Scouts I

All I have of my mother are old recordings, her diaries, and of course, what has been told to me about her. She died when I was only four years old. I often ask myself why it had to be her. Why did my mum have to die? But she wasn’t the only one who died too young. For quite a long time, very few of those who left the house came back alive. Perhaps that’s why it’s so hard to imagine that the world was still perfect just 40 years ago. And I mean that seriously—there were no wars and no violence. There was no trace of tyranny, hatred, or rage anywhere. Many people back then called it a dream come true. But then the world changed completely. Everyone had to start fighting for their lives. And nowadays, one only hears stories about the evil and bad in the world. Almost no one believes in the good anymore. Nevertheless, there were good people. People who saved this world and gave it new strength. These people should be remembered because they sacrificed more and were willing to do more than all of us combined. Therefore, I will tell you the truth and the real story, from the beginning! For people like my mother did not give their lives in vain.

Before the day when hell on earth broke out, the small town of Port Lincoln on the coast of Australia was a cozy and idyllic place. There was a large forest made up of beeches and firs, flowers, grasses, and a small stream. You often heard the laughter of children playing with their dogs through the branches. The schools in this small community were the best in the country. The Port Lincoln rugby team climbed higher and higher each year. It wouldn’t have been long before they would have received the title of the best team in Australia. The then mayor, Joshua Zein, knew every single resident of the town. And everyone knew and loved him. Almost weekly, he and his little grandson appeared in the newspaper because they had launched a new city beautification program, made a donation, or did something of the sort. In 2148, Port Lincoln was named the most beautiful city in Australia. But before the year was over, everything changed.

Not quite as perfect, but still very nice, was the small village of Nariinteel in Mongolia. Although there were quite strict rules in the local orphanage that one had to follow, it was still a cozy place. Orphans had never really had it good or easy, but there they didn’t feel like orphans, just like normal children. They often played soccer on the streets or went hiking around the town. At the end of summer, there was a big festival for the youth every year. Many children looked forward to going there for years. For the year 2149, something very big was planned: a popular band was invited as a surprise for the youth. Of course, word spread quickly, and within no time, everyone in Nariinteel knew about it. But the band never showed up, and the festival never took place again.

In the capital of England, there was always a lot going on. Wherever you went and looked, you were never alone. Many people vacationed in London and visited places like Big Ben or the London Eye. But other places were also very popular, especially among the locals. For example, there was a small park near a fairly large residential area. Friends of all ages often met there, but especially many couples went there. There was even a very old tree in the middle of the park. It was known as the Love Tree and was said to have magical powers. Every couple who carved their names into a heart on this tree was supposed to stay together forever and be happy. There was even a legend that the tree was planted by a newlywed couple on their wedding night hundreds of years ago, and therefore would forever bring love and happiness.

And New York was said to have been so beautiful that everyone who lived there would never have wanted to leave. The view from the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty were said to be breathtaking. Many people spent time in Central Park. Children played on the lawns, students relaxed, and families fed ducks by the pond. The colleges and schools all had a good reputation and only the best students. Everyone wanted to go to New York at least once. The city was just perfect for young people who wanted to make something of themselves. And yet, today, the city that never slept is nothing but ruins.

There were many such cities that are no longer even accessible today. Jacksonville in Texas, Ottawa in Canada, Dresden in Germany, and many dozens more. They all no longer exist. Of those who really know how beautiful the world once was, almost none remain. Maybe that’s for the best. After all, they would also remember the pain, the sorrow, and the fear. And it doesn’t let go when you’ve seen a loved one die in a cruel way.

It was two years before everything began when Allan Carano and Sebastian Marlow met at the military base in Houston, Texas. They were in the same unit and initially even shared a cabin. Allan was a tall, dark-haired family man who visited, called, or did something with his younger siblings at every opportunity. Sebastian, on the other hand, preferred to go to various parties and festivals; seeing his family at Christmas was enough for him. However, it didn’t take long for the two to become best friends and inseparable. They often teased each other but were always there for each other when needed. One of those moments when Allan needed Sebastian more than anything else was when his grandparents died. His little 11-year-old sister, Katelynn “Cat,” had been living with them since the death of their parents, and now she had to be placed somewhere else. Allan refused to put her in a home. However, she couldn’t go to her other brother, as he lived in a boys’ boarding school. Sebastian was the one who made sure Cat could live on the base. And so she did. Allan took her to school every morning, and afterwards, she often watched the recruits’ training. Occasionally, Sebastian and Allan even showed her a few moves to defend herself. After half a year, she knew the base and Houston better than most others. Cat became something of a mascot. Everyone showed her something or taught her something if she only asked.

But even this time passed very quickly! On June 26th, the first bodies were found. Panic broke out all over the world within a few hours. 87 dead in London, 124 in New York, 22 in Port Lincoln, and 18 in Nariinteel. The larger the place, the more dead there were. People were called to stay in their homes and lock their doors. The hospitals were overflowing within a day. No one could say who or rather what was responsible. The next day, the first people reported that they had seen people biting others’ necks or that they had shot their attackers, even shooting them straight in the heart, and they still just kept going. The governments decided to mobilize the military. Every single military unit was deployed. But what they found in a very short time was beyond explanation! They found humanoid creatures in the forests as well as in the cities. Some of them were built exactly like humans but had glowing blue snake eyes. Others could have been mistaken for vampires; they bit people in the neck, which no one survived. Still, others seemed to simply tear people apart. It quickly became clear to people that these were not humans. Creatures kept appearing in various places, often ones that no one knew. Some didn’t even look like humans. But no matter what they looked like, one thing was clear to everyone: you couldn’t live with them. Quickly, everyone with a weapon was given permission to kill any of them. They were now fair game. Many people tried, but these creatures were just too fast, too strong, and quite clever. The question of “How do you kill them?” became more central as even a headshot was ineffective. But this wasn’t the only question being asked. “Why are they terrorizing the world?” “Where do they come from?” And above all: “What are they?”

Within two months, the world’s population had halved. It was a hopeless situation. Those who survived hid in the forests or fled to the remaining military bases. But even the military could do nothing against these “beings.” On the contrary, the gatherings of people seemed to attract the beings even more.

To survive, there weren’t many options. At that time, actually only one: one had to keep moving constantly. Never stay anywhere longer than two days. And the most important thing: think only of oneself! Mothers left their small babies behind, siblings betrayed their parents, and spouses sacrificed their partners. Almost everyone did whatever it took to ensure their own survival, even if it meant leaving everything and everyone behind! However, a few could not do that. They could not abandon their family and friends. These people believed there must still be another way, that there had to be a way to kill these beings. These people were the ones who still had hope.

Among these people were Allan and Sebastian. The two 25-year-olds decided to bring their families to safety together. They didn’t have to worry about Cat; she was safe on the base. Allan’s brother, however, was at a school for gifted boys in New York. For Allan, it was clear that he had to save him and bring him to safety, no matter the cost. When he left, he promised his little sister that he would not return without their brother. And everyone who knew Allan knew that he always kept his word. Especially since he had promised his sister on the day of their parents’ death that she would never lose anyone again, not if he could prevent it!

Sebastian, on the other hand, set out to rescue his wife and his newborn daughter. His wife was in London with her parents, and Sebastian had left his wife with them, as he had to go on a mission at that time. They had arranged that he would visit them again, and this is why Sebastian set out for London.

Allan and Sebastian were always in touch through a special communication device that was intended for such situations. It was the only way they could stay in touch and inform each other about their current status. Allan knew he would have to pass through many states to get to New York, and since he was traveling alone, he had to be especially careful. Every stop could be his last.

And Sebastian also had a long way to go. As he was traveling through a war-torn country and was often alone with his daughter, he encountered many danger spots. Every trip became a fight for survival. Even the trained soldiers often lost their lives, not to mention ordinary people who didn’t know what they were dealing with.

Thus, their journey began. Two men in search of their loved ones, whose paths were still bound to each other. They faced many dangers. But their courage and hope kept them going.

The journey took Allan and Sebastian through countless battles. Every step forward was a victory, every day survived was a small triumph. They met other survivors along the way, learned about their experiences, and took with them every piece of knowledge they could find. They realized that these creatures had certain weaknesses and that they were indeed not invincible. But still, finding a way to destroy them completely proved to be the greatest challenge.

Allan had already traveled through several states when he finally reached New York. The city was a shadow of its former self. Destruction and chaos were everywhere. However, he managed to locate his brother’s school. His brother had survived and was hiding with other survivors. Allan brought him to safety and made his way back.

Meanwhile, Sebastian reached London and successfully rescued his wife and daughter. He had to overcome many obstacles but finally managed to bring his family to safety. But the struggle wasn’t over yet. The world was still full of danger and horror.

Eventually, Allan and Sebastian found each other again. They reunited and shared their experiences. They realized that they had to continue fighting and that their struggle was far from over. They had to find a way to save their world from the clutches of these creatures. They knew that they couldn’t give up and that every day was a chance to make a difference.

The battles they fought were fierce and often costly. Many lives were lost, and the struggle for survival continued. But Allan and Sebastian never lost hope. They believed in the possibility of a better future and worked tirelessly to achieve it. Their journey was a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of friendship. They proved that even in the darkest times, hope and determination could light the way.

In the end, Allan and Sebastian became symbols of hope and courage. They were remembered for their bravery and their unwavering commitment to saving their loved ones and their world. Their story was a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, the human spirit can prevail.