Max swings a hammer he found at the home improvement section, and tosses some hair gel into the basket. "How long do you think the food will last us?"
I eye his hammer with suspicion. "I don't know. I figured we'd have found out what the hell is going on by then."
"Yeah. But what if we don't, Yuki? It'll be survival of the fittest, won't it? I made you a promise. When it comes to our survival, I won't hold back." His jaws clench.
Max can be a sweetheart, but he worries me sometimes. Sometimes I wonder how different my life in this dreadful empty city would be if I hadn't met him.
We have a lot in common - no memories, plenty of uncertainty, and in need of a companion. We became fast friends, but time is showing a side of Max I'm not sure about.
"I just hope it won't come to that, Max." I take a bite out of a Fuji apple. Life has almost been too easy. We are well fed, and supplies are everywhere. The only downside is we're all alone with no idea about our future fate.
Max tosses the hammer into his pack. "I'm not counting on it."
***
The next day we come back to Walmart to get a warmer sleeping bag for me. We notice immediately that someone else has been here. The shelves are emptier, and the fruit bins we haven't touched (pears, watermelon, canteloupe) have been mussed up.
Max puffs his chest out. "Who's been in our turf?"
I chuckle nervously. "Max, this isn't our turf. This could be a good thing. There's more people out there!"
Max's face clouds over. "I don't like sharing."
I don't know if he means sharing the Walmart, or sharing me.
I don't like to think about it.
***
It is two days later when we meet the others in person. They were in the snacks section, discussing their favorite candies.
"Swedish fish. Through and through," says a male voice.
"They only have one flavor to them. That's boring." Another male. That makes two males.
"I can't remember, but I can't wait to find out." A female. A fellow female!
Max pulls me behind a wall of tee shirts and stares at me, bewildered. I can see the same questions running through his head: Who are they? Are their memories intact? All I know is neither Max nor myself have any idea what our favorite candies are.
We are at a huge disadvantage if they turn out to be hostile. There are three of them, and two of them appear to have their memories.
But what if they are friendly? What can they tell us about this city?
Do they know a way out?
YOU ARE READING
Empty City
Science FictionA girl awakens in an empty city devoid of people or any semblance of life. She cannot remember her past, or why she is here. Then she meets a boy whom she so badly wants to trust - because there's no one else. But is he who he seems to be? Why is...
