Hand Soap

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

After the pandemic began to slowly conquer the world forty-three years ago, life had changed drastically for those who survived the first wave. Adjusting as quickly as possible, the inhabitants of the planet were forced to cut off most forms of long-distance communication such as phones and computers, tablets and televisions. Even letters were hastily banned, as the virus spread through what seemed like everything. Everything except for the radio. So, with whatever was left of their shattered hope, the survivors gathered themselves and rebuilt society as we knew it.

They separated themselves into three main groups: the "Dreamers", the "Shielders", and the "Hearts". The Dreamers were constantly searching for a solution, for a vaccine, for a cure against the diseased, for a better form of communication, for whatever could help them improve the current situation. The Shielders were just what the name suggested: they focused on protecting those who were still living by providing them with basic necessities such as food, medical attention, and shelter. They were constantly being tested for symptoms, and although the Shielder population was rapidly decreasing, more and more Hearts were stepping up to take their place. Lastly, the Hearts. Although they might seem to be ordinary people from the outside, they were perhaps the most courageous of all the survivors. Every time a new vaccine or cure was thought to be found, it would be tested on the Hearts. Every time the food supplies would run out, the Hearts would take whatever food they had salvaged from their meager supply and add it to the stock until crops were grown. Every day, all of the three groups risked their lives to survive. Yet there was a fourth group.

The fourth group. The "Jokers". Each of these was a sort of outsider, a survivor that didn't fit the guidelines for any particular group. They survived for unknown reasons, as everything they did seemed to go against what the pandemic has taught them. Hence, the Jokers. The Jokers were perhaps the most powerful group, and, even though the other three would rather die than admit it, everyone relied on the Jokers. Everyone.

Now, back to the story. Armok sped up his pace as he raced through the streets, going over the items he brought with him in his mind.

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

The sun was setting and it was setting quickly. Since Armok was still in his teenage years, and, hence, the ultimate master procrastinator, he made the very logical decision of avoiding the shopping list, resulting in him sprinting to the base with a flimsy bag of food. Technically, nothing bad would happen to Armok if he stayed out past curfew, but then again, curfew WAS curfew for a reason. He didn't want to have to explain himself to the Shielders if he could help it. They would go through the basic drill with him, leaving him exhausted and even more late than he was prior to his encounter. So, it is for this reason that when he saw an alleyway in between two "government" buildings(the government collapsed after year twenty-one), he didn't hesitate to change his route. A shortcut was a shortcut, and besides, Armok knew his way around the city.

"You're late." The only words that would ever come out of his supervisor's mouth. Either that or the young female would remain silent, staring at him coldly while he went about his day.

"I know, I was going as fast as I cou-"

"You're. Late." That shut the boy up. "Do you not know the dangers of staying out past curfew? Were you not informed of why the shopping is not to be put off? Have you learned nothing at all?"

The boy bowed his head in visible shame. He did, indeed, know about the Shielders, and the virus spreading there, where daylight was no more, and about the food shortage. He knew all of it. He knew he got lucky. He knew he should've been dead long ago, what with his behavior and all. He knew. Yet all he could do in the moment was shiver in terror, and slowly extend the hand containing the items:

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

"Go put this all away. You're excused for the night. Don't bother showing up tomorrow. Feel free to skip breakfast too." Nodding, Armok waited for the supervisor to leave before sullenly putting the items away.

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

Should he even bother? Maybe if he could save enough food and water, he could-

No. He couldn't. Armok couldn't do anything and he knew that. No amount of food or water would get him out of this. No amount of food or water would get anyone out of this. Out of this hell. Yet how he longed to live the life of his ancestors. How he longed to have people he could feel safe around, "friends" and "family", that's what the books called them. And so, despite knowing that he could never experience that with anybody, Armok could still hope. Could he? Sighing, he got back to the groceries.

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

It was almost as if he was in a loop.

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

A loop? Could it even be called that?

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

And extra hand soap. Why was there always hand soap on the list? The Jokers always had too much hand soap. Why gather more?

Paper, pencil, eraser.

and hand sanitizer.

Bags, keys, list.

and mask.

Eggs, apples, pork.

and extra hand soap.

"I'm done. Can I sleep?"

"Did you put away the hand soap? If so, you may resume your place in the bunker. Have a deep sleep, Armok. Have a deep sleep indeed."