章 2: Chapter 1
Vision blinded by filthy blond locks, tarnished by years of hardship, blocking the deadly rays before her. She couldn't remember the last time she bathed, a luxury no longer fathomable. Although the windows of the small cabin were boarded up well, nothing could save her from the heat. Sweat coated her pale body like a quilt, forming a thick puddle beneath her. Days like today were her greatest concern, fear of dehydration or simply burning to death loomed over her. Reminding herself each minute - just a few more hours and you can start your day. The heat was unbearable but she needed her rest, a world where humankind must learn to adjust to a nocturnal lifestyle. Formerly a nurse in her old life, she was used to the hard work, the long hours, the strain it held on her body.
Once the sun began to set she knew she had to act fast. Gathering her bag, she filled it to the brim with an array of weapons and supplies. Even at night the heat was intense, she always dreaded having to cover every inch of her skin. The toxic fumes that now swirled through the air around her was enough alone to make the intense heat seem like nothing. Quickly slipping into a black body suit, she slipped on her boots and gloves. With the gas mask around her mouth and nose and her night vision goggles locked securely, she was ready for her night to begin. Tonight her main mission being to acquire more food, and safe drinking water. Over the past few months she had quickly gone through most of the supplies around her, she considered that small area her safe zone. The town around her cabin where she knew for sure no matter how long the journey, she would always return by sun rise. Today she would have to travel farther than she ever had before, a risk she wasn't entirely willing to take. She knew it was her only option.
Taking her first step outside, she took a deep breath in quickly observing her surroundings. Glancing down at the infrared thermometer she so cleverly taped to her suit, tonight was a comfortable 90 degrees fahrenheit, perfect for travel. Traveling outdoors, a task that would be impossible without this stupid mask. She hated to remember, remember the days when it first happened.
The years leading up to the end were tough for everyone, but especially for her. When the servers crashed she lost all of her savings, every single penny she worked so hard for. Suddenly she couldn't afford to live in this new world where funds bought survival. The first day when the air turned toxic, she panicked. Too far from shelter she was going to die, any second her lungs would collapse, a life stripped from her without a fighting chance. The looters were out in full force today, most of which already having acquired their precious masks by force. Law forces just recently beginning to lose the battle, she knew it was the perfect time, she needed to think fast. It was a world where you needed to play dirty to survive. Morals were a thing of her past, she had to remember that. With lungs growing heavy, she struggled to breathe, coughing with each inhale. Collapsing against a stone wall, she looked out to the streets, eyes locked on her chance. Gun holstered in hand, she forced herself up, making her way over. A father and mother, two children hurrying through the streets, clearly heading home. With every ounce of adrenaline she had left, she ran in front of them, pointing the gun directly at the father's head. They were unarmed, what fools. She wanted his mask, he was the oldest, she told herself he would be the first to die from complications. He wouldn't last long in this world regardless, taking his mask wouldn't make it any more unjust. The world was cruel, she had to do this. He begged and pleaded with her, he needed to protect his family. But she wasn't backing down now, she was already committed. He wasn't backing down, she needed to make her next move. Pointing the gun to the youngest daughter, she swore she would shoot. The father began to cry, she was winning this battle. He quickly pulled his mask off, throwing it her way. She grabbed it as quickly as she could, running off into the distance.
It was time to head out, shaking away thoughts of the past, she focused on her future. She couldn't let her decisions mean nothing. It was her job to survive, to survive for them all.
She raced through the woods, making her way into town. Running past all of the vacant buildings, all of which she borrowed goods from at one point or another. Telling herself she was only borrowing made her feel less guilty. As far as she knew, she was the last of the living in town, she had not even seen one of the infected roaming around in months. It was a dead zone, one that made her feel safe. Knowing she had to leave its safety skirt made her stomach feel sick. Fighting for what she needed was something she chose to avoid at all costs. Because of this, many nights she starved herself.
Now Leaving Lincoln
A nostalgic sign she now hated to set eyes on. Increasing her pace, she ran along the road, crossing the neglected bridge into the next town over. Before she could even step foot into town, she heard the sickening cries of the infected. Terrifying growls of the beasts, smelling what they hoped to be their next meal. One bite, one scratch, and all of her hard work would be stripped to nothing. That's all it would take. She promised herself when the infected first emerged, she would rather take her own life than become one of them.
Glancing down at her watch, 3am. She would need to head back soon. Slowing her pace to a faint tip toe, her eyes locked onto an old café. If she could find a way inside without being noticed, she hoped to find exactly what she needed. The front entrance was much too risky. Slithering around back, she quickly found her way inside. A small window, cracked open just far enough for her to climb inside. Lunging her body up, she slipped inside, landing with a loud thud. It was pitch black inside, but with her goggles she could see just what she needed to. The place looked as if it had been untouched since the living died off or fled. Rummaging around the kitchen she found a whole wall of canned goods. A sight she loved to see, but knew she could never carry it all back. She filled her bag with as much as she could carry, eyes lighting up as she glanced to her right, a few gallon jobs of water. She would only be able to carry one, but even just that one was all she would need to fight another day.
Glancing down at her watch once more, 4am. It was time to head back. Making her way over to the same back window, she prepared to climb out, a slight static noise quickly catching her attention. Fuck. A radio, was a transmission actually coming through? Any other time this would be a sign of hope, a dream come true. But now was the absolute worst time for this to happen, she quickly slipped out the window. "We are The Government-" The sound echoed through the café, sneaking out into the streets. It was time to run. The growling moved closer, piercing through the thick night air. She raced for the bridge, glancing back every now and then. A hoard of a couple dozen chased her. The infected were easy to outrun, but in large numbers it was a seemingly impossible task. Eyes set forward she ignored their cries, her legs quickly growing numb. Her lungs ached but she couldn't give up now. She reached the edge of the bridge as they started to close in on her. Crossing over, she made it back into town, watching behind as the cluster attempted to cross. There was no way the bridge would hold so many at once. Within seconds the ground began to crumble beneath them.
She panted and couldn't help but laugh. That bridge collapsing was almost too much of a coincidence, a real life saver. She would never be able to go back now for the rest of the food, but she couldn't complain. She would live another day.
Supper time, an always so luxurious event. Today's 5-star meal, lukewarm rice and beans warmed unevenly by the radiating heat outside. Oh how she'd kill for a pizza, or really anything that didn't come from a can. Maybe just maybe that was a bit too much to ask from the universe.
The sun began to rise, shining beams finding their way inside as usual. She needed sleep, but for now she would enjoy the silence just a bit longer. After all, today's mission deserved a small bit of celebration. Her eyes began to grow heavy, a sign she followed all too well. Rest was an essential part of everything, no sleep no focus. Putting her head down gently on the makeshift bed she called home, sleep came upon her quickly. Maybe an hour passed before she popped back up, coated in a thick layer of sweat. The ground began to shake beneath her, jet engines piercing through the calm air. She had not heard a car let alone something in the air. It was an easy decision, ignore the loud noise attracting those things. Anyone who would give in to their tricks would perish. That's what set her aside from the others. She survived this long for a reason.
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