The morning sunlight filtered softly through the cracked window, casting warm golden beams across the small room. Yazid climbed the ladder to the roof, reaching for the switch to activate the strange solar panel that powered their home. Inside, Salim moved quietly in the kitchen, preparing a simple breakfast for Nadira.
As she chopped vegetables, her mind wandered.I really need to go to my father's place to get supplies, she thought, her hands trembling slightly. But it's impossible to go alone in this world. We're too weak. I want Nadira to live like a normal child—go to school, make friends—but that's just a dream.
Her eyes welled with tears as she glanced toward the bedroom where Nadira slept peacefully, her small chest rising and falling with innocent breaths.
Yazid noticed Salim's silent struggle and came to her side, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down," he whispered. "We can't show weakness. If Nadira sees us like this, her heart will break too."
He thought to himself, I want to help. I feel useless watching my wife and daughter suffer. I have to be stronger. I can do better.
Suddenly, a soft rustling came from the bedroom. Nadira was stirring, about to wake. Yazid and Salim exchanged a glance and took a deep breath. We need to prepare for her birthday tomorrow.
Salim returned to the stove, stirring the pot carefully, while Yazid pulled out the Key device, scanning for any signals or signs of life beyond their fragile home.
Nadira's eyes fluttered open. "Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Baba," she greeted with a sleepy smile.
"Good morning, Nadira," Salim replied warmly. "Go brush your teeth, then come eat."
After a few minutes, Nadira appeared in the kitchen, hopping onto her chair with a cute little jump. Salim placed a bowl of cooked green beans and carrots in front of her.
Nadira looked up at her parents, her voice small but earnest. "Mom, Dad, why don't you eat with me? I don't like eating alone. You don't like me, that's why you don't eat with me."
Salim smiled softly, though her eyes betrayed the weight of their situation. "We already ate, sweetheart. You slept longer today, so we ate early so you could have fresh food. We're right here with you. Why would you think we don't love you? You're the most precious thing in the world to us."
Nadira began eating, but her face showed she wasn't happy eating alone. Salim watched her carefully, worried she might be struggling.
Meanwhile, Yazid prepared to leave for his daily search for survivors in the dangerous world outside.
"I'm going now," he said quietly.
Nadira stopped eating and grabbed her father's legs, her eyes wide and pleading. "Take me with you! I want to help!"
Salim gently intervened, "Nadira, finish your food first, then maybe you can go."
But Nadira wouldn't let go. Her face scrunched up as if tears were about to fall. They tried to calm her, but she started crying softly.
I can beat the monsters. I can protect Papa. Why won't they take me? If they let me go just once, I'll prove I can kill them with my fingers, she thought fiercely.
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Suddenly, the Key device emitted a sharp, unexpected noise. Everyone froze, startled by the sound. Yazid's face brightened with a rare smile as he looked down at Nadira.
"Just wait here, little one," he said with genuine happiness. "I'm coming back with some new friends you can play with."
In his heart, he hoped they were good people, not a trap. I really want them to be friendly. It could help Nadira too.
Nadira stopped crying, though the traces of tears were still visible on her cheeks. Salim gently took her hand and helped her settle back into her chair so she could eat.
Yazid stepped outside, and Salim praying for his safety in heart.
After finishing her meal, Nadira said confidently, "Mom, you don't need to do anything today. I can wash the plates myself."
Salim smiled but replied, "You don't have to, sweetie."
Nadira insisted so much that her mother finally agreed. There was only one plate, after all.
"Wear these gloves," Salim said, handing them over.
Nadira eagerly put on the gloves and began washing the plate. Salim watched her with a hopeful look, as if Nadira was the only reason to keep going.
When Nadira finished, she washed her hands and went to her mother, who was clearing the bed.
"I can help you fold this," Nadira offered, struggling with the task but trying her best.
Once everything was done, they moved close to the window. Nadira looked up at her mother and asked, "What are we going to do today? We don't have anything to do."
Salim smiled softly. "Today, I'll tell you a story to pass the time. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to Grandpa's place."
Nadira's eyes widened with curiosity and a hint of doubt. "You said we'd go tomorrow yesterday, and we're still here." She puffed out her cheeks adorably.
Salim chuckled. "Today, the Key got a signal. It's important. You can help others. What do you think is more important?"
Nadira thought for a moment. "I think we need to think about ourselves for now."
In her mind, she added, I want to help others too, but Mom and Dad won't let me go. I don't want anything to happen to them. If they're alone, I can't protect them.
Salim nodded and said, "Let me tell you my story before your father came."
Nadira made a face but said, "If we don't have anything else, I can listen."
Meanwhile, Yazid watched the Key device in his hand as he moved cautiously along the crumbling walls outside. Time passed as he carefully avoided monsters—many saw him but ignored him, too small to be worth the trouble.
He reached a destroyed building with a gap in the wall and slipped inside, praying silently.
Inside, he found a boy, about fifteen years old, with black eyes and hair matted with blood. The boy had a Key device on his right hand, though it looked older and worn.
As evening approached, the boy suddenly woke, shocked to see Yazid. Without hesitation, he attacked.
Yazid tried to explain he had just come because of the signal and wasn't hostile, but the boy didn't listen. The boy grabbed a broken piece of cement and swung it fiercely.
Blood splattered in the air.