It was already 6:30, but I had no idea why I woke up so early. It was also freezing. I tried to start the car and turn on the heater, but it wouldn't start. The battery couldn't have died because I hadn't left the key in the ignition. The doors were locked, and the lights were off.
However, the hood was open—actually, the cover was completely missing. Only one thought crossed my mind: the battery had been stolen. I went outside to check, and sure enough, those bastards had taken everything, not just the battery. Damn it! I should have expected something like this.
I grabbed a single bag, packed some food and a first-aid kit, and set off on foot. What else could I do? As I walked, I encountered many strange things. I saw animals, but they were behaving very oddly. This whole scenario felt oddly familiar. Whatever, I just hoped nothing worse would happen.
I started wondering about other people—where had they gathered? It was already 2050, yet no proper technological devices were working. And here we were, thinking technology was advancing. Advancing how? I had no idea. If I could find a radio, maybe I could figure out what was going on. But first, I needed to find an abandoned house—there might be a TV or radio there.
Then, I saw a cabin, with smoke rising from it—someone was definitely there. I kept walking toward it. Suddenly, a man appeared and asked:
"Who are you?"
"I've been on the road for two days, trying to understand what's happening. What's going on?"
The villager responded:
"We don't know either. Radios aren't working properly—only two music channels still broadcast."
He asked again:
"Who are you?"
"I told you, I've been on the road for two days. They stole my car parts. I've been walking for five hours."
"Do you have a weapon on you?"
"No."
"How do I know that? What if you're a looter? What if this is a trap?"
"I said no, damn it! If you don't believe me, search me!"
With an annoyed tone, he said:
"Fine, get inside the cabin. Are you hungry?"
"Of course I am!"
"Listen to me—answer properly, don't piss me off!"
"You don't ask a man who's been traveling all day if he's hungry."
"Alright, stop talking. Here, eat some soup. There's bread over there."
"Thanks."
I drank my soup and waited by the stove to warm up. I wasn't thinking anymore—my only goal was survival.