"I packed extra water and some jerky, Hector. It should last the day," a voice whispered behind my ear, dragging me back to the present.
Lisa, my wife, leaned against the wall beside my post, the corners of her mouth curved upwards in a slight smile. A faint shadow shifted behind her, catching my attention. It was Emily; her face, so similar to her mother's, was knit with anxiety. The familiar smell of metal and antiseptic tickled my nose, a byproduct of their daily lives in the dome.
I flicked the switch; the guard post’s lights sputtered briefly before bathing the duo in a dim glow. The subtle illumination revealed the preparations they had undertaken for their expedition. Lisa's satchel was bulging with essentials, some poking through its worn patches. Her hands moved with a sense of practiced assurance as she adjusted her gear. On the other hand, Emily clutched a flashlight tightly, its faint beam piercing through the fog.
My heart ached for my daughter. She was far too young to face the harrowing perils outside the dome. But everyone was required to scavenge outside after turning eighteen. As much as I wished otherwise, it was a necessary evil. Resources were scarce, and everyone had to play their part in ensuring our community survived.
"We'll be back, Dad," Emily promised, forcing a smile.
I nodded in return, mustering as much confidence as I could. Lisa extended her hand toward me, her fingers slightly trembling. Hesitantly, I clasped her hand in mine. Her fingers were comfortably warm in contrast to the cold metal of the scanner. We shared a moment of silence, basking in each other’s presence. I opened my mouth. But before the words formed on my lips, she flashed me a playful wink and gently slipped her hand away. Lisa waved me farewell as they began their journey beyond the dome, "Keep the dome safe for us, won't you?"
I watched them until the fog swallowed their figures. I stood there, motionless, breathing in the lingering traces of their presence. Eventually, their comforting scents fade away, leaving me alone with the routine tasks of my duty. I offered a prayer for their safety, casting it into the void. Not that it would matter; should God exist in this damning world, he holds no love for us. Not anymore.
The day wore on as I stood alone at the gate. Accompanied only by the hum of electricity, the eerie silence of our nearly-dead world enveloped me. My gaze often drifted to our family photo from last year. I had carefully affixed it to the inside wall of the guard post, a constant reminder of what I live for.
It was almost noon before someone returned. My pulse quickened as I saw a familiar figure lurching out of the heavy fog. It was my friend, John, clad in his scavenger gear. Holding up my gun, I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead. The scanner buzzed to life in my hand as I aimed it at John.
DING!
ns 172.70.100.243da2