Perseverance ( completed! )

Danger

Unfortunately, after all the work of smashing that thing open we only found three bottles of water. But, at least we got any! Still, it's hard to be optimistic in a situation such as this one. The world is falling apart around us and there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop it.

"Liam, I think we need to try and find out what happened to all of those people. What if what happened to them happens to you?" I spoke up as we made our way out of the store, having put the water bottles into our bags, one each.

"Hey, calm down Gabe. Of course we'll have a look," Liam reassured me gently, glancing down at me with an oddly reassuring expression. I couldn't suppress the small smile working its way onto my lips.

Staying true to is word, Liam, Josh and I (as well as Buddy of course) made our way over to the bodies decorating the scenery around them. Dropping down beside a young female with long, light brown hair, I gulped. Breathing only through my mouth, and even then just barely, my gaze traveled down the length of her body. Frustration clouded my thoughts; there was absolutely nothing visibly wrong with her and it was incredibly aggravating. All of these people couldn't have just up and died! Difference.. theres got to be a difference between now, and thirteen days ago...

The truth hit me like a train, barreling through my mind at a rapid pace. I can't believe it took us so long to realize what it was. Of course it would cause this! By mutating the cells, those who are too weak can't survive the change.

"L-Liam. The radiation is slowly killing us," I whispered, staring blankly forward as I allowed Liam time to wrap his head around this. Why was this happening? Why now? I suppose that's what humanity gets for destroying such a precious planet. But we aren't all bad, why are we all being punished?

Liam and Josh both knelt down beside me, apparently processing this news as well. Allowing my head to drop forward, I buried my face in my hands. I was going to lose Liam. I was going to lose him, my mother, Buddy. Even Josh. Anyone I've ever cared about was going to be slowly killed by the fucking sun!

"Alright," Liam spoke up suddenly, sounding confident and strong, "First things first, let's find a clothing store. We'll rip off pieces and wrap them around our mouth and nose. It's not very efficient, but it'll have to do for now. The less radiation that we inhale, the better."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, raising my head to look up at Liam, I nodded. I may not trust the world, or my mother, or even myself. But I trusted Liam. And if he thought we still had a chance, then we still had a chance. Josh nodded as well, glancing over toward me for a short moment before looking away. Hu?

"Okay, that's settled then. Let's get a move on."

After we had successfully made mouth and nose protectors to at least attempt to slow down the rate at which the radiation would kill us, we set off yet again. We had to be getting close by now, my mother wouldn't have had time to travel that far, she only left a handful of hours before us! Yes, we had been delayed about two weeks worth of time, but if she was going to a camp then it probably wouldn't have been too far way..

"Liam? Do you think we're getting close?"

I glanced up, observing the tall male, eyebrows drawn together in thought, and pale blue eyes earning for something to say. A few moments past by as he continued to search for a suitable answer. I allowed him this time, staying quiet as I watched him.

"It's impossible to say."

My mouth dropped at the incredibly dry response and I groaned, rubbing my forehead with the palm of my hand. Inhaling slowly, I glanced up at Liam. He seemed to have found that a very clever response, as he looked thoroughly pleased with himself.