The Fallen

I’ve lived in the city for a decade, long before the pandemic took everything from us, but I need a rural property with room for vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and space to invite others to join—if I can find more people like me who still believe in old-world values in a new world where there are no systems or rules.

The problem? Haruto’s unwell and unfit for travel, and it’s too dangerous to spend long stretches of time outside. It’s not just the dead with their vacant eyes and hungry mouths that I need to worry about. It’s other humans, too. There’s a gang roaming the city; they’re violent and unpredictable, and I’ve never seen women with them. They intimidate me enough that I try to make myself invisible every time I leave the safety of my apartment.

There’s another man lurking around, too. He’s been staying in the building opposite mine, and I’ve spent the past week tracking his movements. Although I’ve kept my distance from him so far, just being around him makes me feel safer outside and less lonely.

It’s risky approaching other humans now, but Haruto isn’t getting any better, and soon enough I’ll be alone—completely alone for the first time in my life.

And I’m reaching the point now where desperation is pushing me to risk it all and bear the consequences.