"This one's empty too Bill."
It's not surprising to me. It has only been seven months since the world all but ended, and turned upside down. After the chaos and the panic of the aftermath, I was able to reconnect with my childhood best friend Steve, and as the end winter came we started setting traps so we could eat. It worked well for the spring and the early summer, but the migratory patterns started to change. Must be the fall out. Lately most of our traps have been empty.
"Sorry Bill, all the western traps were empty, how did you make out?"
"Same out east Steve, we might as well head back, days are getting shorter, and I don't think we want to be out here in the dark."
"Yeah, more and more Crazies are making their way out of the city, and there is no way I want to run into any of them out here."
As things settled out, we made our way out of the city all those months ago. Close enough so that we could sneak in and grab anything we might need, or more likely could possibly use, but far enough out that we weren't over run by the Crazies leaving the city at night.
"Hey Bill, you see that?"
"See what Steve?"
As I say this, Steve is already clearing the foliage and debris from the ground.
"Be careful not to cut yourself and get infected there Steve, we are out of alcohol, or anything else that could clean out any wounds back at camp."
"Don't worry mom, I'll be careful, I'm wearing my gloves and everything."
I walk up behind Steve to smack him on the back of the head for calling me his mother, when all of a sudden I see over his shoulder what he has uncovered.
"What did you just find there buddy?"
"It looks like the door to a storm cellar, but there isn't a house for miles around here. And it's unlocked."
"Let's just cover it back up Steve and get out of here, I don't want to be messing with anyone else's camp, or whatever this is. No need to draw any unwanted attention to us."
"Screw that Bill, we're going in. Besides, there doesn't seem to be any indication any one has been here. Everything on top of the door hadn't been disturbed until I moved it, and it doesn't look like anyone covered it up. This could be a good place for us. Out of site, covered from the elements, especially with fall and winter coming around the corner. We have to go in."
Steve was right, we barely lasted through the previous winter, and if this could shelter us not only from the elements, but the Crazies...
"Ok, but let's make it quick."
Steve opened the door and climbed down, while I followed.
"I'll leave the door open so we can see while we're down there Steve."
"Don't bother Bill...there are lights down here."
"What? That can't be there hasn't been a hint of electricity since..."
"Well there's power and lights down here, so close the door. Seriously you have to see what I just found."
I quickly closed the door and made my way down into the lit hallway. It's funny how amazing it looked, seeing as it had been less than a year since I had seen working lights.
As I made my way towards Steve, I found him standing in front of something I thought I would ever see again.
"Is that actually a working computer Steve?"
"Looks that way buddy."
Steve's tone was off. He sounded almost scared or terrified.
"What is it Steve, what's on the screen?"
Nothing, Steve just stood there, mouth agape. In shock.
As I made my way beside him to get a closer look at the screen, I realized why Steve terrified. The computer was working alright. It had a simple message with a count down timer beside it.
[Next nuclear launch in: 7]
It couldn't be...
[Next nuclear launch in:6]
No, not again
[Next nuclear launch in:5]
"Did you close the door Bill?"
[Next nuclear launch in:4]
"Yeah Steve"
[Next nuclear launch in:3]
"Was there a latch?"
[Next nuclear launch in:2]
"Yup."
[Next nuclear launch in:1]
"Good."
[Next nuclear launch in:0]
...