ayush (breathing heavy):"You're not a zombie. You're not with us. So who are you?"
No answer. I tied his hands and brought him back inside.
9:24 AM – Inside the Base
Everyone stared in shock.
Lucky:"Is that… our school uniform?"
Sana:"Who is he?!"
Shivam:"He's not infected. What's he doing here?!"
The guy finally spoke.
???:"My name is Suraj. 12-D. I was in your school.In your class. Quiet kid. Never talked much."
Ayush:"You followed us. Why?"
Suraj:"Since day one. I saw how you all moved. How you survived. I didn't have the courage to join… but I watched. I kept track of everything."
Ananya (angry):"You stalked us. That's not helpful."
Suraj:"No. I studied you. I know the city, the zones, the patterns of the infected.I used to intern at the Metro Control Department. And I know one thing…You're not just surviving. You're part of something bigger."
Revelation – "Kalki Reset Protocol"
He pulled out an old map. Marked zones. Drawings. Surveillance towers.
Suraj:"This city is under a program. A secret one.It's called Kalki Reset – a government protocol for cities hit by bio-disasters.They're not here to rescue us.They're watching us. We're part of a live experiment."
Sana:"You mean they're using us… for research?!"
Suraj:"Yes. They want to study survival instincts. Patterns.And if I'm right, the Reset Control Hub is still active… underground."
Ayush:"Then we can't stay here forever.We need to find there base and shut this program"
Night – Rooftop Scene
Ananya and I sat close under the stars. Her head on my shoulder.
Ananya:"You were so cold when you caught him. I was scared for a second."
Ayush (softly):"When you're protecting people… you can't afford to hesitate."
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with warmth and worry.
Ananya:"I just don't want to lose the Ayush I love…"
I held her hand. Firm. Steady.
Ayush:"You never will."
Downstairs, Kartik sat next to Sana. She rested her head on his lap as he adjusted a tiny lamp. They didn't need to talk. Their silence said it all.
Final Narration – Ayush:
"Sometimes, survival isn't about guns or strategy.It's about the people you're willing to stay alive for.And for them… I will not lose."
Base Journal – Day 6
• New Safe House Found – Villa near Sector 18
• Survivor Discovered – Suraj (was spying, not hostile)
• Shocking Truth Revealed – City part of "Kalki Reset" survival experiment
• Group Rested – Ayush–Ananya & Kartik–Sana in same room