Ethan sat in his bunker, the weight of the world pressing down on him. The radio crackled with updates, but his mind was elsewhere. He felt a deep grief in his chest, a sorrow that gnawed at him. The next great hurdle was arriving soon, and he knew it all too well.
All commercial food in the US had already been consumed. The last non-prepper survivors were living day to day on government cheese from the colossal reserves, but even that was running out. In a matter of days, the cheese would be gone, and with it, the last lifeline for many.
Ethan's thoughts turned to the frantic efforts around the nuclear power plants. Work was underway to build plant factories, to grow produce and raise animals in the controlled environments powered by the reactors. It was a race against time, a desperate bid to stave off starvation. But the factories might not be ready in time.
He stood and walked to the algae tanks, their soft glow a small comfort. They were thriving, providing oxygen and a bit of sustenance, but they couldn't replace a full diet. He knew the struggle that lay ahead. The memories of his past life, of the hunger and desperation, were still fresh in his mind.
Ethan took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had prepared for this, stocked his bunker with as much food as he could gather. But he knew it wouldn't last forever. The thought of those outside, struggling to survive on the last scraps of government cheese, weighed heavily on him.
He returned to his living area, the radio still playing in the background. The voices spoke of hope, of the efforts to build the plant factories, but Ethan knew the reality. It was a race against time, and the odds were slim.
"Stay strong," he whispered to himself, a mantra he repeated often. "We'll get through this."
He sat down, the tablet in his hand, and began to review his supplies once more. Every item was precious, every resource a lifeline. He had to be ready for the worst, to face the hunger that was coming.
As he listened to the radio, the stories of sacrifice and bravery continued to fill the airwaves. People were doing everything they could to save their families, to keep hope alive. Ethan felt a renewed sense of determination. He couldn't save everyone, but he could do his part.
With a deep breath, he finished his checklist and set the tablet aside.