Downfall Of The Living: An Anthology Series

Orphans of the Apocalypse: Chapter 4

IV

While not the coziest place to be while in unknown territory, however, the trio had already made plans to make the safehouse a temporary home before relocating back to Roger's place. The streets outside were slowly being filled by the stray roamers from the quarantine zone and now searching for their next meal. Conveniently, the survivors didn't need to look far for theirs.

Roger set up meals for the three of them around the makeshift bedding. His trench coat bloodied and torn was hanging on a dining room chair he had set near him. The siblings returned from clearing the upstairs and settled their gear in the room as Roger finished making the MREs.

"You kids will like this one," Roger said as he pulled out the pouch sleeves. "Spaghetti, and a beef stew. You, kids, take your pick."

Andy grabbed the spaghetti MRE pouch and looked through the contents of the pouch. Andy pulled out the various contents from the accessories packet, peanut butter spread, jelly jam, and dried fruit. He pulled out what looked like a Pop-Tart wrapper from the bag and his eyes beamed with excitement.

"I have never seen these in a long time!" He cheered as if he hit the jackpot in the apocalypse. "I thought they were all gone."

Andy immediately ripped its wrapping, broke off a piece of the toaster pastry, and inhaled it. He closed his eyes and chewed, thinking about a time when the world was right, the dead never walked and their next meal was homecooked by mom and dad. Cynthia almost saw a tear in his eye when he saw the Pop-Tart.

"I hope there's one in my MRE," Roger chuckled. "There's more MREs where that came from. Whoever stocked this place probably knew this was happening. Thanks for them."

"You mean the roamer in the bathroom?" Andy said as the crumbs from the pastry fell onto his shirt.

"Maybe," Roger said. "We're just really lucky to find these."

Cynthia looked into her MRE pouch for any snacks like Andy's. She settled with the chocolate spread, ripping a corner and squeezing out its contents. Roger carefully pulled out the MRE meals from the heater pouches and handed them to the siblings. They grabbed the plastic spoons in their MRE and opened the steaming meal pouch. The aroma of meat and vegetables was enough to make the sibling's stomachs growl.

"Dig in, kids," Roger said as he pulls out his meal from the heater pouch. "This will be one of the best meals you've had with me."

Cynthia and Andy take one bite from their MRE. At first, the taste was almost like school cafeteria food or something less of that, but after a while, as they chewed they started to appreciate the flavors. Roger takes his time as he pushes his food around in the MRE pouch. Seeing the siblings enjoy their food brought him a sense of joy he hadn't felt in a long time.

"I haven't had anything like this in a long time," Andy said as he slurped a spaghetti noodle. "I want another spaghetti!"

"Finish the one you have now," Cynthia chuckled. "There's a lot more for us later."

"If I find one with another Pop-Tart," Roger said. "I'll give it to you."

Cynthia chewed her spoonful of the beef stew. She swallowed before she spoke. "Who do you think gotten all of the MREs here?"

"Saw a note earlier," Roger said as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "Whoever it was stealing the supplies from the quarantine zone. But don't worry, whoever they were got bitten. They paid in their way."

"It was probably the guy from the bathroom," Andy said. "He was tied up to the shower door. I took him out."

"You did?" Roger was surprised. "That's really brave, kiddo."