Explore the neighborhood
From Torg Adventure
"We've got about fifteen minutes before we need to call Dad," she says, slipping from between you and the tree with a grin. You're glad she's doesn't seem mad at you. She takes your hand and pulls you toward your house 100 feet away. "We better have something to report." Fifty feet from the house, the trees give way to lawn. Tracy stops behind the decoy propane tank that looks like it exploded from the bombs. Survivors wouldn't look for another, hidden propane tank if they saw the wreck of one, at least that was Dad's rationale. You crouch next to Tracy looking out over the yard. The back of your neck is prickling like ants were crawling on it. Something's not right. You check every corner of the house, every window, as well as the woods and lawn that are visible. Nothing moves.
Then you realize that the lack of movement is exactly what's bugging you. And the silence.
You should be able to see birds or squirrels. Or hear them. Or insects. You look at the dirt at your feet. Nothing is moving. No ants, beetles, worms, or anything.
"There's no life here. Dad must have been right about them using neutron bombs. The structures remain, but nothing is alive," you say. You hope the soil still has some microbes and worms left at some level below the surface. "Just to be sure, let's go around the edge of the clearing and see what the other side looks like. There could be ten mutant dire wolves at the front door and we'd never know. Keep an eye behind you into the woods."
Tracy says, "Sure." Then she kisses you. She turns and heads along the clearing, moving slowly and checking in front and behind. You check for movement along the tree line. Seeing nothing, you follow your sister.
It takes about ten minutes of lurking to get to the edge of the woods at the front yard. The property's woods surrounded the back, but gave way to the wide front yard.
From your vantage point, you see that the front is clear.
"I'd feel better if we go in the back," you say. "I wanted to make sure there was nothing that we could see."
"Makes sense. Lets' go."
The two of you move back through the woods to the back, cross the yard, and get to the back door. Listening, you hear nothing. Carefully, you open the door, trying hard to be silent. Your sister and you step inside.
What next?
