The air grew heavier as they moved deeper into the northern outskirts, leaving the rail line behind. The city seemed to stretch and warp with each step, as if reality itself was bending under the weight of the strange energy.

Rian kept his pace steady, glancing back every few minutes to make sure Milo kept up. The stray dog trotted along next to Zara, occasionally sniffing at the overgrown tracks. Devika walked beside Milo, her fingers lightly tracing the cracked concrete, sensing the subtle shifts around them.

Zara broke the silence. “We should come up with a name for him.”

Milo grinned. “What about Bark? You know, since he almost gave us away.”

Zara smirked. “Too simple. What about Lucky? He seems to have survived this madness pretty well.”

Rian shrugged. “If he sticks around, Lucky it is.”

Devika smiled faintly. “We could use some luck.”

The dog seemed to acknowledge the name, looking up briefly before resuming his trot. Rian couldn’t help but wonder how many other pets had been left behind when the city changed.

They continued north, passing by a crumbling playground. The swing chains creaked softly, swaying without wind. Devika shivered. “It’s like the city’s trying to remember being normal.”

Rian stopped suddenly, raising his hand for silence. Ahead, a faint buzzing noise came from a half-collapsed diner. He gestured for Zara and Milo to circle around from the left while he and Devika approached from the right.

Inside the diner, they found a makeshift radio transmitter set up on the counter, humming softly. An old ham radio, patched with duct tape and wires scavenged from other electronics. The faint sound of static filled the room.

Milo moved to examine it, but Rian stopped him. “Careful. Could be rigged.”

Devika glanced at the back door, which hung loosely on its hinges. “Someone was here recently. The dust’s been disturbed.”

Zara nodded. “Who sets up a signal and just leaves?”

Milo, curiosity getting the better of him, adjusted the frequency knob. The static cleared slightly, and a faint voice came through, distorted but audible. “…grid down… survivors regroup at the northern checkpoint… avoid the central zone… danger level escalating…”

Rian absorbed the message, his mind racing. “Northern checkpoint. That could mean more survivors.”

Devika frowned. “Or a trap. If they’re luring people in, it’s the perfect setup.”

Zara considered it. “But why warn about the central zone? If they’re hostile, they’d just say nothing.”

Milo adjusted the dial again, and another message came through, weaker but still discernible. “…if you can hear this, keep moving north… do not engage with altered humans… they are no longer stable…”

Rian exchanged a glance with Devika. “Altered humans… like the ones we saw at the grid.”

Zara grimaced. “So it’s not just the grid workers. It’s spreading.”

The radio cut to static again, and Milo gave it a light tap, but no more messages came through. Rian examined the setup more closely. “This wasn’t meant to broadcast far. Maybe just within the city limits.”

Devika wrapped her arms around herself. “If they’re warning people, they must know what’s happening. We should check it out. Carefully.”

Zara nodded. “We’ll scout the area before moving in. No sense walking into a trap.”

As they exited the diner, Rian glanced back at the transmitter. The idea of an organized checkpoint both comforted and unnerved him. If someone was trying to help, they could be allies — but if they were hostile, it could mean running into a more prepared enemy.

Lucky barked softly, nosing at Milo’s backpack. Milo laughed. “Alright, alright. Guess we’re moving.”

The group pressed on, wary of every sound. Rian noticed the fog growing thicker, the air taking on a metallic taste. They moved quietly, keeping to the sides of the road as they made their way north.

As they rounded a bend, the fog parted briefly, revealing a distant structure — a tall, skeletal tower with lights flickering at its base. Rian squinted, trying to make out movement near the tower. “Looks like that could be the checkpoint.”

Zara leaned against a rusted car, catching her breath. “Why does it feel like the more we move, the more this city tries to swallow us?”

Devika murmured, “Maybe it’s not just the city. Maybe it’s the whole world.”

Milo hesitated, his hand brushing against Lucky’s fur. “Do you think there are still places untouched by this?”

Rian didn’t answer. He wasn’t sure anymore. All he knew was that they couldn’t afford to stop. Not yet.

End of Chapter 11.