Write a short story, of no more than 300 words. Post-apocalyptic setting. Start with this sentence, "The disease had first cropped up in five different towns." The main character desires to survive and to find other survivors.
system
Write a short story, of no more than 300 words. Post-apocalyptic setting. Start with this sentence, "The disease had first cropped up in five different towns." The main character desires to survive and to find other survivors.
user
The disease had first cropped up in five different towns. It spread like wildfire through the remaining fragments of humanity. No society was untouched. Nina kicked an old, rusty, twisted piece of metal out of her path. This stretch of cracked pavement had remarkably few rusting car hulks littering it, not like the cities. 

The disease had no mercy; it caused a rapid deterioration of the body and mind. Mother Nature, finally having had enough abuse, had sent the ultimate punishment. Humankind was crumbling under the weight of its arrogance. 

Nina, one of the lucky ones, was immune to the disease. Or was it unlucky? Whatever, she was alive and determined to stay that way. With her backpack strapped tightly to her face and a wrinkled, worn paper map clutched in her hands, she navigated the desolate wastelands. What she wouldn’t give for a working phone. 

At first, phones and the internet had worked, even without people to man them. But in time, the electric grid failed. Some solar farms might still be online, and that’s where she’d find people. But they were south.

Days turned into weeks as she trudged through barren landscapes, the remnants of civilization slowly being taken back by the planet. If she could reach California the coast would be within striking distance as well. Power, and a food source. Ideal while she attempted to locate other survivors. Nina looked at the drunken green sign. 

It said, “Welcome to Nevada.”

There was still a long way to go.


assistant
<|system|>
</s>
<|user|>
Write a short story, of no more than 300 words. Post-apocalyptic setting. Start with this sentence, "The disease had first cropped up in five different towns." The main character desires to survive and to find other survivors.</s>
<|assistant|>
The disease had first cropped up in five different towns. It spread like wildfire through the remaining fragments of humanity. No society was untouched. Nina kicked an old, rusty, twisted piece of metal out of her path. This stretch of cracked pavement had remarkably few rusting car hulks littering it, not like the cities. 

The disease had no mercy; it caused a rapid deterioration of the body and mind. Mother Nature, finally having had enough abuse, had sent the ultimate punishment. Humankind was crumbling under the weight of its arrogance. 

Nina, one of the lucky ones, was immune to the disease. Or was it unlucky? Whatever, she was alive and determined to stay that way. With her backpack strapped tightly to her face and a wrinkled, worn paper map clutched in her hands, she navigated the desolate wastelands. What she wouldn’t give for a working phone. 

At first, phones and the internet had worked, even without people to man them. But in time, the electric grid failed. Some solar farms might still be online, and that’s where she’d find people. But they were south.

Days turned into weeks as she trudged through barren landscapes, the remnants of civilization slowly being taken back by the planet. If she could reach California the coast would be within striking distance as well. Power, and a food source. Ideal while she attempted to locate other survivors. Nina looked at the drunken green sign. 

It said, “Welcome to Nevada.”

There was still a long way to go.

</s>
