3 years after apocalypse

Her boot stepped cautiously into the raided convenience store. The windows had been smashed in, and she winced as the glass crackled loudly under her steps. She reached instinctively for her gun. It was hanging loosely from one of her shoulders over her backpack strap. She turned around slowly, scanning the streets for Blights.

Blights were everyone's worst nightmare. Their forms were hunched over, and they moved similarly to apes. Their skin was usually paled, and took on a duller, grayed version of their former pigments. Most had gone bald, a side effect of the infection that seeped through their bloodstream. They had large growths that grew at the base of their neck, where the spinal cord met the skull. They were also faster than humans. Luckily for mankind's survivors, they didn't seem to comprehend reasoning, and were practically mindless, as well as blind. They never went out in the dark. Usually from the moment that the sun's rays caressed the ground in the morning until the part they disappeared at night, Blights seemed to traverse the land.

Finishing her scan, she tentatively lifted her foot, wincing as the weight shift caused the glass to make more noise. She leaped off quickly, turning around swiftly with her gun to scan the streets once more. Her eye hovered near the scope, ready for action as she backed up slowly. The setting sun casted long shadows on the worn down black top. The trees swayed slightly in the wind, and she could hear cicadas singing their song of safety. She whipped around, letting her gun go as she placed it back over her shoulder. She hoped she could get out of the store soon.

She made her way down the different isles, hoping to find leftover cans or bottled water. Her first time there, she had noticed that the alcohol was the beverage that was severely lacking in its supply. She'd come back at the end of each week, finding things in the same place she had last seen them. She was the only resident in the small town that she was in that was still human. There was a pack of Blights that traveled the area, more than likely their territory. There were no more than five, and they normally weren't in the same place as her. This made it easy for her to roam from house to house in the neighborhood of the town.

Now it was her third time visiting, and she was still finding new things. She grabbed a couple of can foods, along with a few bottles of water. Pulling her backpack from her shoulders, she stuffed the items into her bag. She left the pack on the floor for a moment, rest on her belly as she glanced under the shelves. She smiled widely, reaching a hand into the dark to pull out a slim package. Her grin broadened, her eyes crinkling as she took in her new favorite word: 'Hershey's'. Slipping the candy bar into her bag, she decided to call this a successful scavenging.

Just when she was about to leave, she froze as she heard the glass tinkle at the entrance. Her hand hurriedly grabbed for her gun, gripping it tightly as she ducked behind the end of one of the isles and sat on the ground. Animalistic growls sounded, and she clenched her eyes shut. She whispered silent prayers to heavens for her safety. The Blights must have smelled her on their way back to whatever hovel they holed themselves up in at night. She opened her eyes and bit her lip. Her breath stuck in her throat as the noises came closer as well as the heavy steps of the mutant. She didn't dare let her eyes drift from their fixed spot on the ceiling.

Then the stench of rotting skin, B.O., and the scent of innards hit her full blast. Her eyes reluctantly wandered to her right. Her heart sped up; her eyes widened as her breathing stopped completely. Not even a foot away was a Blight, facing her direction. It more than likely heard her heart beat.

Almost like it understood what it found, its lips seemed to turn upwards in a twisted, gruesome smile. With it's teeth bared, she found herself inspecting them. They were yellowed, and bits were missing here and there. The gums were spotted with black, and it appeared that some of the teeth were missing completely. She flinched back. There was a hissing noise from the front of the store, and the Blight snapped its head towards the front. It cawed back, taking off. Her muscles instantly relaxed; her gun rolled from her hands to her lap. Her head lolled back. She was safe for now. She just needed to get back to her house, and she'd be good for another day.

After taking a few minutes to breathe, she stood back up on slightly wobbly legs. Snatching up her bag and gun, she slung her bag over her shoulder before leaving the store. The sun had finally set, leaving the world surrounded in darkness. Her breath fogged in front of her as the temperature dropped. It was clear that it was the end of fall, nearing winter.

She glanced around briefly before stepping into the street. The last couple years of this hell had taught her to be cautious at all times. It didn't matter if the Blights went to go hide away. There was always a danger of some kind. It had happened before to her, she wasn't willing to risk it again. She lost one life by being carefree just because it was dark. That was in the earlier times.

She sighed inaudibly as she recalled that moment. Sadness swelled in her chest, constricting around her heart and giving it an uncomfortable squeeze. She took in a long drag of air through her nose, tilted her chin higher, and continued her way down the street. Her footfalls were almost silent. They were placed with thought, but were still graceful. Her eyes glanced from one side of the street to another, jumping from each opening of the houses to see if she could catch a glimpse of something threatening. The streetlights didn't work anymore, and stood as dark, towering sentinels lining the road. 

She was within a block of her house when she thought she heard a noise. She stilled, trying to adjust her ears to pick up any sounds. As a precaution, she slipped off the road, sinking into the shadows of a nearby bush. She was thankful for once in her life after the apocalypse that she had dark clothing. The world seemed to be deathly silent. Not a chirp of the grasshoppers, nor a ribbit from frogs could be heard. Even the wind seemed to still, as if all beings were holding their breath.

Then suddenly she could hear the stereo blaring. Her eyes widened as she zipped around the corner, sticking to the shadows as she made her away the corner. Only a block away. I can make it.