of motion. She was on a wholesale grocery website

-pound sacks of flour and beans. Case

rders, her account balance

nnounced, its synthesized voice filled with glee. "At t

ual. Host, it appears we have a stowaway. A biol

lood ran

ace. The interface zoomed in. There, nestled between a stack of

black and white

ot and sudden. Her breath hitch

ns

r pet pig

red, her voice th

being pulled into the space upon its initial activation," the AI explained. "This version

ht, Aleen br

n her arms. He snuffled in his sleep, his tiny body radiating heat. She b

p and agonizing. Colon holding him down, Candic

r, a fierce, protective

voice a low growl. "I will nev

venge was no longer just for herself. It was for Winston, too. She would make Candice and C

t on a soft blanket on her couch. He

cash, and she needed it now. Then, she and Winston would

l for an dark web account she had learned to use in the apocal

next few days. Finalize the apartment sale. Then, a

es, salt, sugar, cooking oil, coffee beans. Seeds. Tools. Fuel.

in. "While the space provides perfect preservation, cultivat

vegetable, herb, and

curiously sniffing the edge of the blanket. A real, tangible sense of purpose fi

the corner of the living room, complete with food

w time was

ing through news articles, financial reports, and social media fee

nge new flu in remote provinces, the increased military drills. It was all happeni

lon. Laughing at a fancy restaurant. Posing with a new designer handbag. A c

aces, her own expression unread

Their dream was about t