Like Theres No Tomorrow

The date is September 22nd 2021 exactly 365 days since the second wave of the coronavirus. No scientists could have predicted the effects that have occurred. The virus had mutated to kill within the first two seconds of contracting it. People were dropping dead in the streets left and right. I was living with my parents in Miami at the time. We were trying to escape it, but my parents were not as lucky as I was. They passed away Christmas Eve and I thought that it was my last day as well, but apparently I had immunity. No one ever prepares you for the psychological torture that never being able to talk to another human brings. You forget what your own voice sounds like. The thoughts were overwhelming for that first month alone. 

After everyone was gone all of their pets were left behind. Dogs and cats ran rampant in the streets and wildlife diminished as competition increased. Every week I took my trip from the family home out to the grocery store. Last sunday I had seen a poor shaggy grey and white dog laying near the road. He seemed to be struggling and as I was looking over at him we made eye contact. The puppy found safety in my presence and trotted over to my side. He followed me around everywhere I went only parting ways to relieve himself. I decided to name him Storm. I have to admit that having another mouth to feed is not exactly easy but it pays to have a companion. He sleeps cuddled next to me in our warm sheets and will not leave my side the entire night. Every day Storm and I make rounds looking for other survivors. So far we have been to every neighborhood within five miles of our home. Yesterday I decided that we need to make a further, and possibly, permanent move. Storm and I are making our way up North to Connecticut.

The sunrise this morning was the best one we have seen yet. The first color to come into the sky was a rich red followed by an opaque orange. The clouds lit up and danced within the glow making way for the sun to brighten the Earth. I knew something special was coming to Storm and I. We packed up the remainder of our clothes and supplies. I got Storm settled in the car and we headed on our way. The first fifty miles were super smooth driving we hadn’t come across really any cars on the road just the occasional one by itself. The first stop we made was in Crystal River. I had always wanted to see these waters and with no other tourists it was the perfect place to cool down. The summer came to an end but the heat still remains in the southern half of the united states. I threw on a bathing suit and jumped right in. Storm swiftly followed and we played until there was a shadow to the right of us. We both froze hoping it was not an alligator. Luckily it was a friendly manatee. He was a curious being who nudged me and tried to play with Storm. We stayed in the water for another hour or two before drying off for lunch. There were picnic tables along the river so we sat and watched the manatees mosy on by. Quarter past noon we were back on the road heading to Georgia.

The night cooled off as soon as we crossed the border into the Peach State. I pulled off the interstate and made my way into the small neighborhoods. The houses were spaced acres apart with small shrub fences dividing their lawns. I started getting sleepy as we drove looking for the best house to stay in. As we passed this one mansion there was a flash of light. Did I see that right? I put the car in reverse and gassed it. Sure enough the front porch light was on and there was a car with no dust on it in the driveway. Could it be another survivor? I made sure to turn off my headlights and park on the road. I grabbed Storm’s leash and we walked up to the lit porch. Just in case I had a weapon in my back pocket. Though the fear was overwhelming, I reached my hand up to knock on the door but before I had a chance, a gorgeous brunette woman opened it. Storm jumped up onto her wagging his tail frantically. We locked eyes and my jaw was on the floor. I brought myself back down to Earth and managed to state, “Hi my name is Ella and this is Storm we’re survivors from the Miami area” The woman looked us up and down and said, “I’m Rosie, how can I help you?” 

After a long night of explaining our situation Rosie agreed to let us stay with her. She had zero reaction to the fact she was seeing another person. Are there other survivors? I settled into one of the guest rooms with Storm and we slept instantly. I woke up to my door creaking open and kept my eyes closed for fear of what it could be. I felt Storm get up and heard the thumping of his tail in the air. I heard Rosie’s voice comforting him and saying to quiet down. Suddenly my hair was being pushed away from my face and cupped behind my ear. Rosie whispered compliments in between soft singing of love songs. I slowly opened my eyes as if I had just woken up. She started to apologize for being in the room but I only insisted that she stay. With a few moments of silent tension she started to lean in. We connected in an explosion of passion and lust. The kiss was magical and felt like it went on forever. 

A month later Rosie and I were still going strong and now had taken in five other dogs in the mansion. We lived happily together and had zero issues. One night while I was sleeping though

there was a door slam. I looked out the front window which faced the driveway and spotted Rosie getting in her car and leaving. I ran out of the house and hopped in to follow her. We went 45 minutes before pulling into the parking lot of the mall. This could just be a normal supply run for all I know. But interestingly enough there were other cars that looked well taken care of. I followed at least 20 feet behind Rosie as she entered the front. We walked up and into the food court where there were 30 or so tents. The lights were on and the smell of food filled the air. The people welcomed Rosie in with open arms as she explained where she had been for the past month. She mentioned that she would no longer be coming to see them and that she was staying where her heart was and that was the mansion with me. I couldn’t bring myself to step out from behind the wall and become the face that made Rosie leave this group. Though there were other survivors, Rosie was my new home. So I acted as if nothing happened to protect our family.

For the next three months we lived as if there was no tomorrow and it was a good thing we did. The last thing I remember was holding Rosies hand as the house came crumbling down around us and after that...nothing.