Preparing for Leaving

After savoring the hearty meal, Emily found herself with the task of dealing with the remaining braising liquid—a treasure trove of flavors that would not be wasted. She decided to give new life to the remnants of their dinner, adding more water to the pot along with an assortment of ingredients: sea kelp for its nutritious benefits, beancurd skin for its absorbent texture, eggs for their rich protein, and lotus root for its crunchy appeal. Over low heat, these new elements simmered, embracing the rich broth and transforming it into a nourishing stew that promised to warm their souls.

The fatty meat, once a bastion of indulgent flavors, had now rendered its oils, leaving behind crispy pork rinds as a testament to its former self. Emily seasoned these rinds with a sprinkle of salt, cumin, and chili powder, creating a harmonious blend of zesty and spicy notes. The result was nothing short of divine, and it wasn't long before Little Chloe was drawn to the enticing aroma, eagerly grabbing a piece for herself and thoughtfully sharing a piece with Duke.

With the midday meal concluded and the floodwaters still stubbornly encroaching on their world, Emily and Chloe found solace in a simple activity—building with blocks. They sat cross-legged on the floor, their minds focused on constructing a tower of colorful shapes. However, they encountered a challenge that seemed insurmountable. Emily, meticulous in her approach, followed the instructions to the letter, yet the final structure remained elusive in its correctness. On the brink of surrender, Alex approached with an offer of assistance. "I've been watching you two struggle for ages. Let me try," he said, taking the reins. With his intervention, the puzzle was swiftly solved, much to Chloe's delight, who giggled and covered her mouth with glee. Emily, too, couldn't help but laugh and praised Chloe, "You're so smart, Chloe! You figured out the puzzle that stumped even me."

The afternoon brought a new proposition from David and Elizabeth, who were keen on assessing the state of the world beyond their confines. They wished to determine if the floodwaters had receded, and after a brief exchange of thoughts, the family reached a consensus to venture out. Gathering in the living room, they peered through the window to witness the rain's retreat and the waters' gradual descent. Yet, this small victory was tempered by the sight of zombies roaming in small clusters, a grim reminder of the world's lingering perils.

Their reconnaissance was interrupted by the disconcerting sound of someone attempting to breach their security. The lockpick's telltale scrape was a brazen challenge to their sanctuary. Emily and Alex, well-versed in the art of defense, exchanged a knowing glance and retrieved their long knives. They activated their abilities, scanning the area to identify a group of a dozen individuals. "Mom, Dad, take Chloe to the bedroom," Emily instructed, her voice steady and firm. The door groaned open to reveal the intruders, who were met with the unexpected sight of the homeowners, ready and waiting. Overconfidence gleamed in the eyes of the trespassers as they threatened, "Hand over all your food, or we'll kill you all."

The apocalypse had cast its dark shadow over the world, heralding a grim new reality where societal norms and order had crumbled. Violence had become the norm, a desensitizing force that swept through the remnants of humanity, turning once-peaceful individuals into either victims or perpetrators. Looting and killing were now mere transactions in this harsh existence.

For David and Elizabeth, the brutality was a new and unsettling experience, one that tested their fortitude. Emily, ever vigilant and protective, was concerned about how her parents would handle the raw exposure to such chaos. She proposed they retreat indoors for safety, but her father's stubbornness was as solid as his love for his family. He was adamant about standing his ground, a sentinel against the tide of malevolence.

Emily, respecting his resolve but also prioritizing safety, handed David a weapon and implored him to guard the threshold of their home. As she returned her gaze to the intruders, her eyes were steeled with determination. "I am not one to seek out conflict, but I will not tolerate being a victim. You have tested our patience too many times. Do not push me to a point of no return," she warned, her voice echoing with a chilling finality. With those words, she brandished her long knife, its arc slicing through the air and meeting flesh with a scream that resonated through the hallway.

Alex, never one to shy away from defending his kin, leaped into the fray, his movements a dance of calculated strikes. The intruders, initially emboldened by their numbers, were now gripped by fear, their attempts to flee hampered by the confines of the narrow corridor. Panic turned to trampling chaos, with some falling and not rising again. Amidst the turmoil, Duke, their loyal canine guardian, spotted an opportunistic intruder attempting to flank Emily. With a fierce lunge, he brought the would-be assailant to the ground, his growls a warning to others.

The siblings, after neutralizing the threat, closed the door on the grim tableau, their home once more a sanctuary against the outside world. They set about the grim task of tidying up, their faces set in stern determination. When they called their parents out, Emily spoke, her words measured and thoughtful, "Our home has become a target, a beacon for those who would steal from us. The constant threat is draining. Now that the floodwaters have receded, it's time to consider a change of scenery. Royal Harbor could offer us better prospects. Travel will be more feasible now, before the zombies evolve further and the world becomes an even more perilous place."

The family, after a brief discussion, concurred with Emily's proposal. They embarked on the meticulous process of packing their belongings, each item carefully chosen and placed into their spatial storage device. The plan was to depart at the break of dawn, with the hope that the early hour would offer them the cover of darkness and a quieter start to their journey.

Elizabeth, ever the pillar of their family's sustenance, busied herself with the preparation of food for the impending voyage. She crafted dumplings, steamed buns, and prepared deep-fried meats, all designed to be easily portable and to offer sustenance without the need for immediate cooking. These provisions would be their lifeline on the road, ensuring that they could press on without delay.

Emily delved into the spatial storage device, retrieving the essential ingredients for their journey's provisions: eggs, flour, yeast, and a fine cut of pork loin. The kitchen was soon abuzz with activity, each family member contributing their part to the preparation. Alex's knife skills were on full display as he minced the meat into a fine filling. David, with his experienced hands, mixed the dough to a perfect consistency. Elizabeth's adept touch rolled out the dough into thin, even sheets, while Emily took on the role of a patient teacher, guiding Chloe through the delicate art of wrapping dumplings and buns. They moved with purpose, a well-oiled machine of domestic industry.

As the dough rose to a fluffy texture and the buns and dumplings steamed to perfection, the mouthwatering aroma filled the air, signaling the start of the next phase: frying the seasoned pieces of pork. The sizzle of oil and the golden-brown crusts promised a feast that would sustain them on their travels.

However, the harmony of their kitchen was abruptly shattered by the chilling screams that pierced the air from downstairs. Emily and the others rushed to the balcony, their hearts pounding in unison with the cries for help that echoed below.

A group of people, driven by the same desperate need to escape the city's ruins after the flood, had made the fateful decision to venture out. But their hopes were quickly dashed as the hungry zombies, alerted by the noise, zeroed in on the unsuspecting prey. A middle-aged man's voice rose above the chaos, his pleas turning to screams of terror. "Get away from me! Get away!" he yelled, his voice cracking with despair. His cries, intended to deter the undead, had the opposite effect, drawing more zombies to him like a macabre magnet.

In a frantic monologue, the man questioned his tormentors, "Why? Why are you chasing me? There are other people over there. Why are you only chasing me?" The individuals he pointed out, in a futile attempt to divert the threat, immediately sought cover, their self-preservation overriding any sense of compassion. The zombies, unyielding in their pursuit, cared not for the man's pleas or the silent accusations of his would-be rescuers.

Exhausted and overwhelmed, the man's fate was sealed as the zombies closed in, a gruesome scene that unfolded with horrifying swiftness. His transformation, from a desperate victim to a lifeless, white-eyed member of the undead, was a stark reminder of the world's new order.

Emily and Alex, though hardened by the harsh realities they had witnessed, could not help but feel a pang of sorrow. David, never before exposed to such raw brutality, stood rooted to the spot, his mind reeling from the shock. Elizabeth, unable to process the horror, fled to the bathroom, her body heaving with the force of her revulsion.