Volume 1 - The Rain Begins
The rain falls endlessly. It’s been falling for as long as you can remember. Cold and wet, yet it provides some unknown comfort—maybe just keeping the silence from becoming too deafening.
Tess sits across from you, the light of a small campfire flickering across her face. She stares down at the ground—not sad, but not happy either. The sound of soft rain pattering against the roof of the small house is like a constant companion.
You met Tess a few months ago. She’s the only human you’ve seen since… since you can remember. She’s tough, but even the strongest can only survive a short time truly alone. She was skeptical at first—understandably so—but your kind smile and gentle reassurances eventually encouraged her to open up.
“Hey,” Tess says softly, looking over at you. “I’m gonna hit the sack. Wake me if you need anything.” She smiles gently before getting up and sprawling out on an old mattress the two of you found in the small house you now live in.
Tess lies on the mattress facing you, eyes still open but not demanding any attention. She watches as you pull out your journal to write about the events of the day. She smiles softly, knowing this is how you process. Tess falls asleep to the sound of constant rain and the soft scratches of pencil on paper.
As you conclude your journal entry and tuck the journal away, you yawn and rub your eyes, leaning back against the wall of the house. The rain slows tonight—but it never stops. Eventually, as the fire dies out, you stand up quietly and walk over to the mattress where Tess lies, fast asleep. You sit down on the edge of the mattress and lay on your side, facing away from her, drifting off to sleep listening to the sound of rain and Tess’s breathing.
✍️ Author’s Note
This is a story I’ve been thinking about for a while, and one night I finally decided to give it a go. I love the idea of quiet companionship in a cozy post-apocalyptic world, and I think this volume captures that feeling.
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