Chapter 6 (There's absolutely nothing in Nebraska)

Chapter 6: There's Absolutely Nothing in Nebraska

Ethan Warren

May 2023

One year after outbreak

Nebraska

Season 2

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I think it's May now—early May at that. But I can never tell anymore. None of us really can. The air always smells the same, like death. It's been like this for months, ever since the outbreak started. The world has changed so much, and it feels like there's no going back.

We got to Nebraska yesterday. There are a lot of dead people in the empty fields. But there's no food, and there's no water. There is nothing here. Nothing useful, anyway.

Juna wouldn't stop crying; she's hungry just like the rest of us. She's getting bigger now, but not much because she's always hungry. She's already a little over a month old. It's sad that we'll never know her exact birthday, but birthdays don't matter anymore. The concept of time itself feels irrelevant now, as our focus has shifted solely towards survival.

Our car broke down a few hours after we entered the new state. Now we had to walk. The hot spring air was glued to our backs. We all tried to wear as little clothing as possible, but we wore enough to at least try not to get skin cancer from the harsh, burning rays. The journey became even more challenging as we navigated through unfamiliar terrain, constantly on the lookout for any signs of civilization. Each step felt heavier than the last, but our determination to protect ourselves and our little one kept us going.

We were going to die soon if we didn't get something to drink. I had no words to say when Rudi told me he saw Aiden drink his own piss. Desperation started to set in as we realized the severity of our situation. We knew we had to find water soon, or our chances of survival would diminish rapidly. The image of Aiden resorting to such extreme measures served as a stark reminder of just how dire our circumstances had become.

How did we get here? How did we not see that horde before it was too late? How was I going to be able to keep everyone alive if too many of our people were dead?

We found a souvenir shop after we had walked a few miles. There were a few cars in the parking lot. Khai took care of finding one that was able to drive. It really sucked that there were no vans; now we'd all have to be crowded in a hot old car with no air conditioning because whoever had this car last was apparently a psychopath.

Dallen, Edin, and Aiden found some water and snacks in the shop. We were exhausted and dehydrated from the long walk, so even a small supply of water and snacks felt like a lifesaver. We quickly devoured whatever we could find, grateful for any sustenance we could get our hands on.

Rudi gave Juna a very small amount of the water. Juna's condition was critical, and we were desperate to keep her hydrated without risking her life. Rudi carefully measured out the water, ensuring it was just enough to sustain her without causing harm.

We had some food and a little water, too. But I needed to help keep that baby alive; we had to find more. Maybe I was greedy, maybe I was desperate. Maybe I was just too narcissistic to let myself die. As I scoured the barren landscape, my mind raced with thoughts of survival. Every step I took was driven by the primal instinct to find more sustenance for Juna and the others. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders, reminding me that in this unforgiving world, self-preservation was not a luxury I could afford.