Bloodlines of Survival

Chapter 2: The Last Normal Day

Saturday morning dawned clear and bright, the sky a brilliant blue canvas that seemed to mock the chaos brewing just beyond the horizon. Gwen woke early, the sunlight streaming through the curtains doing little to ease the anxiety that had settled in her chest. She reached for her phone, scanning through the latest news on her encrypted networks. The virus had crossed the Channel. Cases were being reported in the UK now. It was no longer a distant threat.

The bed beside her was empty; Jamie had already gotten up. She could hear the faint clink of tools from the garage, the rhythmic sounds of metal on metal a comforting backdrop. He was working on a car engine, as he often did to clear his mind. It was his way of keeping himself grounded, a habit formed during his years in the Navy. But even his steady hands couldn't shake the tension in the air, a tension that had been growing with each passing day.

Gwen sat up, running a hand through her hair as she tried to collect her thoughts. The virus was here, in their country, in their home. She'd been expecting this, preparing for it in her own way, but now that it was real, she felt a cold knot of fear twist in her stomach.

The sound of tiny footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. The kids burst into the kitchen, their laughter filling the air, a brief but welcome distraction from the weight pressing down on Gwen's chest.

"Morning, Mum!" Kohl called out, sliding into his chair at the breakfast table. Samantha followed close behind, her eyes bright with the promise of a new day.

Gwen forced a smile, trying to keep her voice light and cheerful as she poured cereal into their bowls. "Good morning, my loves," she said, her tone betraying none of the dread gnawing at her insides. "We're going to the park today, remember? And maybe, if you're good, we can grab some ice cream afterward."

Samantha's face lit up with excitement, the prospect of a treat momentarily eclipsing everything else. "Can we get chocolate? And sprinkles? Please?" she pleaded, her little hands clasped together in anticipation.

"Of course," Gwen replied, reaching over to tousle Kohl's hair affectionately. But her heart ached at the innocence in her daughter's voice, the way the simple joy of sprinkles could still light up her world. Gwen wanted to freeze this moment, to hold onto it before everything changed, before the virus stole away their normalcy.

The sound of the garage door opening signaled Jamie's arrival. He entered the kitchen, wiping grease from his hands with a rag, his expression a mix of exhaustion and concern. "Morning, everyone," he greeted, placing a kiss on Gwen's cheek as he joined the kids at the table.

"Daddy! We're going to get ice cream later!" Kohl announced, his voice full of enthusiasm.

Jamie smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Sounds like a plan," he said, but Gwen noticed the way his gaze flickered to her, a silent question in his eyes. *Are you okay?*

Gwen gave him a small nod, hoping to reassure him, but the unease lingered in the air between them.

As they piled into their old SUV and headed to the park, the world outside seemed untouched by the fear that had taken root in Gwen's mind. Children played on swings, dogs barked as they chased after sticks, and the sun shone with a warmth that belied the storm brewing just beyond sight. But Gwen couldn't ignore the uneasy glances exchanged between adults, the way people kept checking their phones, scrolling through news feeds with furrowed brows and nervous frowns.

They spent the day pretending everything was normal. The twins raced ahead on the paths, laughing as they tried to outpace each other, their joy infectious. Gwen and Jamie trailed behind, their hands intertwined, but neither spoke of the growing threat that loomed over them.

"Do you think we're overreacting?" Gwen asked softly, breaking the silence as they watched the children climb onto the playground equipment.

Jamie was quiet for a moment, his gaze fixed on Kohl and Samantha as they played. "I don't know," he admitted finally. "But we can't afford to take any chances. Not with them."

Gwen nodded, her heart heavy. "They're so young," she murmured, more to herself than to him. "They don't understand what's happening, what's coming..."

"We'll explain it to them when we have to," Jamie said, his voice firm. "But not yet. Let them be kids a little longer."

As the day wore on, the illusion of normalcy began to crack. By the time they returned home, the first reports of violence had started to trickle in—riots, panic buying, and rumors of something far worse than a simple flu. Gwen's phone buzzed incessantly with updates, each one more dire than the last.

That night, as Gwen lay in bed beside Jamie, the weight of it all pressed down on her until she could barely breathe. She stared at the ceiling, the darkness of the room closing in around her, amplifying her fears.

"What if this isn't just another scare?" she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet of the room. "What if... what if it's real?"

Jamie turned to her, his hand finding hers beneath the covers. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together," he said, his voice steady, a rock against the storm raging in her mind. "We'll keep the kids safe. We'll survive."

Gwen nodded, taking comfort in his words, in the solid, reassuring presence of him beside her. But deep down, she knew the world was teetering on the edge of something monstrous, and when it fell, there would be no turning back.