Kaywily -

KayWily pressed the headphones tighter, ignoring the dust that puffed from the worn leather. Outside, the city was a graveyard of glass and concrete. Inside, a single green light pulsed on the transceiver.

With a trembling finger, KayWily tapped out a reply. Not words. Just a rhythm. Three short, three long, three short. KayWily

S.O.S.

The antenna on the roof had been dead for eleven years, but tonight, static crackled through the old ham radio like a secret clearing its throat. KayWily pressed the headphones tighter, ignoring the dust

KayWily looked out the grimy window. Two blocks north, a single candle flickered in a high-rise. KayWily pressed the headphones tighter

A pause. Then, through the hiss of a dying world: