Aphmau's POV:

The bricks crumbled down from the building, causing everyone to step away. After our heart rates were down, we all continued on. It was normal. Colorado Springs used to be such a beautiful place, now, it's dead. The beautiful green leaves seemed to all die off, never to return. The warm air was forever cold and the streams and rivers were dry. The city was falling apart...or already did in this case. The population has dropped dramatically, causing the place to become quiet. Only a few groups roamed here.

Our group was lead by my close friend Katelyn. From Athens, Georgia she is strong, brave, and loyal. I see her as a sister, since I've never had one before.

The rest of us, we all have our place.

Laurance Zvahl. Miami, Florida. Second in command. A smart, generous soul but, won't hesitate to shoot someone who threatens us.

Travis Valkrum. Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Battle strategists. Intelligent yet...outgoing. He negotiates trade as well, mainly sneaking around corners to do it.

Nana. She likes to go by KC though, being her past wasn't...great. Being raised in Washington DC when the incidents happened, I cannot imagine the pain she went through. But, from that, she grew to be courageous and caring. She's our nurse.

Me. Aphmau. I was raised not to far from here. Denver, Colorado. Simple life. I'm considered the...clever one. How? I don't know. I'm the spy.

With all of us, we make one strong family together. That's how it all works. We care for each other but, if we lose one, we don't mourn. We move on. Knowing it's for the best. We already lost one since I've join. Dante. I didn't really get to know him but, I heard he was kind and always looked for the best in situations. The light, I guess. Laurance I think had the hardest time moving on but, he kept a strong face.
He was killed by a gunfire by his own brother.
I growled just thinking about their petty group. I heard so much about them. Their leader, Aaron with Ivy, Zenix, and Gene. Each one betrayed us, believing we wouldn't make it.

The hardest part about all of this, we have seen our world turn upside down. After the second nuclear war, the human race didn't have anywhere to hide with the toxic fumes. They put the children in various bases, mine here in Colorado Springs, until we knew it was safe. After we all came out of our hiding, we found everything in shambles. All of our parents were gone. Either from battles or bombs that took away the children as well. Only a few places in the world weren't horribly damaged. Millions died, leaving only a few camps. Me? I was left alone. My parents set off to help build a better place but, they never came back. At the young age of twelve, I did everything myself. Now being the age of twenty-three, I only met my new family two years ago.

Am I glad I did.

"Let's set up camp in there," Katelyn directed, pointing to a large building that looked to be an old brewery. "Tomorrow, we set course back to Denver again."

"Why are we going back there again," Travis whined. "Aphmau clearly doesn't want to and we were far away, in a safe place. What was wrong with Texas!? Texas was a fine!"

"Texas was a war zone," Laurance scolded. "Dante is gone because, we stayed there too long. I'm sure if he could tell us one thing, he would want us to leave."

"Yes but-"

"Stop it. We just need to set up camp," Katelyn interrupted. "We'll discuss this later."

We all agreed and went forward. We burst into the doors to see nothing, as usual. Except a few beer bottles on the floor. The sign read;

Red Leg Brewing Company

The old bar was still there, with menus hanging on the walls. The idea of French fries and burgers sounded so good at that moment of time. It made my mouth water. But, I focused at the task. Surviving.

We set down our weapons and equipment near our testing place. KC started to lay down our sleeping bags, making sure to fluff our pillows.

"Laurance, I need you to scope the perimeter. We don't know what's out there," Katelyn said. "Travis, go with him."

They nodded and headed out.

"Aphmau, I need to collect some thing around town. Such as food and materials that are useful. I need you to keep watch. Can you do that?"

I agreed and she grabbed her gun and headed out. I decided to just stay by our equipment, knowing it was important. KC finished up setting up everything and smiled.

"Aphmau~Senpai, what do you think?"

"It looks great..."

"Aphmau~Senpai? What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing!"

"Kawaii~Chan knows when a friend of her's is upset. Aphmau~Senpai can't hide it."

I sighed and looked up to see that there was no ceiling above us. You couldn't see a blue sky or stars. Just grey clouds that never seem to rain.

"Colorado used to be home...after the war, it was taken away from me," I say, rubbing my arms. "Colorado Springs was a huge target for reasons...I shouldn't be alive, yet I am."

"How do you think Kawaii~Chan feels?"

"I know...it's just coming back here has been a real struggle for me. I thought I was finally free from here but, now..."

"Aphmau~Senpai should be happy! Home is home! She can probably get a good goodbye."

I smiled.

"Why are we going to Denver?"

"Apparently, Katelyn~Senpai said there are important documents about the war there," KC explains. "She hopes to get some answers from it."

"I see...when did she find all this out," I asked.

"Remember when Katelyn~Sama told Aphmau~Senpai to retrieve Aaron~Kun's bag? Well, she got the information from there."

"Hmm...."

"Is Aphmau~Senpai going to be alright?"

"Y-Yeah...I just want my home back."

"We all do." (A/N: How do you put a group in third Person?XD)

"We seem to be good," Laurance announces, coming back with Travis in toe. "Colorado Springs seems to be almost completely abandoned."

"Almost," KC asked.

"Just a few rebel tribes. Nothing to worry," Travis said.

"Great," I say.

Moments later, Katelyn returns with nothing but, some berries in a plastic bag.

"There's nothing here besides some tribes," She told us, again. "I was able to get these for nothing."

"How," Travis asked.

"I guess the lady took pity on me," She shrugged.

Who wouldn't? Katelyn, from a bullets and knifes, has various scars all over her. Her blue hair was pulled back tightly and her blue eyes always seemed cold.

"Let's just rest. We all have a long day tomorrow."

Word Count
1156
I'm so excited to write this book! I have so many ideas and I actually did something called, you ready?

Research! Isn't it great? I decided to pick Colorado for the main reality setting because, it actually (supposedly) ties to the government and stuff like that. Also, it's beautiful there!<3 I had a fun road trip with my family through it and stopped many times and it was amazing!