novelraw Chapter 140: Dense Fog 1
Chapter 140: Dense Fog 1
He was surprised by Evelyn Ford’s attitude, but he understood.
After the acid rain, a thick fog descended. People had to wear masks and mesh veils at all times. The air and wind were filled with black grit that was excruciating if it got into your eyes or nose.
The survivors all suffered from the after-effects of the acid rain. These side effects included frequent dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and vomiting, with some even experiencing fainting spells and convulsions.
Officer Graham and Quincy were modifying tricycles. Everyone had too much luggage; if they ever had to leave, they would need vehicles.
Fortunately, they had found some sheet metal, tires, and tools in various corners of the base over the past few days. By scrounging and piecing things together, it didn’t seem too difficult to build a couple of tricycles.
Every day, more survivors left the base. They followed the tire tracks, with no one knowing how long the journey would be or where it would end. For them, leaving was a search for a chance to live.
Evelyn Ford suggested that Officer Graham’s group save the twelve catties of wheat they had. If they ever found a patch of clean soil, those seeds would be their hope for survival.
Evelyn Ford mixed some other seeds in with their wheat—fruit, vegetable, and even tree seeds.
Evelyn Ford suggested that all the wheat and rice they brought back be made into naan or other dry flatbreads with a longer shelf life.
Evelyn Ford stood on the roof of the administration building, looking down at Wyrmrest Base. After the acid rain, the place looked like an abandoned coal mine—a black sky, black earth, and a thick, black fog.
"You seem to have a lot on your mind lately."
Ronan Kendrick said softly, coming to her side.
Evelyn Ford turned to look at him. He still wore that same placid expression. ’He’d probably look the same even if the sky were falling,’ she thought.
"Unless humanity evolves to no longer need food, we’ll quickly go extinct without soil and water."
Ronan Kendrick watched the crowd of people leaving below. Their faces were etched with struggle and despair. He saw women with children, carrying their bags as they slowly walked away. He looked at Evelyn Ford, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Will we die too?"
Evelyn Ford sighed. "I don’t know. Maybe I can last a bit longer. As for you, you’ll probably live even longer than me."
Ronan Kendrick shook his head. "No, I won’t."
"Won’t what?"
He didn’t answer, instead looking up at the oppressive, dark sky. He added silently in his heart, ’You won’t die.’
Evelyn Ford pried up the floor tiles in the administration building and started collecting the soil underneath. Although she had plenty of soil in her space, she was not one to sit idle.
The survivors who left had each taken a bag of clay from the soil pits in The Undercity. The soil wasn’t a burden; it was a prayer for survival.
Several of the single-room buildings in the West Courtyard collapsed one after another. Their foundations, corroded by the acid, were like an anthill hollowed out by its colony.
Officer Graham and his group finished modifying the tricycles. They ended up with three in total.
That night, Evelyn Ford secretly took out some nails to reinforce them and refilled everyone’s water bottles.
All the grain had been turned into naan and dry flatbreads. With everyone’s help, even the food Taylor Vance’s group had was made into flatbreads.
Over the past two days, Officer Graham had also organized people to gather clothes and blankets. He even had them meticulously collect any nails that could be pulled from the base’s structures.
Serena Lynch got her period a few days ago. She didn’t have any sanitary pads and had to use strips of cloth instead.
Evelyn Ford had some, but she couldn’t take them out. The pads in her space were all pre-apocalypse brands.
She cut a clean piece of clothing into strips, performed acupuncture on Serena Lynch, and gave her some herbs. Only then was her pain somewhat relieved.
"Evelyn, I’m sure I have after-effects from the acid rain. My blood... it’s not normal. It’s black, and there’s so much of it. It feels like it won’t stop."
In an environment like this, survival was even more difficult for women.
"It’s probably a side effect, but don’t worry. I’ll give you acupuncture. We can use this as an opportunity to detoxify your body."
Serena Lynch lay on the bed, her body spasming from the pain. Evelyn Ford tucked a bottle of hot water under her clothes, pressing it against her abdomen. Once her hands and feet warmed up and the pain eased a little, Evelyn began the acupuncture.
"Feeling any better?"
"It doesn’t seem to hurt as much, but I’m afraid to move. I feel like if I even twitch, the blood will just gush out."
Evelyn Ford understood her situation completely. "Then just lie down and rest. I’ll go brew the medicine for you."
"Don’t. I can eat it raw. We shouldn’t waste the water."
"Eating it raw won’t be as effective. Chase Underwood already saved the water to brew it for you."
Water was scarce now, so everyone conserved as much as possible. But special circumstances called for special treatment.
Besides, Evelyn Ford was topping off their water bottles every day.
Perhaps it was just as Officer Graham said: Providence always finds a way. Every three days, a light rain would fall on the base. Everyone could collect the rainwater; after filtering, it was drinkable, and the leftover dirty water could be used for the vegetables.
Ten days later, Serena Lynch could finally get out of bed. Evelyn Ford hadn’t expected her after-effects to be so severe. According to Serena, she had never experienced menstrual cramps before the acid rain.
Evelyn Ford, on the other hand, was fine. Ever since she drank Ronan Kendrick’s blood, her constitution had improved rapidly. Not only did her injuries heal quickly, but she no longer even got abdominal pain during her period.
’Ronan Kendrick really is my greatest support and my ultimate weapon. Good thing I didn’t kill him when I found him.’
The bok choy Officer Graham had planted was ready to be harvested. That evening, everyone indulged in a pot of bok choy boiled in plain water. Even Taylor Vance and his two companions came over to share the meal.
In truth, Evelyn Ford’s group wasn’t short on supplies. They had managed to scavenge a fair amount during the rush for resources after the acid rain. Plus, with Ronan Kendrick’s quick eyes and hands, she ended up with plenty of lucky finds even without participating herself.
They had a good amount of food, but water was scarce, so no one was willing to use it for cooking. They would just wipe the dirt off the vegetables they gathered and eat them raw.
Evelyn Ford also had to feed Mina and Lola. The two little ones ate a lot, but with everyone living together, she couldn’t feed them openly. Only at night, back in their bedroom, could Evelyn cook extra meals for them, with Ronan Kendrick joining in.
By the time only a few tens of thousands of people remained at the base, the fog grew thicker, plunging the world into a darkness like night. It became impossible to go outside. Evelyn Ford knew the next disaster after the acid rain had arrived.
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH, COUGH...
COUGH, COUGH, COUGH, COUGH...
Everyone was coughing. Evelyn Ford saw Quincy pounding his chest as if trying to beat his own heart and lungs out.
Officer Graham’s face was flushed red. After a fit of coughing, his throat was too dry and hoarse to speak.
Evelyn Ford went out wearing a gas mask. A woman and several children rushed over, surrounding her and trying to search her.
"Do you have any food? COUGH, COUGH... Please, give me some food."
Evelyn Ford gave a light push, and the emaciated woman in front of her fell to the ground. Only then did Evelyn see that she seemed to be carrying a child on her back.