A World Fallen

someone succeeded greatly. Karo has met many people since his banishment. Some have been hostile and he was forced to deliver finality. Others have been kind.
He only kept company with one group for any period of time that exceeded a few days. They were nice and caring, and that was their downfall. One of them brought an Adapted back with them to their camp, because it said it needed help. She thought it was a person in shock. It wasn’t. They all died that day. Since then Karo treks along on a path of solitude.
He’s searching for something, but he doesn’t know what it is. He spends his days scoping out small towns and cities, then looting abandoned houses and businesses, if the danger doesn't appear too great. He is aware of how important supplies are, and he is always stocked up.
“Don’t make any noise.” Karo says, his gun pointed at the back the person’s head. “Stand up, slowly.” his words are quiet.
If this is in fact a person they’ll listen, and if it’s not a person he’s not affording any opportunities to call for others. Others that are surely lurking around. Whoever, or whatever, this being before him is, it has been searching this dilapidated drug store for something. He’s never known a diseased or Adapted to do this.
The figure slowly rises from its knees. It trembles, likely afraid, however the diseased tremble too. They suffer massive vitamin deficiency and as such appear weak and ill, but the truth couldn’t be further from that.
Karo slowly takes a few steps back then instructs the stranger to turn around and face him. The person, if it is indeed a person, doesn’t appear withered or sickly. His skin isn’t discolored, his eyes aren’t bloodshot, his fingernails aren’t jagged, and his clothes aren’t foul. It’s highly possible this is, in fact, a person. Unfortunately for this older man that changes little to Karo.
“What’re you doing here?” Karo asks the stranger.
“Please, don't shoot me. I’m looking for medicine.” the stranger replies.
Karo’s brow furrows, “Why?” he asks.
“My son he-he's sick.” the stranger’s words are frantic.
Karo can feel the pain in the man’s voice, but everyone has agony within them.
“Is he?” Karo’s tone is demanding and cold.
The stranger’s breathing is growing heavier with each passing second.
“Please, we, I-I need help.”
Karo’s legs become rigid. He cocks his gun, “I’ve heard that before.”

CHAPTER SIX
"I'm tired!" Mikey moans.
The child stomps his feet, grimaces, then plops to the ground in defiance. Rosaline sighs, realizing he's a five year old little boy, but still annoyed with the outburst. She looks upon him, affection held in her eyes.
"We can't stop now."
Mikey scrunches his face and pulls his arms to his chest, crossing them tightly.
"I want to stop!”
Rosaline kneels down, blowing hair out of her face.
“I don't think we're in a good spot to rest right now bud.”
The boy's fists pound the ground as his tantrum reaches maximum.
“I want to stop! I WANT TO STOP!"
"Mikey! Stop it! Now!"
She is calm, but the sternness in her demeanor is halting. Mikey's outburst slows drastically, then ceases, lasting only a few moments. Rosaline never raises her voice, she does not scream, she never shows anger to him, he knows this. Instead, something far worse happens; she becomes quieter, distant, she tells him she's disappointed, that he knows better. There is too much danger in allowing yourself to become angry.
Mikey remains on the ground, tears now dribbling from his eyes, wetting his red, puffy cheeks. Rosaline inhales sharply, then sighs. She places her hand on the boy's arm.
"I'm sorry, I'm tired..." she frowns, knowing this world is too much for this young child, "Mikey, shit, I-"
His head snaps up, his eyes widened in shock, he gasps, "You said a no-no."
Her rigid pose breaks and she chuckles, "Yeah, I did kiddo."
She unstraps her backpack and lays it on the ground, then sits down next to him. She pulls him close to her, wrapping her arms around him.
"I know you're tired, I'm tired too. We can rest for a few minutes, but we can't stay in the woods. We have to make it to somewhere more defensible or to higher ground. That's where it's safest, remember?"
She wipes the tears from his cheeks, flashing him a smile.
"We can't be here when nightfall comes. What happens if we're not safe when it's dark?"
His gaze shifts from the ground and up to her. His eyes sag, he doesn't want to answer, and she can tell.
"What happens?" she asks again.
He doesn't say anything. She prods his sides. After a few pokes the boy giggles.
"We're dead meat." he finally replies.
"And we don't want to be dead meat."
Rosaline stands from her seated position, putting out her hand to him.
"Come on. Put the backpack on and I'll carry you for a while."
Mikey grabs the backpack and slides it over his shoulders. She leans down for him to climb onto her back. Mikey is usually a very well mannered child. This tantrum is a rarity. She has instilled within him a deep understanding of how dangerous and unforgiving the world they live in is. They've been in these woods for eight hours already with no end in sight. She has no idea if they'll be able to get out of the brush before the sun sets.
This is their every day. Roaming the outskirts of towns, avoiding cities, trying to survive, and trying to stay out of sight. There are no hopes, or dreams, or ambitions in this world. She has heard these words before, but now they hold no meaning. The only thing keeping her going is the sweet young boy attached to her back. The boy who has now slipped into a nap as the hours of carrying him have gone by.
Crack! Crack! The sound breaks through her thoughts bringing her to an abrupt standstill. She slowly, and quietly, moves to behind a tree. She sinks to the ground. Her head turns to face Mikey, waiting for him to awake. His eyes