Straight Fucken Water

(Alex Flint POV)

Walking sucks. That is the conclusion I have come to while on my "journey". Looking over at my backpack I couldn't help the grin spreading across my face.

Not too long ago I came across a bunch of buildings, I believe that the oldies from the shelter called these things "cities". From the buildings I managed to get myself a bunch of resources and was quick to stuff my backpack and pockets with as much as I could carry.

Among them were all sorts of things ranging from water and food, all the way to medkits and ammunition.

"Finally", I grumble out. It has been hours since I have had any food or drink so I decide to have a little snack break. Sitting down on a conveniently placed rock I pull my backpack closer to me and start rummaging through until I pull out a few fruits and a bottle of water.

Opening the water and downing it I can't help but think that I'm missing something important. After thinking and finding nothing of note to worry about I shrug my shoulders and take a bite from a fruit which upon finishing for some reason I start to feel somewhat tired.

"Meh, guess I could take a nap", I decide and lay down drifting off into a silent slumber.

(Some time later)

I wake up and almost instantly notice something off. I was not where I had fallen asleep previously. I was standing in the middle of a completely white room with not a sound, smell or any objects in sight.

I sweep my gaze across the room hoping to find something.

"Just a plain white room. Well that and the wierd old guy standing in front of me", as the words leave my mouth I pause.

"Wait, wierd old guy?", I turn my head back to the middle of the room where some old dude was standing quietly observing me.

"I see your awake", he says calmly looking at me.

"Where the fuck am I?", I couldn't help but ask. He chuckles upon hearing my question and gives me an answer which leaves me thoroughly confused.

"You have died", he answers with a completely straight face.

"Huh", came my intelligent reply. 'Well uh...ok?'

'What now? Where do I go? What do I do? Wait, before that.'

"How did I die?", I ask him and he stares at me like I'm an idiot. 'Did I do something wrong?', I think to myself confusedly.

"What do you remember doing before dying?", he asks me.

"Went to sleep?"

He shakes his head almost disappointedly. "And before that?", he asks me.

"Um...had food and water?", By now I am even more confused. 'Why would that matter? It was just some food and water?' Realisation hits me like a metal bat to the balls.

When living in a post-apocalyptic world filled with radiation stuff obviously becomes heavily contaminated. The point? 'I forgot to sterilize the fuck out of the water' I facepalm upon realising the answer. Out of all the ways I could've died it had to be because I was forgetful and had somehow forgotten something I have done countless times before.

"I see you have figured it out", says the old man as he lets out a chuckle.

"What now?", I ask him.

"Ever heard of reincarnation?", he asks me with a massive grin.

"...huh?"