ꜰɪɢʜᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ || ᴀᴘᴘʟʏ

Chapter 7

"Good, then we come to the fifth day in the bunker. It was the first day we saw daylight again. We discussed and planned everything in detail in the days before and besides, there is not much you can do here for days," Devon explains.

"Alright, as agreed. We'll meet back here at dusk, then lock the door. Try to avoid physical contact with others," Astrid says as she opens the door of the bunker and the sun's rays blind her.

Maxwell and Jacob are the first to run, skateboards in hand, to be able to skate again after their days in the bunker.

"That was quick," Devon laughs and looks after the two. "I think those two are friends for a day," Ruby says, looking at the imaginary dust cloud the boys have left behind.

"Is there a cinema here?" asks Ruby then turning to Natalia. "Sure, but there won't be anything on for you to watch," the older girl says with a laugh. "What if there's popcorn and nachos? Don't you like that?", startled, Ruby looks at Natalia who is standing in front of the younger one laughing. "I like it, but I hardly think it's tasty anymore." "I don't care, I'm going to find a cinema." With these words, Ruby spins around on her own axis and then walks in the direction she has decided on.

"I'll follow her sometime so she can find her way back too," Natalia says with a laugh, following the younger girl towards the cinema. Or to where Ruby hopes to find a cinema.

The others slowly disperse as well. Oakley walks straight to the library, finally able to read a book other than the ones he reads every day. He pays no attention to his surroundings, because there are no cars driving and most of the people lying in the streets are dead or they can no longer move. Nevertheless, he walks with quick steps towards the library, which stretches large in front of him. For the first time in a few days he can read new books. He used to go to the library every day, because he had peace and quiet there, and he hopes for the same this time.

Astrid and Devon walk together to the small river that is only a few metres away from the bunker. This is where they had their first date and they have been there every day of the month since. It is a small spot hidden with reeds. A small footbridge leads from there across the water and the two young people often sit there.

As is so often the case, everyone first thinks about something. Astrid sits leaning against her boyfriend while he has his arms around her. "Do you think we can survive this?" Devon asks after a while and looks at the water, which has slight waves due to the wind. It's quiet for a moment, then Astrid swallows running and puts her boyfriend on the back of her neck to look at Devon. His gaze settles on her and for a moment they look into each other's eyes, a soft smile forming on Devon's lips.

"I don't know either," she says softly, placing her hands on Devon's. "But we'll do our best," she adds and Devon nods as he continues to look into Astrid's eyes. "Sometimes I feel like home really is no place. Because bombs could hit next to us and still I'd feel like I was safe and at home as long as I could look into your eyes that look at me so lovingly," he says dreamily. "Sometimes you can be really sweet," she breathes and smiles too.

William secretly follows Juniper, who has long realised that she has a tail. But she thinks it's fun to run around in circles and disappear into one alley or another only to reappear a few metres away from a confused William. "Is this fun?" she asks aloud, turning around in one swift movement. Caught, William looks to the side and tries to hide behind a bicycle parked against a tree. "I still see you," she says, focusing her gaze on the boy. He continues to look away but feels her gaze on his body and after a moment comes forward again behind the bicycle. "I'm not doing anything. So not directly. You were suddenly just in front of me, I can't help that," he tries to justify himself and turns to run away quickly. He hides behind the next corner for a moment and waits, then follows Juniper again.