Chapter 15 Base Civilization
Iris flipped through channels frantically, only a handful still clinging to pre–recorded cartoons and sitcoms–all others had gone dark.
It wasn’t long before every interrupted signal cut abruptly to the National Broadcast Network.
Bold white text blazed across the screen against a pitch–black background, impossible to miss.
“EMERGENCY NOTICE! Violent attacks have broken out nationwide. All citizens are ordered to stay indoors! All schools and universities are closed; all malls and institutions are shuttered. Secure doors and windows! Await rescue! Await rescue! Await rescue!]
The National Broadcast Network had hijacked every signal, looping the notice endlessly-“Await rescue!” repeated three times, each iteration driving home the urgency of the message.
The scene sent a chill down her spine–it was identical to the announcement that had kicked off the apocalypse in her previous life.
In those early days, everyone had clung to the notice like a lifeline, convinced the crisis would pass quickly.
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They had no idea this was an existential catastrophe–the zombie virus was unbeatable, incurable.
The only way to stop it would have been to seal off infected area: immediately, eliminating every victim–even those with minor
scrapes.
By the time authorities woke up to that brutal truth, the virus had already spread beyond containment.
Full–scale rescues were abandoned, replaced by haphazard local self–defense.
Eventually, all official communications went silent.
It was every person for themselves; the national government had crumbled entirely.
By the time ordinary people realized the truth, their pantries were empty, their water running low.
No one would bring them supplies, no one would come to their aid.
That was when the horror sank in–the end of the world was
here.
They’d have to fight for every scrap of food on their own.
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Iris had been one of the lucky ones in her past life. Witnessing the mutation firsthand at the outbreak’s ground zero–the hospital–she’d recognized the virus‘ terror instantly.
After rushing Mia back home, she’d insisted they barricade every door and window, refusing to let anyone in, no matter how desperate their pleas.
That quick, ruthless decision had saved them from the initial zombie onslaught.
For three straight nights, screams had torn through the neighborhood, a constant reminder of their narrow escape.
Every household that had dared open its doors was wiped out, no survivors left.
As people slowly figured out that silence and sealed homes could keep zombies at bay, most chose to hide, paralyzed by fear.
Back then, the zombies‘ attack power was relatively low- and most people hadn’t fully woken up to the reality of the apocalypse, cowering indoors and daring not to move.
Seizing the lull, Iris had ventured out to raid the community supermarket–fully armed, her body covered head to toe in protective gear.
She’d returned unscathed, though not without a few
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heart–stopping close calls.
Her return, however, was met with hesitation from the Hale family.
They feared she’d been infected, refusing to unlock the door.
It was only when Summer’s frantic barking inside began drawing more zombies–threatening a full–scale siege—that they finally relented.
Once they saw she was unharmed and had dragged back
a mountain of supplies, their fear melted into obsequious gratitude. They swarmed around her, fawning and apologizing profusely.
Back then, Iris had truly seen them as family; a few kind words were enough to make her forgive their hesitation. She’d shared the supplies freely, even teaching them crucial tips for surviving the zombies.
Before anyone else dared step outside, she’d led Ryan and Benjamin on several more supply runs.
As other families ran out of food, they followed her lead, plunging the apocalypse into its second stage: the brutal scramble for resources.
Thy neighborhood store’s supplies were depleted in ds, and 02
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dozens more residents died in the free–for–all.
Through it all, Iris remained sharp and vigilant, fending off several groups of neighbors who’d come demanding food.
She’d protected the Hale family until rescue finally arrived–the third stage of the apocalypse.
Word of the rescue convoy had come over the radio, and Iris had immediately decided to take the entire family to the meeting point.
The Hale family, though, had been reluctant, comfortable in their safe little bubble with her around to protect them.
The radio broadcasts had been clear: the convoys wouldn’t come to individual homes.
Instead, they’d announce a few relatively safe zones, urging residents to make their way there.
Only those who reached the zones would be picked up.
The journey would be deadly, especially for the Hale family- elderly, pregnant, and unaccustomed to danger.
Their resistance grew stronger when they learned how far the meeting point was.
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What if something happened along the way? What if they didn‘ make it?
Iris had pleaded with them, urging them not to cling to
temporary safety. Only at the rescue point would they be truly secure, she’d argued—there would be government rations, a saf place for Mia to give birth, and proper care for the elderly like Amanda.
Most importantly, she’d warned them this would be the only
rescue.
Take it now, or be left behind forever.
After hours of heated discussion, the Hale family had finally agreed, packing up all their supplies and following her into the unknown.
Her predictions had been spot–on.
They’d caught the last–and only–rescue convoy.
Urban rescues were abandoned entirely afterward.
With zombies overrunning the cities, authorities had no choice but to pull out as many people as possible in one wave, then establish safe zones as human strongholds.
Those bases, where humanity would rally to fight back gainst02
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
