Night.

Chapter 1

The screeching winds howled around me as I took a deep breath of the night air. Snow fell gently on my wrinkled hoodie as a car passed by quietly. Not many people were awake around this time of the night even though New York is supposedly 'The city that never sleeps'.

Makes sense since most of the world is dead. China, being the most populated country has only a few million left. Australia is basically gone and America's citizens are slowly vanishing. Me? Well I'm slowly dying myself, same with a few relatives and friends I got left. Most are dead by now.

I walked around for a bit hoping that a few restaurants or shops are still open or at least that the staff is alive to serve me food. I smell and see a few bloody bodies here and there on the cracked, mouldy pathway. Most motionless but some are still having their last breaths. If I saw this a few weeks ago I would've helped them. Not any more though.

I glanced around, past the bodies and I saw a scrubby diner across the road with its lights on. Guessing that it is still open, I checked the road and crossed the dark street hastily. Ding.

"Welcome to Eat to Meat, please take a seat." The drooling, sickly cashier barely looked at me.

I sat down on the worn out, mouldy leather seats and grabbed the menu near the window. There were a few groans and a quiet bubbling sound from the kitchen but other than that, it was awfully quiet.

The menu was quite greasy from previous customers and the only words I could make out was beef hamburger.

"'Scuse me? Can I get a beef hamburger with Coke?" I heard a few scribbles and a groan,

"Sure thing sir, I'll bring it out in a few minutes." Same half-dead voice.

I glanced around the quiet restaurant with its damaged leather chairs, motionless customers and flashing neon sign. I recognise a few locals from the area. Most sick like me. I jumped as I heard a loud metal clatter from the kitchen. The cashier came out shortly after that and served me my meal.

"'Scuse me, but what was that sound just then?" She didn't seem to hear me and just walked away.

I shrugged it off as I ate my meal and stared out the window, struggling to catch a glimpse of the stars in sky, most of which is blocked off by the sentinel, lifeless buildings.

I sighed. "Same old, same old." I finished the burger and grabbed the half-empty can of coke.

"Keep the change." I tossed a 10 dollar bill on the grimy counter before walking out the diner.