Percy POV
Day 386
Soon after Luke's death, we finished building the wall. When you're standing on the hotel's roof, you can see the wall in all directions. The only way into or out of our settlement is to climb the 20 ft carbo boxes that surround our camp.
Annabeth's idea was great, no surprise there.
The wind ruffled my hair as I looked at the wall. The settlement is about a few square blocks in distance. We encompassed many buildings, fields, and parks.
Stella giggled in my arms while playing with her teddy bear. We found the toy in a UPenn cafe next to the hotel. She immediately fell in love with it. Everyone is still hesitant about freely walking the safe streets of our camp.
Of course, that is understandable.
Reyna led the guards and cleared all the zombies within the settlement. Officially, there were zero zombies within our perimeter walls. Reyna and Annabeth worked together to create a safe, zombie-proof establishment.
Ever since Luke's death, I haven't really helped them properly. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't get myself to function normally. I guess Luke's sacrifice affected me more than it should. He gave up on life. A part of me connected with his sentiment to just quit. However, I can't quit because I still love people in this world.
I hugged Stella tightly while pressing my head against hers. She squirmed in my arms before forcing me to set her down. Once she was out of my arms, Stella happily walked around the roof. I smiled at her before looking around again.
A few civilians were walking in the street, enjoying the sun.
"Percy, I've been waiting for you for over 15 minutes. Why haven't you come down?" Grover asked. He walked to me near the edge of the roof.
"I guess I got lost in my thoughts," I replied.
"Are you okay?" my best friend asked. "You haven't been the same since Luke's death. You both weren't that close either."
"I know, but what he was doing mattered to the camp. I couldn't find a way to get us both out of that situation," I paused while taking a breath. My knuckle turned white as I leaned on the roof's brick and marble railing.
"There's nothing that you could've done. He choose to sacrifice, Percy, and he did it after almost killing you."
"He wasn't in the right headspace, G-man."
"Mental illness is like that, Percy. You never know what's going on in someone's head or someone's life. People are very quick to judge, but the truth is that you never know what's happening under the surface," Grover explained. He patted my shoulder before forcing me to leave the roof with Stella.
It was Hazel's idea to have a memorial for all the people we lost over the past month. Nico and Hazel wanted to celebrate Binca's life.
They extended the service to everyone we lost recently.
We are going to burn an object or piece of clothing in honor of everyone who died. I picked a navy blue blanket for Luke's shroud. We're burning the materials as a way to send our memories up to heaven where all our friends and family probably went. I'm even burning a few clothes for my mom and Paul.
The memorial was held on a field near the East side of our settlement. The field is located right next to the walled border. Some dandelions were growing in the field despite it being the Autumn season. We're already collecting battery-powered space heaters for the winter.
It's not hard to survive when you're working together. Even the civilians are braver now. They absolutely love the prospect of a settlement where they are protected.
"Just try to get better, Percy," Grover expressed before going to Juniper.
I nodded before joining Annabeth, Thalia, and Jason near the front of the crowd. I fixed Stella in my arms before giving Annabeth a hello kiss.
Her gray eyes sparkled as she watched me closely.
"You okay, Seaweed Brain?" she asked over the noise of the crowd. Thalia and Jason watched me with concern.
"I'm fine, Wise Girl. I'm glad that we're having a memorial for everyone. It's been a rough few weeks, and I'm ready to put it behind me," I said with a nod. Annabeth smiled while taking my hand.
We turned our attention to Chiron in his wheelchair.
The entire crowd went quiet when Chiron raised his hand. He called everyone's attention before giving a speech about how we are a family. A part of being a family is honoring the ones we lost, and that's what we're doing today.
Hazel and Nico were standing next to Chiron in all black. Everyone was wearing fairly solemn clothes to match the occasion. As I mentioned, I'm ready for the day to be over. It's time to put everything behind us and move forward in our settlement.
"Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming to this memorial. This isn't just about our older sister. It's about all the family members and friends that we have lost. Bianca always said that we survive for a reason. I think that all of us are still here because we have more to experience and more to save and more to love," hazel's voice echoed around us.
"As for the ones that passed away, I can assure you that they are probably looking down on us. They're probably in a better place, which is what I'm hoping for my sister," Nico finished.
"AMEN," the crowd resonated.
I looked around at everyone. I had never been one to put stock in religion. However, seeing everyone agree with Hazel and Nico gave me a sense of belonging.
Annabeth squeezed my hand again, making me smile.
I pulled her close to me while tightening my hold on Estelle. The most important people in my life are with me right now. That's what I'm here to celebrate.
I lost people along the way, but I also gained people too. I found love, family, and friendship. I created a community that is worth living with despite the hell around us. I've willing to be in hell because of the people around me.
So, why did I survive the apocalypse?
I survived because I needed to find my place in this world.
I had to become friends with all these people around me. I had to unite Reyna and Frank's group with the rest of my camp. I needed to help Jason, Thalia, and Nico along the way. I had to see Grover create a family. I needed to save Estelle and be alongside Annabeth.
I survived because I have a lot of love to give them. In the process, I deserve to receive all the experiences and memories that they can give me.
That's why I survived the apocalypse.
***
Annabeth POV
Day 452
It felt so weird to wear a dress again. I haven't worn a dress in over sixteen months because of the apocalypse. However, I couldn't resist Percy's pleading baby-seal face.
He went out on a raid yesterday and brought back a bunch of food for the camp. He also brought me a simple green dress and told me to wear it for a date. I stared at my silhouette in the mirror before taking a deep breath. My gray eyes were coated with light mascara, and my hair was flowing in wavy curls. I also wore some watermelon chapstick.
All this felt too formal for a zombie apocalypse.
however, Percy is always full of surprises like this. I have no idea what's going on in his head, but apparently, he wants to take me on a normal date. Like that's even possible.
"Annabeth, you look so nice," Piper cooed.
I rolled my eyes whilst smiling at her through the mirror. "I feel so stupid, dressing like this. It shouldn't matter what I wear."
"Just go with the flow, Annabeth. This is actually so romantic. Jason literally never does stuff like this, so I would enjoy Percy's surprises if I were you," Piper scolded. I also felt giddy at the prospect of a 'normal' date.
"Fine. I'll be on my way," I said.
I stepped out of my hotel room and stepped into the empty hallway. The settlement was working phenomenally. There are weeks when I don't even need to see a zombie. Life within our community felt almost like normal.
The civilians spread out throughout the settlement. Some people live in the hotel while others live in the UPenn academic buildings. Some people were even staying in the auditorium of a lecture hall. There weren't any restrictions on living anymore.
I stepped out of the hotel where Percy was already waiting.
He was dressed in an actual tuxedo while leaning back against his white Tesla. He is surprisingly defensive about that car. His sea-green eyes sparkled as he absorbed my present.
"DAM, Wise Girl. You look amazing," Percy exclaimed.
My face burned as I walked over to him. I was so glad that everyone was minding their own business because I don't think I can deal with this right now.
"What's with the car, Seaweed brain?" I asked. "We're not leaving the settlement."
"Nope, we are not," Percy said while opening the door. "However, I would normally pick you up so that's what I'm doing. We're just getting dinner at the cafe."
He got in the car and started driving straight.
"Surrounded by everyone else?" I commented. "Not that romantic."
"Actually, I called in a few favors and had the cafe reserved for just the two of us. Grover and Juniper are privately cooking for us too," Percy chuckled. After a few seconds, Percy stopped the car in front of the cafe.
It would've been faster walking than driving.
I laughed while getting out of the car and looking around. He was right. usually, the cafe is a popular hang-out place for everyone. However, the cafe and the nearby street were empty. Percy reserved the entire area for our date.
"This is so over the top," I chuckled at him. Percy laughed with me while easily taking my hand. He pulled me into the restaurant where candles were lit.
I turn around and pressed my lips to his.
He slid his hands around my waist while pulling me closer. I have to admit that the past few months have been amazing. The settlement became everyone's home. We're in the middle of a zombie-infested city, but we're in our own isolated area. We don't need to worry about zombies, and we're living peacefully most of the time.
We haven't lost anyone since Luke, and we're going to keep it that way. An apocalypse doesn't just end. A cure isn't suddenly found.
So, I planned to separate the zombies from my life.
"I like the watermelon chapstick," Percy smirked against my lips. I grabbed his blazer and deepened our kiss to shut him up.
The rest of our date and night was perfect.
When I'm with him, I have answers.
First, the apocalypse won't end abruptly. The world population cannot suddenly be recovered. That's not realistic. However, I managed to put the apocalypse aside for my entire camp. My ideas led to the creation of a community.
Secondly, I survived the apocalypse because I can help people.
I realized my inner strength and intelligence through my experiences. I survived because I can provide the people I love with safety, order, and love.
In the process, I received an enormous amount of love as well. From my brothers, friends, Thalia, and Percy.
That's why I survived the apocalypse
***
I hope that you all enjoyed this story. There's one question you all should be asking yourselves. How and why will you survive the apocalypse?
समाप्त - The End - ముగింపు