Pet: Genesis *Published*

Chapter 2

I flinch as the rays of sunlight slowly penetrate the trees, waking me from my slumber. I open my eyes to look around, ensuring no one is watching me and my weapons are all still in place. It's been four days since my departure. The traps I set have managed to catch three rabbits. And I've had the displeasure of fighting off two people in the process. I slowly look around at the lush paradise that has bloomed outside of the blight.

Since humanity's eradication, the world has had plenty of time to heal and grow. Since the departure of cities, planes, cars, and every other toxic element humanity managed to create, forests have overtaken most of the land. It's beautiful. It makes me wonder what type of creatures the Leviathan are. They leave no trace of their existence other than their Utopian cities.

I shiver as a gust of wind breezes past me. Even though the sun is rising, there's a chill in the air. I don't know what month it is or even what year it is. But I know this kind of weather signifies it is nearing autumn. That information means food will be scarcer and disease more prominent. We have everything to fear in the coming months, in addition to the Leviathan.

I make my way through the forest, keeping an eye out for enemies. I have not only wild animals to fear but also humans who could be lurking to steal the food I've caught. Out here, they are my worst enemy. My exhaustion, mixed with my hunger, is more than I can bear. The only thing that keeps me going is the idea of heading back empty-handed. They need me. Even chewing on leaves all day does nothing to staunch my hunger.

The day is spent trying to find more food, but I once again come up empty-handed. Once the sun begins to set, I decide to cut my losses and head back to the blight with what I have. It may not be much, but it will give us a little energy and keep us from starving to death until we can make our next move.

The trek back to the blight takes a day and a half. My heart is pounding as I try and force my legs to move faster. It's crucial that I get back before dark. Being around the border of the blight is dangerous, especially with food.

I'm pulled from my thoughts as I hear something unsettling in the distance.

Screaming.

Suddenly, the scent of flames reaches my nose. I break into a sprint, willing my body to move. My footsteps immediately falter as I gaze up at the place I've called home for the past few years. It's up in flames. My eyes widen as I take in my surroundings. The homes that were once here are burning piles of ash. I quickly scan the area but see nothing out of the ordinary. I tense as more screams flow in my direction. They're coming from deep within the blight.

I take off, my adrenaline spiking as I make my way deeper into the city, my hunger all but forgotten as I make my way to our hideaway. Tears begin to form in my eyes. The closer I get, the worse the condition of the city is. There are bodies everywhere of people, both dead and dying. Every structure that once stood has diminished into nothing other than rubble and ash.

We're under attack.

As I round the corner, I say a silent prayer that humans are attacking and not Leviathan. My legs immediately halt at the sight before me. Nausea hits as I take in what's left of our hideaway. What was once a small building is now a pile of rubble. I run toward the crushed rubble, falling to my knees in front of it. I don't hesitate to reach for the boulders, pulling them back.

"Margot! Leah! Chrissy!" I shout the names, begging for someone to respond. I pull back another boulder and gasp. Chrissy. Her entire body is crushed under the rubble, her eyes still open with a look of shock etched into her sunken features. I reach out with shaky hands to touch her face. She's cold.

Flashes of my parents barrage my mind from the sight.

"No..." My sob fills the air just as another explosion comes from the distance. I instinctively reach up, squeezing my necklace as I search for guidance. I open my eyes, reaching for the boulders still surrounding Chrissy's body, trying to find strength. I don't know how long I spend digging through the rubble. Or how long it takes me to dig Chrissy's frail body out. There are still explosions in the distance and the screams of my own people. Even through my pain and sorrow, I know the world as I know it is about to change.