A part of me didn’t want to get out. I didn’t know I would actually feel hot water again, but here I was now. I got out, drying off and putting on the new clothes I was given, which were just a t-shirt, jeans, and some underwear. I noticed some stitching, mainly on the shirt and pants. I ran my finger through it a little, but in the end, I didn’t think of it too much. Must’ve gone through some damage. Nothing can be perfect, I guess. I tossed the old set of clothes to the side, wondering if I should just burn them.

It was about one o’clock by now, so there was still a lot to do. I looked out of the window, and at the city before me. I still couldn’t believe it: everything was gone, in a matter of days. Never knew the world would end now, and like this. I always thought some stray meteor of World War Three would be what wipes civilization from the end of the face of the Earth. Something we could see coming from miles away. But this, this, I don’t think anyone could expect.

I sat down on the bed, still looking outside the window. I didn’t get much sleep last night, so I still felt exhausted. “Wouldn’t hurt to take a nap,” I thought to myself as a laid down on the bed.

***************************

The watch read 6:23 when I woke up. I groggily got up, rubbing my eyes. Should get going downstairs by now. I got my shoes back on, walking back down the hallway and towards the elevator. When I got there, I saw Cleo already waiting for the elevator to come up. I smiled, standing next to her while waiting. Like me, she was dressed in some clean but somewhat stitched up clothes.

“Maybe we didn’t have to go half-way across America after all,” I said as the elevator opened.

“You may be right, but…”

“But?” I asked.

“Eh, it’s nothing. Don’t worry about it,” she muttered.

“Ah c’mon,” I playfully urged her on, “I’m a trustworthy guy.”

I could see a smile creep up on her face, “It’s not that I’m grateful for this. I mean, I still can’t believe we’re here. But, something feels off, and I just can’t place my finger on it.”

I inhaled a little. “You’re right to be suspicious. I mean, the guy who was leading me to my room seemed a little off. And hey, if your suspicion is right, we can hit the road at a moment's notice.”

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The elevator came to a stop. We walked out, following the other people to where dinner was going to be held. Who I thought were guards lined the halls. They were dressed head to toe in some form of armor or padding, and in their hands were flamethrowers or molotovs strapped to their belts. They stood unresponsive, staring at us as we walked down the long. A short walk later, we made it to the main dining area. Stacks upon stacks of tables were set out, but only a few of them were filled up.

“Where’s Greeta?” I asked.

“Said she needed some sleep or something like that.”

I sat down next to her. A little ways away, I can see the three people who let me in: Neil, Brie, and John. They seemed to be talking to themselves. About what, I don’t have a clue. But I could see them glancing over towards us.

The food couldn’t come sooner. The smell of freshly grilled beef steaks flooded my senses as it was placed in front of me.

“Oh my God,” I heard Cleo quietly stammer next to me.

We quickly dug in, tearing it through piece by piece. Something about this seemed way too good to be true, but that thought was far in the back of my mind. What felt like hours passed, but was only probably a few minutes. I finished my food, sitting in the back of my chair.

“Amszing place, isn’t it.” Cleo said.

“And to think, we wouldn’t have known this place existed if we didn’t break into an old lady’s house.”

I yawned a little. Okay, “little” was an understatement. I was getting tired, despite the fact I had just taken a nap. “Hey, I’m gonna head upstairs and get some shut-eye,” I said.

“Alright, I’ll stay down here for a little bit.”

As I stood up, I saw John peer at me. He then leaned over, whispering something into Brie’s ear. Her face quickly darkened, looking up to me and then back down. I hesitantly turned around, walking to the elevator. I stepped inside, waiting for it to close again, but before it did, Brie quickly put her hand in, stepping in too.

She stood uncomfortably close to me. Not wanting to be rude, I tried to move a tiny bit away from her without her noticing.

“I’ll make sure to hide the keys in your car,” she said suddenly.

“Huh?” I was about to ask, but then she suddenly mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

She then made a jolt at me, grabbing me. I was about to push her back, but she slipped through, jamming a needle into my neck.

“Wha-” I stammered out, my voice becoming slurred and my vision becoming blurry. And then, darkness.