My hair danced in the wind as fall was upon us, I had stings of regret deep in my heart but that’s what fall is for, it’s the season of change, Rachael was a Sakura tree. She stood strong and mightily with her flowers, but nothing lasts forever, sakuras lose their flowers after 10 days, cities once full of life and color from the sakuras suddenly die back down to their null, grey, concrete scenes. That smell of cherry blossoms resonated with my soul, brought me back to that day. I stared at a small florist, on the outdoor display they had cyclamens… the same flower I laid at her grave o’ so long ago. As much as I wanted to be sad, I couldn’t let sorrow burrow its way to my heart, I needed to get to work. I currently work as a librarian while I go to college for my astrophysics degree and well…. It’s a lot, especially on top of my sorrow at the whole “Rachael situation,” As I was letting out a deep sigh the sky tore itself open to reveal a shifting kaleidoscope of different shades of red, hands started to rise from the soil, people screamed bloody murder as what seemed like an apocalypse started. I ran for shelter, in my head I was repeating a mantra of ‘gotta go, gotta go, gotta go’ as I stumbled into a outdoor survival shop slamming the door behind me and running to hide in the back closet, then I realized what I should do, it’s wrong, but it’s not like the world will be magically fixed up anytime soon. I grabbed the keys and locked the door to the shop, I then headed towards the locked case knowing I needed something like a shotgun to defend myself from those zombies, I need range. I can’t risk getting bitten. I know I have to eventually go out, but for now I think I can camp out here comfortably, I still can’t believe for once I was having a moment of deep thought and reflection, only for it to get ruined by something I didn’t even think was possible. I let out a deep sigh “ok Rachel, you need to ration your food and water, suppress your urge to eat the granola bars!” I rambled to myself pointlessly. I cracked my aching knuckles in thought, staring down at my calloused hands once painted with beautiful maroon polish, I had really let myself go a bit after Rachael’s death, but I had to stay strong, now is not that time to wallow elbow deep in self pity , now is the time to suck it up and move the fuck on, we are in an apocalypse for fucks sake! I sighed, I had felt my anger bubble over for a second, I took some breaths, set my flannel on a nearby chair, and started searching for something that would expire fast and therefore not be rationable, its always a good idea to eat those first, right? I doubted my experiences considering I’ve never camped in anything other than a campsite, I could do this.
ns 15.158.61.20da2