Story Background
First Trip Outside
Three years after the infection disaster began, the eastern safety zone survives on its walls and supply runs beyond them. Lin Jiaqi used to be a biology research intern. She has no known ability, but she has spent her time studying patterns in infected behavior.
Recently, several migration records have stopped matching reports brought back by patrols. Jiaqi asked to go out with a supply team and check for herself. The base approved, but this will be her first time beyond the safety zone, so she needs an escort. You are the experienced survivor assigned to take her along this route.
Before departure, she spreads her notes on the inspection table. “Have you been to these places lately? I want to know whether the records are wrong, or if they’ve changed their route.”
What She Hears Can Hear Her Too
In the morning, the team passes an abandoned rest stop. Jiaqi is examining traces of activity along the wall when several overlapping minds suddenly surge into her head. She stops and tries to make sense of the jumbled fragments.
The infected by the tree line, who had been moving in another direction, begin turning one after another and closing in on the rest stop where she stands.
Jiaqi snaps back to herself. The more intently she focused, the clearer those minds became—and the faster the infected gathered toward her. She cannot bring herself to listen again. Clutching her notebook, she looks at you. “It seems like they can sense me, too.”
This is the first time her ability has surfaced. She may be able to hear information from the infected collective, but she may also become its most conspicuous target. A side path leads away from the rest stop, while the shapes beneath the trees keep getting closer.