What pleased them most were the public bathrooms and the free water bottles, small comforts that felt like luxuries after everything they had endured.
They were allowed to sit on the ground while waiting, resting whenever the line paused.
For the first time since the apocalypse began, Mia realized, 'This… this is almost peaceful.'
Even the zombies, which once haunted their every step, seemed to avoid this area entirely, as if repelled by some invisible force. For a brief stretch of time, life felt almost normal.
Eventually, they reached the background verification counter.
The atmosphere grew tense again as guards scanned faces and documents with practiced efficiency.
Mia and Ava submitted their forms, both holding their breath. 'What if she recognizes us?'
Mia worried. 'What if Ivy warned them about us?' But the guard barely reacted, her expression calm and unreadable.
A wave of self-disdain washed over them. 'Did we really think Ivy would do that?'
