The night starts with a stretch and a deep breath. Every. Time. Tonight is no different. As the breath leaves her lungs fear tries to creep into her mind, but with a quick glance at the picture hanging in her Sanctuary she pushes the green button. It’s a new moon. Reandre allows herself to be distracted for 10 seconds by the Milky Way’s full sky appearance. Then she closes her eyes wishing it were cloudy. Until she pushes the red button she’s still protected by the clear unbreakable shield above her. If someone were to find her inside the buried cylinder that was her Sanctuary, she would be unable to leave safely, which would mean not eating and no water for at least a day. Rea pushes the red button and slithers out onto the cold, dry ground. Before closing the lid, she reaches inside, grabs the picture of a man and little girls, and slides it into her breast pocket. After closing the lid, she covers her Sanctuary with leaves and debris. Rea moves slowly across the forest floor until she reaches a giant redwood. Reaching under a root she slides her hand away from the trunk and a panel pops open. She grabs her vest of explosives, stun gun, her Killer, and some zip ties. She’s ready for another night of searching. She moves in the direction of her food stash, which is about 2 miles away. It is nearly impossible for her to keep the dream from flooding her mind on the walk. It’s always the same. She is with her partner and their daughter. It’s weeks or months before the Fallout, and the reality she lives now wasn’t even in the realm possibility. Her daughter asks her, “Mommy? When I’m a grome up will you still love me?” The dream is so clear Rea takes her daughter’s face in her hands, “I will always love you. When you’re a grown-up, when you’re a kid, when you’re in trouble, when you’re sleeping. You are the person I love most in the world.” “I love you too. Being a grome up will be fun!” Tears begin pooling in Rea’s eyes until a noise snaps her back to the nightmare she’s been living for almost 2 years now. Explosions. Typical for this time of night. Rea realizes the smoke looks like it might be coming from her town - Intertwine. She keeps her head down and her ears sharp. Her town will have to fend for itself. She continues her journey to the food stash with a relatively focused mind. The food stash is a hidden cave with four rooms. It isn’t just her food. It belongs to Intertwine, and she has been given rations while she’s in the field. Her current assignment, officially, is to collect counterintelligence from Amer Island. A city that holds power but is, in truth, not an island. However, most of her time is spent searching for her family. It was six months ago when the bombs started and Intertwine was forced underground. Somehow in the confusion her daughter was left behind. Her partner forced his way out of lockdown to save her. Neither returned. Rea will find them. She will reunite her family. She must. It’s the only thing worth living for in this sad unforgiving version of Earth. One more bite of dried fruit and she’s ready to travel under the star filled sky searching. Her exit of the food stash is smooth as usual. Once she is sufficiently clear from the entrance she starts running. Her search is leading her miles away, and she will need to be back in time to safely return to her Sanctuary. As she runs the dream plays in her head again. She hears herself, “You are the person I love most in the world.” Suddenly, she hears thunder. She flinches and falls to the floor. She’s scared. She isn’t breathing. “Mom?” Rea turns around. It is her. “Sasha? Sasha!” She runs to her daughter and scoops her up turning in the field until she realizes where she is. Quickly, she darts for the tree line. “Sasha, where is your father.” “He’s looking for you.” “Where? Can you take me to him?” “I can,” Sasha says with a heavy tone. “What is it, Sasha?” “It’s just. You’re with me now. So Daddy won’t be able to see you either.” Rea sits silently as her mind races to replay the night. Weapons. Food. Running. Thunder. Silence. Rea stretches and takes a deep breath, “Well at least I found you finally. That’s worth any price I could ever pay.” She looks up at the Milky Way and first the first time in years she feels no fear, and as her gaze finds her daughter she feels happy.