25 [25] Dinner

Dinner was a quiet, simple affair. Cassidy rummaged through a worn-out cabinet, pulling out several cans with an assortment of labels, from sweet corn to baked beans. "I hope y'all don't mind the gourmet selection," she joked, flashing us a playful smile. The smell of preserved food filled the room, a reminder of the world we once took for granted.

As we gathered around the makeshift dining table, the clanking of metal spoons against the aluminum cans echoed in the confined space. We all ate in silence, the crunching and slurping of food the only sounds breaking the stillness. Each bite, while lacking in flavor and freshness, filled us with a sense of relief. We were still alive, and for the moment, safe.

The silence was eventually broken by Cassidy's infectious laughter. "Y'all should see your faces," she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "It's like you're eating the best damn steak in the world. But hey, at least it's not the apocalypse special - one part rat, two parts cockroach."

Ms. Yan frowned at her, but there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "I don't think that's a very appetizing image, Cassidy," she remarked, eliciting another burst of laughter from our host. "I promise, once this is over, I'll cook you a proper Chinese meal."

"Canada, huh?" Cassidy mused, leaning back in her chair and considering the idea. Her brows furrowed in thought, fingers drumming rhythmically against the worn wooden table. The faint glow of a solitary, battery-powered lamp cast shadows on her face, making her look older, more serious. Her usually animated face was quiet, lost in deep contemplation.

"We've been debating about the best route to take," I began, mapping out our initial plan on the table with my fingers. I traced a line from our current location, through Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and finally into Alberta, Canada. "We think heading north, away from the major cities, would be our best bet."

Cassidy nodded, her sapphire eyes focused intently on the imaginary map in front of her. "That's not a bad plan," she conceded, "But, there's a lot of open country between here and there. It's a lot of ground to cover, especially without a vehicle. But you know what partners? Today's your lucky day." Cassidy began, a mischievous grin creeping across her face as she rose from her chair, she motioned for us to follow her. Ms. Yan and I exchanged glances before rising to trail behind her, curiosity piqued.

Cassidy led us through her home, past the gun-stocked basement, and into the large, attached garage. As she hit the light switch, the room flooded with a stark, fluorescent glow. Nestled in the corner of the vast space was a beast of a vehicle. A classic, rugged Jeep, its once-red paint faded with age and its tires caked in a layer of desert dust. It had a weathered, imposing air to it, a veteran of countless road trips and perhaps even a few off-road adventures.

"And here's the chariot that will take us to the Great White North," Cassidy announced with a dramatic flourish of her arm, a playful glint in her sapphire eyes.

I walked around the vehicle, inspecting it. It was a Jeep Wrangler, an older model, but it looked well-maintained. The large tires and high clearance would be ideal for off-roading, and the four-wheel drive would come in handy if we encountered any rough terrain or inclement weather.

Then Cassidy opened a cabinet revealing shelves stocked with canned food, bottled water, medical supplies, tools, spare parts for the Jeep, and even some camping gear. It was like a prepper's paradise, and it was clear that Cassidy had been ready for any emergency, even one as extreme as a zombie apocalypse.

"We can load these supplies into the Jeep. There's plenty of room," Cassidy said, slamming the cabinet door shut. "This old girl's a bit of a gas guzzler, but I've got a few cans of gasoline stored. It should get us to Salt Lake City, and if my buddy is still there, we can resupply and plan our next move."

It was a gamble. Heading into a city, especially one as large as Salt Lake City, was risky. But if we could find more supplies, secure a vehicle, it could significantly increase our chances of reaching Canada safely.

I looked at Ms. Yan, her expression thoughtful. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, knuckles white with tension. She was weighing the risks just like I was. But in her eyes, I saw determination. We were survivors, and we would do whatever it took to stay alive.

"Alright," I said, turning back to Cassidy. "We'll consider Salt Lake City. But we'll need to prepare. This won't be easy."

Cassidy's lips curled into a half-smile, the playful glint back in her eyes. "Easy is overrated, darling. If this apocalypse has taught us anything, it's that we're tougher than we think."

Q: What is your preferred vehicle in a zombie apocalypse?