Chapter 5 - Remains

As the rain subsides, I emerge from my shelter, stretching my sore and wounded body, hoping I can make it for just a little longer.

After an hour of walking I come across what seems to be a fallen airplane, various rubble and metal parts across the ground where it sits. Knowing there could be people or food inside, I rush to climb inside, almost falling as I slip on the plane’s slippery exterior, still wet from the previous rainfall.

Standing on one of its unstable wings, I manage to pry the door open, and the strong scent of rotting flesh quickly meets my nose. I peer inside to see only rotting corpses strewn across the airplane’s remaining parts, unmoving and slowly decomposing. Most of them are burnt and reduced to ash, yet the pungent scent and crimson-stained floors remain.

I drop to the bloodied airplane floor, throwing up as tears flood my eyes. Of course nobody is alive. Why did this have to happen? Why bother to even have a single light of hope left within me? I should’ve just let the fire take me away and reduce my body to nothing but dust… then I wouldn’t have to continue my constant pain. I would be free… with her… If an afterlife even exists. It’d at least be so much better than this constant suffering.

I can’t force myself to look at the gruesome scene any longer. My stomach rumbles again as I stumble to the back of the plane, extremely nauseous. While searching, I find boxes full of airplane food, still fresh and free for taking. My eyes light up and I grab my makeshift bag, stuffing whatever I can inside it without it breaking. Containers of water and other drinks are also nearby, and I replenish my dehydrated body with what remains.

Once I’m done, I hurry off the plane, still stunned from the sight of the bodies. I should be happy since I found resources, right..? I should be… happy. I can keep living a little longer. I have to keep going, I have to stay determined, I…

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to do this.

I fall to the ground and cry until I can’t anymore. Nobody should have to live like this. Why was I chosen? To suffer, day by day, and watch as each and every spark of hope I have is swiftly put out.