April 15, 2026
The days turned into weeks, and Lucy Morris had learned to live with the new rhythm of survival in the deserted city. The weight of solitude pressed heavily on her chest, but she pushed through each day, scavenging the remnants of civilization. The last remnants of humanity were fading into the ether, and the once-bustling metropolis was now a tomb, echoing with the whispers of the past.
Lucy had fortified the lab, barricading the doors and sealing off windows with whatever materials she could find. Cardboard, metal sheets, and broken furniture had become her only allies against the encroaching despair. She had also taken to mapping out her surroundings, marking locations of interest, food sources, and places she'd scouted that felt dangerous. Each mark was both a victory and a reminder of the stark reality she faced.
On this particular morning, Lucy awoke to the soft patter of rain against the roof. It had been a while since the city had seen any rain, and while it brought a glimmer of hope for fresh water, it also reminded her of the days when rain meant life and laughter, not isolation and fear.
As she stretched, the sound of her own bones cracking echoed in the empty room. She stepped over to the terminal, her lifeline to the world that once was. Booting it up was like opening a window to the past, and each time she waited for it to flicker to life, she hoped for something—anything—to have changed in the outside world.
The screen blinked to life, illuminating her face in a pale blue glow. She scanned the last entries once again, searching for anything new. But as she flipped through the logs, her heart sank further. The last messages were all dated weeks ago, each one echoing the same sentiment: desperation, hopelessness, a plea for salvation that never came.
But today felt different; the rain seemed to wash away the hopelessness, if only for a moment. Perhaps she could venture out again, push herself to explore farther than before. Maybe there was still something out there, some chance to find another survivor. She needed to believe that.
April 20, 2026
Lucy gathered her supplies—cans of food, bottled water, and a flashlight she had scavenged from a convenience store. She strapped her small backpack onto her shoulders, taking a deep breath as she steeled herself for the journey ahead. Each time she left the lab, she reminded herself that this might be her last opportunity to find someone. She couldn't let fear consume her.
As she stepped out into the rain-soaked streets, the familiar scent of wet asphalt and decay filled her lungs. The sound of water pooling on the concrete was oddly comforting, a stark contrast to the silence she had grown accustomed to. She walked slowly, mindful of her surroundings. Her heart raced at the thought of encountering anyone, but she pushed the fear aside.
Turning down a side street, Lucy spotted a flickering light from a broken storefront window. Curiosity gripped her, and she crept closer. It could be a trap, but the desire to find another human being outweighed the risks.
The storefront was a once-bustling café, its tables and chairs upturned and the counter covered in dust. But amidst the wreckage, a single candle flickered on a table, casting dancing shadows across the walls. The sight sent a thrill of hope racing through her veins.
"Hello?" she called, her voice trembling as it echoed back at her.
Silence.
She stepped cautiously inside, scanning the room for any signs of life. Then, she saw movement in the corner—a figure hunched over a table, shrouded in shadows. Heart pounding, Lucy approached cautiously, her pulse quickening with both fear and hope.
As she got closer, she realized it was a man, his hair matted and his clothes tattered. His skin was pale, and he looked as if he hadn't eaten in days. But the moment their eyes met, a spark of recognition ignited in the air.
"Lucy?" he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Sam?" she gasped, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "I thought I was the last one!"
Sam looked ragged, but there was a glimmer of familiarity in his eyes that warmed her heart. "I thought everyone was gone. I've been hiding here for weeks, scavenging what I can."
They embraced, the moment punctuated by the rawness of their shared suffering. It felt like ages since she had felt another person's warmth, and it reignited the hope that had flickered within her.
"We need to get out of here," Lucy said, pulling back to assess him. "Are you okay? You don't look well."
"I'm fine. Just a bit hungry," Sam replied with a weak smile. "I've been watching the streets. The infections are still out there, but I think we can make a run for it. I found a small store nearby that still has some supplies."
Lucy felt a sense of urgency. "We should go now, while it's still raining. It will mask our scent."
The two of them quickly gathered what little supplies they could find and headed out into the rain. It felt exhilarating to be in motion again, sharing the burden of survival with someone else.
As they navigated through the abandoned streets, Sam filled her in on what he had seen. "There are a few of us left, scattered throughout the city. I've seen signs of life, but it's dangerous. Most are holed up, trying to avoid the prions."
"How many?" Lucy asked, her heart racing at the thought of a small community still surviving.
"Maybe a dozen or so," he said, his voice low. "But we need to be careful. The prions are evolving, and I've heard reports of those infected turning aggressive."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked, anxiety creeping into her tone.
"Some of them are not just sick anymore; they're changing. I don't know if it's the prions or something else, but they're… different. More animalistic. We need to stay alert."
Lucy nodded, the weight of their situation pressing down on her again. The fear of the unknown was palpable, but the glimmer of hope kept her moving forward.
They reached the store, and together they carefully scavenged what they could find—canned goods, bottled water, anything that could sustain them for a while longer. Every sound made them jump, every flicker of light sent them into a panic, but they worked quickly, filling their bags to the brim.
"Let's get out of here," Sam urged, glancing toward the entrance as they finished.
But just as they turned to leave, they heard it—a low growl echoing through the streets outside, followed by the sound of footsteps, heavy and unsteady. Lucy's heart dropped.
"Quick, hide!" she hissed, pulling Sam behind the counter. They crouched low, breaths held, as the growls grew closer.
Through the cracked window, they could see shadows moving, and Lucy's heart raced as she struggled to comprehend what lay beyond. She caught a glimpse of figures—familiar, yet grotesquely distorted. They were infected, but not like the ones she had seen before. These people moved with a primal grace, their eyes wild and unrecognizable.
"What are they?" Sam whispered, panic rising in his voice.
"I don't know," Lucy breathed, her mind racing. "But we have to wait it out. We can't be seen."
The growls and the footsteps grew closer until they were almost on top of them. Lucy felt the blood drain from her face, her palms sweaty against the cool surface of the counter.
"Stay quiet," she whispered fiercely, her heart pounding.
They remained crouched in silence, every muscle tense, every breath a calculated risk. The shadows passed the window, their forms flickering in and out of the candlelight. It felt like an eternity until the sounds finally began to fade, until the growls became distant echoes.
Lucy dared to breathe again. "I think they're gone," she said, glancing at Sam.
"Let's get out of here," he urged, his voice low.
Together, they slipped out of the store, careful to remain low and unnoticed. As they stepped back into the rain, Lucy felt the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
"Where do we go now?" she asked, her heart still racing from their close encounter.
"There's a safe house a few blocks from here," Sam replied, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. "We can meet up with a few others. They're still holding on."
Lucy nodded, a mix of hope and fear swirling within her. The thought of finding others, of not being alone anymore, filled her with renewed purpose. But the encounter with the infected had shown her just how precarious their situation was.
As they made their way through the rain-slicked streets, Lucy kept her eyes peeled for any signs of danger. Each sound made her jump, each shadow sent chills down her spine. But they pressed on, determined to find a sense of community in a world that had all but collapsed.
They arrived at the safe house, a dilapidated building tucked away behind crumbling walls. Lucy could see faint lights flickering through the cracks, and her heart raced at the thought of finally finding others who had survived.
As they stepped inside, the warm light enveloped them, and for the first time in months, Lucy felt a spark of hope. Perhaps they could fight back, perhaps they could find a way to survive together.
But as she looked around, taking in the faces of those who had managed to endure, a voice echoed in her mind—a voice that warned of the dangers they still faced, of the horrors that lurked just beyond the fragile veil of safety.
"Welcome home," Sam said softly, as they stepped further inside.
The warmth of the moment was undeniable, but the shadows of uncertainty still loomed, reminding her that the fight for survival was far from over. In this new world, hope was a fleeting thing, and survival required more than just courage; it required unwavering vigilance.
With newfound determination, Lucy took a deep breath, ready to face whatever lay ahead. Together, they would confront the darkness, and together, they would find a way to endure.