Never in a million years would I have forgotten my main objective of scavenging. People never distract me this much. Why do these city people get under my skin? Why do they make me feel guilty for being...me?

Although Levi wasn't particularly kind about it, I can't lie and say I didn't screw them more than they already were, but ultimately, my plan stayed the same, I get them more medicine and then be on my way.

Let's just hope the rumors were right and people have been dumb enough to let a goldmine of supplies go untouched. I remember getting information from another traveler, Walker, whom I had met in Newport Bay. The asshole wouldn't give up the name of the place unless I gave him some of my rice seeds.

Growing wasn't hard since much of the land around us was wetlands the further northeast you went. We were lucky for our region; it rained half the year, so collecting and boiling rainwater was a common way of surviving, and although I have a well on my property, it is beneficial for me that all my plants or animals don't need that much tending.

But when the other half of the year rolled around, I had to reserve the purified rainwater for cooking, medicine, and drinking, then use my freshwater well for bathing, washing dishes, watering the plants, and making my chicken feed.

According to Walker, seeds were the currency of some hotshot settlement trying to "compete" with New Haven. These people essentially pulled the same thing New Haven did but had much less success. They fortified a large area of land and had a semi-functional economy. "They got the right idea; they just need to boot the crooked people in leadership and stop accepting every prostitute and mercenary that walks through their door." He claimed.

I rolled my eyes at the memory and went back to the house to collect my bag with all my supplies; that way, I had at least some form of protection while I went in. Levi or Bear wasn't in the kitchen when I entered, so I hurried, got what I needed, and left.

The door to the clinic was left the same as when I noticed it was tampered with before, so that was already a good sign that I was clear to enter. I moved slowly, sure not to step on any broken glass or kick anything.

With sunlight pouring in from windows all over, I made my way around the hospital in search of what Geneva said in her journal, which would be a door with a restricted access sign.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Only a single door was closed on the entire first floor of the building, and I found it on the floor below the one I started on. There was no window, only a big, steely door stating: RESTRICTED ACCESS AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEES ONLY. It had dents, scratches, and evident power tool damage but remained unopened.

An unsettling feeling began to trickle down my spine. It was eerie as I inched toward it, but I heard a near-silent hum radiating from the door that drew me closer. The hum reverberated through my body when I grabbed the door handle, but as I tried to push it open, it didn't budge.

I cursed. What was I supposed to do now?! The door handle had no keyhole or spot to scan an ID or chip on the wall. How did they get in there? Magic?!

The humming must mean something, though, right? I put my ear to the wall beside the door, and the humming was clear. I lowered myself, and as I did, the sound got less and less. When I went on my tiptoes, the same thing happened, which gave me the idea that it was a power line that sealed this door.

I followed the sound through numerous hallways and lost it as I approached another closed door, but I could push it open to reveal a stairwell. It only went up, so I ascended the steps and reached the top, where I met a highly damaged door. It was an open doorway, missing the hinges and all. Whoever was here before must've been desperate to do this much damage. The remains of the door were crunched up and tossed to the side.

I pressed my ear to the wall, but I couldn't find the humming anymore, so I continued walking around, scoping out the building and checking the cabinets, drawers, desks, and rooms for any forgotten supplies.

Things were strewn everywhere: old medical papers and garbage, computer components, and even some old posters. One in what I assumed used to be an examination room detailed the human anatomy. I stared at it for a while, intrigued by the muscle composition and organ systems that kept us alive and moving. I couldn't leave without it, so I unpinned the poster and gently folded it to put it in my bag. I am going to have a good time studying this.

My adventure was cut short when I caught ear of the humming again while I walked down the hall; my ear was immediately glued to the wall, finding and following the sound until I finally reached my answer.

A locked door stood between me and what could be the cure for Bear's sickness and the objective of my mission; I just needed to figure out how to open it. This one luckily had a card reader, but as I searched prior to this, I didn't think I came across a single one. There has to be one somewhere; there's no way the workers didn't have an extra or maybe even lost one while working.

I don't know why I expected this to be quick and easy.

Let the search for an intact ID commence!

"Yay! Said nobody." I sighed out loud and began my canvas of the area.

Although it'd be great, this card wouldn't find itself.