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Around and in 2003.
Indigo Sanchez wasn't always the type to overthink every little thing, but she liked to think she'd be ready when the zombie apocalypse finally came. There were, after all, about a dozen movies on the subject. But other than the jokes about stocking up on peanut butter and canned goods, Indigo didn't think much further than that. She never thought she'd have to.
She'd be content with a simple life she somehow managed to achieve after everything — and by everything, she meant everything. Indigo became a young mom after high school to a beautiful girl named Mona, and her baby's father — Steven — was drafted into the army shortly afterward. Since her parents disapproved of the arrangement, which meant she was on her own. Just two little girls on their own in an already terrifying world without the zombies.
Indigo raised Mona in the quiet cul-de-sac of a neighborhood not too far away from her work (once she could actually afford a house and not just some run-down apartment). She didn't have many friends, but she had a roof over her head and food for her daughter, so really what else could she ask for?
She'd argue that her neighbor was better ready for the aforementioned zombie apocalypse than herself — well, really... better than anyone. Maybe it was the fact that he was also from the army, but she knew some people were just better equipped for the inevitable.
If she thought Tommy was a bit weird, then she wasn't sure what to think of his older brother. Overall, Joel wasn't a terrible guy, matter of fact, she'd much prefer it if he were. But no, he was totally normal and somewhat peaceful, which made her feel better, since her daughter had taken strongly to his daughter, Sarah. For as long as any of them could remember, the two households were united by Sarah and Mona, the two girls growing up together side by side.
Sarah and Mona were inseparable. Indigo knew she should have thanked the stars above for blessing her family with such an extraordinary girl, one that helped Mona in every way she could, including getting over her shyness and helping her talk to people. In many ways, Sarah Miller was special, everyone especially Indigo could see it. She had such a kind heart and immediately loved Mona like her own sister, which was something Indigo didn't take lightly, seeing as she didn't have contact with her own blood family anymore and she wanted her daughter to feel wrapped in as much love as she could ever know. Matter of fact, Indigo came to love Sarah like one of her own.
The two would go from house to house, causing trouble in the neighborhood whenever they could, since they only lived across the street from each other. As they grew up, the young mother realized she didn't mind their antics, happy they had each other to keep company and safe on those long nights when Tommy, Joel, and Indigo were nowhere to be seen, busy with their demanding jobs and lives.
Joel on the other hand, would say differently.
But Indigo knew he was only teasing (at least, most of the time he was, anyway). Truth be told, he was wary of Indigo and Mona at first, but mostly because Indigo was so young when she moved into the home opposite his by herself. He didn't think he'd remember it at the time, but he couldn't get the image of the tanned woman hopping down from her beat-up truck, black hair cascading down her back as she swayed, clutching a toddler in her soft hands.
