Hungry Heart

Kyle - Day 256

The alarm pierced the noise. I wish I could say that the alarm pierced the silence, but really, it's never silent here. You either hear the drumming sound of the Power engine or you listen to the moans of the undead.
I cut the alarm and looked out the small window. The stars were still out and they reminded me of her. For a small moment I panicked. My head snapped to the space in the bed next to me.
Empty. Of course it's empty, you idiot.
My eyes found the calendar on the wall. "Hello, day number 256"
I wish I was counting down to some big event like we all used to do, before all this. I still remembered what it feels like to count down to your birthday.
Ali and I used to count down to the worst shit. I smiled at myself. Every year, on August fourth, we'd make and eat tons and tons of ice cream sandwiches. She always used to make them best.
Get up, you loser. I pulled myself out of bed and got into the same jeans and the same tank I've been wearing for God knows how long. To me, it didn't matter what I wore anymore. Even cutting my hair seemed pointless. My hair hung in my eyes, partially blocking my vision, but I didn't feel like brushing it so I left it alone. Again.
I trudged out into the hall and headed straight to the kitchen.
At least the power is on, I thought to myself as I opened the fridge. I pulled out one of the leftover sandwiches from a while ago and lazily stuffed it in my mouth.
I decided to check up on Stew and see if he was still alive. As I walked out into the cold air, a blast of moans hit my ears. I didn't even glance in the direction it was coming from, because they're always at the same place doing the same thing; by the wall, trying to break it down. I entered the small control room, where Stewart sat in his chair happily snoring away.
"Stew." I nudged him to wake up. "It's my shift."
Stew peered up at me." Ah, crap bro. How long was I out?" I shrugged as he stood up and made room for me to sit down, since there was only one chair in the small 2 by 2 meter room.
"You want a beer, dude?" Stew offered as he left the building.
I didn't bother replying, because I knew he'd bring me one any way.
I stared at the monitors, making sure everything was working fine. And as always, everything was fine.
After Stew and I drank a few beers and exchanged a few battle stories, I quickly went to refill the gas.
This is what I do now. This is my routine. Wake up, dink beer, fill gas, sleep. This is the Outpost. The farthest and the only Power generator in the city still working. The most dangerous place in the city. Someone has to make sure that all the havens have constant electricity, right?
The noise of the engine attracts thousands of zombies every day. Who knows when that wall's about to give.
A loud bang echoed through the crisp morning air.
Gunshots. Someone is outside the wall. Someone is going to die and there's no point in trying to save them, it's already too late.
"Huh." I smirked at myself. "Welcome to the Outpost."
Another gun shot.
And another.
And another.
Silence.