.
In only a few seconds, the world we knew came to an end. The warm summers, the cold winters, the worries for our grades and studying all night, we could never experience these again.
As I realized this, the power went out. In the pitch black store, I nervously looked around me, more confused than anything. I couldn't understand what was happening. As a reflex, I guess, I went on the internet to see any news about the situation.
[Internet not available.]
Not surprising, but I still felt even more confused.
But then, as my mind was getting blurrier and my head started to hurt, I suddenly thought about my mother and Sasha, who were probably really scared or even in danger. I started by calling my mom. She replied quickly and I felt a bit relieved.
"Mom?? Are you safe?"
"Yes sweetheart, I'm fine. I don't know what is going on, but I'm hiding in the basement with your grandparents."
She said that, but I could hear her trembling voice. I felt sick and scared. I could hear the faint voice of my grandmother in the background and my grandfather comforting her.
"Mom please, stay safe and don't go out. Wait until we get any news about what's happening."
Her voice started shaking even more as if she started crying.
"You stay safe too. I love you, I'm gonna be okay."
"I love you too mom."
I wanted to see her so bad. I closed my eyes and thought for a few seconds. She lived too far away from me to go there right now. Also, the fact that she knew what I was talking about meant the explosions weren't just near the store, but probably in the entire state or even worse, the whole country. I knew she was strong and could survive, but I still wanted to see her.
My legs felt numb and I collapsed on the ground. My body couldn't keep up anymore. I couldn't stop shaking.
I had to call Sasha too, who was probably in a worse state than me.
Because I couldn't see anything, I struggled finding my phone which was on the ground due to my collapsing. After a few minutes, I finally found it and looked for her number. It took me a few tries to do it, since my fingers wouldn't move like I wanted to. When I finally called her, there was no answer.
[The number you are trying to call is not available.]
I tried again and again, but she wouldn't show any response.
I felt my heart pounding strongly in my chest, like it was trying to get out. I couldn't lose her. I had to find a way to make sure she was safe. But first, I tried to calm down. I couldn't just go outside like that, I didn't know what dangers were waiting for me. I had to take it seriously.
I took a few deep breaths and looked around. I was lucky to be in a convenience store, alone. I had many supplies I would need and didn't have to deal with anyone. I took my backpack lying on the ground and emptied it. I had to think quickly, I didn't have much time.
I took a flashlight, some water and food, a first aid kit and a knife. I also found a baseball bat behind the door of the backstore. I was truly lucky.
Then, I headed to the front door. Even though I was scared to death, I needed to find Sasha. I was ready to go, or so I thought.
''Wha…''
In front of me, a deformed thing was looking at me. It was really tall and big, had white skin glowing in the dark and didn't even look human. The 'thing' had a dead body in its mouth and blood was pouring down from it. A putrid smell filled my nostrils and I felt like throwing up. I was horrified.
I recognized the dead body. It was the young girl who stole alcohol a little while ago.
As my instincts kicked in, I ran back behind the counter and hid myself. Was it a dream? I covered my mouth with my hands and tried my best not to make a noise. I couldn't comprehend anything but one thing was for sure. A single mistake and I would be gone.
After a few minutes that felt like an eternity, I tried looking outside. The smell was still there but 'it' couldn't be seen anywhere.
Like my body was relieved, it felt as if my stomach went all the way up to my throat and I threw up. After each pants, I would throw up again and pass out. Then I would wake up and the process would repeat itself all over again. After about 6 rounds, this hell finally stopped. I didn't have much energy left so I stayed there, hiding and lying on the floor.
After 10 minutes, I calmed down. I couldn't bring myself to stay here. On the top of the screen, it showed the time. 4:43 a.m… I spent more than two hours throwing up and passing out but I still felt like I could get up on my feet now. Unfortunately, there was no news from the government and the internet was still shut down. And now, I also had to deal with these creatures outside. I ate a few snacks and took an energy drink and I was ready to go. I didn't know how I kept my sanity, to be honest. I was about to open the door when a sudden thought entered my mind.
''Wait. Maybe the air is toxic.''
I took a few masks – Sasha will need one too – with my inhaler and headed outside for real this time.
.
.
.
Around me, many corpses were lying on the ground. Since being out at night was usual in this city, the number of bodies wasn't surprising or abnormal. I was also kind of in denial, so seeing them didn't move me this much. I was probably already too shocked to have any emotions left.
Bringing a mask was a great idea, since I could smell the scent of smoke, blood, vomit and other putrid odors. The sky was still dark and covered by clouds and I only had a flashlight. The whole time, I struggled not to trip on a dead body.
The city was in a sad state. Many buildings were destroyed and some cars were collided with each other. That was a really traumatizing sight and I felt like crying and giving up. But I kept moving, for Sasha's sake.
An hour later, I safely arrived at my destination.
Thankfully, I didn't encounter any other monsters even though the smell would sometimes become stronger and I would have to hide for some time. All I could do then was pray and hope as I listened to my heartbeat, quietly waiting for the gross scent to go away. The whole time, all I could think about was Sasha and her safety.
I hurried as I walked toward the entrance, but the door was already open. I was really worried as I entered, and then the horrible reality hit me like a truck.
Inside, it was a total mess. There was blood splattered everywhere, the walls had holes in it as if there had been a fight in this small space and at this view, I dropped my flashlight. I ran into the living room to look for her, and the worst I didn't want to think about was actually happening: There, another creature similar to the one I saw earlier was facing Sasha. She was surrounded by the corpses of her dead family members and was the only one left alive. I could see tears rolling down her face and she seemed on the verge of passing out. They both didn't notice my presence.
The monster then proceeded to make a horrifying growl that made my whole body freeze and started lifting up its arm towards her. Sasha screamed in despair and hid her face behind her bloodied hands.
Then time seemed to stop and I started resenting myself.
My best and only friend was about to die, and I couldn't move at all. I was looking at all of it as if it was a horror movie or a really bad nightmare. I couldn't save her. I was thinking unrealistically in the convenience store. Why did I come here, in the first place? I should've stayed there and kept myself safe. I didn't even know if this thing could die. But if I didn't move, I would end up dying too. I didn't want to die. I spent years of my life fighting against the world just to keep waking up every morning. Years of hard effort, just so I die in here?
No. I couldn't die here. I had to repay my friend for what she did for me. But Sasha was now in danger too. Even if the monster couldn't die, I'd at least try to save Sasha and run away with her. I couldn't forgive myself if I was the only one surviving.
As these thoughts flooded in my head, I slowly stepped forward. The creature suddenly stopped moving and turned its head in my direction. I looked straight at its multiple eyes and started walking faster. Sasha also opened her eyes and looked at me, dumbfounded.
Then, there was a big noise, followed by complete silence and I felt as if everything around me disappeared.
.