Milo

The tech companies were looking out for us when they thought to shrink down battery packs powered by solar power. I might not have wi-fi or service anymore, but at least I'd downloaded enough music to my phone to keep me entertained for some time. At least, until my taste in music changed. Or, my phone stopped working. Let's all hope those days never arrived.

I nodded my head along to the music playing through the earphones plugged into my phone. No wireless, either. It was a bother keeping track of the wire when I needed to use both my arms. I was constantly moving around, scavenging through whatever I could get my hands on. But, it was worth it to keep my mind focused. Without the music, my mind was running faster than I could keep up with.

Most of the possible scores I came by were empty. The houses along the backroads were nothing to look twice at before the world ended, and there wasn't a point in putting my neck on the line digging through used syringes and broken bottles. I scowled at the grass overgrown around rusted cars and rotten carports.

The journey would be worth it, though. My destination was the school. I'd overheard through the passing of a trading camp that there were still a few good scores to be picked over. Maybe no one had made the journey yet. I'd also heard in the same breath that there was a herd of Blares and Turned migrating nearby, and it was a risk many weren't willing to take.

Not in a group, I thought. But when you can get in and out, it's easy to pick through.

My thoughts were shaken when I heard the rattling of an old truck drawing near. I pulled my earphones off, debating on hiding behind the nearest tree, but the truck was moving away. Toward the school.

"Shit," I cursed. "They're either going to get to the supplies, or wake up the herd if it's nearby."

In that moment, I knew I needed to make a decision. I had to risk what was waiting for me at the school. My luck hadn't exactly been favorable, lately, and I needed whatever I could get my hands on. I wasn't going to let a couple idiots ruin it for me. Putting my headphones back on, I took off sprinting down the road toward the school.

 A memory flashed through my mind as I navigated the roads with the recall of someone who had run through them every morning before school even started. Unlike before, I didn't have the encouragement of the soccer team behind me, pushing me, supporting me with every turn and step. I was alone. The ghostly images of my teammates faded into the distance, their footsteps disappearing into the steady drumbeats thrumming in my ears.

I inhaled deeply, steadying my breaths along with my stride. I'd be out of breath before I even reached the school. My stamina wasn't as good as it was since the end of the world, but everyone always said your high school days would be your best. I just never thought it would be cut so short.

Rounding the last corner, the school came into view. Stopped among the other vehicles, I saw an old truck I only assumed was the one I heard. There were two people standing outside of it, moving closer to the school and another person, a girl, I could barely make out. Beyond them, I could hear the unmistakable sounds of Blares and the Turned.

"Shit," I echoed my earlier words.