2 Years Ago

A few hours later Kelly parked the truck on a dead-end dirt road. The sun began to set as Kelly grabbed a crowbar and rope out of one of the truck's many compartments. Gallo grabbed a sledgehammer and Ritter was clutching a random metal pipe. "Similar to a warehouse fire, basic rope procedure. Me, you kid, Ritter and Gallo flanks. Get in line, Keep your heads on a swivel."

"What's your name?" Kelly asked a mile in. "Ashley, I'm ten!" Ashley was a little black girl with long braids and pink beads. She wore a sparkly mermaid dress and matching sneakers. "I'm Lieutenant Kelly Severide." Ritter and Gallo introduced themselves. They learned she's an only child and her dad lived in Jamaica.

The front door was locked when Ashley came home from school. Her mom was standing in the living room for hours. Ashley could see her through the living room's sheer curtains. She did her homework on the porch, ate leftovers from lunch and decided to ride her bike. The adults shared a look, she was their responsibility now.

CDC advised people to stay inside a couple weeks ago. No explanation, just vague reports of a virus spreading. Information on the virus was scarce. Many deemed the news fake. Crime spiked but in Chicago criminals committing crimes was a typical day. Gallo thought some new sort of Flu was in the air and all those videos of people attacking each other were pranksters. '#brains' was trending for crying out loud.

They reached the Cabin at night. "Gallo, help me barricade the cabin and DO NOT drink the faucet water." Kelly moved a painting hanging on the living room wall and opened a safe containing rifles and ammo. He handed Gallo, Ritter and himself one. "CAREFUL, they're loaded. Out back under an overturned boat there's wooden window covers. The nails are still in the cabin. Cover me while I hang up the boards."

Kelly and Gallo left. Ritter made Ashley a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "When am I going home?" She asked while he attempted to call some family. "I don't intend on sounding insensitive… You aren't going home, you aren't safe there. Your safety is the most important thing. Your mom's infected with a virus and your life will be different from this point on. I don't know anything about the virus. I know you can trust Kelly, Gallo and me and nobody else. You hear me? Nobody." He looked up from his phone, they locked eyes. "NOBODY."

Months Later

'A gray-haired Stella and Kelly sat on the porch of a two-story colonial house. There were children playing in the backyard. Twin boys and twin girls, the resemblance was uncanny. The kids kicked a red ball back and forth.' Kelly always woke up during the rocking chair dream. Dreaming was how he remembered her. He didn't have photos, he had memories - but Stella and him couldn't make any more memories. In time he started creating memories.

One morning Kelly came across Gallo digging graves near the cabin. "Severide, I don't want to hear it. They're dead, okay? I'm laying our friends to rest, okay? Ritter already told me I've lost my mind. If anyone was coming, they'd be here by now. We've been here for months; I can't keep hoping they knock on our door. I have to put 51 behind me." Wordlessly Kelly joined him, Stella was dead, Chief was dead, Casey was dead, His mom was dead, his dad was dead. Everyone was dead.

2 Days Later

"A human needs what to survive?" Kelly asked Ashley. "Food and water." Her and Kelly walked through a small shop near the cabin. "Correct, we prioritize the bare necessities to survive. You had the right answer but what'd you do wrong?" Ashley dug pink sunglasses out of her backpack. Kelly broke the glasses and handed her one half. He dropped the other half in a green fish bowl at the checkout counter. "Just being here is a risk, we risk our lives for food and water."

"How many days can you survive without food and water?" Kelly and Ashley joined Gallo outside the shop. The small group fell into step together and began the trek home. "Uh, without water and food a week but without food just water like a couple of weeks and… yeah I forgot how long you can live without drinking water." Gallo coughed the answer and Kelly shoved him. "Reread your survival manual when we reach the cabin and memorize a page."

A zombie Ashley's age approached them. He was a hunter decked out in camo. A high-powered sniper rifle was strapped on his back. Kelly picked up a rock, threw it and cracked his skull open. "Pay attention to your surroundings, you can utilize the environment. Save a bullet, keep your knife sharp." Kelly nodded towards the body and Ashley scrambled to loot it. Ashley removed and stuffed his clothing in her backpack. Ashley flipped him over and carefully removed the firearm.

Like she'd been taught, Ashley handed Kelly the weapon. Barrel aimed at the ground, she held the butt and kept her finger off the trigger. Kelly unloaded the rifle and pocketed the ammo. "Take the holster and put it on." Ashley did as told. Kelly secured the rifle inside the holster and they carried on. Back at the cabin a note was taped on the front door.

Gallo -

I'm sorry, I have to know if there really isn't anything out there. I have to see Chicago for myself. I don't know what's waiting for me when I get to the city. Being friends with you was the highlight of my career. I went to work every day excited to rescue civilians with you Gallo. For that thank you.