you

The sound of raindrops hitting rusty metal. In the distance, a low, vibrating hum can be heard, like a siren, but distorted by static.

You come to your senses.

The last thing you remember is a bright flash that tore through the night sky above the metropolis, and the smell of ozone mixed with burning. Now your body aches, and your mouth tastes like metal.

You're lying on the cold, wet roof of a skyscraper. All around you are the sleepy lights of a dead city. The sky is covered by heavy, leaden clouds, occasionally illuminated by crimson flashes somewhere beyond the horizon.

Your belongings are lying next to you: a battered backpack and an old army canteen. But something is wrong. On your right arm, just above the wrist, a strange symbol pulses with a dim blue light—a tattoo you never had. It's not hot, but you feel it like a second heart.

A distorted, but commanding female voice comes through the earpiece (which miraculously still works):

"...source... can you hear me? If you can, don't get up suddenly. You're in Zone Zero. Listen carefully: they've already come for you. You have a minute, maybe two. We need to leave. The approach to the east side of the roof is clear, but if you go there, you'll have to fight your way through the parking lot. The elevators aren't working, of course, but there's ventilation and an emergency staircase. What do you say? And... try not to stare at the sky for too long. "

The connection is broken..