100,000

Caelum Pharmaceuticals develops new “miracle drug”, with benefits like preventing all disease, increasing your strength, and more – Published Jul 19, 2036

Investors, doctors, and patients alike are loving Caelum and its new drug, Seraphin, wondering if there’s anything it can’t do – Published Jan 4, 2037

Government signs agreement with Caelum Pharm. to include Seraphin in fortified food and drinks – Published Sep 30, 2040

Learning to live with your new Seraphin abilities, and how to avoid ability anxiety – Published Jun 8, 2041

First case of death relating to Seraphin, govt. says it is “An outlier, nothing to worry about” – Published Apr 22, 2043

Seraphin: Emerging science reveals health risks – Published Mar 30, 2044

New study reveals Seraphin may cause “irreversible genetic damage” as death toll rises – Published Aug 2 2044

Govt. orders products containing Seraphin to be destroyed, following Caelum CEO’s suicide – Published May 13, 2045

Seraphin death toll reaches 1 billion, analysts say “This may be the end” – Published Jun 14, 2046

“These are all the articles I can find regarding Seraphin. Unfortunately, my records don’t go past 2046. Do you know why, Gabe?”

“You can’t find anything past 2046 because people started quitting their jobs, or dying. Most websites are long gone now. The only major one left now is that counter.” I say, to my phone. “I see, thank you for this information. According to the counter you mentioned, you are one of 100,000 left now.” It says back to me. “Thanks for the reminder. I really needed that.” I snap back at the grim reminder.

100,000. Down from what? 10 billion? 100,000 sounds like a lot, but that’s spread across all the states and cities here. I’m lucky to see 3 people anymore. There’s not much to do now, either. Everything has shut down, I either have to scavenge for my own food or kill it myself.

“I’ve finished the analysis of the leaked database from Caelum you asked me to look at.” I get startled by the sudden words from Her.

“Anything useful in there?”

“A couple things. It seems that the lead scientist that developed Seraphin said he had a lead on something that could reverse the genetic damage caused by it. However, his name is redacted, and that’s the last mention of a cure of sorts. Oh, and the food the government ordered to be destroyed? It was all just sent to a warehouse. It is all contaminated with the compound, but at this point you’re already going to die anyways. On the bright side, the Seraphin does keep all the food fresh forever. So all of it will still be edible.”

I laugh a little at Her grim comment. “It looks like I have some places to go then. I think that warehouse should be first. Maybe it will have something that can point me to that professor too.”

“I’ve put the coordinates into your map. Just don’t try to take the train, ok? It won’t arrive, ever.”

“That wasn’t even funny…but thank you.” I close the program that contains Her, and open the map. “Fuck me, 1200 miles? Forget a train, I need a plane. Or an automobile.”

I look around for the keys to mom’s car. They aren’t where I remember leaving them, which is a little strange. It’s not like anyone has used it since I last did, unless mom or dad got reanimated? No…that’s stupid and I’d rather not check…where I left them. Maybe someone broke in? But why would they take the keys and not the car, or anything else?
“Hey. Do you know where the keys to the car are?”

“Have you tried your right pocket perhaps?”

I put my hand on the outside of my left pocket.

God, how do I delete messages again? That’s fucking embarrassing.

“Alright, I packed food, water, this phone, some gas I siphoned from some parked cars, my dad’s hunting rifle, and my revolver. Am I missing anything?”

“It seems like your list encompasses everything you may need. I still don’t understand why you picked up the revolver over the regular handgun I recommended to you, or why you didn’t take everything from that store for that matter.”

“Well, I think it looks cooler—and revolvers are more reliable than handguns, even if I can’t swap magazines. As for why I didn’t take everything…I guess at the time I was still getting used to the shock of all…this. Maybe I still thought I’d get caught stealing haha…”

“Your reasoning eludes me. Either way, I think it would be worthwhile to stop by the store again and take what you can.”

“Hmm…that’s not a bad idea. I guess that’ll be my first stop before I head out on the 1200 mile journey.”

“Do you need help finding the car keys?”

“…No. I found them myself.”

“Good. Let me know if you need any more help during your journey.”

With that, I put my phone away and got in the car. Driving to the store feels…eerie. The roads are dead, the traffic lights stopped working ages ago, but it feels like a horror game in a way—like someone is going to appear out of nowhere and scare the shit out of me.

But that didn’t happen, for better or for worse.

There’s a couple cars in the parking lot, but they were here last time. I know because I took the gas from them last time I came here. It’s invaluable out here, with no grid power a generator’s the only thing aside from the solar panels on my house that can give me reliable electricity.

As I head inside, I notice something’s different. All their stock is gone. It’s been completely combed through, not even the really cheap and awful candy is here anymore.

“Hey, looks like someone beat me to it. The whole place has been gutted.”

“I would advise you to not speak so loudly. Consider the possibility that someone with a large amount of weaponry and ammunition may still be inside.” She whispered to me.

“S…shit you’re right. What should I do?”

“Have you forgotten? Close your right eye. Then you will know what to do.”

I must really be on edge right now to forget that. The Seraphin’s only gift to me. I close my right eye, and shortly after I see a shadowy figure behind me. Luckily there’s a clock on the wall behind him too, 12:56:10. I open my eye and look at my watch, it’s-

12:56:08.

“Put your hands where I can see ‘em.” A gravely voice echoes from behind me. “And don’t try anything stupid. Otherwise your head’ll have a vent added to it.”

Fuck me. If only I saw that vision sooner.
“Get on with it! I don’t have all day.” The man yells.
I put my hands up. There’s not much I can do without him shooting me in the head.

“You’ve got some nice things on ya. Keys too. Bet your pantry’s still full, huh? I’ll eat good tonight. Might even keep your bed warm if it’s comfy. You’re gonna lead me to both, unless you feel like rotting a little earlier than me.” He whispers in my left ear. Fuck, this is really bad. He’s going to take everything I have, and even then there’s no guarantee he’ll let me live anyways. I need to do something…but what? I close my right eye again, and…he’s dead. But how? What am I supposed to do? When am I supposed to do it?

“Got somethin’ in that pretty little eye of yours? C’mon, let’s get moving already.”