“How much further do we have to go?”“Stop complaining, there's only about a mile to go.”Tabby kept balancing on the rusty train tracks, always stumbling and trying again.“When can I smoke?” he asked again after seeing his sister stick a cigarette between her lips. “Come on, you're only ten.” “Daddy says smoking is bad for you.” “Then why do you want to smoke silently, wondering why?” had asked in the first place. Angela began to walk backwards, watching her sister as she inhaled deep puffs of smoke, feeling it circulate in her lungs. “Are you having fun?” Tabby stumbled one last time before walking back into the middle of the tracks. “It's kind of boring, actually. The only thing out here is a stupid amount of trees and bushes.” “I know, but you'll have to do it a lot more.” The couple continued in silence. The setting sun cast long shadows on the gravel, grass and iron. Soft breezes played softly with two flowing heads of blonde hair. Tabby looked almost comical with her oversized backpack. Angela took a final breath before throwing the cigarette butt away. Today was Tabby's tenth birthday and it was Angela's turn to take her on her first supply run to learn to dig, learn to hide, learn to survive. Just the two of them facing the dark world. Whose birthday was it: mine or the TV's? Most of the day Mom and Dad studied the faces of politicians and journalists, absorbing everything they had to say, whether it was in English or Russian. They don't even speak Russian. TENSION BREAKS IN THE EAST, the headline shouted. Does it still count as a strain or surge if it's been reported for as long as I can remember? I doubt anyone is watching. I just want cake and pr... half a sheet of paper... nk. His cramps have gotten worse." "That kid really wants to go out." He chuckled at his own joke. I couldn't help but smile. After going to the attached balcony of the old hospital, my gaze fell on the almost black forest that hugs the horizon. We still had to explore that far. Milo said it was still too dangerous as the bandits had a chance to ambush those walking on the train tracks. Someone broke in through the door. nurse.“The baby is coming soon!” The labor lasted three hours. When it was all over I sat next to her while she cradled the baby. “It needs a name.” Liz looked into my eyes for an answer. She always said she wasn't good at anything to do with names. It was true, it took her three days just to remember “Victor”. “How does “Angela” sound?” I replied. “It's a perfect name. Angela." Angela cooed softly. "It was my grandmother's name.”