The Last Dawn

After the turmoil and loss they had experienced, the drive towards Chicago was surprisingly peaceful for Logan and Sarah. They found themselves on rural roads that meandered through scenic countryside, a clear difference to the urban chaos they had left behind. The tranquility of the open road offered them a rare moment of calm and a chance to process everything that had happened.

The landscape outside was picturesque, with rolling fields, quaint farmhouses, and the occasional small town dotting the horizon. The beauty of it all seemed almost surreal, given the backdrop of the crisis they were fleeing from.

Sarah, looking out the window, thought about how different everything was about to be. The serene environment was a balm to her frayed nerves. “It’s hard to believe that the world can still look this beautiful, after everything.”

Logan, changing the subject. “Where did you grow up?”

“I grew up in a small town outside of Dallas. My mom moved us to Chicago when I was fifteen.. I think.”

“And your dad?”

“He passed away last year.”

“I’m sorry to hear.”

“How about you?” She asked avoiding talking about him.

“Mom and dad both passed away.” Logan said thinking about them.

“Any other family?” She asked.

“Maybe, I’m not sure. Haven’t met any of them if I do.” He smiled.

They drove in mostly comfortable silence, occasionally making small talk or pointing out an interesting sight along the way. Despite the calmness of the drive, there was an undercurrent of anxiety about what awaited them in Chicago.

As they passed through small communities, they noticed signs of the outbreak’s impact - some towns were eerily quiet, while others showed signs of hasty fortification against potential threats. It was a reminder that the peacefulness of their current journey was a fragile veneer over a world that had drastically changed.

As the evening light began to fade, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Logan noticed the fuel gauge nearing the empty mark. It was a subtle reminder that despite the apparent normalcy of their drive, they were still bound by the practicalities of their situation.

“We probably should stop for gas.” Logan noted looking down at the dash.

Sarah nodded, her eyes scanning the road ahead for any sign of a gas station. The reality of their situation was never far from their minds, and each stop carried the risk of encountering unknown dangers.

“There’s a station up ahead.”

Pulling into the station, they were greeted by an eerie silence. The empty cars and the desolate appearance of the shop gave the scene a ghostly atmosphere. Despite the unsettling quiet, the need for supplies urged them to investigate.

Logan parked the car and they both cautiously got out, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The stillness was unnerving, but necessary supplies motivated them to proceed.

“Stay close.” Logan demanded.

As they approached the station’s shop, they noticed the door was ajar. Logan pushed it open slowly, the creak of the hinges echoing through the silence. They stepped inside, finding themselves in a dimly lit space, the shelves partially stocked.

“Doesn’t look like anyone has looted this place. Must have just left.” Logan noted.

Sarah headed towards the refrigerators at the back of the shop. To her surprise, they were still running, powered by a backup generator that hummed faintly in the background. She found a few bottles of water and some packaged snacks that were still good.

Meanwhile, Logan rummaged behind the counter, discovering a box of batteries and a flashlight, items that he knew they could use.

“Ill be outside pumping gas.” Logan said.

Sarah nodded as she continued to search for supplies. As she was searching, she heard a brief scuffle in the back. Her heart pounded, “Logan? Hello?”

As she got to the back, she peered around the corner. A raccoon jumped out, Sarah let out a quick scream.

“I nearly had a heart attack.” Sarah said walking out laughing at her embarrassment.

“What happened?”

“I heard a noise and then a raccoon jumped out and scared me.” She replied.

Fueled up, they hit the road again. “Oh, lets check to see if the news is saying anything.” Logan said remembering the radio in the car.

The radio broadcast was a looped message, providing updates on safe zones and emergency contact numbers. While much of the information was generic, it was the first time in days they had heard a structured, official communication.Not much help, he thought.

As they drove, Sarah fiddled with the radio, trying different frequencies in hopes of catching more broadcasts. Every piece of information felt like a lifeline, a connection to the outside world that had seemed so distant.

As the road stretched on ahead of them, framed by the dense trees on either side, the radio continued to fill the car with its crackling broadcasts. Each update, each piece of advice, made them feel less isolated, part of a larger community still fighting to survive and rebuild.

“I’m getting pretty tired.” Logan said rubbing his eyes.

Sarah, noticing the fatigue in Logan’s voice, quickly agreed. “Let’s find somewhere to pull over.”

They kept an eye out for a suitable spot as they continued to drive. After a while, they came across a secluded area nestled among a copse of trees. It was an old rest stop, now overgrown and seemingly forgotten. The isolation of the spot offered a degree of security.

They parked the car in a shadowed area under the trees, taking care to conceal it from the road. Gathering a few essentials, they settled in for the night. Logan took the first watch, sitting by the driver’s window, while Sarah tried to get some rest in the back seat.

The silence of the night was both comforting and unsettling. The tranquility was a stark contrast to the days filled with constant movement and tension. However, the stillness also heightened their awareness of how vulnerable they were.

The night at the rest stop passed with an uneasy quiet. Logan, after a couple of hours on watch, gently woke Sarah for her turn. A shared look of understanding passed between them. Despite the exhaustion and the constant tension, they found comfort in each other’s presence.

Sarah, now keeping watch, noticed Logan struggling to get comfortable in the driver’s seat for some rest. She whispered, “Come here, you won’t get any rest sitting like that.”

She patted the space next to her in the back seat. Hesitantly, Logan moved to the back, and they adjusted to make room in the cramped space. In the close quarters of the car’s back seat, they found themselves face to face, the dim light of the moon casting soft shadows inside the car.

“I’m really glad you’re here.” Sarah said looking at Logan.

As they talked, their hands found each other, fingers intertwining in a gentle, reassuring grip. The world outside was forgotten for a moment. Sarah leaned in softly kissing Logan. He grabbed her and swung her over on to him.

The next morning, after a few hours of restless sleep, Logan and Sarah was back on the road toward Chicago. The early morning light cast a soft glow over the landscape, providing a serene backdrop to their drive. Despite their apprehension about what they would find in the city, there was a sense of urgency to reach Sarah’s mother.

As they approached the outskirts of Chicago, the first signs of the city’s state became apparent. The usually bustling highways were eerily quiet, with only a few abandoned vehicles dotting the roadside. The closer they got to the city center, the more the scenery changed – the aftermath of the outbreak was evident in the deserted streets and the occasional barricades.

“Looks like Chicago has been hit.” Sarah said in fear.

Logan navigated the car through the city’s streets with caution. The tall buildings that once teemed with life now stood as silent sentinels over the ghostly city. They both kept a vigilant eye out for any movement, but the city appeared to be in a state of eerie calm.

As they neared Sarah’s mother’s neighborhood, the familiar streets brought a flood of memories to Sarah. The normalcy of her past life contrasted sharply with the reality they were living now.

“It’s right up here.” Sarah noted.

The tension in the car grew as they made their way to her mother’s house. The anticipation of what they might find weighed heavily on both of them.

Finally, they turned onto her mother’s street. The sight that greeted them was a row of houses that looked largely untouched, but an unsettling silence hung in the air.

They parked the car and approached the house. Sarah’s hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob, her heart racing with a mix of fear and hope.

As Sarah pushed open the door to her mother’s house, a wave of apprehension washed over her. The familiarity of the home she had known for years now felt strangely alien. Stepping inside, she called out for her mother, but her voice echoed unanswered through the empty rooms.

The house was eerily quiet, the usual signs of her mother’s presence conspicuously absent. Family photos on the walls and keepsakes on the shelves stood as silent witnesses to happier times, now overshadowed by the uncertainty of the present.

“Mom?” She said hoping for a response.

Logan followed close behind, his eyes scanning the interior for any clues. The living room was tidy, with no signs of a hurried departure. However, as they moved through the house, the unease grew. Sarah’s mother was nowhere to be found.

In the kitchen, they noticed a half-drunk cup of coffee on the table and a newspaper dated from the week before, as if normal life had been abruptly interrupted. Sarah’s heart sank; the realization that her mother had left in a hurry was becoming more evident.

“She must have left.” Logan said.

They continued to search the house, checking each room, but found no sign of her mother. The absence of a struggle or any disorder suggested that her departure had been planned, though hurried.

In her mother’s bedroom, Sarah finally found a note by the bedside table, addressed to her. With trembling hands, she picked it up and began to read.

Sarah, reading aloud. “Sarah, I had to leave. The military came for an evacuation. I’m safe. I’ll try to call when I can. Love, Mom.”

Relief and worry mingled in Sarah’s expression. Her mother was safe, but her whereabouts were unknown. Logan put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“That’s good, the military has her. I’m sure she’s safe now.” Logan said reassuring Sarah.

A mix of emotions washed over Sarah as she read the words. Relief that her mother was safe, guilt for not being there sooner, and a lingering worry about what the future held.

“At least she’s safe.”

Logan gently took the note, reading it again. “This is good news. She’s out of the city. We should think about heading to that safe zone, too.”

Sarah nodded, placing the note carefully in her pocket. The knowledge that her mother was safe was a profound relief, but it also opened up new questions about where they should go next.