Naya's POV
Bullets were flying all around me. Everything happened in milliseconds, and before I knew it, the weapon in my hand made a clicking sound, echoing out and drawing my attention. My heart stills.
Glancing at Dr. Cronos and watching the smile spread across her lips, the hope in my heart fell. A dread filled my stomach as I imagined myself on a table, being opened as they poked around.
Ducking as a loud bang erupted behind me, its force pushing me forward a bit, I hid my face in my hands as dust particles were raised, wondering what had happened. I waited for the area to clear.
There had been an explosion. How it happened was a mystery to me, but its outcome seemed to be in my favor. The gates had been blown off and were wide open.
Using the little cover created by the explosion, I made my way, shielding my eyes. Dr. Cronos's voice barked out orders for the soldiers not to let one escape, but I could already see my freedom.
Finally, at the gates, I walked past the dead bodies of soldiers that had been blown to pieces.
One thing capable of such damage would have been a grenade. It must have been what exploded.
Outside the military base, it was a free world. I just needed to get as far away from them as possible before I could relax and know that I was safe.
Safe?
I doubted there would be any of that as long as I was out here. It was a maze of crumbling blocks and collapsed buildings, a land with no laws—something we had all craved in the past world, but now, it was the least of things I wanted.
Surviving in this world, I would need allies and also to understand what had gone down. Finding those allies was a problem.
My energy levels were depleting at a fast rate. I had been overworking, pushing myself just to stay safe, never taking a time out to rest.
My stomach rumbled like a distant thunderstorm, a reminder that I hadn't eaten since sunrise. I felt like I'd been through a dust storm—sticky with sweat and grime, my skin clammy beneath a layer of neglect. The world around me faded into a blur, overshadowed by the urgent call of hunger and the desperate need for a cleansing wash. It was time to shake off the layers of the day and seek something to satisfy both my cravings and my need for refreshment.
Once I was sure the soldiers had lost my trail—though I still moved with caution—I stumbled upon a nearby grocery store, my hopes soaring. I pushed the door open, only to be met with a scene that crushed my spirit. The shelves were a chaotic mess, goods strewn on the floor. Cans rolled aimlessly across the floor, and the air carried the stale scent of abandonment. The place felt like a ghost town, and my stomach sank as I realized my quest for food was met with utter desolation.
I scanned the wreckage of the store. I found little more than a few dented cans and withered produce. My heart sank further; even the scraps seemed to have been claimed by others before me. Disheartened, I turned on my heel and stepped back outside, the cool air hitting me like a splash of reality. The hunger pangs gnawed at me, a relentless reminder of my plight, but I knew I had to keep searching. Hope flickered dimly in my mind—I just needed to find one more place before the day slipped away, but one question seemed to pop up: "Where was everyone?"
For the first time, I truly listened to my surroundings, and the silence was almost deafening. The only sound was the occasional whisper of the wind, rustling through the abandoned streets like a forgotten secret. It was eerie. I felt a chill creep down my spine, a reminder that in this stillness, I was utterly alone, and I had to keep moving, keep searching, at least before I lost daylight.
I dragged my feet, each step heavy with fatigue. The wind swirled around me, a gentle force nudging my frail body as I swayed slightly, lost in my thoughts. I didn't notice the presence behind me until they emerged from the shadows.
A girl stood before me, her frame fragile and her hair a tangled mess, resembling my own unkempt state. She couldn't have been more than ten years old, and yet her eyes held a depth of experience that belied her age. She was dirty and shivering, her small body a stark reminder of the harsh reality we faced. In that moment, my heart ached, not just for myself, but for her, as I realized that I wasn't as alone as I'd thought.
I drew her closer, thinking maybe we should find better clothes first for the night. I also found out her name was Keisha, and she had been out here for days because it wasn't safe, and she was scared to leave. Her mother had gone out to get help, but never came back.
We located a nearby store, which had a few clothes we could change into. I stared at the guns and knew they were useless, as there were no other bullets. I tossed them aside and headed back to where Keisha was.
After the silence passed between us as she drew her knees to her chest, she mumbled, "It isn't safe out here. It hasn't been for a while."
I brought my attention back to her. "How long has it been like this?" I questioned curiously, as she was the only person I had met who hadn't tried to kill me.
There was an eerie silence, and I thought she wasn't about to respond until she did.
"It's been over six months since everything turned upside down."
My eyes widened in shock. I had been dead for six months?