Apocalyptic Prints In The Sand

"Lilly, are you ready yet!?" Derrick shouted from outside the military-style tent that I called home for the last 15 years. This tent wasn't a home of luxury by any means, in fact, some people would consider it cramped. But I love it none-the-less. It's the only home I've known post-apocalypse, until now. "Almost Der, packing the last of what I can carry now!" I shouted out to Derrick, hoping he heard me past all the commotion ensuing outside where he stood. Everyone in our small Zone 3 were rushing to pack any items of theirs they could. A massive radiation cloud was heading this way and we had to get going asap. As I was shoving the rest of my belongings into my old beat up book-bag, I noticed my heart-shaped locket was still on the small table beside my cot. There was no way I could forget my locket. It had been in my family for generations. I picked the locket up and clasped it around my neck and I couldn't help but remember my 19th birthday. The day my mother ensured that it was safely in my care. Normally, the women in my family would receive it on their wedding day as a gift. However, Mom had become extremely ill and hadn't much time left. Not long after I was gifted with our heart-shaped family locket, she passed away peacefully. My heart still clenches at the memories of her. I miss her dearly but I'm grateful she wasn't here when all hell broke loose and the world was thrust into chaos.

After grabbing my book-bag and heaving it onto my shoulders I stepped outside my tent. "What the hell took you so long?" Derrick asked me with an annoyed glare. I couldn't help but grin at him. "A princess must have all she requires before she departs, you know." I replied sarcastically. Derrick laughed and just shook his head as he said "Well, princess we have to move fast. The radiation cloud has made more ground towards us." With a nervous feeling settling into my stomach we started towards the few school buses that were going to transport everyone to safer Zones. Each bus was going to different destinations. Bus 1 was going to Zone 18, bus 2 was going to Zone 23, bus 3 was headed towards Zone 34, bus 4 was headed to Zone 42, and bus 5 would be on it's way to Zone 56. As we got in line to board bus 5, I turned my head and looked out beyond Zone 3's walls. There, just over a large sand dune in the distance was the faintest dark color of grey and flashes of lightning. We needed to hurry, we were racing against time. And right now, time was winning.

Finally, after what felt like hours, we were all seated aboard the buses and heading towards our safe zone destinations. Honestly I was being dramatic about how long it took, only 20 minutes had passed. But with the impending doom cloud approaching, every minute felt like an hour. I leaned my head on Derrick's shoulder, grateful that we were finally moving. "Der, do you think zone 56 is nicer and flourishing more than Zone 3 has been?" Derrick stopped writing something down in his journal and sighed, "I don't know Lilly, I guess we'll find out soon enough though." He patted my knee and then said, "Get some rest it's going to be a long journey." I decided Der was right, it would take at least 2-3 days to get to safe zone 56. As I closed my eyes I couldn't help but think of how everything was so different now. How everybody's life has changed in just 15 years. 17 years ago a virus was released upon the world. No-one knew who unleashed it upon us. No-one ever claimed responsibility. Hell, who would want to after so many lives were lost. The devastation to human life was insurmountable. But it wasn't just the virus that caused The Great Apocalypse. Apparently, a physicist that worked for some country was so distraught after losing his wife to the virus he felt retribution should be made. And retribution he did get. The physicist apparently typed in the code for the nuclear warhead he created and launched it. Which of course the nuclear warhead caused an unthinkable catastrophe. And so, as retaliation, other countries in turn launched their own nuclear warheads. The human population dwindled by millions within minutes. In a way I guess the virus did cause The Great Apocalypse, just indirectly.

Eventually I wound up drifting off to sleep with dreams of Derrick and I going about our new life in Zone 56. When I awoke I noticed the bus had come to a stop. Everyone was getting off to stretch their legs. Some even went to find somewhere to do their business. I walked out and off the bus and stepped onto the dusty, sand filled ground. Despite looking like the Sahara desert, it was chilly. I pulled my jacket closed and went and found a secluded spot to do my own business. When I made it back to the bus Derrick came running up to me."There you are! I couldn't find you and thought maybe something had happened to you." I squeezed his hand for reassurance as I replied, "I'm fine, I just had to relieve myself is all." Derrick pulled me close and placed his lips on mine. I wrapped my arms around him and returned his kiss. After a moment I stepped back and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry I forgot to do the buddy system, Der." I should have let him know that I was stepping away from the group to relieve myself. Since The Great Apocalypse began, all sorts of creatures began to manifest themselves. So as a safety precaution buddy systems were created. Derrick was mine, and I was his. So usually we let the other know where we're going or at the very least go together. "It's okay Lilith but next time remember to let me know." I flinched at him using my real name. He was definitely upset if he used that instead of my nickname Lilly. I scrunched up my face and playfully said "Ouch, the use of my regular name." I was trying to lighten the mood and get back in Der's good graces. All he replied was "Humph" and an eye roll as we got back on the bus and took our seats.

The rest of the trip passed by fairly quickly. I was grateful we had finally reached Zone 56. My back had never been more stiff. And that's saying a lot since I slept on a cot and sometimes on the floor of my old tent. After grabbing our belongings Derrick and I made our way off the bus. And what I saw before me honestly stunned me. Zone 56 was a lot larger than Zone 3 and had sturdier tents, wells of fresh water, and a greenhouse for plants. Zone 3 didn't have fresh water or greenhouses despite all our efforts to get any going. "Derrick look! See the greenhouses?" I hugged Der in excitement and said, "This means we won't have to trade outside of our Zone and wait for deliveries that may never come!" Derrick smiled at me and replied, "Zone 56 seems to be flourishing quite well." We continued speaking excitingly with one another for a couple minutes until a tall, thin, and curvy brunette woman walked up to us. "Lilith Adalyn Carmen and Derrick Anthony Michaels?", she asked as she looked up from a clipboard in her hand. "Yes, that is us" Derrick replied. "Nice to meet you both, I'm Cassandra. Come with me please. I will take you both to your tent in Section 4." She motioned for us to follow her. As we followed Cassandra toward Section 4 she pointed out more greenhouses, small wells that held fresh water, explained how each residential tent would look like ours and were aligned in a row side by side. She also explained that Section 1 was where we could get a few odds and ends like pots and pans to cook with, clothes, bedding, and hygiene supplies. I smiled as a couple of kids ran past giggling playfully. Although it wasn't unheard of for certain Zones to have children, it was quite rare. It gave me hope for the future seeing children here in Zone 56. A couple more minutes passed before we reached the tent that we would call our new home. I was shocked to see how large it was. It seemed like a mansion compared to my last tent. It was too small to house two people. This tent however was quite wide and long. Cassandra stopped just outside the entrance of our tent and turned towards us to say "Here is where you both will be staying. I hope it is to your liking and that there is enough room." I smiled kindly at her and said "Thank you, it will do us nicely, Cassandra." She smiled back and replied "Good, if either of you have any questions you can go to Section 10, which is located at the direct center of Zone 56." And with that she excused herself and rushed off.

Once inside, Derrick and I took a look around. There were 3 sections from front to back. Starting with the living room, then bedroom, and lastly the kitchen. There were two partitions in the entire tent. One partition divided the living room and bedroom and the second partition divided the bedroom and kitchen. There was a soft floral rug that filled up the entire living room. Near the left wall of the room there were beautiful pillows and colorful blankets that made up a sitting area. A short circular mahogany table sat in the middle of the room. To say it felt cozy was an understatement. I decided to make my way to the bedroom next. It was quite beautiful with a bedding pallet layout of big silky multi-colored pillows and many layers of thick, cozy blankets. The pallet was situated to the left main wall of the tent like the living room. Short mahogany circular tables sat on either side of the pallet like night stands. I wanted to curl up and sleep after the journey we had. But I decided I'd make my way to the kitchen. It was the room at the very back. There was a wood stove that sat at the back wall next to the back exit. For ventilation, it was connected to the outside. To the left side of the room sat a wooden circular table for two people. I made my way outside through the exit. I noticed a smaller tent that was more square in shape than the main tent. I found that this would make up our bathing area. There were shelves along one wall while on the opposite side was a bathing tub, and a basin set on top of a stand. I decided I wanted to wash the remnants of the trip off. I wasn't sure where Derrick had gone but I couldn't wait. I set my backpack on the floor and prepared for my bath.

******

Everyone has been so kind and were so welcoming when we first arrived a year ago. We're happier than we've ever been. Derrick helps guard the Zone's fortification walls and I help in the greenhouses. So far, life here has been mostly uneventful besides the few mutated creatures that come too close. I'm not naive, I know that there is a good chance we might have to pack up again due to events. I'm going to enjoy life here in Zone 56 with Derrick and all of our friends anyways. I'm going to continue to hope that we will no longer have to leave behind apocalyptic prints in the sand.