6 years prior to start of apocalypse

She paced the same path in her living room that she had taken for the last hour. Her father kept joking that she'd soon wear the carpet bare. Her mother sat on the couch, hands clenched together in her lap. She was anxious for her daughter. After all, they were wait for the results from the store that her daughter had applied for. This would be her first ever job if she made it.

At 16 years old, her father had told her she needed to start gaining some experience in the "real world". She still didn't quite know what that entitled. What was the "real world"? Was it late night studying for exams? Was it buying houses and starting a family? Paying taxes? Having a solid job with a good wage? Her dad used to describe it as "the world where your problems aren't cushioned, and you don't have people close to you that help without expecting payment back." What exactly did he mean by that? She would come to him with examples such as "Oh, like paying taxes? No one close to you is helping you there!" Her dad would just shake his head with a small smile and tell her she would understand one day. She wasn't sure if she was ready for that world. She wasn't sure if she would ever be ready for that.

Yet, she knew she would be thrust into that, no matter what happened. It just came as she grew older.

Making her way back towards her mother, her mom sent her a reassuring smile.

"I'm sure you'll make it, honey." Her daughter screwed her mouth to the side. She wasn't as optimistic as her parent. She was more realistic that border-lined pessimism. There were plenty of people that applied for the job. Sure, she had a decent looking resume, and she did great at the job interview, but the chances of her getting a job others applied for also were unlikely.

The phone rang, and it was like time froze. The two of them stiffened with widened eyes, mid breath. The two females shared looks, as if asking each other 'is it really them?' On the next ring, the daughter sprang across the room, picking up the phone with haste. Her mother was not far behind as she scooted across the couch to be closer. She grabbed her daughter's hand as she strained her ears to try to listen in.

"Hello? ...Yes, it is... Really? ... Thank you, sir! ... Yes, I understand! ... Okay! Great ... Bye!" She set the phone down. Judging by her tone of voice, her mom knew it was good news. Yet, she wanted to hear it from her mouth.

"I got the job!" she squealed, jumping up and down excited. Her mom shrieked along with her, jumping up and hugging her.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetie! When do you start?"

"Friday!" Linda looked down at her daughter with a large grin and affectionate eyes. She couldn't believe her daughter was already 16 and having her first job. In her mind, she still pictured that five year old girl running around holding a stick pony. She wasn't ready to let her go any time soon.

"I have to go tell Dad and my friends!" she called out happily as she raced up the stairs. Linda waved after her before dropping the smile and scrubbing her hands on her forehead before running them through her hair. She wished her daughter wouldn't grow up so fast. Yet, at the same time, here was Mark, her husband, wanting her to get involved with society.