Travis stepped out of the cozy apartment and into the bright morning sunlight. The city seemed quieter than usual, with the remnants of the night's chaos still visible on the streets. As he strolled down the sidewalk, he couldn't help but glance around, his senses on high alert. He knew that danger could lurk around any corner, whether from the aliens or desperate humans.
He kept his pace steady, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself. His eyes scanned the surroundings, looking for any signs of movement or unusual activity. It was a morning patrol born out of caution, a routine he had adopted after the xenomorph outbreak.
He took a round around the neighborhood. Everything looked fine for now. The army was patrolling as usual, and very few civilians, armed, were out to buy or secure essentials as the support from the government had become low with each passing day.
He continued his stroll, heading towards the nearest pharmacy. It was a small, old shop tucked away on a quiet street. He approached the door and gave it a gentle knock, hoping that the elderly owner was still alive and inside.
After a brief pause, the door creaked open, revealing the wrinkled face of the old shop owner. His eyes widened with surprise as he saw Travis standing there.
"Travis? Is that you?" the old man asked, his voice trembling with a mix of relief and astonishment.
"Yeah, it's me," Travis replied with a warm smile. "How are you doing, Grandpa?"
"Oh, just alive, somehow," The old man nodded, his hands shaking as he stepped aside to allow Travis to enter the dimly lit pharmacy. The shelves were mostly empty, but there were still a few supplies left, carefully preserved by the owner.
Travis glanced around the pharmacy, taking in the sparse inventory. It was clear that resources were dwindling, and the old man had been doing his best to keep the shop running. He walked over to the counter, where some essential medical supplies were laid out.
"I need some bandages, antiseptics, antibiotics, clean needles, and surgical thread," He said, his tone businesslike but not without a hint of concern.
The old man nodded, reaching for what little remained of these supplies and placing them on the counter, "I don't have much left, but take what you need. There's a shortage of these things everywhere."
Travis gathered the items and checked them to make sure they were in good condition.
"How much do I owe you, Grandpa?" He asked, reaching into his pocket for whatever money he had left.
The old man waved his hand, dismissing the idea of payment, "Do you think money has any value in this city? Those heroes and government bastards have sealed us off in this place with those criminals and aliens. Heck, no one knows what's going on outside Metropolis, and the news is just a repeat telecast. I fear that an apocalypse is coming, you hear me, Travis. So, at this point, money can't buy you anything... Just take it..."
Travis opened his backpack and took out cans of preserved food.
He placed the cans on the counter and pushed them gently toward the old man, "I can't thank you enough for your help, Grandpa. Please take these. They might come in handy for you."
The old man's eyes glistened with gratitude as he looked at the cans of food. He nodded appreciatively and accepted them. "You're a good kid, Travis. It's heartwarming to see someone like you still caring for others in these dark times."
Travis smiled warmly, his heart touched by the old man's words. "We have to stick together and help each other survive. If you ever need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."
They exchanged a few more words, with the old man giving him some advice on staying safe in the city.
He thanked the old man once more and made his way out of the pharmacy. He decided to head to the nearest shopping mall, which had been transformed into a makeshift safe zone by the police and military officials. It was one of the few places in the city where some semblance of order was maintained, and civilians gathered for safety and limited supplies.
As Travis approached the mall, he noticed the increased security presence. Armed guards were stationed at the entrance, checking the identification of those who wanted to enter. Travis walked up to the line, patiently waiting his turn.
When he reached the front of the line, a uniformed officer asked for his identification. Travis handed over his ID card, which identified him as a civilian survivor. The officer scrutinized it briefly before nodding and asking him to show the contents of his bag.
Travis knew that if the officials saw the medical supplies, they would definitely try to forcefully take them from him and he have to kill them all for nothing. He didn't want any more unnecessary bloodshed, so before entering he put all the supplies inside his System's inventory.
He opened his bag, revealing a small flashlight, a couple of spare batteries, a machete, and two spare clips of handgun bullets. These were essential items for survival in the city, and he hoped they wouldn't draw too much attention.
The officer inspected the contents briefly, nodded, and returned his ID card. "You're clear to enter. Be cautious in there, keep your gun to yourself, and stay safe."
"Thank you," Travis replied with a nod, and he stepped inside the makeshift safe zone.
Inside the makeshift safe zone, he observed the bustling activity. People had gathered here in search of safety and the limited resources available. Tents and makeshift shelters had been set up, and families huddled together, trying to find some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos.
He decided to make a quick round of the area, keeping an eye out for any familiar faces or potential threats. As he walked through the crowd, he couldn't help but notice the fear and uncertainty in the eyes of the civilians. The presence of the military and police offered some reassurance, but it was clear that everyone was on edge.
He approached a group of people who were gathered around a bulletin board. Notices and announcements were posted there, providing information about curfews, food distribution, and safety guidelines. He scanned the notices briefly, but it was the same as usual, nothing interesting.
'Well, same as usual,' He turned around and began to walk toward the market, 'Let's buy some meat and fish today. Our new guests will be happy and that redhead bat lady needs some good proteins to get well.'
He made his way through the makeshift safe zone, heading towards the market area. The market was a bustling hub of activity, with vendors selling whatever supplies they had managed to scrounge up. It was a chaotic scene, with people jostling for limited resources.
'Well, the world can burn, but money must flow,' He thought knowing that the vendors were selling things at a sky-high price. And when it comes to meat, fish or eggs, well, that's what people calls luxurious items these days.
He approached one of the stalls where a grizzled old man was selling a variety of meat and fish. The selection was meager, but it was better than nothing. Travis greeted the vendor with a nod and began to browse the available options.
"What can I get you, young man?" the old vendor asked, his voice weary from the days of dealing with desperate customers.
"I'll take some beef, chicken, and a couple of fish," Travis replied, pointing to the items he wanted.
The vendor weighed out the portions and packaged them for Travis. He handed over the goods, and Travis reached into his pocket and took out his wallet to pay for the items.
He tried to haggle a bit, even though he didn't lack money, it was just a kind of habit, but the old vendor insisted on the full payment, emphasizing the scarcity and high demand for these items.
"Times are tough, son. Prices have gone up, and I have a family to feed too, you know?" the old vendor explained.
"Yeah, yeah, same old excuse, I have a family to feed," He paid the vendor in full, "Take it."
'Freaking bastard, drinks and fucks on drugs talking about family,' Travis nodded his head.
The vendor nodded appreciatively and handed over the bags of meat and fish. "Thank you, young man. Stay safe out there, and take care of your family."
