A/N: Hey everyone! Hope you're doing well. I apologize for my abysmally random update schedule. Life is crazy right now, as you all know. Chapters from now on are probably going to be shorter, but I'm still going to try and keep this story going whenever I have free time :) (also play the music for your own immersion benefit)

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July 8, 2020

Foster Residence

Adam Foster

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The young man sits quietly at the kitchen counter, hunched over a notebook. A pen sat in his left hand, and he struggled to begin writing. Angie had suggested that Adam write about the time that had passed. Told him that they were living in a new era of earth, and that maybe his words would one day be displayed in a museum if civilizations ever rose again. It was hard to think that far ahead when you didn't even know what the next hour or day could hold.

Adam's hair had grown out longer than he usually would have keep it. A thin beard crept its way along his cheeks and chin. The young man takes a deep breath and begins to write.

"To whoever may read this,

I don't know why I'm sitting here with this paper. Don't know if it even matters. Or if anything matters anymore. It's been a whole month since the world turned upside down. Can you believe that? Talk about an anniversary you wouldn't look forward to celebrating."

Adam pauses and smiles faintly. He remembers how a month ago today, he had just graduated high school and was preparing to move onto bigger things. See what the world had to offer for a naive young adult who truly didn't know his place in the grand scheme of things.

"I couldn't wait to go to college in the fall. Couldn't wait to compete on a collegiate track team. It's crazy how plans can change so drastically in a matter of days. Hours, even. I'm just so lucky that I have my older sister here with me. I couldn't imagine what I would do if she hadn't come home on leave. I could've died the night my parents shifted."

"I've also learned a bit more about the new world from my sister. She apparently knew this was coming. Was part of an organization to stop it. I guess that didn't work out as planned, but at least they tried, right? You have to give them credit, because who could honestly be ready to face something like this?"

"Running water and power are officially gone. I can't describe how hot it is in this house. I've started sleeping downstairs with not blankets because I feel like I could burst into flames at any moment. I think about my friends everyday. Wonder if they're still alive out there. We've received no emergency radio broadcasts either. It's like the entire government has collapsed, and survival is up to us. There's no help coming. Not now, not ever. We've seen a few signs of life around the neighborhood, but those who are alive are still extremely paranoid and reserved. Can't blame them, since we are too."

"I think it'll take a long time for those of us who survived to get along. After all, there is no more law, really. Nothing stopping people from taking what others have. Angie and I are fortunate to have a decent amount of supplies and food left, but what happens when what we have runs out? What happens when we need to search and scrounge for what we need to survive? No one likes to share, but what if it gets to the point where Angie and I are the ones resorting to stealing?"

Adam puts the pen down again, pondering his next words carefully. He realizes that he had really been getting into this whole journaling thing, and considers possibly doing it more to keep him sane and keep his thoughts collected. A sharp mind may keep him alive.

"I don't ever want to have to do that to someone. We should be coming together during this crisis, not tearing each other apart. But again, I believe getting to that point may take a long, long time. I'll try and remain hopeful though. My sister and I are alive, and that's already enough to keep me going. It reminds me that others survived as well, and that even though the future seems so, so dark, we can fight for the day where we can all heal from what has been lost.

Until next time,
Adam"
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"Adam! Look at this."

Angie turns the corner to the kitchen, holding a piece of paper. From where he was sitting, he could see words written in permanent marker. Angie places it on the counter and pushes it towards him so he can read it.

"If you're alive, please find us. We have to take matters into our own hands in order to survive. We are stronger together. Hope to see you soon."

Adam reads it twice and feels confused. He notices an address at the bottom of the flyer, leading to a house in their neighborhood.

"Where did you find this?"

"It was sitting on our doorstep. I noticed it while checking up on our security around the house. I went outside for a little bit and noticed that it was on other people's doorsteps as well."

"Do you think it's safe?" Adam looks up at his sister from the paper. "How do we know they won't try and hurt us?"

"We'll bring weapons just in case. And I doubt that other survivors would pick fights with humans when we're the ones on the defensive nowadays. It might be a chance to start rebuilding and recovering from what we've gone through."

Adam sighs. If he's learned anything from the last month, it was to trust Angie. Not everything made sense, and he knew it wouldn't. He looks at the letter he had just written; at how he wrote about coming together. Adam looks back up to Angie, an expression of resolve on his face.

"Let's go then."