Storm Day

As the first rays of dawn filtered through the frosted windows of the bank, the four survivors stirred from their slumber. Peering outside, they were greeted by the sight of swirling snowflakes and howling winds - a blizzard had descended upon their city overnight.

Despite the storm raging outside, the interior of the bank-turned-safehouse remained relatively warm, thanks to the crackling fire they had tended to before bed. With a collective sigh, they added a few more logs to the flames, ensuring that the comforting heat would last throughout the day.

Sipping on mugs of steaming hot tea, they gathered around the fire, the flickering flames casting dancing shadows across the walls. Dusty suggested they spend the day indoors, avoiding the treacherous conditions outside - a decision that was met with unanimous agreement.

William added to the discussion, "We worked hard for the last few weeks to make sure we were well prepared. That was so that on days like this we knew that we would not have to head outside to search for food or warmth."

Samantha looked at the others, "Ya, if it stays like this for a week, we can just stay inside and wait out the storm."

As Dusty looked over to Sarah, he could see the concern in her eyes. Three days, was all she could go and then she would have to eat flesh again. Sensing her concern Dusty spoke up, "Don't worry, we will be back out there in the next day or two exploring new parts of the city."

Sarah smiled at him, appreciating his effort to reassure her of the situation.

With the blizzard raging outside, the Dusty, Sarah, William and Samantha settled into their makeshift living room, surrounded by stacks of old furniture salvaged from the bank. As the snow continued to fall relentlessly, they found solace in the warmth of the fire and each other's company.

Over the course of the day, they took turns sharing stories from their past—tales of childhood adventures, memorable moments from school, and cherished memories of days gone by. Laughter and nostalgia filled the air as they reminisced about simpler times, finding comfort in the familiarity of shared experiences. They even took turns sharing stories to see who could tell the most unbelievable true story. With no way to confirm the stories were real no one was declared the winner of that one.

Samantha recalled the thrill of playing hide-and-seek with her siblings on summer evenings, while William shared fond memories of fishing trips with his father. Dusty recounted humorous anecdotes from his high school days, eliciting laughter from his companions, while Sarah listened intently, her own memories of a bygone era stirring within her.

As the day wore on, the group set about preparing their meals, taking turns in the makeshift kitchen they had set up near the fire. With limited supplies, they improvised with what they had, creating simple yet hearty dishes to sustain them through the long day indoors.

For breakfast, they cooked up a warm and satisfying meal of oatmeal with dried fruits and nuts, accompanied by freshly brewed coffee to ward off the chill. For lunch, they enjoyed hearty vegetable soup made from canned goods they had scavenged from nearby stores, served with thick slices of crusty bread.

As evening approached, they gathered once more around the fire to enjoy a comforting dinner of roasted vegetables and canned beans, seasoned with herbs and spices for flavor. Despite the limited ingredients, the meal was a testament to their resourcefulness and resilience in the face of adversity.

With bellies full and spirits high, the four survivors turned their attention to entertainment, eager to pass the time until the storm subsided. Dusty suggested playing a game of cards, and soon they were engaged in a friendly competition of poker, the sound of shuffling cards and friendly banter filling the air.

As the afternoon wore on, they switched to board games, delving into a treasure trove of old favorites they had found tucked away in the stores they had visited over the past few weeks. From Monopoly to Scrabble, they immersed themselves in the world of make-believe, temporarily forgetting the harsh reality of their surroundings. When they gathered the games it had led to the discussion of whether or not they were really survival items, but on a day like this it became clear the value they gave in terms of maintaining their mental health.

In between games, they took breaks to read aloud from books they had salvaged from abandoned libraries, losing themselves in tales of adventure and romance. The hours flew by in a blur of laughter and camaraderie, the storm raging outside forgotten in the warmth of their shared bond.

As evening fell and the fire burned low, the four survivors found themselves lost in thought, reflecting on the events that had brought them together and the challenges they had faced along the way. They discussed their hopes and fears for the future, sharing their dreams of finding a place to call home amidst the chaos of the apocalypse.

They spoke of their gratitude for each other's company and the strength they drew from their friendship, knowing that together they could weather any storm. They discussed plans for the days ahead, strategizing their next moves and reaffirming their commitment to supporting one another through thick and thin.

As they sat together in the flickering firelight, the bond between them stronger than ever, they found solace in the knowledge that no matter what trials lay ahead, they would face them together, as a united front against the darkness that threatened to consume their world.

As the fire dwindled to embers and exhaustion began to weigh heavy on their eyelids, the four survivors prepared to retire for the night. They rebuilt the first so the last of the flames were not lost, leaving the flickering flames of the fire along with the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the frost-covered windows to illuminate their surroundings. Even though they had not left the building, Dusty did his rounds checking that everything was secure before heading off to bed.

With weary but contented smiles, they bid each other goodnight, retreating to their makeshift beds located in the offices at the back of the bank. Wrapped in blankets and surrounded by the warmth of their companions, they drifted off to sleep, secure in the knowledge that they were not alone - that together, they could face whatever challenges the future held.