Every morning, Brian would lace up his shoes, grab Sarah and Kelly, and head out for their jog, ignoring the curious and sometimes judgmental glances from passersby. It was their way of staying fit and alert in these uncertain times. Sometimes, they'd swing by the Alman household.
Old Mr. Alman, a former medic, and his daughter June, a seasoned nurse, were a wealth of knowledge when it came to first aid and nursing. Brian and the girls would pick their brains, hoping to learn a thing or two about staying alive in a world gone mad.
Brian didn't like to take without giving, so he'd always bring some food as a token of appreciation. It wasn't much, but it was something.
During their jogs, Brian would choose different routes through various neighborhoods, keeping an eye out for pharmacies. He was always on the lookout for a way to sneak in and grab some much-needed supplies without getting caught.
One day, they stumbled upon a tiny, inconspicuous hole next to a pharmacy that allowed them to bypass the guards and slip inside unnoticed. But just as they were about to take advantage of it, someone else found it first.
The unlucky soul made some noise while stealing meds, alerting the guards, who quickly nabbed him and sealed the hole. No one knew what happened to the guy, but Brian figured he didn't have a good outcome.
On another jog, Brian was taken aback by the long lines spilling out of the registration office. Families with kids and couples clung together, all determined to take control of their fates. It seemed like many had decided to get their names on the list to avoid being separated from loved ones when the time came to be assigned to different quarantine zones.
In the evenings, they'd gather around Osborne, who'd break down pistols, shotguns, and even the assault rifle that had no bullets, teaching them how to use, disassemble, and reassemble the weapons. He emphasized the importance of maintenance and how to replace parts effectively. It was intense, but necessary.
A week later, the military announced over the radio that the citizen registration in Dallas was complete. They'd be holding an internal lottery to select who'd get into the quarantine zones. The results would be posted in designated areas. Brian rolled his eyes. He'd known it was a sham.
The best and brightest would be kept back, while the rest would be shipped off to other zones. The waiting was torture. The city's atmosphere turned eerie after the announcement.
Everyone looked anxious, some even praying for good fortune. Even Osborne, usually calm and collected, couldn't sleep at night. But Brian, who'd already decided to head to the Atlanta quarantine zone, felt none of that anxiety. He just kept doing his thing, even picking up storybooks from a nearby bookstore to pass the time. No one cared about books anymore, not even for firewood.
**October 11, 2013**
A week after the announcement, the list of survivors approved to enter the Dallas quarantine zone was finally posted in every district. The scene was chaotic. Hundreds of people crowded around the bulletin boards, with soldiers keeping order and red lines marking the limits.
"Take it easy, one at a time!" someone shouted.
"Can you move a bit? I can't see!" another voice chimed in.
"Stop pushing! You're over the line!"
"Dad, we're on the list!" Kelly burst out of the crowd, waving her ID card triumphantly. Osborne's usually stoic face lit up with a rare smile as he ruffled Kelly's hair. "That's great news," he said, clearly relieved.
Brian and Sarah exchanged glances, happy for Osborne and Kelly. Their hearts settled a bit, knowing the father and daughter would make it into the quarantine zone. But not everyone was so lucky. Some faces in the crowd were visibly disappointed, even heartbroken. Being assigned to another quarantine zone wasn't the end of the world, but the uncertainty and fear were palpable.
Back at the RV, Osborne and Kelly started packing. The broadcast had instructed everyone on the list to get ready. Since the RV couldn't enter the quarantine zone and they'd have to hand over their guns and food, they only packed warm clothes, leaving everything else behind.
"Antoine, aren't you going to check the list?" Brian asked, noticing Antoine still lounging in his usual spot, sipping his drink.
"Why bother?" Antoine replied, his face flushed as usual. He glanced at Brian, then seemed to remember something, his expression turning somber. He got up and, just before entering his vehicle, turned to them and said, "See you guys around..." Sarah looked puzzled by Antoine's sudden change in demeanor. "What's up with him?" she asked.
"No idea. Maybe he drank too much," Brian speculated. Antoine was usually cheerful, so this was out of character.
That night, none of them could sleep. The thought of parting ways the next day weighed heavily on their minds. They gathered around the table, sharing stories and laughter, trying to make the most of their last night together.
"Brian, listen up," Osborne said suddenly, his face serious. "I know you're no ordinary kid. Since we're parting ways, I thought I'd share some advice."
"Sure, go ahead," Brian replied, his smile fading as he focused on Osborne.
"The world out there is unrecognizable. Inside the quarantine zones, we have the military to protect us, but outside... You gotta be careful," Osborne said, cracking open a beer. "You've never experienced the horrors of war. You have no idea how people's desires can spiral out of control in a lawless environment. This apocalypse is far worse than any war. As food becomes scarcer, people will become more dangerous."
"You're smart and level-headed. You might be able to handle the infected..." Osborne paused, his grip tightening on the beer bottle as he took a long swig. "But sometimes, the most terrifying thing isn't the monsters. It's the human heart, free from the constraints of morality."
The RV felt colder, the words hanging heavily in the air. Kelly and Sarah were silent, pulling their jackets tighter around them. These truths were too heavy for them to bear.
"I know all that," Brian said softly. He'd read plenty of apocalyptic novels, but knowing something in theory was different from facing it in reality. "I don't know if the apocalypse is as bad as I imagined, but I'll make my judgments."
Osborne looked at Brian thoughtfully, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I'm just giving you a heads-up. What you choose to do is up to you."
"Yeah," Brian said, cracking open his beer. "To new beginnings, then."
Osborne raised his bottle, clinking it against Brian's. "To new beginnings."