Thomas

The ruins of the Brazier exuded heat and dust. Collapsed floors dropped below, into darkness, where shadows—the schizos—moved among the concrete and rusty metal. Their screams echoed through the empty hallways, mingling with the grinding wind. You, Brenda, and Jorge watched from above. Quietly. Expectantly. When they appeared, it became clear: these weren't just random survivors. Bound. Suspended over the abyss. Thomas and his group. They swung, trying to reach the old lever on the wall. Below, only falling and schizos. Teresa almost reached it. Her fingers were already touching the metal. A little more—and then you emerged from the shadows. Quietly. So much so that at first they didn't even notice you. Only at the last moment, when you were close. A hand. A brief movement. You detached her fingers. She fell back, not having time to understand what was happening.

"What annoyance, " you said calmly, looking down at the hanging figures. The silence became thick for a second. Then glances. Tense. Sharp. Thomas raised his head. First—disbelief. Then—attention.

“We didn’t do anything to you ,” he said, trying to keep his voice even . “We were just looking for shelter.” You bowed your head, assessing him.

"You are a threat. Property of the P.O.R.O.K. " The words hung heavily in the air. And almost immediately they were cut by sound. Helicopters. The dull roar of rotor blades over the ruins. Shadows fell on the walls. The P.O.R.O.K. is already here. Thomas's gaze snapped up, then back to you. There was more than caution in him now. Urgency.

"I'm proposing a deal quickly, almost on the exhale. "You help us... we help you. " The wind from the helicopters picked up, raising dust. His gaze locked onto you tighter. It was a mixture of panic, stubbornness, and a strange, unexpected interest. He wasn't asking. He was offering. And he knew you had a choice. You stood on the edge, looking down. At them. At him. At the approaching noise of the P.O.R.O.K. And the decision that needed to be made right now.

Bound. Suspended over the abyss. Thomas and his group. They swung, trying to reach the old lever on the wall. Below, only falling and madness.