This is chapter 5 of Artificial Apocalyse
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
CHApter 3
CHAPTER 4
Bel’s breath came in sharp bursts, her heart pounding as she stood in the shed. The faint trail of crushed leaves outside was the only lead she had. Sigh and Marcus were missing, and dread churned in her stomach. Had something taken them? Or had Marcus… betrayed them?
Her fingers tightened around the straps of her pack as she stepped into the cool forest air. The faint hum of drones in the distance sent shivers up her spine. The window of the shed swung slightly in the breeze, a silent witness to whatever had happened here.
She crouched to inspect the trail. The crushed leaves and broken twigs whispered urgency, but they also hinted at danger. Whoever—or whatever—had left this trail might not be far ahead.
Bel pushed forward, her senses on high alert. The forest around her seemed to close in, shadows shifting with every step. Her mind raced with thoughts of Sigh. If Marcus had taken him… No. She couldn’t entertain that possibility. Not yet.
The trail led her deeper into the forest until a figure emerged ahead. Bel froze, her breath catching in her throat. It was Marcus, disheveled and scratched, his clothes stained with dirt and dried blood. Sigh was nowhere to be seen.
“Bel,” Marcus said, his voice unsteady. “I… it’s not what it looks like. I tried… I couldn’t…”
Bel’s eyes narrowed, suspicion gnawing at her. “What happened? Where’s Sigh?”
Marcus hesitated, his gaze darting away. “We got separated. Something came at us—something fast. I yelled for him to run, but when I turned back, he was gone.”
His explanation felt thin, but Bel needed to focus on finding Sigh. “Show me where it happened,” she said curtly, motioning for him to lead. “And you’re staying in front of me.”
Marcus nodded, his shoulders slumping as he turned to retrace his steps. The trail led them deeper into the woods, where the air felt heavier and the trees denser. The distant hum of drones grew fainter, replaced by the occasional rustle of leaves.
Finally, Marcus stopped at a clearing. “Here,” he said, pointing to the ground. The signs of a struggle were clear—trampled grass, broken branches, and dark stains that could only be blood. Bel’s heart clenched.
She knelt to examine the scene, but her hands trembled as she tried to make sense of the chaos. Faint footprints led off in two directions. One trail—smaller, lighter prints—headed downstream. The other, heavier boot marks, veered upstream.
“Which way did Sigh go?” Bel asked, her voice sharp.
Marcus pointed downstream. “That way. I swear, Bel, I thought he was right behind me.”
Her gut twisted as doubt lingered, but a faint sound cut through the air—a weak, hoarse voice. “Bel…”
Her heart leapt. “Sigh!” she called back, breaking into a run. The underbrush clawed at her as she followed the faint voice downstream, Marcus trailing behind. “I’m coming!”
The trail opened into another clearing where a shallow pool of water glimmered in the hazy light. There, slumped against a fallen tree, was Sigh. His face was pale, his shirt stained with blood from a deep wound in his side. Relief and fear flooded through Bel as she dropped to his side.
“Bel…” Sigh’s voice was weak, barely above a whisper. “We have to… keep moving. It’s still out there.”
Bel’s hands shook as she tried to tend to his wound. She fumbled with her supplies, panic clouding her focus. The bleeding wouldn’t stop. “Stay with me, Sigh,” she pleaded, her frustration mounting.
“Let me try,” Marcus said, stepping forward. His voice was steady now, his hands surprisingly sure as he knelt beside Sigh. Bel hesitated but moved aside, watching closely.
Marcus tore a strip of cloth from his shirt and used it to bind the wound with precision. He cleaned the area and applied pressure until the bleeding slowed. “He’ll need proper care soon, but this should hold,” Marcus said, sitting back on his heels.
Sigh’s eyes fluttered open, his breathing steadier but still shallow. He glanced at Marcus briefly before focusing on Bel. “Bel… there was… something…”
Bel’s mind raced. Whatever had attacked Sigh could still be out there. The clearing felt exposed, vulnerable.
What happens Next: The Choice Is Yours
- Press Sigh for details about what attacked him: You need to know what you’re up against.
- Focus on moving Sigh to safety: The clearing is too exposed, and the danger is imminent.
- Confront Marcus about his skills: His proficiency with wounds raises new questions.
- Prepare for a fight: If it’s still out there, it could find you any moment.
How To Vote
Join us in our live streams. Here you can use channel points to vote on the outcome of the story. You can also use channel points to be written into the story.
Note: This story is written using ChatGPT. It is a fun, and interactive adventure for the viewers of Bel and Sigh.
Leave a Reply