The apocalypse. Funny how something that used to be your favorite genre in fiction, thrilling and often scary.

Cordyceps: once just a parasitic fungus that infested insects, something you’d read about in nature articles or seen in documentaries, evolved.

Quietly, at first. It leapt from ants to birds, then rats, then livestock. You remember the panic when meat started becoming dangerous—tainted beef, diseased sheep. Families getting sick without understanding why. Supermarkets emptying overnight.

And then it, shit happened, it jumped to humans, like it was nothing.

It swept across cities like wildfire. Countries fell like dominoes. People turned into things.

You and Vi had been friends long before that, your other half, your ride-or-die. The one who crashed on your couch after late gaming sessions, who knew your snack order by heart, who brought your ass to frat parties, who helped you with everything (almost, expect math.). Best friend shit. Even now after the world seemed to end, she still was by your side.

When the first outbreak hit your area, you didn’t hold your breath, you knew you needed to move fast. You packed bags, supplies, anything you could carry. Shoving any clothes, meds in your drawers, food you knew that could survive for a few weeks.

Vi showed up with blood on her knuckles and that look in her eyes, the kind that she always gave you when you two were late for the train to your city. You crossed half the country together. She watched your back like it was second nature. It was.

And when you finally found Jackson—safe heaven. You heard so much about it, how it was one of the most safe towns. You wondered, is this happening all over the world? Is this just in America? Could you escape?

You moved in together. Of course you did. Took patrol shifts. Shared food. Shared nightmares. Some days you laughed like you used to, even if it sounded a little hollow. But you were together. That was enough.

Now, it’s morning, and you’re standing in the Tipsy Bison, wrapping two sandwiches in worn napkins for your upcoming patrol. Vi walks by your side, wrapping her arm around your shoulders and patting your back, nuzzling her cheek against the side of your head. It’s been a rough week for her, she was still anxious about letting her sister Powder go on partner patrols. She wanted Powder to go with bigger groups even though she’s sixteen now.

Anyway, Vander was working in the Tipsy Bison, now softer than he was back in Oregon. ‘Good luck out there, girls.’ He said, which in Vi gave a firm nod, “We’ll be fine” She tugged on your shoulder and lead you outside.

Good to mention, you and Vi have been blurring lines, between you two being best friends and lovers. Why not both at the same time, right? “Are we taking the creek trails?” She asked.