The Rot Beneath

Jason and Cole made it back just before sundown.

The moment Jason stepped inside the settlement, he could tell something is off.

Ryan is waiting near their shelter, arms crossed, an uneasy look on his face.

Jason walked up to him. “What happened?”

Ryan hesitated. “I saw something today. People aren’t getting equal rations. Some get more, some get nothing.”

Jason’s jaw tightened. “That’s how places like this fall apart.”

Ryan shifted uncomfortably. “I tried to say something. It almost got me in trouble.”

Jason let out a slow breath. They had only been here for a day, and already the cracks are showing.

This place isn’t as stable as it looked.

Before Jason could respond, a voice called out.

“You two. Boss wants to see you.”

Lexi stood a few feet away, arms folded. Her expression is unreadable.

Jason exchanged a glance with Ryan.

This couldn’t be good.

⸻

The Boss’s Offer

Inside the command center, the Boss is sitting in the same chair as before. A few of his people stood nearby, watching.

He gestured for Jason to sit. Ryan stayed standing.

“You did good work today,” the Boss said, eyes studying Jason. “Cole said you’re sharp. Careful. We could use more people like you.”

Jason didn’t respond immediately. There is more to this conversation.

The Boss leaned forward. “I need people I can trust. People who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.”

Ryan stiffened. Jason didn’t take his eyes off the Boss.

“You’re asking me to do more than scouting.”

The Boss nodded. “Protection. Enforcement. This settlement runs because people respect order. Sometimes, that order needs to be maintained… forcefully.”

Ryan took a sharp breath. Jason knew what that meant. Keep the weak in line. Keep the powerful in power.

Jason kept his face unreadable. “And if I say no?”

The Boss smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then you’re just another mouth to feed.”

Silence.

Jason knew what this is. A test. If he refused, he would always be watched. If he accepted, he would be part of the problem.

His mind raced. They needed more time. More information.

So he made his decision.

“I’ll think about it.”

The Boss studied him, then nodded. “Good answer.”

Jason stood and walked out, Ryan following close behind.

They had to get out of here.

Jason barely spoke as he and Ryan walked back to their shelter.

Ryan kept glancing at him, waiting for him to say something. When he didn’t, Ryan finally spoke up.

“We’re leaving, right?”

Jason nodded. “Yeah. But not yet. We need supplies first.”

Ryan sighed in relief. He had seen enough to know that staying isn’t an option.

Jason sat on the edge of the bedroll, rubbing his face. He hated this. Every time they found something that looked safe, it turned out to be just as dangerous as the world outside.

Ryan sat beside him. “We should tell Lexi.”

Jason frowned. “We don’t know if we can trust her.”

Ryan hesitated. “She helped me today. She could’ve let me get in trouble, but she stepped in.”

Jason considered that. Lexi isn’t like the Boss’s other men.

But trust? That is a risk.

Ryan looked down. “We can’t do this alone.”

Jason exhaled. He hated that Ryan is right.

They had one night to figure out a plan.

Because if they didn’t leave soon, they might never get the chance.

⸻

Cracks Turning to Ruins

The next morning, Jason and Ryan went about their usual tasks, acting like everything is normal.

But things are changing.

The people are restless. Jason noticed more arguments, more tension. The food shortages are getting worse. The Boss’s men walked around with their hands on their weapons.

People are starting to realize it.. this place isn’t going to last.

Jason needed to move before the collapse took them down with it.

⸻

Making a Choice

That night, Jason sat outside, staring at the flickering lights of the settlement.

Lexi walked up beside him.

“You don’t like it here.” It isn’t a question.

Jason didn’t look at her. “I’ve seen places like this before. They always fall apart.”

Lexi sighed. “I know.”

Jason turned to her. “Then why stay?”

She hesitated. “Because it’s better than nothing.”

Jason studied her. She isn’t like the others here.

She is trying to hold something together that is already broken.

After a moment, he made his decision.

“We’re leaving.”

Lexi didn’t react right away. Then she shook her head. “You won’t get far. The Boss doesn’t let people walk away.”

Jason’s jaw clenched. “Then we’ll have to make sure he doesn’t stop us.”

Lexi looked at him. For the first time, Jason saw something in her expression.. uncertainty. Maybe even hope.

She exhaled. “You’ll need help.”

Jason didn’t respond.

But deep down, he already knew.. they aren’t leaving alone.

Jason, Ryan, and Lexi sat in the dim glow of their shelter, whispering over the sound of distant voices.

“We move at first light,” Jason said. “Before they know we’re gone.”

Ryan nodded. “How do we get past the guards?”

Lexi sighed. “That’s the problem. The Boss knows people want out. He’s got extra patrols watching the gates.”

Jason rubbed his temple. They couldn’t just walk out.

They needed a distraction.

Lexi’s gaze flickered toward the supply tents. “If something catches fire…”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “You want to burn the food?”

Lexi didn’t flinch. “No. Just enough to cause a panic.”

Jason thought for a moment. It is risky.. but it would work.

If they hesitated, they would never get another chance.

Jason looked at them both. “We do this right, we’re gone before anyone notices.”

Ryan swallowed hard. “And if we don’t?”

Jason’s expression darkened. “Then we fight our way out.”

⸻

The Final Night

They spent the rest of the night preparing.

Ryan gathered small supplies.. food, water, medical kits.

Lexi scouted the patrol routes.. timing when the guards moved.

Jason sharpened his knife and checked his gun. One clip. Not enough for a firefight.

No one slept.

By the time the sky turned a deep shade of pre-dawn gray, they are ready.

This is it.

⸻

The Escape

Ryan moved first, slipping toward the supply tent. A small firebomb.. just a rag stuffed into an old bottle.. is all they needed.

Jason and Lexi waited by the east wall, watching the guards. Three of them. Armed.

Ryan lit the rag, took a deep breath, and tossed the bottle.

The fire exploded to life, flames licking up the canvas.

Shouts filled the air. People scrambled toward the blaze.

Guards rushed to put it out.

Jason grabbed Ryan’s arm. “Now.”

They ran.

Lexi is first over the wall, using a stack of crates to climb. Jason lifted Ryan up, then followed.

They hit the ground outside the settlement.. and ran into the dark.

Shouts rose behind them. The alarm had been raised.

Jason gritted his teeth. They aren’t safe yet.

⸻

The Chase

They sprinted through the ruined streets, keeping low.

Gunshots rang out behind them.

The Boss had sent his men after them.

Lexi led the way, weaving through collapsed buildings. Jason kept Ryan close, forcing his legs to move faster.

If they stopped, they are dead.

A bullet whizzed past Jason’s ear. He shoved Ryan forward. “Go! Don’t stop!”

Lexi ducked behind an overturned car, pulling out her pistol. She fired twice.

A scream.. one of the pursuers went down.

Jason turned, raised his own gun, and fired once.. then they ran again.

They had to reach the tunnels. If they made it underground, they could lose them.

The city stretched out ahead of them, endless and dark.

And for the first time in a long time.. Jason isn’t sure if they are going to make it.