Chapter 12 - Resources

He guides me to a large metal door, and I push it open to reveal a large room full of shelves, each one stocked with boxes of rations meant to survive years. I slowly walk inside and stare at it, dumbfounded. He floats beside me, now extremely smug. “Impressive, isn’t it? Well… This was supposed to last a large group of people… But I guess you have it all to yourself! This could probably even last your entire life!” It seems like he was about to ask something as well, but he quickly stopped himself.

“Let’s see…” I venture further into the room and gaze upon a particular set of boxes, and open them up. They’re full of food, each individually packaged and labelled. He really wasn’t joking. Considering the space I have left in my bag… This could last me a few months, maybe even longer if I ration it properly. Maybe even long enough to find help… after all, there still has to be people out there, right? It’s risky… but I’m not going to die just yet.

…Right! The AI! Maybe he has answers..? “Hey, uh… Ell1s? What do you know about the nuclear war? I don’t exactly know much, since it came without warning, and uh…” Memories of that inescapable bright light cross my mind, and the pain that followed, and… Her.

I pause for a moment, trying to recollect my thoughts until he suddenly interrupts again. “Well… to be honest… not much. I’m pretty much confined to this facility. My only true purpose is to assist humans like you, after all.” He pauses and his form glitches again. “So… I’ve spent my time here alone. By myself.”

His expression turns cheerful again. “BUT! That’s all I know! Sorry! Pretty tragic, huh? Aha….” I shrug, pretending not to care, turning my face back to the supplies in front of me. Damnit, I guess I’m back to square one. May as well get back to packing.

As I pack whatever I can into my worn-down bag, his holographic form seems to be glitching more often, strange flashes of green light appearing and disappearing. I swear his expression keeps changing, too. Something is off. I should finish packing and get out of here soon.

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