text: my Joints ached, the apocalypse had not been kind to me or my wife. I cast a glance at my wife of thirty years, her eyes starry as she gazed around at the huge abandoned buildings. "Oh Hubert isn't it just so beautiful, mom would take me here on sunny days to see the rainbows cast by the glass." she exclaimed. she was stuck in the old world, I wish I was as lucky as her. I gently took her hand and said "maybe we'll rent a car and go see your mother" her mother was long gone, even before the war, but I loved seeing her smile, it made this bleak world a little brighter. She smiled and said "that would be nice" I allowed myself a smile and adjusted my grip on my walking stick, listening to the quiet birdsong in the dead city. We walked until we came across a small suburb, we found a small house that looked like ours and sat on the steps to rest. I pulled one of our cans of food and two plastic forks. "Hungry sweetie?" I asked as I pulled the top open. she smiled and said "yes dear." I handed her a fork and set the can between us taking small bites to let her have the most of it. The bang and whizz of a round just past my head sent me to my feet as I pulled my wife up. "whats wrong!?" she squealed as I pitched back to kick the houses door in. another round screaming into the doorframe. The door crashed open and I pushed her inside, getting in myself and slamming the door shut as yet another round smashed through it above my head. I grabbed a dusty chair and slammed it under the door knob before backing away and reaching into my courier bag. I pulled the snub nose .38 out and shakily pointed it at the door. I could hear someone outside. "D-Dont come in here, I-I'll shoot." I stammered as I pulled the hammer back. I was greeted with laughter... insane laughter. my heart fell, cannibals. I took a deep breath as my wife mumbled "Hubert, why are you pointing a gun at the jehovah's witnesses?" There was a Thud! against the door and pleading before a high pitched squeal, then silence. I was shaking so bad I couldn't see the gun's sights. "Are Y'all okay?" a young man's voice came through the door, he sounded like I knew him. "Jay! Is that you Dear? I haven't seen you in ages!" My wife exclaimed. there was a pause "Mrs.Ronson!? is Hubert there!?" I almost dropped my gun... It was my grand sons friend, the one he was withwhen the war started. "I'm, I'm here too son" I said in disbelief. there was an audible sigh of relief and then "Can, can you guys come out? I need to get my eyes on ya." I almost broke my hip getting the chair away from the door and opening it. I stared in disbelief at the blue haired teenager cradling an assault rifle in front of me. Armor made from license plates synched down to his torso. "My god old man..." he started with a grin, propping the gun against his shoulder "I can't believe a crusty old grunt like yourself made it this far." I gave an awkward startled laugh and nodded. but one question burned in my mind. "my grandson?" I asked hesitantly. His face fell and he peeked past me at my wife. "I think its best if we get back to the apc first." He quietly said, turning around and waving for me to follow.