Apocalypse I have a system to raise children

Gate

The cramped pod felt more like a school bus than a high-speed transportation vehicle. I squeezed past two dozen chattering children, all under the watchful eyes of their presumably harried elementary school teachers. Exhausted from my preparations, I promptly fell asleep, only to be jolted awake by the pod's automated announcement of its departure from Rex City.

Ignoring the miniature water cooler that dispensed lukewarm liquid, I retrieved a bottle I'd purchased at the station. The tepid water would have to suffice. Outside, the cityscape whizzed by, a blur of familiar landmarks. The bookstore I frequented, the new department store that replaced the playground, and Maple Middle School, where my brother currently attended, all flashed past like snapshots in a silent film.

After traversing roughly a hundred kilometers, the city gradually gave way to suburbs and then yielded entirely to the sprawling landscape of the Water Continent's interior. The landscape transformed into a patchwork of small villages nestled amidst fertile fields and bare trees. Some fields lay fallow, awaiting the season's planting, while others hummed with activity. Cattle grazed on the grassy expanse, their figures dwarfed by the vastness of the open space.

The idyllic scene contrasted starkly with the apocalyptic memories that haunted me. It was hard to believe that these peaceful fields would one day become bloody battlegrounds, the very foundation of human survival tested to the extreme. My mind conjured disturbing images: a beloved school reduced to rubble, the once vibrant river poisoned, its banks littered with the bones of the fallen. The weight of these memories threatened to engulf me.

As Mount Chole drew closer, my anxiety intensified. The uncertainty of finding the gate and navigating the unknown gnawed at me. Fortunately, the high-speed hyperloop train, with its impressive efficiency, alleviated some of my worries. With its non-stop journey to Mount Chole, it shaved hours off the traditional travel time, arriving at its destination in just under two hours.

Stepping off the train at Mount Chole Station, I found myself facing a modern, four-story structure. The speed of the hyperloop paired with its direct journey to Mount Chole left a positive impression; a stark contrast to the numerous stops and delays often associated with traditional train travel.

A ten-minute walk led me to the foot of Mount Chole. Two buildings stood out in the otherwise sparse landscape: a small, seemingly family-run grocery store, and a quaint, seemingly ancient inn. Opting for the inn, I pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside.

The dimly lit interior was surprisingly empty, save for two women employees. They sat behind the counter, their figures shrouded in the smoke curling up from their cigarettes. Their worn leather coats hinted at a life beyond the confines of this quiet inn.

"Looking for a room or some food?" one of them inquired, her voice raspy from years of smoking.

Eight long hours had bled into dusk, and still, Vivek had found no sign of the shimmering gateway. Disappointment gnawed at him, a stark contrast to the determined optimism that had fueled his trek up Mount Chole. His initial optimism, fueled by the fragmented memories of his past life, had painted a picture of a quick and straightforward search.

The unforgiving terrain, however, had quickly shattered that illusion. Years had etched their mark on the mountain, reshaping the landscape in ways his memories hadn't prepared him for. Dense foliage had overgrown familiar paths, and landmarks had shifted, rendering his mental map useless. He had found himself hopelessly lost on several occasions, the silence of the mountain broken only by his frustrated sighs and the rustle of leaves beneath his feet.

Finally, just as the last rays of sunlight began to fade, he stumbled upon it. A faint, shimmering distortion in the air, barely larger than his palm, pulsed faintly, barely noticeable amidst the tangle of branches. It was the portal, the doorway to a past life and an uncertain future.

Yet, a wave of hesitation washed over him. He remembered, with a chilling clarity, the horrors that awaited him on the other side. The gate, while not actively hostile, served as a conduit, offering no protection from the relentless hordes of the undead that roamed the apocalyptic wasteland. In his previous life, traversing this portal had been a time-consuming affair, demanding constant vigilance and a relentless onslaught of combat against the ever-present enemy.

The setting sun cast long shadows, painting the forest in an unsettling gloom. The thought of venturing into the unknown, his physical and mental reserves already depleted by a day of relentless searching, filled him with dread. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, and exhaustion weighed heavily on his limbs.

He decided to err on the side of caution. Retreating from the portal, he found a sheltered spot beneath a large oak tree, its gnarled branches forming a protective canopy overhead. Exhaustion finally claimed him, and he drifted off to sleep, the flickering image of the portal imprinted on his eyelids.

His sleep was far from peaceful. Nightmares, fueled by the lingering horrors of his past life, plagued his dreams. He saw himself surrounded by the shambling figures of the infected, their guttural moans echoing in his ears. He woke with a jolt, his heart pounding in his chest, the cold sweat clinging to his skin a testament to the raw terror that had gripped him.

As dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, Vivek rose, his body stiff and achy. The previous day's disappointment had been replaced by a steely resolve. He wouldn't let fear cripple him. He had come too far, sacrificed too much, to turn back now.

Returning to the portal, he stood before it, a sense of purpose fueling his resolve. He reached out, his hand hovering over the shimmering surface. A tremor ran through him, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. The portal pulsed in response, as if inviting him to step through the veil and face the unknown.

Taking a deep breath, Vivek stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the world beyond. The familiar world of Mount Chole faded away, replaced by a desolate landscape bathed in the harsh glare of the morning sun. The stench of decay filled his nostrils, a nauseating reminder of the world he had entered.

In the distance, a group of shuffling figures emerged from behind a crumbling building, their moans a chilling serenade in this desolate world. Vivek drew his weapon, his gaze hardening with determination. He was no longer just a man searching for answers, he was a survivor, ready to fight for a second chance.

The gate, once a mere doorway, now stood as a symbol of a choice. A choice between fear and courage, between despair and hope. As he faced the approaching horde, one thing was abundantly clear - the true test had only just begun.