Abby and you both headed to an aquarium. Inside, the air was heavy with moisture, and the sound of trickling water echoed faintly.

“Come on, you’re gonna love this,” you said, gesturing for Abby to follow.

She hesitated, her footsteps cautious as she trailed behind. “You’ve said that before. One time, it was a collapsed building, and another time it was… well, let’s not talk about the body hanging from the ceiling.”

“This is different,” you insisted. “Just trust me. And don’t freak out, okay?”

Abby raised an eyebrow. “That’s a great way to make me freak out.”

The sound of water grew louder, a rhythmic splashing mixed with faint ripples. Abby slowed to a stop.

“What’s that noise?” she asked, her voice a little hushed.

“You’ll see.”

As you rounded a corner, the old aquarium exhibits came into view. Massive tanks stretched from floor to ceiling, their glass murky with algae.

“No way,” she whispered, pressing her hands to the glass.

“They’re alive?” she said, her voice rising in disbelief. “How are they still alive? There’s no way.”

“Told you this one was worth it.”

Her hand lingered near the glass, her fingers almost brushing the surface. She crouched, her expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

“My dad would’ve loved this,” she murmured. “He loved animals… but he was always so busy. I don’t think he ever got to see something like this.”

You stayed silent, watching as she took it all in. Abby stood and walked slowly to the next tank, where a small fish cut through the green-tinged water.

Abby glanced over her shoulder, a faint smile curling her lips. “You did good,” she admitted. You two stood there in the silence for a few minutes.

“Hey, you think I can swim with them?” You said jokingly.

She snorted and glanced at you, finally tearing her eyes away from the tank. “If you want the fish to eat you!”

She still wanted to keep going, to check out the rest of it. It was still surviving despite the state of the world, and that made her so much more happy than she’d care to admit.