[ It might have been beautiful once, back when the buildings were still brightly painted and the streets were full of people. But now the buildings are boarded up, and roads that were once broad and inviting and now blocked by thick makeshift barricades cobbled together from metal signs, wooden pallets, rusted cars, barbed wire — anything and everything that wasn’t nailed down, and probably some things that were. ]

[ The barricade and building are run through with cables, and bright lights of all shapes and sizes are pointed outward as if trying desperately to keep the darkness away. The light illuminates the thick, dingy haze that squats over the city, which you can feel in your throat with every breath. ]

[ From here, you can see some spots along the wall where the lights have burned out, leaving some buildings drenched in shadow. ]

[ Someone on top of a building turns a spotlight on you. You hear shouting from a familiar voice. ]

“There's a survivor! Raise the gates!”

[ You hear activity from beyond the wall, and a moment later there's a groan of metal and clank of chains. ]

[ Two cars, stacked end to end in a cage of rusted beams and rebar, is raised by powerful winches like a massive gate. Behind it is a narrow, well-lit alley, leading the way into the city. ]