Chapter 1: The First Step Valeria woke up to the sound of rain gently tapping on the rusted metal roof of the old van she had converted into her refuge. The world outside her shelter was chaos, but at least here she could find some respite, even if it was fleeting. She had learned to ignore the distant screams of zombies and the crunching of debris, things that no longer troubled her as they once did.

With a deep breath, she sat up and ran her hand through her hair, feeling the weight of despair and accumulated exhaustion. The photo of her sister was still on the dashboard of the van, an old snapshot of happier days, before the end of the world. "Just one more step," she muttered to herself, seeking solace in those words. If she could find her, it would all have been worth it.

She stepped out of the vehicle, the cold, damp morning air enveloping her. The city around her was still shrouded in a thick fog, and the sound of zombies could be heard on the horizon. "They're in no hurry, are they?" she thought, adjusting her backpack on her back. She had learned not to make a sound and move quickly, always looking over her shoulder. Any mistake, and the dead could catch up with her.

The horizon was covered in a layer of gray, as if the sun had already decided to surrender. She walked through the deserted streets, her boots echoing on the broken pavement. Each step took her further from the safety of her refuge and closer to uncertainty. She couldn't wait too long. Her sister, Eva, must be close. The last news she'd received from her spoke of a sign of life in the north, and Valeria had no choice but to trust those fragments of hope.

In the distance, she heard the roar of an engine. Her survival instinct immediately kicked in. "Another group," she thought, gripping her knife firmly. She couldn't allow anyone to see her, not when her only mission was to find Eva. She crouched behind some rubble, her breathing more labored than usual. If they were other survivors, this could be an opportunity. But if they weren't, she'd have to be smarter than ever. The engine was approaching rapidly, and adrenaline kept her on high alert. "Just one more step," she repeated, louder this time. Every decision counted, and she couldn't waste any more time. The sound of the engine died away abruptly. Valeria didn't move. She knew something was about to happen.