"Nuclear winter? What the f*** is that?"

The information in this story is sensitive.

CONTENT WITH SENSE: slander, difficult survival situations with guns, mental health problems and suicide, and evil spirits Additionally, while the rabbit passes away, that scorpion remains.

*** I used to know a guy who would never search for something without F-bombing it for fun: "what the fuck is tiktok?" "Where can I get some fucking weed near me?" "Who the fuck is ke$ha?!." I would love to see if anything he Googled about this catastrophe came up on auto-complete if the Internet were still around. I could use a little humor right now.

The majority of people who were taking antidepressants experienced a simultaneous wave of despair after supplies ran out, resulting in a notable one-time increase in the death toll. It had probably been five years since anyone could get any kind of medication. Of course, the numbing cold doesn't help: The other day, Richards made a joke that you should be depressed by now if you weren't already. It's over, but I know he's just trying to make us feel better. However, in close quarters, even the tenth joke can make you want to kill someone; Since he was one of the people who lost his entire family right away, we try to be understanding.)

However, it is amusing that the bipolars appeared to have survived. I have no idea if they are somehow balanced by the mania. They occasionally pass through camp, just like normal travelers do; They appear well at first, so you don't notice anything fundamentally wrong. However, it comes to light gradually. Or, you hope it goes slowly so you can start showing them the door before everything breaks down. During a crisis, one of them got a gun and locked himself in the pantry. It was fortunate not to be loaded.

We now have more camp guards, which means that there are fewer away teams, but you do what needs to be done.

*** I'm cooking both meals daily for a month. We realized some time ago that a shorter period of time does not allow for adequate acclimatization, which is why the term is so long. It's preferable to settle in for a while, whether inside or outside. Due to the difference in temperature, it is easier on the body.

Despite the bitter cold, some of the others prefer to be outside; However, I enjoy cooking, especially when it requires creativity. For instance, the breakfast this morning consisted of white gravy served over the canned bean leftovers from last night and some "yamcakes" on the side—all of the ingredients were still from industrial-sized cans, thank God. With the help of a new warehouse, we won't run out of those soon.

Although I say "found," I suppose someone from the camp must have already known where it was. I arrived here later than many others and headed south in search of warmer temperatures and cleaner airspace. They claim that those are out there. I made it to these mountains and tried to go around them, but I ran into a group who had probably run into the same problem and Googled "can we just fucking stop here" like me.

The location is not bad. Our supplies are complemented by some game. They aren't very big; I imagine that the larger ones couldn't find enough vegetation to live on, but the smaller ones are somehow making it.

(Or less so, since I'm making rabbit stew for Christmas dinner tonight...) We have between 20 and 25 adults, so feeding everyone takes a lot. Since the destruction began, I haven't seen a child, but I'm sure they are out there and it's just a coincidence. After all, we are in the middle of nowhere, and it would be difficult for a family with young children to trek all the way here. We would dread having to witness a child die, so it's a hidden relief for us.

I still intend to conquer the mountain and continue south. In my spare time, I try to climb the camp's slopes during my cooking months in an effort to establish a foothold. I enjoyed the challenge of climbing plastic rock walls in my previous life; It's funny how they don't even come close to what we're seeing right now.

However, I have a secret that I haven't shared for fear of losing its promise: Yesterday, when I reached the highest point yet, I felt still. For those of you who are not familiar, a stillness indicates a slight turn in the mountain. This indicates that you are protected from the stronger winds but still able to traverse in your intended direction. It's a positive sign.

*** I was unable to follow up today because it was snowing too much and one of my kitchen helpers was ill (I believe she was probably drunk). Perhaps tomorrow.

*** The snow finally stopped falling, so today I got up right after breakfast. Despite the fact that the turn is now unfamiliar territory, which necessitates a slower pace, the known path up makes for easy climbing. The winds continue to be dampened as I ascend higher, and something else: an expanding light. In order to avoid making a mistake out of sheer excitement, I have to stop for a moment as my heart rate increases. Is this just self-delusion because I want it so badly to be true, or could it have been this close? Even though I'm above camp by more than half a mile, it's not easy. However, compared to going around the range, it is relatively close.)

I take a break to rest and consider my options. You come to a road split. Continue on? I'm quoting very old video games, and I swear I've been near an eidolon for the past half an hour. The alarm is going off somewhere in my head because these are not encouraging signs. However, it appears to be so close.

Although it is now brighter, the mountains are still covered in clouds, making it impossible to see beyond an arm's length in front of you. As a result, the climb is slow. When my hand touches the flat surface of what appears to be... yes, it is... a plateau, my surprise is complete.

After hoisting myself up and over, 15 minutes later, I'm panting as I lie flat on my back. Although the light, the light, tells me this is something different, something real, my excitement to share this discovery with the others is dampened by the possibility that it is nothing at all. I'm exhausted and continue to lie there. I am unfit for a climb like this after months of struggle, but I know I can't stay here and expect to survive, so I slowly get to my feet. The eidolon has vanished, leaving behind a rock-strewn flatland in front of me and a highland field in the distance.

*** I know I ought to ascend again. Even though the second meal of the day won't be served until sometime in the middle or late afternoon, it will take hours to return to camp. However, I cannot at this time or until I know. In addition, I reason, I am exhausted, and traversing flat terrain will enable me to regain some strength for the descent.

I start at a snail's pace, but as I get closer to the green distance, which is definitely brighter than I had noticed, my pace picks up like a horse nearing freedom. After two hours, I am in a beautiful area and see a road!

I pause, dumbfounded, to take a breath and allow my thoughts to catch up.

I yell and get back up after being sharply stung twice in the buttock right away. As large as my hand, it is a huge scorpion. That can't be positive. I decide to follow the road in what I believe to be likely a southern direction because the area he struck is already going slightly numb and he still appears enraged and ready to rant. I'm going to walk this off despite the limping sensation in my leg.

*** It's getting dark, but that doesn't mean I'm going to die or end my hopeful journey toward the light: Because it is late, it is just getting dark. I know it's too late to go back down at this point, but I do see light in the far distance. A lot of sunlight. A city! Despite the numbness in my leg that keeps getting worse, I keep moving, and by the time I get to a town, I'm almost at a crawl.

I come across what appears to be a family enjoying dinner on the outskirts, taking advantage of the warm weather and clean air. Even in this growing darkness, the aroma of their roast pork and grilled vegetables in abundance is divine and fills the air. As we evaluate one another, they stop talking when they see me. I must take a look.

A six-year-old boy receives a glass of water from a woman and brings it to me -- children! Even children are theirs! I'm grateful! It is precisely what I desired. Since I didn't bring any water with me, I hadn't realized until now that I hadn't drank water in probably 12 hours. The kind lady sends him over with another because I am so thirsty that the glass runs out in a matter of seconds. To avoid wasting any more time trying to save my companions, I immediately begin my story, and the words spill out in a commotion:

"Please, please, please, you must assist us! We've reached the mountains, but we're stuck at the bottom. I've found a way up, but if you could just lend me some food and help me get back, we could use some transportation, or is there even a simpler way to go around the mountain in that direction? I point back to where I came from and say, "I don't think I can easily make it down again." We are hard workers and would be willing to do whatever it takes to stay here and survive, so any assistance would be greatly appreciated. We would always be grateful to you. By the way, exactly where are we...?

“¿¿...Cómo??”