Normal Day (N)

[A/N: I'm surprised that so many people are reading, but I'm disappointed that they didn't comment on the prologue. It seems like we have people who couldn't fight any zombies. In my case, I think 10 zombies in an open space is my limit, and in closed spaces 3 is the maximum.]

Saturday, October 31, 2026.

The sun's rays filtered through the window, teasing me mercilessly as I tried to sleep. I tried to roll over in bed to avoid waking up, but the approach of summer made the morning temperature impossible to stay under the covers, especially with the sunlight hitting my head directly.

With a monumental effort, I finally managed to get up from my shelter. I walked to the bathroom, ready to start the day's routine, and my only consolation was that, fortunately, it was not a workday.

After washing up, I headed to the kitchen to prepare a hearty and nutritious breakfast. I deserved it, after a grueling week filled with endless travel. However, when I opened the fridge, I was met with an unpleasant surprise: it was practically empty. I could not believe my eyes; it was like being in one of those TV shows where they play with people's desperation, and unfortunately, today I was the unfortunate protagonist, although without cameras.

Resigned and somewhat discouraged, I got dressed as quickly as I could, determined to find some street food stand that could fill my stomach with whatever I had on hand.

Fifteen minutes later.

I can't believe my luck today; first, I have nothing to make breakfast, and then, I can't find any street stalls to eat something. This must be, without a doubt, the worst day I've had in a long time.

I continued walking on an empty stomach, constantly complaining about the lack of food. The streets were strangely silent, there didn't seem to be a single person in sight, although in the distance I could hear cars passing incessantly along the main avenues.

That feeling of hunger combined with the loneliness reminded me of something; it was a haunting déjà vu. Where had I experienced a similar situation? Perhaps in a movie?

[A/N: Have you ever had that feeling of being somewhere you've never been, but it still seems familiar?]

I felt I knew that anxiety. However, I am not someone who usually remains isolated from others, much less enjoys solitude. Regardless, that feeling lingered within me.

After a few minutes, I finally found an arepas stand. I approached with an expression of hunger anxiety so evident that even the vendor looked alarmed, convinced that I might be some kind of thief or something.

I asked the vendor for six arepas: four meat ones with different fillings and two vegetarian ones, plentiful and filled with everything I had on hand. In addition, I could not miss a soft drink, of course, a Coca-Cola. As I placed the order and paid in advance, I noticed how the salesman relaxed, leaving behind any worries he might have had about me. He looked quite pleased with the opulent purchase I had made for him.

I spent half an hour enjoying my meal in front of the stall, sitting in a chair he kindly provided. It was the best time I have had in a long time. The arepas were delicious, maybe I went a little overboard on the quantity, because I ended up ordering two more sodas.

Once I finished eating, I decided to do some shopping to avoid being in the same situation again, at least until I forgot to do it. When I got home, I tidied up all the food in its place, leaving nothing out of place. Not that I'm OCD, but no one likes to leave things out of order or lie around. Every item has its place.

After organizing everything, I finally granted myself a moment of rest. I found myself staring into the void, lost in thought. No doubt my morning commute and desperation from hunger had left me exhausted.

With the free time I had and no idea how to do anything productive, I decided to look for something to watch on TV or try to find a movie or series among the wide range of streaming platforms. However, I found nothing new on TV, and the news, frankly, was nobody's cup of tea lately. It's clear that they are becoming increasingly polarized. Although it's not as if they weren't before, now even the most uninformed person realizes that each program favors the ideology that suits them best. Even when reporting disasters, they often highlight the contributions of their own line of thinking and downplay or ignore those of those who think differently.

At least they are transparent. Or so I hope.

Resuming my search for content, I opted for a program that I tend to like, and that many also like apocalypse series. My God, is there any other type of subject matter that compares to it? Maybe my opinion is biased towards other genres, but I'm convinced: no one will change my mind. And whoever doesn't enjoy it, let them make do.

In reviewing the various series available, I came up with three possible candidates.

First, let's talk about the awesome series The Walking Dead. It's an exceptional production that really leaves nothing to be desired, especially in its first seasons. However, I must admit that I don't remember watching the later ones, so I can't judge the ending, which I'm not even sure I witnessed. Still, I have the option of watching the original series or exploring one of the spin-offs, and if I decided to opt for one, I would choose Fear the Walking Dead, which certainly lives up to the original series.

[A/N: Oh my god, what a great series. Unfortunately I haven't played the games yet, should I?]

Secondly, I might watch The Last of Us. It's a fantastic series that just remembering it makes me want to watch it again. However, there's also an urge to play video games, but unfortunately, I sold my console and games. I could play them on my PC, but it doesn't feel the same.

Lastly, I would love to see "All of Us Are Dead." I'll see it soon; maybe not now, but it's definitely on my to-watch list.

Without much thought, I chose to watch "The Walking Dead," and the nostalgia immediately overwhelmed me. The first scene is already shocking; I may not feel the same as when I first saw it, but the fact that I haven't seen it in so long also made me feel nostalgic.

As I progressed through the first chapter, the feeling of déjà vu began to creep up on me. It bothered me a bit, actually. It was as if I knew something, but I couldn't remember where I had seen it or why I knew it. As I came to the scene at the police station, I felt a flash of realization. I think I know where I saw it from, though I have little memory of it.

I struggled to remember and finally managed to figure out what was triggering this déjà vu: it's some dreams I've been having lately. I can't remember when they started, but as I realize it, I see them recurring more and more. I remember that lately, every time I woke up, I felt quite tired, and now I understand why.

Now that I can partially recall those dreams, I realize that they are quite immersive. I even came to think, after waking up, that I was participating in a simulation game or living in another universe. But, of course, I got carried away with my excessive attachment to Marvel and its multiverse. I didn't seem to feel what was happening in the dream; I was just a mere spectator, albeit in the first person, which made me feel like a prisoner remembering it.

Maybe I should take a break, after all. I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind and concentrate on the chapters to come. However, every time Rick made some decision, something inside me wanted to criticize him or suggest a better option for many of the things he did.

Why did he think I could do better, or did he think I knew his situation well enough to advise him? Clearly, working so hard is driving me crazy, or at least that's what I wanted to believe so I wouldn't have to go back to work.

Two hours later.

"My God, Rick, how could you think that was the right thing to do? I know it's only been a short time since he came out of his coma, but they've already explained to him how the situation is since it all started, haven't they?", I thought.

This déjà vu, coupled with the certainty that Rick knew what he was up against, led me to argue out loud, as if complaining to the TV could fix things, or change what I felt he was doing wrong.

By the end of the first season, I realized I had spent hours debating every decision the characters made, and yet I hadn't prepared anything for lunch. It was not my day.

I turned off the TV and set about cooking something quick. Today's menu would be noodles with hamburgers, albeit only an inexpensive one.

As time passed, as I had my plate in front of me, I looked at that dubious looking burger and couldn't help but remember the sublime taste of a triple burger. Every time I see some fast-food ingredient; I am assaulted by the memory of the combos offered by the various franchises.

It feels like I haven't had anything from McDonald's in months, when in fact, I stopped by for lunch last Thursday. I'm not a fast-food regular, though I confess to visiting at least once a week.

Am I becoming addicted to fast food? Or is it normal that I crave it every time I see an ad?

Finishing my plate, I thought about starting the second season of TWD, but after considering what had happened before and fearing being stuck on the couch for hours, I opted to kick back and spend the afternoon, or what was left of it, listening to music.

In the evening, reclining in bed, I began to go over the events of the day. Not that anything momentous had happened, but the déjà vu and the closeness I felt to Rick's situation left me quite bewildered.

I know I should push those thoughts out of my mind, but with each moment I felt more tired and eager for sleep, the idea that tonight's dream might help me clear my thoughts became tempting.

Have I been dreaming about an apocalypse?

I don't entirely dislike the idea, but the fact that I've supposedly been dreaming about it repeatedly over the past few days has made me worried about my mental health.

Am I going crazy, perhaps? Or am I just being paranoid?

[A/N: What is the first thing you would do if you found out that the world was going to end?]