A village nearby (pt.1)

After some days of relaxing and our supplies having nearly ran out, one of the adult males, Simon, one of the adult females, Ann, and myself, together we decided to set out and search for a more comfortable hideout. Comfort not as in amenities or a cushy couch, but as in ease of access to more supplies and a building more resistant to the forces of nature. Little did we know that in exchange for those, not everybody would get to enjoy them.

This village was chosen because it had some great attributes; It was relatively close, it was small in size but a lovely enough place considering our situation, not inhabited previously by many. It had a freshwater lake near it as well. The three of us set out in search of these treasures by walking along the nearby road.

I knew about this village previously but wasn't sure initially if it was even a good idea to go for it. Maybe there are many of the Taken there, maybe it's as deserted as if it were a relic of a long-forgotten age or maybe there are survivors there? Regardless, it's not as if we've had much of a choice as taking the risk seemed more appealing than starving to death or dying of thirst in days' time.

We'd been walking for about an hour already when Ann noticed a slight rustling in the bushes to our right. Alarmed, we've turned to face the potential danger, but it was just a fawn that's been woken up from its midday nap by us. It makes sense that they would be more daring to be near the roads, as there probably haven't been any cars driving on them for a while now. Anyways, we continued on with our walk.

It took a little while longer but we've finally arrived. To my surprise, it seemed to be deserted. It would've been wiser if we'd set out in the morning, but due to reasons I don't remember anymore we set out much later. Because of this, the time was nearing dusk. We decided to search through a couple of houses before settling down for the night in one of them. Strangely enough, most doors were closed, so we had to get a bit creative with getting into the buildings.

After collecting some food and other useful things, we set up camp in one of the houses that we had to climb into through the window. As sleep is important, but our lives more so, we decided on standing guard on a two-hour rotational basis. After resting for a good four hours, it was now my turn to stand guard, but this duty was short-lived.

A bit of rustling outside, silence, and then, the sound of the glass shattering. There, in the dark, illuminated only by a little moonlight that shone through the window, I saw a shadowy figure standing before our tents, inside the house, with its eyes locked on me. I wanted to warn my companions of the imminent danger, but I was entranced. Emanating an aura of doom, it just stood there, as if it were telling me there's no point in it, as if he'd already won the fight, and we were already dead.

Then, my vision blurred, sounds drowned out and my awareness faded. I fell unconscious. 

As I opened my eyes, the confusion didn't set in immediately. I did somewhat remember what had happened, but there I was, in the middle of a path on a sunny, windy, warm, and calm day, seemingly safe.

I didn't know how I got there, but I wasn't concerned about that. I was still a bit dazed, and so, with my mind as calm as can be, I started my trek along the path. It was pretty well paved out by wheels, so I assumed that there must be someone else nearby too with access to a car. I decided not to think too hard on that for now.

As I walked, I started to return more and more to my senses, actually questioning my whereabouts and how I got to where I was. The only sensible explanation I got to was that I was dreaming.

As that thought came upon me, I decided to test it. I pinched myself, did some push-ups, ran for a bit, tested myself physically, and yep, I could definitely feel it all with the need for recovery. This was way too real for a dream. But then the question is, how did I get here? Or could this be some sort of... Very realistic dream?

I pondered on it as I walked. Then, I spotted a lake and walked right up to it. I tried washing my face with its rather chilly water, but it had no major effect other than it being quite refreshing.

"If this is a dream and it is the work of that... Thing... It's pretty damn good at it" or so I thought.

Little did I know that my circumstances were...well... Wildly different than what I imagined at that time, to put it lightly.

I walked for a while longer when I came upon a road. I decided to follow it towards the right. The sun was still far from setting, so I thought I might as well search for some shelter or something, and then I'll figure things out from there.

After a bit more walking I saw a rather large building in the distance.
It was the mall, looking very weathered.