"Now I have even more questions"
I sat down on a bench by the side of the road. My earlier theory of this place being the aftermath of a battle seems to be correct. As I wondered through the town, I found numerous bomb craters and several destroyed military vehicles such as tanks, there was even a crashed fighter jet in one of the houses.
Now I ask, who were they fighting? I have found no other sign that it was another nation attacking. I would have found some of their vehicles here as well, right? The creepiest thing so far is that there isn't a single corpse. I mean a lot of time has passed since this battle, but shouldn't there be like skeletons of the soldiers or mostly decomposed corpses, but there is none. I found weapons and equipment that is used by soldiers but that's it.
I have looked for newspapers, magazines and even tried to access the internet only to be met with failure.
And if my current predicament was already bad enough, I'm met with a new problem. Food. I have what looks like protein bars stuffed in the pouches on my armor that I'm still wearing, better safe than sorry. But I don't think this amount will last me long, maybe two or three days at most.
Finding food and water will have to be added to my to do list.
Since I can't think of what I should do next right now, I might as well check of one thing on the list. Investigating my monstrous strength.
I got up from the bench and did some light stretches and exercises. It's probably a bad idea to exercise when I'm low on food but I've never been the smartest.
I thought it would be funny if I tried to lift one of the broken cars on the side of the street, I didn't think that I would be able to even slightly lift it. So, color me surprised when I managed to easily lift the damn thing.
Seriously, what am I made of? Am I even still human?
I let out a sigh as I dropped the car, what remained of the windows shattering.
I decided to stop there and went back to my home. Maybe I can find something that can help me, if not then there are plenty of other houses.
The walk back felt... heavier, if I had to describe it.
Not physically — no, physically I was fine, more than fine, apparently built like a tank in skintight yoga pants. But it was mentally. Seeing the streets I grew up in, reduced to ruin, and not a single soul in sight. It honestly felt like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
Once I got back inside, I made my way to what used to be the family office. The door creaked open, revealing the same dusty bookshelves and cluttered desk. I half expected to see my dad still hunched over the old computer like he always was.
But, of course, no one was there. Just dust. And silence.
I checked every drawer and all the papers on the desk, but it was nothing but old work documents, and a coupon for Tetra Line fast food, useless now. I still stuffed it in a pouch.
I continued scouring the house, putting whatever I find useful on the dining table. It took me probably about an hour so scavenge throughout the house, it mainly took so long because the wooden ladder to the basement broke when I tried to go up. I had to find the metal ladder that was in the shed in the backyard, and even that ladder started groaning when I stepped on it.
"Alright so let's see what I have." I looked over the table now covered in items. I'm surprised to have found this much. "Ten canned foods, a box of cereal, four bottles of water, five packets of instant ramen, deodorant, rope, cold medicine, bandages, a box of matches, a flashlight that surprisingly still has battery, and a crowbar."
"Yep, I'm screwed."
How the hell am I going to survive with just this?!
Maybe it will be enough until I find people? But how long will that be? And is there even anyone alive?
Well, I can't stay here forever. I started putting everything in a bag, or more like stuffing. Once I got everything, I put the bag on my shoulders and retrieved my rifle. I went through the house one more time, though not to look for anything but just for nostalgia. It was quite difficult to bring myself to leave, this is where I grew up, I felt safe here.
Oh right! I forgot something!
I quickly ran into my room, ignoring the sound of the stairs groaning as I ran up. Once inside my room, I dropped next to my bed and pulled out a box.
"YES! It's still here!"
My Manga that I had hidden for various purposes. I couldn't leave these out and let my mom who likes to clean my room when I'm at school to get curious about what I'm reading. So, I had them hidden and locked up in this box.
I took out the manga's and also stuffed them in my bag.
Now, finally time to leave. I walked to the front door and opened it. The devasted neighborhood was now the common sight. I took one last look behind me, soaking in the view of my... former... home, then taking a step out and closing the door behind me.
I walked down the street, resisting the urge to turn around, but even if I did, there is nothing waiting for me there anymore.
I breathed in and let out a deep breath as I walked. Honestly, I'm surprised by how well I'm taking things. Wouldn't the normal reaction be to have a panic attack when waking up in a ruined world when just yesterday everything was fine? I'll shelve these thoughts for now, no use thinking about it right now.
I made the mental plan to go to the nearby military base that I pass by whenever I was going to the city, well I say nearby but it's about two hours away... by car... Needless to say, I have a lot of walking to do.
But maybe there are people there, or at least hints to where everyone went and what happened to the world.
...
[A/N] This chapter is dedicated to you rat_on-board for consistently giving power stones for this story despite there being only 1 chapter and hasn't been updated in a year.