SEASON 1- EPISODE 2: "The Cost of Survival"
The sky had bled.
A dark crimson light spilled over the land like a curse, drowning the once-blue heavens in despair. Thick black clouds rolled in as if mourning the lives that were yet to be taken. Birds no longer chirped. Instead, their cries turned into eerie, distorted screams, vanishing into the heavy silence of fear. Even the innocent laughter of children had shifted—now echoing in pain, replaced by desperate sobs.
And then—a deafening crash.
The ground shook.
A tremor of chaos swept through the city as a monstrous shadow loomed in the distance.
People panicked.
They didn't walk, they didn't think—they ran. Mothers grabbed their children, fathers shielded their families, and even the strongest among them showed no courage—only terror. In the stampede, many fell. Small children, the elderly, those injured... were left behind.
No one turned back.
No one paused.
For survival, they ran over the fallen—crushing them beneath their feet.
> "For their own survival… they took others' lives."
In the chaos, Surya, eyes wide with shock, turned to Sai and asked,
"Sai… if everyone has to die one day, then why are they so afraid of dying today?"
Sai, holding his hand tightly, pulled him away from the burning city.
As they ran, he answered through gritted teeth:
"Because death of one in one day is a tragedy… but death of all in one day is the end of a world."
Surya gasped for breath, watching as families screamed for each other, friends separated, and strangers trampled strangers.
> "Why, Sai?" Surya whispered again. "Why are they just running over them? If they really cared about others… their friends, their people… then why don't they help the fallen?"
Sai didn't stop. His face was cold, but his eyes betrayed sorrow.
"Because emotions are selective, Surya."
"We only care for those we know. We cry for family, not strangers. That's the truth of humanity."
"Now don't look back… just run. If we stay here, we'll become food for the monsters."
But Surya couldn't help it.
He looked back—and what he saw carved itself into his soul forever.
Flames rising into the sky. Homes reduced to ash.
Bodies lying lifeless on the streets.
Children screaming for parents who would never return.
Hope, dreams, love—all burning into nothingness.
It wasn't a city anymore.
It was a graveyard.
---
After hours of running, Surya and Sai finally reached the outskirts—one of the only safe zones left.
Fifteen massive camps stood there, each built hastily to house 200–300 people.
They were surrounded by armed soldiers and fences—thin walls of false safety.
Exhausted, Surya and Sai collapsed onto a floor mat, panting, broken, yet alive.
But peace didn't last long.
Sai suddenly gasped.
He remembered his parents.
Without a word, he scrambled up and ran from tent to tent, eyes searching every face.
But... he didn't find them.
Then a soldier's voice blared through a loudspeaker:
"Do not panic. Recovery teams have been deployed. More helicopters will arrive with survivors. Please remain in your zones."
Sai stopped, shoulders dropping.
His breathing slowed.
For a moment… hope returned.
---
Scene Shift
Five helicopters and six jets soared into the darkened skies, racing back into the chaos.
The jets were sent to engage the Wormen—monstrous, deformed creatures roaming the ruined city.
The helicopters were sent to retrieve survivors.
But the plan failed.
The helicopters—meant to save—became beacons to the Wormen.
Monsters turned their eyes upward.
They roared and leaped.
Metal wings were torn from the sky.
One by one, the helicopters fell.
Screams echoed through the smoke.
By the end, nearly 30–40 people were devoured in what was once called the Black City.
---
Back at the camp, Surya and Sai stood in silence, watching the sky, waiting.
Eventually, one helicopter returned.
Survivors disembarked—trembling, weeping, hugging their loved ones.
Some knelt to the ground and kissed it. Others stood numb.
But Sai's parents… were not among them.
Surya tried to comfort him.
"Maybe they're in the next one… There were more helicopters…"
But then the pilot stepped down, removing his helmet.
His face was grim.
> "We… lost connection with the others. We're not sure if they'll make it. Or if they're still alive."
The words struck like a blade.
Sai broke down.
"No… no, no, this can't be true. My parents… they're still out there. They can't be dead. I know it!"
Surya held his shoulder.
"Don't give up. They didn't confirm anything. They might still return…"
But the hope was fading.
---
That night, Sai made a choice.
He didn't wait for orders. He didn't ask permission.
He saw a gun hanging near a soldier's camp post—grabbed it—and ran.
Surya shouted, tried to stop him.
But Sai looked back once, eyes filled with fire.
"Don't wait for me. I'll bring my parents back. Even if I have to fight all the Wormen myself. Take care… brother."
And he disappeared into the blackness of the cursed city.
Surya dropped to his knees.
Tears spilled freely.
His heart screamed silently.
> "Why… Why am I so weak?"
"Since birth, I've done nothing but rely on others. Always the outcast. Always the weak one."
"He… Sai… was the only one who understood me. He was always there. And now… I couldn't do anything."
---
Later that night…
People lined up for food. A soldier distributed meals with haste. The refugees were hungry, desperate, and afraid.
When it was finally Surya's turn, a taller boy shoved him hard. Surya crashed to the ground, his palms scraping against the gravel, skin tearing.
> "I was here first!" Surya shouted, clenching his fists.
The boy sneered.
"You think you deserve food? You're weak. Just a burden. You should've died back there with the others."
Surya, shaking, rose and punched him in the gut.
But it did little.
The boy retaliated with a brutal punch to his mouth.
Surya hit the ground—his vision darkened, his mouth bled, and the world spun.
---
When his eyes fluttered open again…
Everyone was asleep.
The food was gone.
His stomach twisted with pain, growling for relief. He held it, shivering.
His body still bled.
But he forced himself to stand and walked into the forest, hoping to find fruit.
Each step burned.
Each breath stung.
But hunger... was stronger than pain.
Then—a sound.
Bushes rustled violently.
A pair of yellow eyes emerged from the darkness.
A cheetah.
Its growl echoed through the silent forest.
Its claws scraped the earth.
Its mouth opened, revealing sharp fangs soaked in saliva.
Surya froze.
His breath stopped.
His spine turned to ice.
> "Is this… the end of the weak?"
---
TO BE CONTINUED…
Episode 2
Episode ended....