The night the world ended started like any other ordinary night.
Rendell was walking home from work, tired from another long shift at the restaurant where he worked as a cook.
The streets were quiet, and the cold night air brushed against his face as he carried his small bag over his shoulder.
Cooking had always been the only thing he was good at.
Ever since he lost his parents when he was nine, he had learned how to survive on his own. Food became his comfort... and his way of living.
He was just a few blocks away from his apartment when suddenly-
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the ground beneath his feet.
Rendell froze.
Another explosion echoed in the distance. Then another.
The sky lit up with flashes of fire and smoke.
"What the-"
Before he could finish his sentence, something fell from above. A piece of metal debris crashed down and struck him.
Everything went black.
When Rendell opened his eyes again, the world was different.
His head throbbed painfully as he slowly sat up from the ground. The sunlight was blinding, and dust filled the air.
"...How long was I out?"
He looked around.
The streets were empty.
Cars were abandoned in the middle of the road. Buildings were damaged. Some were burning.
It felt wrong.
Too quiet.
Then he saw them.
Robots.
Large metal machines walked through the streets, their glowing eyes scanning the surroundings. Their heavy footsteps echoed through the empty city.
Rendell quickly hid behind a broken wall, holding his breath.
"What the hell happened...?"
He carefully peeked out.
One of the robots slowly turned its head toward him.
A red scanning light swept across his body.
Rendell's heart pounded violently in his chest.
This is it... I'm dead.
But the robot simply looked at him for a moment...
Then turned away.
It continued walking.
Rendell blinked.
"...What?"
Another robot passed by.
It scanned him too.
But just like the first one...
It ignored him.
Rendell didn't understand what was happening.
Why weren't they attacking him?
He slowly stepped out from his hiding spot. The robots continued walking around the city as if he didn't exist.
A cold feeling crept into his chest.
Something was very wrong.
After observing the area for hours, Rendell realized something terrifying.
There were no other people.
Not a single one.
The city that used to be full of life had become a silent graveyard.
"...Am I the only one left?"
He clenched his fists.
"No... there has to be someone."
Rendell stood up and looked toward the direction of the restaurant where he worked.
If the world had really collapsed... supplies would be important.
And he knew exactly where to find them.
The restaurant was still standing.
Broken glass covered the floor, but most of the kitchen equipment was still intact.
Rendell walked inside slowly, feeling a strange sense of comfort as the familiar smell of the kitchen surrounded him.
"...Guess I'm back at work."
He let out a small laugh.
He began gathering whatever supplies he could find-rice, canned goods, cooking oil, spices, and a small portable stove.
If he was going to survive...
He needed food.
And cooking was the one thing he knew how to do best.
Night fell.
Rendell sat in a quiet corner of an empty street, a small fire burning in front of him as he cooked his meal.
Rice mixed with random ingredients he found in the restaurant.
His own survival version of fried rice.
The smell filled the cold air.
Rendell took a bite.
Still good.
He stared up at the dark sky while eating alone.
The silence of the world pressed heavily against him.
"...Maybe I really am the last person alive."
But deep inside, he refused to believe it.
Someone else had to survive.
Someone.
Anyone.
The next morning, Rendell packed his supplies and began walking.
He didn't know where he was going.
But he had one goal.
Find another human.
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks turned into a month.
His supplies slowly ran out.
One afternoon, while searching for food, Rendell noticed something strange.
A faint sound echoed in the distance.
Someone... was singing.
Rendell froze.
His heart started beating faster.
"...No way."
He followed the sound carefully until he reached an old car repair shop.
The singing was coming from inside.
Rendell slowly pushed the door open.
He peeked inside.
There was a girl working on a car engine.
A real person.
Before he could say anything-
THUD!
Everything went black again.
When Rendell woke up, his head hurt even worse than before.
He slowly opened his eyes.
A girl was standing in front of him, holding a metal pipe like a weapon.
She was staring at him cautiously.
"Who are you?"
Rendell blinked.
Then suddenly... he smiled.
"So I'm not the only one who survived."
At that exact moment-
GRRRRRRRRRR...
A loud sound echoed in the room.
The girl froze.
Rendell tilted his head.
"...Was that your stomach?"
The girl looked away quickly.
"I'm not hungry."
Rendell chuckled.
"Yeah, sure."
Without another word, he stood up and started preparing a meal using the small supplies he had left.
The smell of freshly cooked food slowly filled the room.
The girl tried to ignore it.
But eventually...
She took a small bite.
Then another.
And another.
Until the plate was completely empty.
After eating, Rendell packed his things.
"Well... thanks for not killing me," he said casually. "I'm leaving."
He walked out of the garage and continued down the road.
But after a few minutes...
He noticed something.
Footsteps behind him.
Rendell turned around.
The girl was following him, carrying a bag filled with tools and clothes.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Are you following me?"
The girl shook her head.
"No."
"Then why are you walking behind me?"
"I just happen to be going the same way."
Rendell sighed.
Night eventually came.
He started preparing another small meal over a fire.
Then he looked at the girl.
"If you're going to travel with me..."
He pointed toward the nearby trees.
"...bring me some firewood."
The girl stared at him for a moment.
Then a small smile appeared on her face.
She turned and walked toward the trees.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
Rendell wasn't alone anymore.