Strata (WIP)

Steady

The cold air feels alien on my skin as I step out of the shower, taking in a shaky breath as my toes recoiled upon feeling the tile sucking the warmth out of them. The apocalypse wasn't easy, but a lady has standards she has to keep up to. I slide on my clothes, which are more like rags from how long I've worn them, before shaking out my short hair and fingercombing it out. After that, I grab the big pale I keep the bathwater in and hunch it over my back. With a clean body, I feel refreshed, and start the trek back home.

The great genocide of humans didn't happen like most movies and books predicted it. The nations didn't bomb themselves backwards, a rogue scientist didn't create zombies; instead something like the rapture happened. One day it was fine, the next I was struggling to find dinner for the next few days. But hey.

Being alone isn't the worst thing that can happen.

Most of my days consist of the daily grind of a primitive survivalist. Eat, look for more stuff to eat, be bored, and sleep. Of course keeping my house in shape was a good thing to keep me busy at first, but as the days dwindled, the chores did too. The threat is the same as it's always been: Boredom and humans. With the law gone, some people tried to make law, and lots of people broke it - The law of the wastes, right?

I snap out of my thoughts and come back to the world. I'm home now, and unfortunately, there's no newspaper on my porch. After going in and locking up, I start up a fire and decide to start making some tea.

I can remember when I was 12, my mom used to make me chamomile and raspberry tea. It was the best. Now I settle for whatever herbs I can find or can grow. Everything went to shit on my 13th birthday. I was in the kitchen, and suddenly I blacked out. When I came back around, the back of my head hurt and everything in my house was thrown around, including the people. From there, I ran into the woods to go cry it out, and when I came back I couldn't find anyone. Maybe they all thought I died.

In a way, I did.

My eyes flutter open, and suddenly the fire is low and my cup is almost empty. I nod to myself and decide it's time for bed.