To address this urgent need, we the survivors organized ourselves into teams. One team was tasked with finding and gathering food, while another was responsible for searching for other survivors. I was a member of the food-gathering team.
Another team was using the limited resources at their disposal, such as tools salvaged from the wreckage, to chop wood for fire and building materials. We were determined to construct some sort of shelter, where we could have a roof over our heads, even if it meant using makeshift materials such as wood and metal scavenged from the debris.
The lack of nails and other traditional building supplies made the task of constructing a sturdy structure a daunting one, but they we were determined to make do with what they had.
"Wow the fact that we can do all this right after such a world changing event is astonishing." Said a man about my age.
"Yes indeed, I I'm glad we are working together to reestablish ourselves." I replied.
"In the end it's all about survival, right." He replied.
We set out early in the morning, each team armed with tools for harvesting crops and hunting. As we split into teams of three, I found myself paired with John, Celestia, Sarah and Kero.
We were a very diverse group.
John, like was of similar height as myself, but his appearance was characterized by a sense of effortless grace. His lean yet toned body exuded an understated athleticism that hinted at a disciplined lifestyle. His brown hair, a shade darker than his fair complexion, was neatly groomed, framing a face that often wore an enigmatic, nonchalant expression. This casual demeanor lent him an air of cool and collected confidence.
Kero's dark brown complexion gave his skin a warm, sun-kissed richness. He stood slightly taller than me, with a lean and slightly muscular physique that hinted at his athletic prowess. His face bore the rugged marks of experience, featuring chiseled cheekbones, a strong jawline, and intense, piercing eyes that suggested a mix of determination and unwavering resolve. His gaze seemed to cut through the world with a sense of fierce determination.
Sarah, with her lighter brown complexion, had a radiant and flawless skin that seemed to glow with an inner light. Her striking beauty was further accentuated by straight, long hair that cascaded like a silken waterfall down her back. Her figure was an hourglass of perfection, boasting curves that effortlessly caught the eye. Her presence was a combination of elegance and allure, making her an intriguing and captivating presence in any room.
Like Sarah, Celestia possessed a breathtaking beauty, making it difficult to tear one's gaze away from her. Her complexion, also lighter, had a porcelain-like quality that was almost ethereal in its purity. Her long hair flowed in graceful waves, creating a striking contrast to her fair skin. The curves of her body were the embodiment of femininity, and she exuded an aura of confidence and allure that made her not just beautiful but captivating. Engaging in conversation with her felt like embarking on an exciting journey of discovery.
We were walking for about 15 minutes in silence, until John broke the silence. "Hey, let's get to know each other," he suggested, "seeing that we are starting a new life together." Sarah agreed, and we all introduced ourselves and shared a brief history of our lives before the disaster.
Kero was a soldier, John was a karate teacher and a master at it, Sarah and Celestia worked at a call center, and I admitted that I didn't have a job. "I just did research everyday," I said. "So, no work? How did you survive?" John asked. "I lived off my mom and sister," I replied, with a hint of sarcasm.
I didn't tell them that I was really sick, only my mom, sister, nephew, and Ted knew. Everyone else who knew were either dead or didn't live in my community. "So, I guess this is why you came to gather food," Kero said. "Well, yes, I assume," I replied. "I researched a lot, every topic to be exact. So I think I would be an asset in finding food, whether plants or small animals." I added.
As we walked and examined the area, I noticed subtle differences from what I remembered. Unfamiliar plants greeted my eyes, and unusual sounds surrounded us, making the atmosphere slightly eerie.
Suddenly, a strange noise echoed in the distance, resembling the low rumble of a hungry stomach but much louder and far more menacing. "Wait, did you all hear that?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
John chimed in, "I've been hearing strange sounds since we entered this place, almost like we're in the heart of a jungle."
"Everyone, hold on. Let's not move any further," I urgently warned.
Perplexed, Sarah inquired, "What's the matter?"
"I'm not certain," I admitted, "but from this vantage point, I can see something in the distance. It doesn't seem to make sense. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm dreaming."
Overwhelmed by curiosity and fear, Kero blurted out, "What the hell is that thing over there!?"
The rest of the looked ahead at Kero's outburst and saw exactly what I was warning about.
"That's..but..what.." Sarah couldn't find the words
It looked like a dog, but it was the size of a gray wolf, no, it was even bigger. A gray wolf is the largest wolf species in the world, some were even recorded to be 2 meters in length, up to 3 feet high and can weigh over 100 pounds. But what I was seeing seemed like over 3 feet in height and it had spikes on most of its body, and its eyes were orange in color. At the end of its tail was a ball with spikes, a ball a little bigger than a tennis ball.
We got closer just to make sure we weren't dreaming and to our surprise it was real. "Wait, what in God's mighty name is that thing?" said Celestia overwhelmed with fear. Well, I guess we were really in hell after all I said to myself, remembering am early conversation with Ted and myself.
We quickly made our way towards a tree to hide ourselves from the monsters. As we hid behind the tree, our eyes were drawn to its towering height and massive trunk, which was wider than ten meters. Dark blue glowing vines hung down from its branches, and sky-blue fruits, the size of breadfruits, dangled from them.
"Hey, do you think we could eat that dog-looking thing?" John asked, pointing to a creature in the distance.
"Well, if you can kill it, sure," Sarah responded.
"But how are we going to fight something like that?" I asked, gesturing to our broken machetes and knives. "It looks like it's as tough as steel and has been hitting the gym all its life."
Celestia chuckled at my comment, but our attention was quickly drawn back to John as he spoke up.
"Guys, I don't know if it's just me, but I've been feeling bizarre since I woke up. I feel cold and extra strong, especially when I woke up this morning," John said, looking around at all of us.
We all nodded in agreement, realizing that we had all been experiencing enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and reflexes since the explosion. Kero voiced our shared concern, "Do you think the explosion changed us as well? Because this tree and that dog-looking creature are unlike anything I've ever seen before."
"You might be right." Said Celestia.
Despite our newfound abilities, I didn't want to risk testing them out on the unknown creature. "Let's find the others and head back for now," I said.
"We can test our abilities another time but not on those stuff. Also we don't know how our abilities actually work or if those monsters have abilities as well." I continued.
"Critical thinker as well I see. It makes sense. Let's go." Added John.
We then turned our tails and started to head back, without any food but with valuable information.