I
woke up in a mist with dripping wet military uniform and lying face down on a
beach where grass grew wildly, the wave kept pushing me ashore while
simultaneously dragging me down. I rolled over facing the murky sky, then stood
checking equipment I have: three pack of .45 ammunition were clipped around my
waist and a .45 semi-automatic pistol held in the holster. I was carrying a black and sandy camo backpack, I went through the items and found three can of beans
and a can of soda, a pack of six bandages plus an adrenaline shot syringe, a compass and a pair of sunglasses.
In distant the thunder groaned, the rain was
getting heavier. I should make haste to some cover before the storm hit. I
zipped the bag and ran toward the inner land searching for cover.
Going
deeper, I faced the mountain half covered in cloud, making it difficult to
estimate its height. Behind me was the ocean in roar. I could go anywhere but
near the water.
I
ventured into the forest with each step taking more energy under the rainfall,
it felt like carrying a load of stones instead of supplies that weighted less
than comfortable, especially when walking in these wildly grown plants which I
had to shove aside every time I progressed forward.
After
7 miles of hiking, I spotted a one-story farm house uphill across the seemingly
abandoned crop field a klick away. I went around the area for a quick scout and
found no one in sight. I sprinted near the structure, crouched at about 10
meters away under a cart full of damp hay for cover. I listened and surveyed
the site and looked like it had been unattended for quite a while. I could
smell a rotten and disgusting stench even though the rain was falling. Dead
bodies on the field resembled the shape of farm animals were decomposing,
showing bite marks and trails of being feasted on. Some were showing bones,
others were missing bones. Torn off by extreme force? What kind of beast this
place have certainly terrified me.
I
walked up to the house and tried the doorknob and to my expectation, it was unlocked
and the room was deserted. I locked the door and threw my bag at the corner.
The sleeping room was small, a bed and a drawer at the inner left corner, to my
right was the writing desk, and a few cabinets to my left.
I
lit a candle found in one of the cabinets and lowered the blinder on the only
window in the room which faced south and aligned with the door. I found some
food and things that might be useful: sodas, bottle of Aspirin with not much
left, a flashlight with two batteries, two lighters and a binocular. I moved on
to the drawer and to my surprise, the previous owner have left a pack of ammunition but no match to my weapon, still, I took it and clipped it because
you will never know when it might become useful.
Going
through the drawer, I also found clothing that matched my size. I soon stripped
off the military and soak up the rain with a dry shirt then put on the civilian. I hung the soaking wet uniform on the wire overhead hoping they would
be dried off by tomorrow.
I
leaned back on the chair from the desk, picking up the papers sheet by sheet. It was about a contagious disease spreading around town and suggested the
receivers to evacuate from it. A black and white family photo tainted with
yellow was stapled on a letter - a family of four, father and mother both
holding their children not older than 5. I gently stroked across the photo,
wishing them well.
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