Inevitability of Destruction

6 - Fate

As we walked into the sanctuary, we were in awe of the fortress-like structure. It was a place of safety, with well-constructed houses, yet not crowded with people. Instead, we saw soldiers patrolling the area, armed with rifles and wearing armor. The training grounds were bustling with activity as soldiers practiced combat and defense strategies. The wooden walls showed signs of past attacks, some sections were destroyed and still undergoing repair.

Richmond and Frank engaged in a heartfelt conversation, their words filled with emotion. They spoke about the trials they had faced during the apocalypse, the loss they had endured, and the uncertainties that lay ahead. Their reunion was a moment of deep connection, and it marked a turning point in our journey. We were now among allies, within the safety of this well-fortified sanctuary. Frank instructed the guards to escort us into the houses, and they led the way, guiding us to a place where we could finally rest and regroup. As we entered the house, Steve greeted his uncle Frank with a warm smile. Frank's eyes lit up with recognition as he looked at Steve and reminisced, "I remember you as a toddler." He smiled and gave Steve a heartfelt hug, a powerful moment of reconnection between family.

Emily, Mark and I expressed our gratitude to Frank for providing us with shelter and safety in this uncertain world. The guards took us, along with the kids, into the house while Steve, Richmond, and Frank engaged in conversation, catching up on the events that had transpired since their last meeting. The house had three rooms, and the guards arranged for more beds to be placed inside to accommodate Alicia, Roland, Desmond, Katie, and Steve. Mark went downstairs and Emily and I were given a room and bed for ourselves, providing us with some much-needed comfort and rest. As we began to settle in, our next concern was food. The guards soon arrived with a meal and clean towels for the shower.

Gracefully, we all gathered around a table, filling our stomachs.

During our meal, Frank entered the room along with Richmond. Frank offered his condolences for the losses we had endured on our journey. He then went on to explain our situation, saying, "You can stay here, but you should know there's an ongoing apocalypse. We send troops out every morning to hunt down the creatures nearby and keep this sanctuary safe."

Curiosity piqued, I asked Frank how they had managed to build this place so quickly. Frank replied, "I've had this place prepared for a while now. It used to be a training ground, and we had the materials required to fortify it. Fortunately, the aircrafts didn't hit this area as hard, allowing us to build this sanctuary." As Emily inquired about updates or news from the outside world, Frank nodded and said, "Indeed, there are several bases similar to Sorena Island, as Richmond mentioned." He leaned forward, adding, "There's an ongoing plan to put an end to all of this. You guys came just in time, We was planning to leave any day now"

My curiosity got the best of me, and I pressed, "What do you mean? What's the plan, Frank?" I leaned in, eager to hear more.

Frank, however, offered a reassuring smile and encouraged us, saying, "Don't worry about it for now. We're in a safe place here. Let's focus on eating and getting some well-deserved rest." His response left me intrigued, but I decided to let the matter rest, at least for the time being.

As night settled in, Emily and I snuggled into bed, a mix of relief and curiosity filling the air. The safety of this sanctuary was comforting, and it was a chance for us to catch our breath. We began to unwind and chat about our journey, savoring the moment before the weariness of the day gently guided us into a peaceful and much-needed slumber.

Day 21

The morning arrived, and after a hearty breakfast, the guards escorted us to Frank's office, ensuring the kids were safely looked after. Emily and I got ready, changing into fresh clothes provided by the guards, instantly feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated. We entered Frank's office, where a clock prominently displayed the count of days, now at 10. With us were Mark, Richmond and a multitude of soldiers and guards, including a stern-looking general standing next to Frank. We all took our seats around a table, and my eyes were fixed on that clock.

Frank began, "As you all know, we're in the midst of an apocalyptic conflict. We've endured countless calamities, hardships, and loss over the past 20 days. There may be a way to end it all but we must act fast." His words hung heavily in the room, and Emily and I instinctively huddled closer. ''What must we do?'' I questioned. Frank leaned in, his voice low but determined, as he began to explain the dire situation to us. "You see," he said, "Our organisation works to strengthen a small portion of the military, we gather supplies, soldiers, hardware and technology for them and in return they give us gold and sometimes crucial government intel. We discovered only in the last recent days of a nuclear plan the American government has notioned and it's designed to eradicate all the creatures. It may be cruel but this is how this government thinks and rules. We've been sending our troops out there, not just to engage the enemy, but to locate survivors to join us and take our leave for Military bases like Sorena Island; that's where they have set up bunkers, places to survive the detonation. We've managed to succeed in this mission since it all began, but something doesn't add up. It's almost as if the government knew this was going to happen all along."

Emily and I exchanged concerned glances, realizing the gravity of the situation. Richmond, his panic mounting, stressed the urgency of preparing to leave for Sorena Island. Frank, however, remained composed and explained, "That's what we're going to do, Richmond. We know It's a harsh decision. Probably the most in human history, but the government believes it's the only chance to wipe out the creatures and start rebuilding humanity, a worst-case scenario measure, but we won't find answers until we reach the island."

I couldn't contain my disbelief. "A nuke? This is insane!" I stood up and pointed at the countdown. "what's the countdown for?"

Frank hesitated for a moment and then admitted, "Those are 10 days, until the nukes are set to detonate." The room was filled with a heavy silence as the weight of the impending decision settled upon us. With frustration and fear bubbling within me, I spoke up, addressing Frank with urgency, "Frank, we need to gather everyone and leave immediately! If that's the countdown, what are we waiting for?!"

Frank hesitated for a moment and then replied, "We sent out multiple squadrons of troops, but they haven't returned. We've been searching and waiting, but there's been no sign of them."

Frustration boiled over, and I responded angrily, "There is no hope! There's nothing but hell out there! They're not coming back. We have to act quickly, by any means necessary. Get your troops ready, Frank. It's time to go!"

My impassioned speech seemed to resonate with everyone in the room, and Emily's smile conveyed her agreement. Frank, impressed, leaned over and whispered into the general's ear, prompting the general to finally break his silence. He looked at me and said, "Son, you're absolutely right. Get the men together. We have the people, the resources, and the determination needed to make our way to the Sorena base."

As everyone began to file out of the room, the general called me over. We engaged in a conversation and he explained how he had heard about my journey to this sanctuary. "You know, I've heard about your remarkable journey to this sanctuary, Alex. Richmond has shared the story of how you've kept the group together and safeguarded those kids, all while carrying the burden of your own loss. It's an extraordinary display of resilience."

I nodded, appreciating his words, and replied, "Thank you, General. It hasn't been easy, but I'm just doing what's necessary to protect those I care about."

He offered a warm smile and continued, "You've gained quite a reputation here, and not just as a survivor. You've earned the respect of the soldiers for your resilience and your unwavering determination." I expressed my gratitude for his kind words, and he introduced himself as General Codey. Feeling both honored and humbled, I replied, "Its an honor sir. I've done what I had to do. In this world, it's about survival and doing what's necessary to keep your loved ones safe." General Codey leaned in and said, "We could use more people like you. People who can think on their feet and aren't afraid to do what's necessary. We need individuals with your mindset to bolster our ranks and help us face the challenges ahead. I'm offering you a place among us, with access to weapons and the resources we have."

I considered the offer for a moment and then nodded in agreement, "I appreciate the offer, General. If it means I can better protect those I care about and contribute to the safety of others, count me in."

General Codey extended his hand, and we shook on it, sealing the deal.

Day 30 - 1 month in

The day before the ''nuke'', yeah, i know, I have skipped ahead, but the remainder days were nothing special to write about. It took us 9 days to get to Sorena Island. Luck choked us. 1 day late and we all turn into evaporation. So far all I have talked about is the beginning of my journey, practically the first month of the apocalypse, knowing what happened with Casper and mom, and what will happen with the nukes, our fate was unknown. The set off for Sorena, the kids were confused, Richmond and frank leading the pact, and general codey with his soldiers including me. Many symbiotes tried to attack us on our way there, but they were simply put down due to our strength. 20 odd days in, and we were somewhat powerful, because of me, my goal and mindset drove my people to not give up. It's October now, which means winter is basically here. It will be hard but we will get through it. I'm a soldier now, carrying a rifle, filled with an urge to strike. My will to keep going is all because of her. Emily, and my younger brothers and sisters, I'm fighting for them. And I'm prepared to die for them.

The arrival at Sorena Island was intense and chaotic. The children clung to Emily, their fear palpable, while Richmond, Mark, Frank, the soldiers, and I approached the docks. General Codey informed the military personnel that we were survivors with soldiers, weapons, and children, and that we needed to get to the bunkers due to the impending nuclear threat.

The scene was a frenzy of people desperately trying to secure a spot on the boats. The atmosphere was tense, with sirens blaring, and the air was filled with the sounds of crying, yelling, and screaming. It was a chaotic and harrowing experience, but it had been a long time since we had seen a place that remained untouched and unscathed by the devastation outside. After the tense journey, it took about half an hour to arrive at the island. Upon disembarking, the soldiers and government officials directed us to stay in designated passage ways. We followed the orders, proceeding through the designated passage ways, each step fraught with anticipation. The guards and government officials guided us, reassuring us that we would eventually reach a tunnel. As we entered the tunnel, it led us to an iron vault-like door, and there were many such doors, each leading to separate compartments. Emily and I found ourselves in one. Richmond, Frank, Mark, and the rest of the men had gone through different doors. There was chaos and confusion, with Katie and Desmond, Emily's siblings, crying and trying to stay close. Emily, panicked and screaming, tried to run after them. I held her back, assuring her that we had to follow the instructions. The guards sealed off the doors, and a staircase led us down to the bunkers. The sight that greeted us was grim, with many people appearing half-dead, ill, and terrified. I held Emily close, my rifle on my back, sending a clear message to everyone that I was indeed a soldier and that fear was not an option.

Day 31

We spent a day in the bunker, waiting anxiously as hunger and fear gnawed at us. Throughout that time, Emily and I held each other close, sharing our love and comforting one another. The atmosphere was suffocating, but I tried to maintain my composure and stay focused.

Suddenly, the floor began to vibrate, and the guards opened the doors, urgently ordering the soldiers to come out. It appeared that the nuclear detonation scheduled for this exact day had not occurred, and the world outside was still fraught with danger. I told Emily to stay in the bunker, leaving her with a meaningful kiss that could be the last.

As I left the bunker, I saw numerous soldiers in the vicinity, including General Codey. Determined to face the unknown threat outside, we joined the other soldiers as we marched forward through the tunnels and passage ways.

Upon reaching the surface of the island, we were met with a chaotic and dire situation. ''What is going on!'' I screamed. ''War, son'' General Codey shouted back. Helicopters and boats carrying armed men were storming the island in what appeared to be an invasion. A fierce battle erupted. I stood firm, wiped the sweat and snot off my face, rifle in hand, dirt and bullet shells hitting me constantly. I fired my way through the intense firefight. The reason behind this new conflict was unclear, but one thing was certain — the symbiotes were no longer the only threat we faced...