'Everyone out of the trenches!' I shout as loud as I possibly can. Eyes up, people look at me expectantly, full of hope, but when they see the expression on my face, panic sets in.
'Everyone out, grab the wood, spread it into the trench! Hurry!' I scream, trying to demand they do so quickly, before we are overwhelmed.
The entire camp scrambles now, but I can feel the fear, the tension. If I do not act, they will react out of their fear.
'You cannot run from this, there is nowhere to run, and they will not stop til they consume us. There is only one way- to fight!' I scream again, raging my fist high in the air.
Panic erupts, but they still work, knowing it is that or death. I have them now, they will stay and fight, mostly.
'Throw the wood into the trenches, now!' I shout, not waiting for their response. I grab great logs, well finished planks, furniture, anything, in it goes, spreading around across the trench as far as it will go.
They take my lead, grabbing maniacally at the mass of wood, dropping it in, frenzied.
'Oil, pour the oil onto it, light it up!' I shout. The mass is upon us, at the edge of the trench. A man runs, sheer terror on his face, unable to prevent himself. One or two others follow, a woman and another more elderly man.
'Fight on!' I shout, raging at the cowards.
Many stay, grabbing barrels, tipping them over, pouring oil across the trench, down the slope, across the wood.
The insects are in the trench now. I see a woman kneeling to the ground, holding her two children, protecting them a moment longer.
'Light it up, light it up!' I shout, feeling an inescapable panic inside myself.
Torches flare up around us, as shaking hands struggle to ignite the kindling. I am thankful it is so dry. If it were raining, we would all be dead.
People throw the torches in, and step back, sticks at the ready, guns raised for all the good they will do.
The fire erupts into an inferno, as the oil rages, like my spirit, high into the sky. Wood crackles and burns, spreading along, and I see the cauldron of insects and spiders on the opposite side. Will they wait for it to diminish to come for us? Will they move around? How intelligent are they?
We can only wait, and hope...
Tuesday 13 December 2016
Monday 12 December 2016
38) The Endeth Approaches
I know we don't have long. I don't understand how I know, but my instincts so far have been pretty keen. I just know within a very short time, this infestation of these horrible creatures, a mass of flesh eating spiders and all sorts of bugs will be upon us, and then we must be ready.
I run to one of the trader stalls at the front of the camp. He looks at me bewildered, but I point to his stockpiles of wood and oil.
'That, we'll need all of that, outside front, ready...' I shout. The man looks at me startled, then horrified, before pulling out a gun from his waist. Others around me react, pulling out guns, sticks, knives, some running away or hiding.
There is no time for games. I walk up to him, ignoring the gun pointed at my midriff.
'You do realize we are about to be attacked, and what by?' I shouted.
The man continues to look at me, then at the others.
'But.. but, this is all I have.' He says.
'Well if these things attack us and we aren't ready to defend, this stuff will still be here, but you won't, and neither will your customers!' I say, quieter now. I look at him, unblinking. Common sense stuff, I just hope he has some.
He looks deflated. I can see he is resigned to it. I look back and everyone knows. They go in quickly, grabbing barrels full of oil and stacks of wood.
'Carry it all out of the gate.' I shout, before running through ahead of them. Another group, having gathered shovels and spades stand looking toward me. I would have thought it self explanatory, but I guess some people need things pointing out. Maybe that is what has become of the world, just a lack of the ability to think, to plan and create, which is why so much anger, hatred, betrayal and theft, because it is the only way they know now.
'Dig, damn it!' I shout, and immediately dozens of people, men, women and children grab the shovels and digging tools and begin. I can see the confusion on their faces, what to do. I have to lead the sheep...
'A trench, about this far from the fence.' I say, pacing away, sliding a line in the dirt not to dig any closer. 'Dig here, all along, deep down, lower than a man's waist.' I shout.
I could say feet and inches, or some other measurement, but I think of such things few would understand.
'Dig, for your lives.' I shout, grabbing a shovel and joining in.
The work continues quickly, I can sense the fear within them. Frequently I stop and look over the crest of the hill beyond. Others do too, we know it is coming.
'I stand and look up, pointing to several women. 'You, go grab wooden torches, soak them in this oil, be ready with them.' I call. Without hesitation they run.
Within minutes the trench begins to take shape with so many bodies joining in. I climb out and look around. The trench isn't so deep, but it will have to do. It stretches around the sides of the camp, but not enough.
It will have to do, because I can hear the scratching sounds, the writhing mass as something vile approaches. Time is short, perhaps the end is near now...
I run to one of the trader stalls at the front of the camp. He looks at me bewildered, but I point to his stockpiles of wood and oil.
'That, we'll need all of that, outside front, ready...' I shout. The man looks at me startled, then horrified, before pulling out a gun from his waist. Others around me react, pulling out guns, sticks, knives, some running away or hiding.
There is no time for games. I walk up to him, ignoring the gun pointed at my midriff.
'You do realize we are about to be attacked, and what by?' I shouted.
The man continues to look at me, then at the others.
'But.. but, this is all I have.' He says.
'Well if these things attack us and we aren't ready to defend, this stuff will still be here, but you won't, and neither will your customers!' I say, quieter now. I look at him, unblinking. Common sense stuff, I just hope he has some.
He looks deflated. I can see he is resigned to it. I look back and everyone knows. They go in quickly, grabbing barrels full of oil and stacks of wood.
'Carry it all out of the gate.' I shout, before running through ahead of them. Another group, having gathered shovels and spades stand looking toward me. I would have thought it self explanatory, but I guess some people need things pointing out. Maybe that is what has become of the world, just a lack of the ability to think, to plan and create, which is why so much anger, hatred, betrayal and theft, because it is the only way they know now.
'Dig, damn it!' I shout, and immediately dozens of people, men, women and children grab the shovels and digging tools and begin. I can see the confusion on their faces, what to do. I have to lead the sheep...
'A trench, about this far from the fence.' I say, pacing away, sliding a line in the dirt not to dig any closer. 'Dig here, all along, deep down, lower than a man's waist.' I shout.
I could say feet and inches, or some other measurement, but I think of such things few would understand.
'Dig, for your lives.' I shout, grabbing a shovel and joining in.
The work continues quickly, I can sense the fear within them. Frequently I stop and look over the crest of the hill beyond. Others do too, we know it is coming.
'I stand and look up, pointing to several women. 'You, go grab wooden torches, soak them in this oil, be ready with them.' I call. Without hesitation they run.
Within minutes the trench begins to take shape with so many bodies joining in. I climb out and look around. The trench isn't so deep, but it will have to do. It stretches around the sides of the camp, but not enough.
It will have to do, because I can hear the scratching sounds, the writhing mass as something vile approaches. Time is short, perhaps the end is near now...
Tuesday 22 November 2016
37) A Great Plan of Action
The woman offers up her hand, and I can see she is weak, at least physically. Mentally she is very much alive and aware, her eyes shining brightly like pearls in the sun.
'I believe my name is Macready.' I say, taking a gentle hold of her hand and shaking it. A small child looks up at me. She is sat on a wooden box, wearing rags, her face dirty with soil. She looks confused by our greeting.
Another woman steps out from the wooden building, sees myself, Steve and Melissa and slinks back inside, peering through a gap. Others look on at us, wary of our presence.
The old woman looks down at the child, smiling easily. 'This is how people used to greet a stranger. Back in the days before so many went either hungry or crazy.'
The little girl turns and runs away, bringing with it laughter from the old woman.
She looks back at me. 'I'm known around here as Ma Guinness, though lately its more of the Old Ma Guinness.' She continues, laughing more than ever. She is a cheerful, fun character, and I can see why people might follow her. She has a strange strength about her, an aura she gives off which lends itself to a feeling of tranquility, simply by being with her.
'Yeah, trouble is coming all right. I know that, because since I woke from the vaults many moons ago, that's all there seems to be. Trouble.'
My eyes light up, and she can see the intrigue in me.
'What catches your eye, stranger?' The woman asks me. She doesn't miss a trick.
'You're from the vault?' I ask, sounding more excited than I had intended.
She smiles. 'Yeah, one of them at least, a long way from here. Woke up from a Cryochamber, a long long time ago. Me and two others, went out looking to see what had come of the world, and found it virtually dead.'
'Do you know why we were in these vaults? I cannot recall anything?' I ask, sounding pitiful.
The old woman can see my angst. 'Sorry fella, but I never had any memories either, wiped clean. We went out searching, found only endless death, and the two I was with, one hanged himself, the other got taken away by Mutants, yellow skin creatures. I managed to get away that time, wandered for weeks, all but dead myself when I stumbled on this place. Back then there was only two shacks and a small fence. Still, old man Farcey brought me in, helped me, and together we brought in strays from all over. This is what has become of the place now.'
I cannot hide my disappointment.
'There is a mass infestation of creatures, spiders, bugs of all types, seem to like the taste of meat, and will likely head this way. We need to prepare for them, to fight against them, together.' I say, anger within becoming my strength.
That smile again from the old lady. Now a crowd of people has gathered around us, listening. I can see the fear in their eyes. Even some of the traders are here now, wondering what to do.
'I'm too old for such battles, past the stage where I can be of any use.' The old woman says, as the crowd cries no, pleads with her to help, insists only she can save them.
She shakes her head. 'No, my time is done, I will watch from afar as you people are guided by a new leader, someone who has a good heart, and a clever mind.' She says, before placing her hand on my shoulder.
'Son, you may no know it, but you are special, and you have what it takes to see this place and its good people survives.' She says, as they all turn to look to me.
'How can I help? I have been running from one fight to the next, a never ending series of near death experiences.' I cry, at a loss as to what I can possibly accomplish.
'Word has it you survived those misbegotten Ghouls, some of the Mutants, Slavers, Cannibals, Raiders, and even avoided a knife in the back from someone you thought to care about. You're not running away, you're fighting...and winning.' She says, for the first time making me realize... I am a survivor.
'I hadn't thought of it before, not like that.' I say.
'Mister, what can we do, can you help us?' A woman cries out. It is the woman peering out from the shack, more afraid of what might be than anything I might do.'
Fate has a funny way of thrusting us into places in life we never expected, or intended. I understand that now.
I look up at the crowd now, realizing it is likely the whole camp, watching, listening, waiting for me.
I nod quickly, looking down, thinking, then back up at the old woman, and she can see my mind is made up.
'We need shovels, lots of them, and anything that will burn. Get me something flammable, we're gonna have a party.' I shout, at which the entire camp cheers, and breaks out into wild activity.
The old woman looks at me, that same curious expression, as if she has been waiting for this moment all her life...
'I believe my name is Macready.' I say, taking a gentle hold of her hand and shaking it. A small child looks up at me. She is sat on a wooden box, wearing rags, her face dirty with soil. She looks confused by our greeting.
Another woman steps out from the wooden building, sees myself, Steve and Melissa and slinks back inside, peering through a gap. Others look on at us, wary of our presence.
The old woman looks down at the child, smiling easily. 'This is how people used to greet a stranger. Back in the days before so many went either hungry or crazy.'
The little girl turns and runs away, bringing with it laughter from the old woman.
She looks back at me. 'I'm known around here as Ma Guinness, though lately its more of the Old Ma Guinness.' She continues, laughing more than ever. She is a cheerful, fun character, and I can see why people might follow her. She has a strange strength about her, an aura she gives off which lends itself to a feeling of tranquility, simply by being with her.
'Yeah, trouble is coming all right. I know that, because since I woke from the vaults many moons ago, that's all there seems to be. Trouble.'
My eyes light up, and she can see the intrigue in me.
'What catches your eye, stranger?' The woman asks me. She doesn't miss a trick.
'You're from the vault?' I ask, sounding more excited than I had intended.
She smiles. 'Yeah, one of them at least, a long way from here. Woke up from a Cryochamber, a long long time ago. Me and two others, went out looking to see what had come of the world, and found it virtually dead.'
'Do you know why we were in these vaults? I cannot recall anything?' I ask, sounding pitiful.
The old woman can see my angst. 'Sorry fella, but I never had any memories either, wiped clean. We went out searching, found only endless death, and the two I was with, one hanged himself, the other got taken away by Mutants, yellow skin creatures. I managed to get away that time, wandered for weeks, all but dead myself when I stumbled on this place. Back then there was only two shacks and a small fence. Still, old man Farcey brought me in, helped me, and together we brought in strays from all over. This is what has become of the place now.'
I cannot hide my disappointment.
'There is a mass infestation of creatures, spiders, bugs of all types, seem to like the taste of meat, and will likely head this way. We need to prepare for them, to fight against them, together.' I say, anger within becoming my strength.
That smile again from the old lady. Now a crowd of people has gathered around us, listening. I can see the fear in their eyes. Even some of the traders are here now, wondering what to do.
'I'm too old for such battles, past the stage where I can be of any use.' The old woman says, as the crowd cries no, pleads with her to help, insists only she can save them.
She shakes her head. 'No, my time is done, I will watch from afar as you people are guided by a new leader, someone who has a good heart, and a clever mind.' She says, before placing her hand on my shoulder.
'Son, you may no know it, but you are special, and you have what it takes to see this place and its good people survives.' She says, as they all turn to look to me.
'How can I help? I have been running from one fight to the next, a never ending series of near death experiences.' I cry, at a loss as to what I can possibly accomplish.
'Word has it you survived those misbegotten Ghouls, some of the Mutants, Slavers, Cannibals, Raiders, and even avoided a knife in the back from someone you thought to care about. You're not running away, you're fighting...and winning.' She says, for the first time making me realize... I am a survivor.
'I hadn't thought of it before, not like that.' I say.
'Mister, what can we do, can you help us?' A woman cries out. It is the woman peering out from the shack, more afraid of what might be than anything I might do.'
Fate has a funny way of thrusting us into places in life we never expected, or intended. I understand that now.
I look up at the crowd now, realizing it is likely the whole camp, watching, listening, waiting for me.
I nod quickly, looking down, thinking, then back up at the old woman, and she can see my mind is made up.
'We need shovels, lots of them, and anything that will burn. Get me something flammable, we're gonna have a party.' I shout, at which the entire camp cheers, and breaks out into wild activity.
The old woman looks at me, that same curious expression, as if she has been waiting for this moment all her life...
Monday 21 November 2016
36) The Wise Old Woman of The Wasteland
All I seem to do is run lately. I must be fit, because I seem to be able to run faster and further than I did first day out of the vault.
Steve is no slouch, but I can hear him panting and puffing behind me. We appear long clear of those creatures, but I cannot ignore the voice in the back of my mind asking what if those things find their way to the camp. Sure, there are plenty of people to fight back, and lots of weapons, but with hundreds of thousands of flesh eating spiders, roaches, ants and other insects I've never seen before, it's likely the camp will be overrun sooner or later.
Finally we reach the camp's edge. In some ways a wasted journey, but in others I have to be philosophical, I have likely made a contact who is useful, and most importantly, in my debt. I saved his life.
As we approach the main gates, Melissa comes running out and runs straight to Steve, hugging him tightly.
'Thank you, thank you so much for helping us.' She says, struggling to hold back tears.
'What happened, why didn't you come back?' She demands of him, as she abruptly changes her attitude, from grateful to mock anger.
Steve looks at me sheepishly, then back to her. He seems embarrassed, probably by how quickly and easily I found a solution.
'He was trapped by an infestation, it was just pure luck we were able to escape.' I reply quickly. He looks at me, a brief smile and then back to her. I can see he is grateful for sparing his blushes; no need for further torment for either of them.
'Thank you anyway.' She says, looking again at me, and I can see the relief on their faces.
'No information about the vault I guess though.' I say, trying to hide my sarcasm. I'm just too soft.
Melissa gives me a perplexed look. 'What do you mean, hasn't he told you what he knows about it?' She asks.
I shake my head. 'No, Steve doesn't know anything about them, says to me.'
Melissa looks at him square in the eye. Clearly it wasn't a ruse, she really did think he knew. Perhaps he does, but he's not saying anything.
'Sorry gal, I don't really know anything about them.'
Melissa looks at me apologetically, without speaking. It doesn't matter, there's nothing she can say anyway, and it's fine, I might have done the same thing in similar circumstances.
'We need to talk.' I say to Steve, sounding deliberately serious. His expression changes also, I can see he knows what I mean.
'We need to gather others, they need to know what is out there, help us do something about it.' He says. I nod in agreement.
'What about, that infestation, didn't you call it?' Melissa asked. No answer was needed.
Steve turns and looks towards two of the guards. 'Just who is in charge of this place, anyway?' He asks.
One of the guards grins, exposing a distinct lack of teeth. He is wearing leather gear, well worn and tatty, but good at keeping the weather extremes out, if not bullets.
'Old Ma Guiness.' The guard says, before spitting to the ground towards his side.
'Yeah right.' Steve says, turning to me. 'She is a wiley old one, doesn't say much but always seems to be around.We should go talk to her.'
'I don't think we should waste time, no telling how long before those things trace us back here.' I say loudly, so everyone can hear.
'What things?' One of the guards asks.
'You might see soon, so we'd best prepare.' I reply, leading the way back into camp.
Steve walks ahead of me, showing the way to the old woman's shack.
It is well fortified, wooden, well built and nice canopy over the sides. She is standing outside, near to a well lit fire, with a black pan boiling something atop.
'Gentlemen, and lady, I was expecting you.' She says clearly, smiling eagerly.
'Really?' Steve asks.
The woman nods easily. 'Trouble brewing I reckon.' She says laughing a little. She has a glint in her eye, wise beyond her years. She may be the person I have been seeking all along...
Steve is no slouch, but I can hear him panting and puffing behind me. We appear long clear of those creatures, but I cannot ignore the voice in the back of my mind asking what if those things find their way to the camp. Sure, there are plenty of people to fight back, and lots of weapons, but with hundreds of thousands of flesh eating spiders, roaches, ants and other insects I've never seen before, it's likely the camp will be overrun sooner or later.
Finally we reach the camp's edge. In some ways a wasted journey, but in others I have to be philosophical, I have likely made a contact who is useful, and most importantly, in my debt. I saved his life.
As we approach the main gates, Melissa comes running out and runs straight to Steve, hugging him tightly.
'Thank you, thank you so much for helping us.' She says, struggling to hold back tears.
'What happened, why didn't you come back?' She demands of him, as she abruptly changes her attitude, from grateful to mock anger.
Steve looks at me sheepishly, then back to her. He seems embarrassed, probably by how quickly and easily I found a solution.
'He was trapped by an infestation, it was just pure luck we were able to escape.' I reply quickly. He looks at me, a brief smile and then back to her. I can see he is grateful for sparing his blushes; no need for further torment for either of them.
'Thank you anyway.' She says, looking again at me, and I can see the relief on their faces.
'No information about the vault I guess though.' I say, trying to hide my sarcasm. I'm just too soft.
Melissa gives me a perplexed look. 'What do you mean, hasn't he told you what he knows about it?' She asks.
I shake my head. 'No, Steve doesn't know anything about them, says to me.'
Melissa looks at him square in the eye. Clearly it wasn't a ruse, she really did think he knew. Perhaps he does, but he's not saying anything.
'Sorry gal, I don't really know anything about them.'
Melissa looks at me apologetically, without speaking. It doesn't matter, there's nothing she can say anyway, and it's fine, I might have done the same thing in similar circumstances.
'We need to talk.' I say to Steve, sounding deliberately serious. His expression changes also, I can see he knows what I mean.
'We need to gather others, they need to know what is out there, help us do something about it.' He says. I nod in agreement.
'What about, that infestation, didn't you call it?' Melissa asked. No answer was needed.
Steve turns and looks towards two of the guards. 'Just who is in charge of this place, anyway?' He asks.
One of the guards grins, exposing a distinct lack of teeth. He is wearing leather gear, well worn and tatty, but good at keeping the weather extremes out, if not bullets.
'Old Ma Guiness.' The guard says, before spitting to the ground towards his side.
'Yeah right.' Steve says, turning to me. 'She is a wiley old one, doesn't say much but always seems to be around.We should go talk to her.'
'I don't think we should waste time, no telling how long before those things trace us back here.' I say loudly, so everyone can hear.
'What things?' One of the guards asks.
'You might see soon, so we'd best prepare.' I reply, leading the way back into camp.
Steve walks ahead of me, showing the way to the old woman's shack.
It is well fortified, wooden, well built and nice canopy over the sides. She is standing outside, near to a well lit fire, with a black pan boiling something atop.
'Gentlemen, and lady, I was expecting you.' She says clearly, smiling eagerly.
'Really?' Steve asks.
The woman nods easily. 'Trouble brewing I reckon.' She says laughing a little. She has a glint in her eye, wise beyond her years. She may be the person I have been seeking all along...
Monday 14 November 2016
35) A Leader is Born
'Really? I've been holed up here for weeks, and have no idea what could do to escape, and you have been here all of ten minutes, and you already have a plan?' The man says, sounding not particularly impressed.
'I seem to have been jumping out of one frying pan and into another, since I woke up.' I say.
'What, since you woke up this morning?'
'No, since I woke up from that vault. Since then all I've done is struggle to find food or clean water, get chased, nearly eaten, nearly fallen to my death, and shot at countless times. The only time I get any peace is in that camp. Crazy' I explain, feeling better after for letting it all out.
'Sorry to say fella, but that's the way life is. Been like that all my life. Why do you think I'm sat here in this sorry mess, cos every time I go out, like any of us, there's trouble, and something waiting to take away from us, either life or what little possessions we have.'
His words just make things worse. It isn't like I can sit back, accept what he says and deal with it by doubling up my intent to survive. Instead it leaves me wondering if there will be any happiness.
Silence descends upon us for a short while, both lost in thought. I wonder if perhaps we are at the end of our road, from the moment of birth, that our struggles are for nothing, because in this world they always end in failure, but in any world they always end in death.
'You mentioned you had a plan.' Steve finally says, interrupting my wallowing in negativity.
I look up at him, and think for a while, looking at him. My mind has gone blank, as if it is a clean slate, that anything I do from now bares no reference to my past, and that I can impress this fresh start on the world around me.
'I think this place needs a leader.' I say.
'What, this railway siding, these buildings, those old trains?' Steve asks. I give him a perplexed look.
'No, I mean the world we live in. It needs someone to organize it, to look after its weaker people, and to defend a set of principles that others will respect and join the fight for.'
Steve raises his eyebrows. I think I surprised him.
'You think? Never heard anyone talk like that before, never expected it of you.' He says, sounding as surprised as he looks.
I remain silent a moment, thinking some more.
'Do you think people would follow, if I led them to a better place, in mind and body, as well as physically?'
Steve looks ever more surprised. 'Yes, they would, I would, we would, I mean me and mine. No one ever seems to know how to lead any more. So yeah, we would.'
I like his optimism, and if I can impress that upon just one person who is staring at death, then perhaps I can impress the same on others. If we get away from here.
I stand up and move back along the walkway, onto the roof of the carriage again. I peer over the sides and down. A teeming mass of various crawling bugs and insects become ever more insane in their lust to gain access to me, strip my bones of flesh and continue their relentless search for food. Much as we humans do.
'Seems like a simple thing really.' I say. As I speak I feel Steve sidle up behind me. He is a very strong man, very muscular, not someone you would want an argument with, and definitely someone you would want on your side.
'Really?' He asks, looking at me perplexed.
'How about I get us out of this, and if I do, in turn you work with me, we create something better, for all people. how about that?' I ask, looking at him squarely in the eye now.
He doesn't seem to need time to think.
'Yes, yes, yes yes indeed. Get me out of here, and if you have an idea that will help all of us, then I will support you throughout to make it better.' He says, daring to smile, sounding giddy.
'Right.' I say, moving over behind him. I walk across to the metal sheeting that we used as a bridge to the building opposite. I push my fingers into gaps in the sheet, and pull at it, letting it fall away one end to the ground, but keeping a tight hold of the other end.
'What are you doing?' Steve shouts, panicking that we are lost.
The sheeting is heavy, but I can just about manage. I pull back on it, sliding it up and across the roof of the carriageway. Steve looks on, as confused as anything. Finally, I slide the sheeting across the carriage roof, and lift it upright, before placing one edge near the end of the carriage roof. Holding onto the bottom of the sheeting, I allow it to fall, away from the building, swinging down across the writhing figure of death below, as it crashes onto the a rock outcrop beyond, creating a bridge for us, out into the plateau beyond.
Steve now really does light up, his eyes a look of amazement, ignoring the fact that he has been stuck here so long and never thought of it.
'Ready to go?' I ask, at which he nods. I gently step onto the newly formed bridge, and move across slowly. Steve follows behind, and in seconds we are across from the mass of insects and to safer higher ground.
'We won't have long til some figure out where we've gone, so let's run for it.' I say. Steve needs no further encouragement, as we break out into a sprint, away from certain death...
'I seem to have been jumping out of one frying pan and into another, since I woke up.' I say.
'What, since you woke up this morning?'
'No, since I woke up from that vault. Since then all I've done is struggle to find food or clean water, get chased, nearly eaten, nearly fallen to my death, and shot at countless times. The only time I get any peace is in that camp. Crazy' I explain, feeling better after for letting it all out.
'Sorry to say fella, but that's the way life is. Been like that all my life. Why do you think I'm sat here in this sorry mess, cos every time I go out, like any of us, there's trouble, and something waiting to take away from us, either life or what little possessions we have.'
His words just make things worse. It isn't like I can sit back, accept what he says and deal with it by doubling up my intent to survive. Instead it leaves me wondering if there will be any happiness.
Silence descends upon us for a short while, both lost in thought. I wonder if perhaps we are at the end of our road, from the moment of birth, that our struggles are for nothing, because in this world they always end in failure, but in any world they always end in death.
'You mentioned you had a plan.' Steve finally says, interrupting my wallowing in negativity.
I look up at him, and think for a while, looking at him. My mind has gone blank, as if it is a clean slate, that anything I do from now bares no reference to my past, and that I can impress this fresh start on the world around me.
'I think this place needs a leader.' I say.
'What, this railway siding, these buildings, those old trains?' Steve asks. I give him a perplexed look.
'No, I mean the world we live in. It needs someone to organize it, to look after its weaker people, and to defend a set of principles that others will respect and join the fight for.'
Steve raises his eyebrows. I think I surprised him.
'You think? Never heard anyone talk like that before, never expected it of you.' He says, sounding as surprised as he looks.
I remain silent a moment, thinking some more.
'Do you think people would follow, if I led them to a better place, in mind and body, as well as physically?'
Steve looks ever more surprised. 'Yes, they would, I would, we would, I mean me and mine. No one ever seems to know how to lead any more. So yeah, we would.'
I like his optimism, and if I can impress that upon just one person who is staring at death, then perhaps I can impress the same on others. If we get away from here.
I stand up and move back along the walkway, onto the roof of the carriage again. I peer over the sides and down. A teeming mass of various crawling bugs and insects become ever more insane in their lust to gain access to me, strip my bones of flesh and continue their relentless search for food. Much as we humans do.
'Seems like a simple thing really.' I say. As I speak I feel Steve sidle up behind me. He is a very strong man, very muscular, not someone you would want an argument with, and definitely someone you would want on your side.
'Really?' He asks, looking at me perplexed.
'How about I get us out of this, and if I do, in turn you work with me, we create something better, for all people. how about that?' I ask, looking at him squarely in the eye now.
He doesn't seem to need time to think.
'Yes, yes, yes yes indeed. Get me out of here, and if you have an idea that will help all of us, then I will support you throughout to make it better.' He says, daring to smile, sounding giddy.
'Right.' I say, moving over behind him. I walk across to the metal sheeting that we used as a bridge to the building opposite. I push my fingers into gaps in the sheet, and pull at it, letting it fall away one end to the ground, but keeping a tight hold of the other end.
'What are you doing?' Steve shouts, panicking that we are lost.
The sheeting is heavy, but I can just about manage. I pull back on it, sliding it up and across the roof of the carriageway. Steve looks on, as confused as anything. Finally, I slide the sheeting across the carriage roof, and lift it upright, before placing one edge near the end of the carriage roof. Holding onto the bottom of the sheeting, I allow it to fall, away from the building, swinging down across the writhing figure of death below, as it crashes onto the a rock outcrop beyond, creating a bridge for us, out into the plateau beyond.
Steve now really does light up, his eyes a look of amazement, ignoring the fact that he has been stuck here so long and never thought of it.
'Ready to go?' I ask, at which he nods. I gently step onto the newly formed bridge, and move across slowly. Steve follows behind, and in seconds we are across from the mass of insects and to safer higher ground.
'We won't have long til some figure out where we've gone, so let's run for it.' I say. Steve needs no further encouragement, as we break out into a sprint, away from certain death...
Tuesday 8 November 2016
34) Spiders, Insects and plans
'Over here! This way.' I hear a voice shouting. I have no time to do anything. A glancing look back and all I see is a mass of these black spiders scurrying towards me. There must be tens of thousands of them, flesh eating spiders and I'm the main item on today's menu!
'Faster.' Someone shouts, as if I need encouraging to run any faster than I already am. It's not as if I'm out for a jog and about to be consumed by spiders, and could do more- I can't!
That same familiar feeling, my chest thumping like it's about to explode, and me running away from something terrible. I wonder if I should have stayed in the vault, maybe hunger might have been better than being eaten alive or ripped apart or blown up.
The voice no longer sounds, but I have an idea where it comes from. Up ahead seems to be what I recall were train tracks, and there are train carriages left unattended here and there. I can feel pain in my chest; my lungs are fit to burst.
Running, hearing the noise behind me, like a plague of locusts descending on me, a black swarm ready to wash over me. Not far, a carriage, beside metal sidings of a building, all closed in. Just a bit further, don't trip on the tracks, don't fall now.
I reach a carriage, it is too tall, no way up, I'm stuck, dead end. It's all over for me.
A hand reaches down, poking at me, demanding I take a hold. I have no choice, out of the frying pan into the fire. I grab a hold, and the grip is firm, hoisting me up. I am a big person, well over six foot, stocky build, and yet whoever this is takes me up like I am a soft pillow.
Just in time, as the little creatures flood around beneath us. Don't let go of me now, I keep a tight hold too. If he tries to drop me, I won't let go, he's coming with me!
The man swings me right over the top of the carriage. It is long, an old wooden thing, but still sturdy enough. Its roof is flat, but not much else here, I notice though a linkway to the building, perhaps the best way in.
I drop down, exhausted. If he has plans for me that are bad, I doubt I can do much about it. I look up and for a moment the sun blinds my eyes, until he too drops down. He is large man, all muscle, dark skin, shaven head, his eyes deep blue. Looks like he has seen a lot of life. Then, I see it. Why didn't I think of it before, the beard, the great thick bushy beard.
I try to speak in between gulping down great gobs of air. 'Are you from the settlement up away... other side of those things?' I ask.
The man looks at me sternly. 'What of it?' He demands, no hint of friendliness.
'You have a sister there?'
'What of it?' He demands, no raising his voice. It seems upset and angry at her mention.
'She asked me on my travels to see if I saw you, to say she's worried about you.'
This seems to calm him a little, and he sighs, sitting back.
'Yeah, I guess that would be Melissa.' He says, now looking at me quietly.
I shrugged. I was never one for names really, people come and go so much I often hadn't even thought to check.
'I'm Steve, I guess she would be missing me. Can't cope without me.' The man says, offering out a hand. I take a hold and we shake, firm grip and all.
'I have no idea who I am, still can't remember. Your sister said you knew a lot about the vaults, might know who I am or help me with it.' I say. It never gets old, telling people I don't know who I am.
The man laughs, I think at first at my not knowing, but then it seems not.
'What, what's up?' I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
'Don't be angry, she's just not that strong and panics without me.' He says, and I look at him showing my confusion. 'I don't know anything about those vaults. Sorry, she just said that to get you to come help find me.'
I can't say I was shocked by it, nothing shocks me any more. I feel angry, but what can I do about it. I look over the sides of the carriage, and it is surrounded by a teeming mass of creatures, not all spiders, all sorts of weird and creepy insects, and no doubt all hell bent on devouring us.
'What the hell is it with those things?' I ask, peering down.
The man stands up, beckoning me to do so too.
'They're the reason I'm still here, cos if you go to ground round here, then they swarm you and in minutes all that's left is bones. Look over there.'
I look to where is he pointing. I see bones of long dead animals, what appeared to be cattle, only the closer I look, the more I realize they aren't so long dead, and there are lots of them, skeletons littered all over.
'I went and traded for some cattle, and got myself a scavenging hound. Coming back through this way, they just came upon us and took the lot. I managed to jump onto a ledge and get up here, and then a walkway out of old planks up into the top of the building. For now they don't seem to be able to get up so high.'
Wide eyed, I look at him shocked. Sickened by what this world conjures up.
'So now what?' I ask, feeling sick to my stomach.
The man turns, heads across the walkway he has constructed. 'This way.'
I follow him, carefully. There are gaps all around, but the building is high, made mostly of corrugated steel panels. As we walk we crouch, and go into a darkened area. There is a sleeping bag, some other bags, and the place looks as if it was once an office. It has wood for a fire, not lit, and some water.
'I don't have much food left, only what I was carrying when I was set upon. Even without sharing I was done a few days.'
All seems lost.
'Don't they go when they lose sight of us?'
'Nope, hound tried to run and they came from all sides. No idea how you avoided them, just damned lucky I guess.'
'So, now what?' I ask, feeling sickened I have again been lied to and betrayed.
'Well we either starve to death, or come up with a plan.' He suggests.
A plan. I have an interesting idea...
'Faster.' Someone shouts, as if I need encouraging to run any faster than I already am. It's not as if I'm out for a jog and about to be consumed by spiders, and could do more- I can't!
That same familiar feeling, my chest thumping like it's about to explode, and me running away from something terrible. I wonder if I should have stayed in the vault, maybe hunger might have been better than being eaten alive or ripped apart or blown up.
The voice no longer sounds, but I have an idea where it comes from. Up ahead seems to be what I recall were train tracks, and there are train carriages left unattended here and there. I can feel pain in my chest; my lungs are fit to burst.
Running, hearing the noise behind me, like a plague of locusts descending on me, a black swarm ready to wash over me. Not far, a carriage, beside metal sidings of a building, all closed in. Just a bit further, don't trip on the tracks, don't fall now.
I reach a carriage, it is too tall, no way up, I'm stuck, dead end. It's all over for me.
A hand reaches down, poking at me, demanding I take a hold. I have no choice, out of the frying pan into the fire. I grab a hold, and the grip is firm, hoisting me up. I am a big person, well over six foot, stocky build, and yet whoever this is takes me up like I am a soft pillow.
Just in time, as the little creatures flood around beneath us. Don't let go of me now, I keep a tight hold too. If he tries to drop me, I won't let go, he's coming with me!
The man swings me right over the top of the carriage. It is long, an old wooden thing, but still sturdy enough. Its roof is flat, but not much else here, I notice though a linkway to the building, perhaps the best way in.
I drop down, exhausted. If he has plans for me that are bad, I doubt I can do much about it. I look up and for a moment the sun blinds my eyes, until he too drops down. He is large man, all muscle, dark skin, shaven head, his eyes deep blue. Looks like he has seen a lot of life. Then, I see it. Why didn't I think of it before, the beard, the great thick bushy beard.
I try to speak in between gulping down great gobs of air. 'Are you from the settlement up away... other side of those things?' I ask.
The man looks at me sternly. 'What of it?' He demands, no hint of friendliness.
'You have a sister there?'
'What of it?' He demands, no raising his voice. It seems upset and angry at her mention.
'She asked me on my travels to see if I saw you, to say she's worried about you.'
This seems to calm him a little, and he sighs, sitting back.
'Yeah, I guess that would be Melissa.' He says, now looking at me quietly.
I shrugged. I was never one for names really, people come and go so much I often hadn't even thought to check.
'I'm Steve, I guess she would be missing me. Can't cope without me.' The man says, offering out a hand. I take a hold and we shake, firm grip and all.
'I have no idea who I am, still can't remember. Your sister said you knew a lot about the vaults, might know who I am or help me with it.' I say. It never gets old, telling people I don't know who I am.
The man laughs, I think at first at my not knowing, but then it seems not.
'What, what's up?' I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
'Don't be angry, she's just not that strong and panics without me.' He says, and I look at him showing my confusion. 'I don't know anything about those vaults. Sorry, she just said that to get you to come help find me.'
I can't say I was shocked by it, nothing shocks me any more. I feel angry, but what can I do about it. I look over the sides of the carriage, and it is surrounded by a teeming mass of creatures, not all spiders, all sorts of weird and creepy insects, and no doubt all hell bent on devouring us.
'What the hell is it with those things?' I ask, peering down.
The man stands up, beckoning me to do so too.
'They're the reason I'm still here, cos if you go to ground round here, then they swarm you and in minutes all that's left is bones. Look over there.'
I look to where is he pointing. I see bones of long dead animals, what appeared to be cattle, only the closer I look, the more I realize they aren't so long dead, and there are lots of them, skeletons littered all over.
'I went and traded for some cattle, and got myself a scavenging hound. Coming back through this way, they just came upon us and took the lot. I managed to jump onto a ledge and get up here, and then a walkway out of old planks up into the top of the building. For now they don't seem to be able to get up so high.'
Wide eyed, I look at him shocked. Sickened by what this world conjures up.
'So now what?' I ask, feeling sick to my stomach.
The man turns, heads across the walkway he has constructed. 'This way.'
I follow him, carefully. There are gaps all around, but the building is high, made mostly of corrugated steel panels. As we walk we crouch, and go into a darkened area. There is a sleeping bag, some other bags, and the place looks as if it was once an office. It has wood for a fire, not lit, and some water.
'I don't have much food left, only what I was carrying when I was set upon. Even without sharing I was done a few days.'
All seems lost.
'Don't they go when they lose sight of us?'
'Nope, hound tried to run and they came from all sides. No idea how you avoided them, just damned lucky I guess.'
'So, now what?' I ask, feeling sickened I have again been lied to and betrayed.
'Well we either starve to death, or come up with a plan.' He suggests.
A plan. I have an interesting idea...
Monday 7 November 2016
33) Chased by Flesh Hungry Spiders!
My mind is filled with terrible images again, as night shadows fly around in my mind.
I can see Judy's face, as she sits looking at me. Instead of holding a gun, pointing at me, she holds out a flower, prodding it towards me, a gift of reconciliation. Her face is a picture of pleading, wondering why I killed her, she only wanted to be together again.
I feel myself moving fitfully in my sleep, but my eyes refuse to open, I cannot wake. I know it is a part of me that is demanding retribution of myself for what happened, but my mind, the intelligent part, dictates that what I did was survival, as disgusting as it was. I refuse to bow down to recriminations over what I had to do, and knew was right.
I wake, covered in sweat, breathing heavily. At last I escape the morass of fear and loathing that encompasses me. It is still dark outside, but I can see the edge of dawn approaching. Sleep no longer holds me, and so now is as good a time as ever to begin my preparations.
Time. It is a concept that no longer seems to matter, and yet it rings around my mind, wondering of its importance in the wasted world we no inhabit. I wonder if there are even working clocks around any more.
My body as always now aches and my head thumps. I take a drink from a flask of water; it is cold down my throat, but quenches my thirst and feels good. I sit a moment, trying to grow accustomed to the poor light, and see shadows dancing around before me. A thought occurs that perhaps I am suffering with a fever, or some other sickness, something that is most likely a death sentence. I have nothing for this, no medicine, no treatment. If I get sick I will need help, so I put it to the back of my mind to look out for new supplies.
Strange that in all her findings, Judy never had any.
I take a large satchel, one of the fine things that Judy had acquired. It is leather, well made and sturdy. I fill it with bottles of water, some dry food and plenty of ammunition, both for pistol and rifle. I feel secure now that come what may, I will have the resources and experience to cope.
Surely my clothes need some attention. The rags I am wearing are hardly suitable for the work I do, let alone what passes as shoes for me. As much as I need medicine, I certainly need clothes and boots. It is my first order of business, to see if I can buy some.
I take a small cloth pouch, and fill it with caps, possibly around two hundred. Should be enough to get what I need.
Standing takes time as my weary joints moan about having to lift me up again. At least now these complaints are not driven by hunger and thirst.
I walk out into the cool morning air once more, and ignoring all that is around my my walk towards the sellers. The area is quiet this early, but still some are milling around, setting up tables and adding goods.
'Hey, anyone around here sell clothes, or boots?' I ask one woman. She looks elderly, but spritely for her age. She looks up at me, as small as she is, there is fire in her eyes.
'Clothes, mebbe, not much, but no boots.' She says and laughs loudly, giggling like a witch. 'Boots are like caps galore... everyone wants them.' She continues, before looking away and continuing to tend to her stall.
It was as much as I feared. I shall have to forage for my own needs outside, as well as searching for this missing man.
I offer thanks, but she ignores me, intent only on her business.
As I walk out of the gates, I cannot help but feel nervous. The last time I did this I had someone to watch my back, and she herself was the supposed victim of slavers. I shiver, not only for the frigid air, but for the wonder of what is to come.
I walk, this time a path between the side of the river, and the way to the town I had benefited so much from. The ground is harder here, like walking on the slippery slope of a mountain edge. Grass grows here and there, looking weather worn and thin, with occasional cacti sporadically laid out in random order. As I progress, the greenery seems to thicken, as if it is an old run off from the river.
I hear a crunching sound, like gravel being misplaced. I think nothing of it, until I take a few more steps, and see something tiny but dark moving along the ground ahead. I stop for a moment, looking to see what it is, to allow my eyes to focus on the object. It seems to be a spider-like creature, fumbling around.
I step a little closer, and bend over, to gain a greater view. It looks like a nasty little thing, covered in black hair, but large eyes and fangs from the front that could certainly do some damage.
What shocks me the most is it seems to have part of a human hand wedged in between its left fang; the spider is carnivorous!
It is dragging the piece of flesh along slowly, from where I cannot see, nor where to. Strange. As I stand up I hear a crunch underfoot, and look down to see I have stood on one of the things. A hissing sound erupts as the spider bleeds out, a kind of dark green gunge.
The sounds of disturbing gravel erupts too, close to me, and now I see more and more of these spider things crawling out from holes all around. they seem to be approaching me, fast.
I skip, dance away and run further down the trail, glancing back to see a black river of spiders following me. They move fast, perhaps faster than I can. I panic, sprinting ahead, but the surging sounds of their encroachment drives my mind wild.
I am about to be engulfed in flesh hungry spiders...
I can see Judy's face, as she sits looking at me. Instead of holding a gun, pointing at me, she holds out a flower, prodding it towards me, a gift of reconciliation. Her face is a picture of pleading, wondering why I killed her, she only wanted to be together again.
I feel myself moving fitfully in my sleep, but my eyes refuse to open, I cannot wake. I know it is a part of me that is demanding retribution of myself for what happened, but my mind, the intelligent part, dictates that what I did was survival, as disgusting as it was. I refuse to bow down to recriminations over what I had to do, and knew was right.
I wake, covered in sweat, breathing heavily. At last I escape the morass of fear and loathing that encompasses me. It is still dark outside, but I can see the edge of dawn approaching. Sleep no longer holds me, and so now is as good a time as ever to begin my preparations.
Time. It is a concept that no longer seems to matter, and yet it rings around my mind, wondering of its importance in the wasted world we no inhabit. I wonder if there are even working clocks around any more.
My body as always now aches and my head thumps. I take a drink from a flask of water; it is cold down my throat, but quenches my thirst and feels good. I sit a moment, trying to grow accustomed to the poor light, and see shadows dancing around before me. A thought occurs that perhaps I am suffering with a fever, or some other sickness, something that is most likely a death sentence. I have nothing for this, no medicine, no treatment. If I get sick I will need help, so I put it to the back of my mind to look out for new supplies.
Strange that in all her findings, Judy never had any.
I take a large satchel, one of the fine things that Judy had acquired. It is leather, well made and sturdy. I fill it with bottles of water, some dry food and plenty of ammunition, both for pistol and rifle. I feel secure now that come what may, I will have the resources and experience to cope.
Surely my clothes need some attention. The rags I am wearing are hardly suitable for the work I do, let alone what passes as shoes for me. As much as I need medicine, I certainly need clothes and boots. It is my first order of business, to see if I can buy some.
I take a small cloth pouch, and fill it with caps, possibly around two hundred. Should be enough to get what I need.
Standing takes time as my weary joints moan about having to lift me up again. At least now these complaints are not driven by hunger and thirst.
I walk out into the cool morning air once more, and ignoring all that is around my my walk towards the sellers. The area is quiet this early, but still some are milling around, setting up tables and adding goods.
'Hey, anyone around here sell clothes, or boots?' I ask one woman. She looks elderly, but spritely for her age. She looks up at me, as small as she is, there is fire in her eyes.
'Clothes, mebbe, not much, but no boots.' She says and laughs loudly, giggling like a witch. 'Boots are like caps galore... everyone wants them.' She continues, before looking away and continuing to tend to her stall.
It was as much as I feared. I shall have to forage for my own needs outside, as well as searching for this missing man.
I offer thanks, but she ignores me, intent only on her business.
As I walk out of the gates, I cannot help but feel nervous. The last time I did this I had someone to watch my back, and she herself was the supposed victim of slavers. I shiver, not only for the frigid air, but for the wonder of what is to come.
I walk, this time a path between the side of the river, and the way to the town I had benefited so much from. The ground is harder here, like walking on the slippery slope of a mountain edge. Grass grows here and there, looking weather worn and thin, with occasional cacti sporadically laid out in random order. As I progress, the greenery seems to thicken, as if it is an old run off from the river.
I hear a crunching sound, like gravel being misplaced. I think nothing of it, until I take a few more steps, and see something tiny but dark moving along the ground ahead. I stop for a moment, looking to see what it is, to allow my eyes to focus on the object. It seems to be a spider-like creature, fumbling around.
I step a little closer, and bend over, to gain a greater view. It looks like a nasty little thing, covered in black hair, but large eyes and fangs from the front that could certainly do some damage.
What shocks me the most is it seems to have part of a human hand wedged in between its left fang; the spider is carnivorous!
It is dragging the piece of flesh along slowly, from where I cannot see, nor where to. Strange. As I stand up I hear a crunch underfoot, and look down to see I have stood on one of the things. A hissing sound erupts as the spider bleeds out, a kind of dark green gunge.
The sounds of disturbing gravel erupts too, close to me, and now I see more and more of these spider things crawling out from holes all around. they seem to be approaching me, fast.
I skip, dance away and run further down the trail, glancing back to see a black river of spiders following me. They move fast, perhaps faster than I can. I panic, sprinting ahead, but the surging sounds of their encroachment drives my mind wild.
I am about to be engulfed in flesh hungry spiders...
Tuesday 1 November 2016
32) Striking My First Deal
My third trip of the day. People are beginning to give me funny looks, maybe wondering where I'm getting all this stuff. Tough, if they want to know let them go find out. There will for sure be more of those things in there, coming and going. I think trouble is a way of life for us all now, so let someone else do the fighting.
Judy really had built up quite the stash. I wonder how many others she had stolen from, and how many of them might have ended up dead because of what she had done. She paid the price, and I have no sympathy for her now.
My hut is beginning to look pretty full now, but if I'm going to expand I'll need a bigger place. Larger, better spots cost caps, and lots of them, thousand more than I have, so sooner or later I'm going to have to go out beyond the local town and earn. For now though, a quick check what I have with me.
I have enough water here to last months. That was the hardest thing to carry, but I knew I couldn't waste it out there, and finally it's back safe. Seems to be around eight large leather pouches, all with purified water, and around ten bottles too. I have enough food, cans, packets, dried out salted meat, and other sundry items to last me months.
I have a wealth of tools, and weapons, and a huge amount of ammo. I will carry a useful looking pistol with me, and an automatic rifle wherever I go. They seem the best items to deal with any trouble and aren't too heavy, plus it's a benefit that I have a lot of ammunition for them, so I can finally hold my own in a firefight.
I found Judy had stashed well over three thousand caps in all in this little satchel. Pretty good. I can afford mostly anything in trade now, except more land, need bucket loads more for that.
I could easily sit back and eat, drink and be merry to my heart's content now, for years on end, no need to ever leave the compound. Course, that's not my way, so I will do as I do, find out more about myself if I can and improve my lot in life.
Quite why it's not my way I have no idea, because memories about myself are so short, but I feel deep down they will come back to me.
I sit a moment, and look up at the drifting sky. The clouds look so beautiful right now, across the deep shimmering blue ocean of endlessness beyond.
'Hey.' Someone says, and I jump, grabbing hold of my rifle before I realize I am in camp, should be no need for such things.
It is a woman, scrawny looking, seems as if she hasn't eaten in an age. I expect her to ask for food, but she doesn't seem interested.
Her eyes are pretty clear though, very focused.
'Can I have a word stranger?' She asks. I nod, waving her in. It is beginning to get cold outside, and she is only wearing a simple cotton dress. She looks around quickly, seems shocked at what I have.
'Want a drink of water? Something to eat maybe?' I ask politely.
'I'm not here for charity, and I'm not that kind of woman, so keep your stuff.' She says harshly, sneering at me.
The surprised look on my face catches her out, she was expecting something else.
'I only offered, out of kindness.' I say, no longer quite so polite. 'You can leave if you feel like that.'
She frowns at me, before breaking out into a smile. she has teeth missing, her skin craggy even though she is clearly quite young. Time and life haven't been kind to her.
'Sorry stranger, don't often get people being generous.' She says, glancing at the water. I reach over, take a beaker and fill it with water, then hand it to her with some dried meat. It is very salty, but tasty nonetheless.
She appears embarrassed to take it, but does anyway and drinks quickly, before wolfing down the food. I guess she needed it. She looks at me with kindly eyes, no need for thanks, that is enough.
'Word around town is you can handle yourself, and have the weapons to back it up.' She says, her voice stronger for the sustenance.
'Is that what people say?' Well, I'm no soldier, but I seem to have been lucky so far.' I reply.
'Well, it's like this, I have a brother, or had... He set out ages ago, maybe three weeks, to look for food and water, or anything. Never came back. I'm wondering if you can find him, or find out what happened to him?' She asks, her expression a constant source of new appearances.
I hesitate, thinking for a moment. I can't bring myself to ask what's in it for me, because it's an easy guess that she has nothing.
'Life isn't too bad for me here, not sure I want to go wandering further out and risk that.'
She nods back at me, and once again looks me square in the eye. 'My brother, he knows a lot of things, older than me, much older, and was around before all this kicked off. He knows about what happened.'
'Interesting.' I say mildly, still not sure I want to risk so much for something so simple.
'Word is that you have no memory.' She says and my ears prick up to this.
'Something like that.' I say, being deliberately vague.
'From the vault, word has it about you. My brother knows about them vaults, heard him talking about it.'
Now my mind flares up, erupting with thoughts like a volcano. Answers, maybe even just my name. No more wondering, I could find my identity.
'So I find your brother, and if he's still alive, then I help him back here and in return he helps me learn about vaults, and who I am?' I ask, rubbing my chin. Again she nods.
I have to, I have to go. 'First thing tomorrow, I'll supply up, and go looking, as long as it's not far.'
The woman seems elated. She has clearly struggled without him, but I'm not quite the fool I was. If she's lying, she will answer for it.
'Where did he head, and how will I know it is him?'
'He is a burly man, strong arms, a little shorter than you. He wears a very thick bushy beard. He always wore good clothes, and heavy, strong boots. You'll see him in an old cowboy hat, as he liked to term it. He went north west from here, no idea how far, that's up to you.'
'What's up there?'
'Supposedly an old railyard and town. It's in ruins, and no one goes there cos of all the trouble that comes with it.'
'So why did he go?' I ask, wondering if he didn't make it, how would I.
'We were desperate, hardly any food left and no water. No one would help us, so he had to go.'
I know the feeling.
'OK, I'll go looking, see what I can find. If I can't find him, I'll be back, likely not more than three days. After that, sorry but I can't help.'
The woman smiles again, and stands. She appears embarrassed again. She nods, once, then again and again, backing out of the hut, thanking me.
'Don't thank me yet,' I say, standing with her. '-no guarantee even I'll survive!'
She ignores this and wanders off. It is dark now, and I set to lighting a fire. My mind wanders too, wondering what I might find of myself, if I find this man. I shall go searching in the morning...
Judy really had built up quite the stash. I wonder how many others she had stolen from, and how many of them might have ended up dead because of what she had done. She paid the price, and I have no sympathy for her now.
My hut is beginning to look pretty full now, but if I'm going to expand I'll need a bigger place. Larger, better spots cost caps, and lots of them, thousand more than I have, so sooner or later I'm going to have to go out beyond the local town and earn. For now though, a quick check what I have with me.
I have enough water here to last months. That was the hardest thing to carry, but I knew I couldn't waste it out there, and finally it's back safe. Seems to be around eight large leather pouches, all with purified water, and around ten bottles too. I have enough food, cans, packets, dried out salted meat, and other sundry items to last me months.
I have a wealth of tools, and weapons, and a huge amount of ammo. I will carry a useful looking pistol with me, and an automatic rifle wherever I go. They seem the best items to deal with any trouble and aren't too heavy, plus it's a benefit that I have a lot of ammunition for them, so I can finally hold my own in a firefight.
I found Judy had stashed well over three thousand caps in all in this little satchel. Pretty good. I can afford mostly anything in trade now, except more land, need bucket loads more for that.
I could easily sit back and eat, drink and be merry to my heart's content now, for years on end, no need to ever leave the compound. Course, that's not my way, so I will do as I do, find out more about myself if I can and improve my lot in life.
Quite why it's not my way I have no idea, because memories about myself are so short, but I feel deep down they will come back to me.
I sit a moment, and look up at the drifting sky. The clouds look so beautiful right now, across the deep shimmering blue ocean of endlessness beyond.
'Hey.' Someone says, and I jump, grabbing hold of my rifle before I realize I am in camp, should be no need for such things.
It is a woman, scrawny looking, seems as if she hasn't eaten in an age. I expect her to ask for food, but she doesn't seem interested.
Her eyes are pretty clear though, very focused.
'Can I have a word stranger?' She asks. I nod, waving her in. It is beginning to get cold outside, and she is only wearing a simple cotton dress. She looks around quickly, seems shocked at what I have.
'Want a drink of water? Something to eat maybe?' I ask politely.
'I'm not here for charity, and I'm not that kind of woman, so keep your stuff.' She says harshly, sneering at me.
The surprised look on my face catches her out, she was expecting something else.
'I only offered, out of kindness.' I say, no longer quite so polite. 'You can leave if you feel like that.'
She frowns at me, before breaking out into a smile. she has teeth missing, her skin craggy even though she is clearly quite young. Time and life haven't been kind to her.
'Sorry stranger, don't often get people being generous.' She says, glancing at the water. I reach over, take a beaker and fill it with water, then hand it to her with some dried meat. It is very salty, but tasty nonetheless.
She appears embarrassed to take it, but does anyway and drinks quickly, before wolfing down the food. I guess she needed it. She looks at me with kindly eyes, no need for thanks, that is enough.
'Word around town is you can handle yourself, and have the weapons to back it up.' She says, her voice stronger for the sustenance.
'Is that what people say?' Well, I'm no soldier, but I seem to have been lucky so far.' I reply.
'Well, it's like this, I have a brother, or had... He set out ages ago, maybe three weeks, to look for food and water, or anything. Never came back. I'm wondering if you can find him, or find out what happened to him?' She asks, her expression a constant source of new appearances.
I hesitate, thinking for a moment. I can't bring myself to ask what's in it for me, because it's an easy guess that she has nothing.
'Life isn't too bad for me here, not sure I want to go wandering further out and risk that.'
She nods back at me, and once again looks me square in the eye. 'My brother, he knows a lot of things, older than me, much older, and was around before all this kicked off. He knows about what happened.'
'Interesting.' I say mildly, still not sure I want to risk so much for something so simple.
'Word is that you have no memory.' She says and my ears prick up to this.
'Something like that.' I say, being deliberately vague.
'From the vault, word has it about you. My brother knows about them vaults, heard him talking about it.'
Now my mind flares up, erupting with thoughts like a volcano. Answers, maybe even just my name. No more wondering, I could find my identity.
'So I find your brother, and if he's still alive, then I help him back here and in return he helps me learn about vaults, and who I am?' I ask, rubbing my chin. Again she nods.
I have to, I have to go. 'First thing tomorrow, I'll supply up, and go looking, as long as it's not far.'
The woman seems elated. She has clearly struggled without him, but I'm not quite the fool I was. If she's lying, she will answer for it.
'Where did he head, and how will I know it is him?'
'He is a burly man, strong arms, a little shorter than you. He wears a very thick bushy beard. He always wore good clothes, and heavy, strong boots. You'll see him in an old cowboy hat, as he liked to term it. He went north west from here, no idea how far, that's up to you.'
'What's up there?'
'Supposedly an old railyard and town. It's in ruins, and no one goes there cos of all the trouble that comes with it.'
'So why did he go?' I ask, wondering if he didn't make it, how would I.
'We were desperate, hardly any food left and no water. No one would help us, so he had to go.'
I know the feeling.
'OK, I'll go looking, see what I can find. If I can't find him, I'll be back, likely not more than three days. After that, sorry but I can't help.'
The woman smiles again, and stands. She appears embarrassed again. She nods, once, then again and again, backing out of the hut, thanking me.
'Don't thank me yet,' I say, standing with her. '-no guarantee even I'll survive!'
She ignores this and wanders off. It is dark now, and I set to lighting a fire. My mind wanders too, wondering what I might find of myself, if I find this man. I shall go searching in the morning...
Wednesday 26 October 2016
31) Hate and Liars
It seems like both of us are frozen to the spot, unable to move or think. We stare at each other, unblinking, perhaps each waiting for the other to either speak or act.
She is dead to rights, my gun is aiming squarely at her, and she it stuck, no way she could move quickly enough to beat me to it.
'Why.. what is going on?' I finally ask.
She looks at me, her eyes change, as if she is sad somehow.
'Why did you take off?' I ask, not foolish enough to relax my grip. I admit, I feel sick to my stomach. Before I was just left confused, and angry that I had lost so much, but seeing her, firing at me of all people.
'Hey buddy, I didn't realize it was you.' Judy says. Her accent is different, broader, her words sound almost like slang.
'Judy.' I ask instinctively, wondering if I have made some kind of mistake, and it isn't her.
'Hey stranger..' She says, still with the same odd accent, but at the same time, a sly smile on her face. I had been naive, but not such a fool that I didn't learn quickly.
'Let me just get up and...' She says, sounding friendly, but she rolls over, swings out an arm, she has a pistol...
Either I am very lucky, or have talents that I remain unaware of. Without blinking, not a hesitation, I fire my rifle. The first shot hits her squarely in the back as she rolls, but as she slumps down, tries to aim up the handgun, to face me and fire, I fire again, and the second shot doesn't miss. Final shot, into her head, and she smacks back heavily before slumping over.
Any sickness I felt before is nothing compared to that which I feel now. I struggle not to vomit. All I can feel now is shame. I have defended myself before, but this was a woman I had feelings for, and thought I could trust. I refuse to accept that the world is left only full of hate and liars.
Again I stand in silence, and if someone came out and shot me now, I don't think I would stop them. Nobody does though. I forever appear to be surrounded by death.
Whatever the outcome, I am still a survivor, and even if no one else shares my ideals, I will hold onto mine. I look around, try to avoid contact with the body nearby. I must take the guns, and any ammo she had left. Whatever drove her to do this, some kind of insanity, perhaps only now I can forgive her.
A bag, over in the corner. I move around her, and see, she has a small bedroll, and a bag, no not just one, two, three, wow, as I look around there are lots of bags, boxes, drawers in chests, all sorts. I lift a lid on a box and see tins of food, another has ammo in it, lots of it.
One of the bags has clothes in it, another has more tins of food, including what we bought.
The last bag, can it be... it is! The caps, looks like all of them, and perhaps more. It is everything she stole of ours, and I think more from others. I wonder if she has been doing this a while, her way to survive, use others to help gather, and fight. She might have even led me here knowing those savage brutes were in here.
I guess I'll never know.
I don't want anyone else to find this, but I won't stay here with her.. dead.
I pick up the bag of caps, another with a handle I can sling over my shoulder and as much ammo as I can carry. I shall go back to the settlement, and stash my things there. No one will steal from there, but even so, I shall need to devise some way to protect my gear.. a better, more fortified home, and now I can afford it!
I will return here, well armed, and keep coming until I have taken everything of use.
Maybe, maybe also, I will bury Judy, and say something decent for her. We'll see...
She is dead to rights, my gun is aiming squarely at her, and she it stuck, no way she could move quickly enough to beat me to it.
'Why.. what is going on?' I finally ask.
She looks at me, her eyes change, as if she is sad somehow.
'Why did you take off?' I ask, not foolish enough to relax my grip. I admit, I feel sick to my stomach. Before I was just left confused, and angry that I had lost so much, but seeing her, firing at me of all people.
'Hey buddy, I didn't realize it was you.' Judy says. Her accent is different, broader, her words sound almost like slang.
'Judy.' I ask instinctively, wondering if I have made some kind of mistake, and it isn't her.
'Hey stranger..' She says, still with the same odd accent, but at the same time, a sly smile on her face. I had been naive, but not such a fool that I didn't learn quickly.
'Let me just get up and...' She says, sounding friendly, but she rolls over, swings out an arm, she has a pistol...
Either I am very lucky, or have talents that I remain unaware of. Without blinking, not a hesitation, I fire my rifle. The first shot hits her squarely in the back as she rolls, but as she slumps down, tries to aim up the handgun, to face me and fire, I fire again, and the second shot doesn't miss. Final shot, into her head, and she smacks back heavily before slumping over.
Any sickness I felt before is nothing compared to that which I feel now. I struggle not to vomit. All I can feel now is shame. I have defended myself before, but this was a woman I had feelings for, and thought I could trust. I refuse to accept that the world is left only full of hate and liars.
Again I stand in silence, and if someone came out and shot me now, I don't think I would stop them. Nobody does though. I forever appear to be surrounded by death.
Whatever the outcome, I am still a survivor, and even if no one else shares my ideals, I will hold onto mine. I look around, try to avoid contact with the body nearby. I must take the guns, and any ammo she had left. Whatever drove her to do this, some kind of insanity, perhaps only now I can forgive her.
A bag, over in the corner. I move around her, and see, she has a small bedroll, and a bag, no not just one, two, three, wow, as I look around there are lots of bags, boxes, drawers in chests, all sorts. I lift a lid on a box and see tins of food, another has ammo in it, lots of it.
One of the bags has clothes in it, another has more tins of food, including what we bought.
The last bag, can it be... it is! The caps, looks like all of them, and perhaps more. It is everything she stole of ours, and I think more from others. I wonder if she has been doing this a while, her way to survive, use others to help gather, and fight. She might have even led me here knowing those savage brutes were in here.
I guess I'll never know.
I don't want anyone else to find this, but I won't stay here with her.. dead.
I pick up the bag of caps, another with a handle I can sling over my shoulder and as much ammo as I can carry. I shall go back to the settlement, and stash my things there. No one will steal from there, but even so, I shall need to devise some way to protect my gear.. a better, more fortified home, and now I can afford it!
I will return here, well armed, and keep coming until I have taken everything of use.
Maybe, maybe also, I will bury Judy, and say something decent for her. We'll see...
Tuesday 25 October 2016
30) A Shock to My System
I'm not that brave that I could stand around looking to see where the bullets are coming from. I dive quickly to the floor, struggling to hide behind the large wooden counter.
I lay a moment, listening. Thankfully I have some kind of defence, with these precious few bullets. I swing my rifle from across my back, and pull back on the hammer, ready to fire. I guess whoever it is, must suspect I have some kind of weapon, otherwise they would have just walked up to me and fired away.
Thankfully the light outside is bright and clear, no unwanted shadows to hide people, or worse, hide things in.
Beside two of the fridges in here, there is a doorway leading out to the rear of the place. It's a good job, because it seems the walls of this place are made of metal, and I would be forced to go out into the line of fire.
I crawl slowly, edging my way along the hidden side of the counter. The floor is dirty as hell, covered in glass and dead bugs, all sorts of garbage. I can't complaint too much, because at least I'm alive.
I get a little too close to the edge of the counter and more bullets fire, this time at random, I can tell they're not so focused on me as a target, because they're scatter firing all over.
I manage to pull myself through the gap in the doorway, and out back. Whoever it is doesn't seem to know I have moved out of sight, because they are still shooting at the counter and into the front windows.
I hadn't seen this place properly until now, but there are boxes, and what looks like it was once a sort of flat bed, bedding, a slim pillow. No need to wonder who the inhabitant might have been, because their skeleton is still laying on the bed. I guess I won't be joining them!
I wait a few seconds, listening to myself breathing heavily. I guess I must have panicked when the shots began, but I can forgive myself, can't help the fight or flight response, and it probably saved my life.
At the other side of this long thin cupboard room, there are no windows or doors out, but there is a vent at the end. I can see daylight streaming through, so it may be an exit.
Whoever is out there keeps firing, and it seems from the same spot. They must have a lot of ammunition.
I move over to the vent, leave my feet facing it, and every time a fire sounds, I kick at it, trying to mask the sounds with gunfire.
At last it gives, bending at first, then dropping out, leaving a gap large enough for me to get out. I crawl through, moving low and keeping as quiet as I can.
An explosion, I can see smoke pouring up from out front of the diner. Maybe they're trying to burn me out?
I am hidden in some bushes, and can see up to where I think the shots are coming from. I see white light ignite from the barrel of a gun, up around three stories high, in the building opposite the road from here. If I go out here I will be a fine target, must move.
I slink away, slowly, then go the the back of the high rise on this side. There is a narrow passageway before the fence, I walk along, hunched over, just in case. I get to the end of the town and circle back.
I peer around the corner of the building on my side, feeling the tension rising now. The shots have ceased. I wonder if they either realized I am no longer there, or run out of bullets. I hope it is the latter.
I can't remain like this, and need to know who it is. I run quickly across the scorched tarmac, gun up, and into the building where the shooter was. No time to wait, I look up, and begin to run up the stairs, trying not to make too much noise. It's hard, there is rubbish everywhere, an old pram, clothes strewn all over, furniture thrown down, all sorts.
I don't have to worry about noise, as whoever is up there makes a huge crashing sound, with a massive thud to the floor above.
I am close now, sprinting up, gun ready, finger on the trigger. In my mind I am ready to move, see and fire, all in a fast deadly motion.
I jump onto the landing hallway, see the doorway ahead and move on through, no hesitation. There, at the end of the short hall, a figure laying, moving around. They're stuck in all the rubbish, fallen over among the debris.
I move fast to them, point my gun, ready to shoot; to kill if necessary!
The person becomes aware of my presence, tries to lift their rifle from underneath themselves, but it is trapped. Any second, I will fire, to the head. They're gonna die.
The prone person, trapped by their own haste, I almost laugh at them. Them my jaw drops open, my eyes wild in shock, as I look and realize I am confronted by...
Judy!
I lay a moment, listening. Thankfully I have some kind of defence, with these precious few bullets. I swing my rifle from across my back, and pull back on the hammer, ready to fire. I guess whoever it is, must suspect I have some kind of weapon, otherwise they would have just walked up to me and fired away.
Thankfully the light outside is bright and clear, no unwanted shadows to hide people, or worse, hide things in.
Beside two of the fridges in here, there is a doorway leading out to the rear of the place. It's a good job, because it seems the walls of this place are made of metal, and I would be forced to go out into the line of fire.
I crawl slowly, edging my way along the hidden side of the counter. The floor is dirty as hell, covered in glass and dead bugs, all sorts of garbage. I can't complaint too much, because at least I'm alive.
I get a little too close to the edge of the counter and more bullets fire, this time at random, I can tell they're not so focused on me as a target, because they're scatter firing all over.
I manage to pull myself through the gap in the doorway, and out back. Whoever it is doesn't seem to know I have moved out of sight, because they are still shooting at the counter and into the front windows.
I hadn't seen this place properly until now, but there are boxes, and what looks like it was once a sort of flat bed, bedding, a slim pillow. No need to wonder who the inhabitant might have been, because their skeleton is still laying on the bed. I guess I won't be joining them!
I wait a few seconds, listening to myself breathing heavily. I guess I must have panicked when the shots began, but I can forgive myself, can't help the fight or flight response, and it probably saved my life.
At the other side of this long thin cupboard room, there are no windows or doors out, but there is a vent at the end. I can see daylight streaming through, so it may be an exit.
Whoever is out there keeps firing, and it seems from the same spot. They must have a lot of ammunition.
I move over to the vent, leave my feet facing it, and every time a fire sounds, I kick at it, trying to mask the sounds with gunfire.
At last it gives, bending at first, then dropping out, leaving a gap large enough for me to get out. I crawl through, moving low and keeping as quiet as I can.
An explosion, I can see smoke pouring up from out front of the diner. Maybe they're trying to burn me out?
I am hidden in some bushes, and can see up to where I think the shots are coming from. I see white light ignite from the barrel of a gun, up around three stories high, in the building opposite the road from here. If I go out here I will be a fine target, must move.
I slink away, slowly, then go the the back of the high rise on this side. There is a narrow passageway before the fence, I walk along, hunched over, just in case. I get to the end of the town and circle back.
I peer around the corner of the building on my side, feeling the tension rising now. The shots have ceased. I wonder if they either realized I am no longer there, or run out of bullets. I hope it is the latter.
I can't remain like this, and need to know who it is. I run quickly across the scorched tarmac, gun up, and into the building where the shooter was. No time to wait, I look up, and begin to run up the stairs, trying not to make too much noise. It's hard, there is rubbish everywhere, an old pram, clothes strewn all over, furniture thrown down, all sorts.
I don't have to worry about noise, as whoever is up there makes a huge crashing sound, with a massive thud to the floor above.
I am close now, sprinting up, gun ready, finger on the trigger. In my mind I am ready to move, see and fire, all in a fast deadly motion.
I jump onto the landing hallway, see the doorway ahead and move on through, no hesitation. There, at the end of the short hall, a figure laying, moving around. They're stuck in all the rubbish, fallen over among the debris.
I move fast to them, point my gun, ready to shoot; to kill if necessary!
The person becomes aware of my presence, tries to lift their rifle from underneath themselves, but it is trapped. Any second, I will fire, to the head. They're gonna die.
The prone person, trapped by their own haste, I almost laugh at them. Them my jaw drops open, my eyes wild in shock, as I look and realize I am confronted by...
Judy!
Tuesday 18 October 2016
29) Washing Away My Sorrows In The Rain.
Another terrible night. I felt like I was suffocating, and it was bitterly cold. I won't survive much longer like this. I had the blanket that Judy so kindly left me, but it is small and thin, and barely covers me.
I am eating breakfast, it appears to be some kind of rice, but has no taste, and the water though I think is pure tastes old and musty. I guess you get what you pay for, still!
Today, I will set out back to the old town, and will begin my search for new items to trade and use. The way I see it, I have nothing to lose now, and so if it costs me my life, if that happens while trying to improve things, then so be it.
'Don't look like you have much going for ya.' Someone says, making me jump. It is the old woman who met me at the door before. She is standing in the doorway of my shack, looking at me. I must appear to be a mess, straggly hair, unshaven, not clean, and clearly starving.
I look up at her, and I think my eyes say it all.
'I've seen it afore, new people come here, struggle to cope, and it gets the better of them. Sooner or later they die, one way or another.'
I look on despondently. 'The woman I became friends with, she took all of my stash, caps, food, water, guns, everything. I'm back to square one.' I explained, realising my predicament for the first time.
The woman rubs her chin, smiles briefly. 'Yeah, that gal, she was a difficult one. Not long here, a bit troubled. Sad to say, those like her, victims of the slave trade, they go through it and are never the same again. Never trust anyone, and it's no surprise she skipped out, they just take and run and hide.'
Her words confirmed what I already knew, but didn't help me much.
'I guess I'm going to have to try again, and see if my luck is any better. Alone this time.' I say, looking now firmly at her.
'You go out and live, or you lay down and die. People will either cross you or help you, but outside of family you never really know people, never forget that.'
Her words were kind, because she took the time to come and speak to me.I admired her for that. She wasn't offering me any kind of charity, just a nod that it affected us all, this kind of world.
'Folks round here don't have much, but if you're truly desperate, they will help.'
I nod to her. I appreciate what she is saying, and regardless of what Judy has done, it reaffirms my feeling that this really is my home.
I smile, and she turns and walks away.
I think I do have something to lose now, and so I shall be careful. I grab my gun, the little ammo I have, and the axe. Off I go to see if I can find something worthwhile, something that will lift my spirits, if not change my life.
I am eating breakfast, it appears to be some kind of rice, but has no taste, and the water though I think is pure tastes old and musty. I guess you get what you pay for, still!
Today, I will set out back to the old town, and will begin my search for new items to trade and use. The way I see it, I have nothing to lose now, and so if it costs me my life, if that happens while trying to improve things, then so be it.
'Don't look like you have much going for ya.' Someone says, making me jump. It is the old woman who met me at the door before. She is standing in the doorway of my shack, looking at me. I must appear to be a mess, straggly hair, unshaven, not clean, and clearly starving.
I look up at her, and I think my eyes say it all.
'I've seen it afore, new people come here, struggle to cope, and it gets the better of them. Sooner or later they die, one way or another.'
I look on despondently. 'The woman I became friends with, she took all of my stash, caps, food, water, guns, everything. I'm back to square one.' I explained, realising my predicament for the first time.
The woman rubs her chin, smiles briefly. 'Yeah, that gal, she was a difficult one. Not long here, a bit troubled. Sad to say, those like her, victims of the slave trade, they go through it and are never the same again. Never trust anyone, and it's no surprise she skipped out, they just take and run and hide.'
Her words confirmed what I already knew, but didn't help me much.
'I guess I'm going to have to try again, and see if my luck is any better. Alone this time.' I say, looking now firmly at her.
'You go out and live, or you lay down and die. People will either cross you or help you, but outside of family you never really know people, never forget that.'
Her words were kind, because she took the time to come and speak to me.I admired her for that. She wasn't offering me any kind of charity, just a nod that it affected us all, this kind of world.
'Folks round here don't have much, but if you're truly desperate, they will help.'
I nod to her. I appreciate what she is saying, and regardless of what Judy has done, it reaffirms my feeling that this really is my home.
I smile, and she turns and walks away.
I think I do have something to lose now, and so I shall be careful. I grab my gun, the little ammo I have, and the axe. Off I go to see if I can find something worthwhile, something that will lift my spirits, if not change my life.
*
This is the first time it has rained since I came out of the vault. It kind of stings my skin a little, as I walk down this rubble path towards the town again. I am soaked, head to toe, but I don't mind, because it has warmed up a little. The guards cautioned me not to drink water from the rain, still contaminated. Sometimes I think we live in a contaminated world!
Up ahead I can see the first buildings. I keep thinking any moment I am going to see Judy, stood there, waiting for me. At the back of my mind I think over and over again that if something bad happens to me, she will come running and grab my arm, and help me. Experience tells me that will not happen.
The skies are murky grey, filled with a blanket of rain, and it is hard to see ahead. Rivers of water wash away down the hills, it is raining so intensely, I wonder if perhaps I will see Noah in his Ark float past!
The dark red brick of the high buildings has changed with the rain, much darker now, and steam seems to be pouring off them, as if the water is hitting hot rock. Sometimes it's hard to accept I am still on planet Earth.
I decide to leave out the first building, the one I went into with her... Maybe go back to that one day. Next up appears to have been some kind of diner. I doubt I will be served any hot food there today, but I might find something useful. It is a long oblong shaped place, single story, with rows of tables and chairs, and a counter along one side. The windows I am looking through are all long since gone, and some of the metalwork has rusted, but generally it appears intact. Maybe I can open a business?!
All the while, here, I keep a cautious lookout for any of those huge creatures that attacked us before. I hope there are none left, but I suspect the world is full of them
I go through what was once a doorway, and walk across the ravaged tile floorway. There is an old fridge here, a metal one. I open it, and a truly foul stench pours out, horrible. There are packages of what may have once been food, but has now descended into some kind of gloup. Several tins are in there though, old I guess, but not opened. I grab a few of those, and place them on the counter. I realize, she also took that little backpack I had, need a new one, something.
She really did take it all, let me with hardly a thing.
Something pings off a wall near me, and I look around to see what it is. Again, another pinging sound, and this time a piece of wall flakes off. A thought flares up in my mind, they are bullets, pinging off the walls, aimed at me!
Monday 17 October 2016
28) Regrets and Hopes.
I never thought I would feel so full again. I could have eaten more, but Judy insisted I didn't. Not because we might run out, but because eating so much after being so hungry could make us sick.
I still find it hard to believe people trade with bottle caps. I guess they need something to act as a middle man. The best thing is food and water are pretty cheap, a few caps gets quite a lot to show for it.
We picked up two large bags of caps from our raid, five hundred and sixty caps. We were laughing at how much we had, and that we were rich.
Last night was good. I nice warm fire, decent food, water and even the weather at night was pleasant. I fell asleep next to Judy, and it felt good. It wasn't so good that when I woke up she was gone, but I understand; she's been through a lot, and it's affected her deeply. At least she had the kindness to put a blanket over me, but I think it was her only one, and that meant she did without. I will make amends today.
Once again as I step out the camp is a hive of activity. White smoke pours out of various shacks, and people mill around. The smell of food is rich and varied, and reminds me of what is to come for us this morning.
Almost drooling with anticipation, I go walk around to Judy's shack. I reckon we should go buy some new food supplies, a top up for the water, and then work out what we're going to invest in for more success.
Since I awoke into this strange land, I have had some shocks and surprises, enough to last me a lifetime. What confronts me now, shocks me more than anything I have ever felt before. Judy's shack is empty. No bags, no supplies, and of course not even her.
I wonder for a moment if she might have gone to get us some food in advance, but if so why has she taken all the bags? All that is left here is the saw and the axe that we used. The guns are gone, except mine, which I noticed in my shack when coming out but the majority of the ammo is not here, and neither is any of the food, or... the caps! Gone.
I can only think the best of her, because it is all I have seen. I immediately run out, make my way around the camp.
'Judy!' I call, wondering frantically that something bad might have happened to her.
I approach the main gate, see two guards standing. One of them is from last night, the sarcastic one. 'Have you seen the woman I was with? I ask.
They both laugh at me. 'Yeah, Judy.' One of them says, looking at me slyly.
'Yes!' I say quickly. 'Where is she, is she alright, has something bad happened to her?'
As I ask this, the two of them both laugh in unison. 'Oh, no.' Says the sly one. 'Quite the opposite.' The other one says. He appears mean, stubbly face, good with a gun, not the kind to argue with.
'Stop fooling around, just tell me.' I demand, knowing I am pushing my luck.
'She took her things and left, just as dawn was coming up.' The mean one explains.
'Left?' I ask incredulously. 'She took all of our stuff, and all our caps.' I say.
They both look at me, serious now.
'Stolen you say?' The mean one asks.
'Theft eh?' The other chimes in.
I nod. She has gone, surely not to the town, but just gone. I cannot believe someone who appeared so happy around me, could just up and leave, and worst of all, take everything. She could have just take half, I mean...
'She's banned from the camp if this is true. If she returns she will be shot on sight.' The mean one insists. It doesn't help me much. Once again I am back to square one. Worse, I wonder if I can ever trust anyone again.
I am a survivor. I simply accept what has happened and move on.
I walk to my shack, pick up the axe, sling the rifle over my shoulder, and note that I have around forty rounds of ammo for it. At least she left me those.
My head is swirling with it all, the loss of what we had achieved. If I ever meet her again, I don't know if I will shoot her or talk to her. I accept I may never know, and just put it to the back of my mind.
For now, I need water, and to get water I need to chop wood. So once again, only this time alone, off I go.
As I walk out, a small child stands near to one of the other places with people in, she is holding what appears to be a metal cup, filled with purified water, drinking from it occasionally.
'Hi.' She says as I walk past. My mind is like thunder, and I give her a dirty look, before walking on.
On I go to cut wood again.
I still find it hard to believe people trade with bottle caps. I guess they need something to act as a middle man. The best thing is food and water are pretty cheap, a few caps gets quite a lot to show for it.
We picked up two large bags of caps from our raid, five hundred and sixty caps. We were laughing at how much we had, and that we were rich.
Last night was good. I nice warm fire, decent food, water and even the weather at night was pleasant. I fell asleep next to Judy, and it felt good. It wasn't so good that when I woke up she was gone, but I understand; she's been through a lot, and it's affected her deeply. At least she had the kindness to put a blanket over me, but I think it was her only one, and that meant she did without. I will make amends today.
Once again as I step out the camp is a hive of activity. White smoke pours out of various shacks, and people mill around. The smell of food is rich and varied, and reminds me of what is to come for us this morning.
Almost drooling with anticipation, I go walk around to Judy's shack. I reckon we should go buy some new food supplies, a top up for the water, and then work out what we're going to invest in for more success.
Since I awoke into this strange land, I have had some shocks and surprises, enough to last me a lifetime. What confronts me now, shocks me more than anything I have ever felt before. Judy's shack is empty. No bags, no supplies, and of course not even her.
I wonder for a moment if she might have gone to get us some food in advance, but if so why has she taken all the bags? All that is left here is the saw and the axe that we used. The guns are gone, except mine, which I noticed in my shack when coming out but the majority of the ammo is not here, and neither is any of the food, or... the caps! Gone.
I can only think the best of her, because it is all I have seen. I immediately run out, make my way around the camp.
'Judy!' I call, wondering frantically that something bad might have happened to her.
I approach the main gate, see two guards standing. One of them is from last night, the sarcastic one. 'Have you seen the woman I was with? I ask.
They both laugh at me. 'Yeah, Judy.' One of them says, looking at me slyly.
'Yes!' I say quickly. 'Where is she, is she alright, has something bad happened to her?'
As I ask this, the two of them both laugh in unison. 'Oh, no.' Says the sly one. 'Quite the opposite.' The other one says. He appears mean, stubbly face, good with a gun, not the kind to argue with.
'Stop fooling around, just tell me.' I demand, knowing I am pushing my luck.
'She took her things and left, just as dawn was coming up.' The mean one explains.
'Left?' I ask incredulously. 'She took all of our stuff, and all our caps.' I say.
They both look at me, serious now.
'Stolen you say?' The mean one asks.
'Theft eh?' The other chimes in.
I nod. She has gone, surely not to the town, but just gone. I cannot believe someone who appeared so happy around me, could just up and leave, and worst of all, take everything. She could have just take half, I mean...
'She's banned from the camp if this is true. If she returns she will be shot on sight.' The mean one insists. It doesn't help me much. Once again I am back to square one. Worse, I wonder if I can ever trust anyone again.
I am a survivor. I simply accept what has happened and move on.
I walk to my shack, pick up the axe, sling the rifle over my shoulder, and note that I have around forty rounds of ammo for it. At least she left me those.
My head is swirling with it all, the loss of what we had achieved. If I ever meet her again, I don't know if I will shoot her or talk to her. I accept I may never know, and just put it to the back of my mind.
For now, I need water, and to get water I need to chop wood. So once again, only this time alone, off I go.
As I walk out, a small child stands near to one of the other places with people in, she is holding what appears to be a metal cup, filled with purified water, drinking from it occasionally.
'Hi.' She says as I walk past. My mind is like thunder, and I give her a dirty look, before walking on.
On I go to cut wood again.
*
It has been a long, horrible day. All the time I argued within myself, recriminations against Judy, for stealing it all, and against myself for being so stupid. I slogged away and cut wood and dragged it into camp, traded it for little drink and bits of food. then repeated it. I doubt I have ever worked so hard. I feel shattered, but I have enough food to last me at least a couple of weeks if I ration it, and enough water to survive even longer.
I shall sleep tonight, if my mind allows it, and first thing tomorrow I will go back to that town, and do so every day until I have enough caps, water, food, guns and ammo that no one will ever think to steal from me again.
Someone or something is going to regret crossing me, that much is for sure...
Tuesday 11 October 2016
27) Barter Time.
With the sun at the back of these two brutes, it seems as if they are as tall as the buildings around them. They just stand there looking at us, but I can see drool glistening from their mouths. They really do see us as food. They wear similar kind of clothes, large tattered trousers, and huge hobnail boots. Their torsos are wrapped in leather harnesses and bullet bandoleers. One has a club strapped to its back, a scruffy looking thing with nails sticking out. The other just holds onto what appears to be a weak hand made gun.
Their looks are ferocious, and I wonder if finally we have met our match.
'I'm huuuuungry!' One of them shouts, his piercing red eyes lighting up at the sound of it.
Before I can react, even think to do anything, bullets fly past in a hail, skipping and skittering across the road ahead and around us. I instinctively drop to the ground, covering my head with my hands, for all the good it will do.
I try to see what is going on, but the loud clattering of the firing makes it hard not to wince. Through flinching eyes I see bullets spatter and rip into the two two brutes, one after the other, shredding into them aggressively, tearing away any chance they may have of returning the attack.
It seems like an age, where all I can hear is hellfire and death. I feel so useless, unable to bring myself to join in the battle, but before I can even think of doing anything, it is over. The two great giant things stumble and fall, collapsing to the ground. It all goes quiet, and finally I dare to look around. Judy is stood behind me, automatic rifle in hand, as white smoke pours out of it.
The look on her face is a stark contrast to anything I have seen from her before. She looks very different to how I had imagined her.
'Judy.' I say, as she seems lost, staring ahead, into space, her face snarling, but she remains stuck, as if in a time warp.
'Judy!' I shout, and finally she breaks, slowly looking my way. I wonder if she might train the focus of her gun on me, but thankfully she doesn't. I would hate to have to.. defend myself.
'I guess they weren't that tough.' She says, sneering. It shows a side to her I hadn't known, and I'm not sure I like it. I just sit there a moment, looking at her, wondering about her.
She looks at me, eyes focused now, allowing the gun to lower much more. She can see the look I am giving.
'I'm sorry, just I promised myself I wouldn't ever be a victim again.' She says.
I stand up, dusting myself down, and smile. 'I'm just glad you're on my side!' I say, and she loses the pain, expresses herself more, and laughs, along with me.
'Come on, before any more of them turn up and you have to get all badass on them!' I say, and again we both laugh. I truly am thankful she is on my side.
Their looks are ferocious, and I wonder if finally we have met our match.
'I'm huuuuungry!' One of them shouts, his piercing red eyes lighting up at the sound of it.
Before I can react, even think to do anything, bullets fly past in a hail, skipping and skittering across the road ahead and around us. I instinctively drop to the ground, covering my head with my hands, for all the good it will do.
I try to see what is going on, but the loud clattering of the firing makes it hard not to wince. Through flinching eyes I see bullets spatter and rip into the two two brutes, one after the other, shredding into them aggressively, tearing away any chance they may have of returning the attack.
It seems like an age, where all I can hear is hellfire and death. I feel so useless, unable to bring myself to join in the battle, but before I can even think of doing anything, it is over. The two great giant things stumble and fall, collapsing to the ground. It all goes quiet, and finally I dare to look around. Judy is stood behind me, automatic rifle in hand, as white smoke pours out of it.
The look on her face is a stark contrast to anything I have seen from her before. She looks very different to how I had imagined her.
'Judy.' I say, as she seems lost, staring ahead, into space, her face snarling, but she remains stuck, as if in a time warp.
'Judy!' I shout, and finally she breaks, slowly looking my way. I wonder if she might train the focus of her gun on me, but thankfully she doesn't. I would hate to have to.. defend myself.
'I guess they weren't that tough.' She says, sneering. It shows a side to her I hadn't known, and I'm not sure I like it. I just sit there a moment, looking at her, wondering about her.
She looks at me, eyes focused now, allowing the gun to lower much more. She can see the look I am giving.
'I'm sorry, just I promised myself I wouldn't ever be a victim again.' She says.
I stand up, dusting myself down, and smile. 'I'm just glad you're on my side!' I say, and she loses the pain, expresses herself more, and laughs, along with me.
'Come on, before any more of them turn up and you have to get all badass on them!' I say, and again we both laugh. I truly am thankful she is on my side.
*
'OK, so we got plenty of stuff for our own uses, what are we going to trade?' I ask, as we stand outside the camp. the journey back was much happier, but still hard work. Night falls as we finally return, but in the camp life and trade never stops.
'We can trade all the minor guns, keep a pistol each and the rifles. Other stuff and bullets we don't need can go.' Judy says. I nod, she is right, we wouldn't be alive if we hadn't found the rifles.
'The other stuff, might as well keep. We can use it all, and I reckon we go back every day and keep getting stuff, til we have enough to support ourselves through whatever happens.'
I like this side of Judy, she seems positive, and determined. She is a survivor, and someone I think I will grow to care deeply for.
'I like your thinking.' I say.
'I like you.' She replies.
I laugh, feeling the warmth of my blushes, even if in the dark she can't see it.
We enter through the gates, and see a hive of activity, trade, selling, buying, offers of protection, a warm body for the night, male and female.
'Arket is the best trader to sell guns to. Over there.' Judy says, pointing over to a man, half dressed, large greasy belly sticking out. He chews on what seems to be a cigar, but is in fact an ear of corn.
'We can leave the basket of tools and things just here, and take this stuff, see what he offers.' She says, and I just nod.
Arket has a large stall, with a decent shack behind himself. Neon lights buzz around, lighting and flickering. The letters are jumbled meaningless, but it offers some kind of attraction and light.
'What can I do for you sir?' The man asks, looking squarely at me. Before I can reply, inquiring politely if he might be interested in purchasing something, Judy drops the bags of guns onto the table, creating a loud thud.
'Guns, we got guns, and ammo, and we're selling.' She says, sounding anything but polite.
She opens the bag, lifts out an automatic rifle, and Arket's eyes light up.
'Not for sale, the rifles are ours, and the hand guns, and the ammo for them.' She says abruptly.
She lifts out some worn shotguns, four other small shooters, and ammo for them, slamming them hard on the counter. 'These, that's all fair price.'
'Fifty caps for the three shotguns, twenty caps for each of the other guns, and another fifty caps for the ammo.' Arket says, chewing some more on his corn.
'Ha!' Judy shouts loudly, making us all jump. She appears definitely to be in charge. 'Double that and we have a deal.' She says, sneering again.
Arket looks angry. 'Next customer please.' He shouts at no one, because we are all that there are to trade with.
'You won't get anyone else selling weapons around here, and certainly none with ammo.' She says, staring him down.
Arket looks as if he has been backed into a corner. 'Fine.' He says reluctantly, reaching under his counter.
'Sally, get the stash, and make sure security is watching, I don't trust these two.' He says, sneering back.
'The feeling is mutual.' Judy says, shoving the guns across to him.
Arket takes the guns and drops down small bags, each filled with metal bottle caps.
'That's five hundred and sixty caps, trade deal done.' Arket says, spitting on his hand. I grimace, but Judy does the same and they slap hands for a sealed deal. She grabs the caps, and holds onto the tightly, like cradling a newborn baby.
'Is that good?' I ask, never having used caps before.
'If we were buying guns, this would maybe buy two of these rifles, but all these caps, will easily buy us enough food and water and anything else for a good two months.' Judy explain. Now it is my turn for my eyes to light up.
'Now what?' I ask.
Judy smiles again. 'Let's go buy some decent food!' She says, and together we head for the food stalls. The smell of it all begins to intoxicate me...
Monday 10 October 2016
26) Treasure and Death.
We sit for a moment, getting to grips with our emotions, and calming down.
'Do you think there are more of them?' I ask.
Judy Shrugs. 'Probably. Would explain why no one seems to come here.'
'Well, I suggest we grab what we can from here, and then get back. We get as much as we can carry, and hopefully enough to begin building a life for us both back at that camp.' I say.
Judy gives me an odd look. 'Us?' She says, enquiring.
I nod, then realize it may not be something a woman would want to hear, given what she has been through... at the hands of other men.
Before I can speak she leans over quickly and hugs me. It feels nice, to be connected to someone else, someone I feel I can trust. She looks up at me, smiling eyes, and I know she feels the same. I raise my hand and push away a scruffy lock of her hair from her face.
'Come on, as nice as this is, it won't do to get mashed by another of those great brutes.' I say, reluctantly moving gently away. She looks hurt, but knows I am right.
We both stand, but she still has a hold of my hand, as if letting go might mean I disappear. Hopefully I won't.
Now the town seems peaceful, but I know it won't last. I look over the edge of the chasm, and cannot see the bottom. It is dark, with white mist coming out from it. Whatever hit there made a real mess of the immediate surroundings, but otherwise many buildings seem intact. I walk to my right, and I can see what appears to be a main street, with small, medium and large buildings going a long way down, with side streets off.
'I reckon we split up, go first building we come to, and go in and methodically go through every nook and cranny, getting what might seem useful and drop it out into the street in a pile. Then find a way to bring it back.' I say.
Judy looks at me, she is clearly unnerved by the idea. 'There are a lot of hidden places in there, and anything could be lurking waiting for us, easy prey. I doubt I could survive.'
She squeezes my hand tighter. She looks as if she has survived more than one scrape, scars and knocks to show for it. I feel sure she could just as well as I could. No doubt she is worried I might go, and she wouldn't see me again.
'OK, we'll do it together. You can hold the axe, and if anything jumps out on us you hit it and I'll run away.'
Judy laughs. We don't need to say any more, we just go ahead and try to get it done. The first building is dark red, very tall, but all of its windows are blown out. Obviously they would be, if there was another great war, it's amazing that anything survived.
I push hard on the wooden door to the building. It is heavy, and takes some effort to move. As the door finally opens, a cloud of dust sweeps out, and it stinks. Clearly it hasn't been opened in a very long time. It appears dark, and stairs lead up to other floors. The walls have little of what was green paint, and plaster is flaking off besides.
I can hear scratching sounds, Judy must hear it too because she wields the axe, gripping it tightly and moving around ready to swing
Neither of us feel good about this, but what choice do we have?
First floor, weak half broken door, leads into what appears was an apartment. There is furniture here, if I could carry it we could use it in our shacks; a sofa, two chairs, a small table, a cabinet, all in good enough condition. Hopefully we can find some kind of cart or something to move it all.
Everything is covered in thick dust, no prints, as if it were left like it after some great attack, everyone fled, and nothing has changed since. So sad, and yet so beautiful. Like some kind of time memorial to Man.
It is a small apartment, a connected living area, to open plan kitchen. Two closed doors lead off. The kitchen has utensils, knives, forks, cups, metal plates. I begin to grab at them all, stack them on the sofa.
Judy continues to look all around, seems more scared than I am, but I won't admit it to her.
I open wall cupboard doors, and there are wasted packets of food, no longer rancid, just dried to dust. there is a large basket in one, good enough to carry things for now. I open one of the doors, it is a wall cupboard, big enough to walk in. Wonderful! I find a shovel, brushes.. tools! A saw, a hammer, nails, rope, all sorts. I just throw all of the things into the basket, quicker than I should: making noise.
Finally, we can't take the tension any longer, we need to take the stuff and go, while we still can. Once last thing, the other door. I look at Judy, and can see the concern on her face.
'Take what we have, we can come back another time.' She says quietly.
'We need something more to trade, so we can get better food, and more water.' I reply. It is the sensible thing to do, but I share the nagging doubt she expresses.
No time to waste, we don't want to be here after dark. I grab at the door handle, it comes away in my hand, but the door swings open. Light filtering through from a ragged curtain, enough to see it is a bedroom.
I step through, my senses tingling all the time. A double bed sits against a wall, covers and sagging pillows. I grab at them, thinking they can keep us warm, before Judy can say no, I pull back, exposing two corpses, long since rotted, leaving only what remains of their skeleton. I feel sick, not from what I see but what has gone on here.
I look through drawers, find an old watch, not working but maybe good for trade. There are clothes, in a half open suitcase, possibly my size, and a dress. I pick it up, hold it for Judy to see, I smile at her, picturing her in it.
She returns a look of complete disdain. 'No dresses, I won't ever wear a dress again for a man to enjoy.' She says. sounding dull, angry. the look on her face is fearsome.
I just nod and throw it aside.
Once last cupboard, then we go. I open it, and stand back in shock at what I see. How could such a peaceful place hold such things?
The entire cupboard is lined with guns, rifles, automatic, hunting, handguns, ammunition in bags. It is like Alladin's cave, chock full of goodness.
It is enough to lift both our spirits. Judy doesn't hesitate, grabbing a black automatic rifle. She picks through ammunition, draws a clip and slides it in, cocking it easily, before pointing it ahead of herself.
'I guess you're ready for action.' I say cheerfully. She smiles back broadly, handing me the gun.
'I'll stick with a couple of handguns. We'll take as much as we can carry.' Without another word she leans in, grabs a black bag and piles stuff in. 'What we can't carry, we'll come back for.' She says, sounding more and more in control.
I smile. 'I like your style!' I say. Judy gives a mischievous look back. I follow her lead and fill what we can. Together we go back out, I grab the basket and anything I can carry, laden with it, and we head back.
As we step outside, back into the fading sun, we look down the main street, a veritable trove of treasure waiting for us to plunder.
I turn back, ready to head home, only to be confronted by two more of the great brutes, standing, staring at us with lascivious red eyes.
'Humaaaaan, time for dinner, and you're it!' One screams...
'Do you think there are more of them?' I ask.
Judy Shrugs. 'Probably. Would explain why no one seems to come here.'
'Well, I suggest we grab what we can from here, and then get back. We get as much as we can carry, and hopefully enough to begin building a life for us both back at that camp.' I say.
Judy gives me an odd look. 'Us?' She says, enquiring.
I nod, then realize it may not be something a woman would want to hear, given what she has been through... at the hands of other men.
Before I can speak she leans over quickly and hugs me. It feels nice, to be connected to someone else, someone I feel I can trust. She looks up at me, smiling eyes, and I know she feels the same. I raise my hand and push away a scruffy lock of her hair from her face.
'Come on, as nice as this is, it won't do to get mashed by another of those great brutes.' I say, reluctantly moving gently away. She looks hurt, but knows I am right.
We both stand, but she still has a hold of my hand, as if letting go might mean I disappear. Hopefully I won't.
Now the town seems peaceful, but I know it won't last. I look over the edge of the chasm, and cannot see the bottom. It is dark, with white mist coming out from it. Whatever hit there made a real mess of the immediate surroundings, but otherwise many buildings seem intact. I walk to my right, and I can see what appears to be a main street, with small, medium and large buildings going a long way down, with side streets off.
'I reckon we split up, go first building we come to, and go in and methodically go through every nook and cranny, getting what might seem useful and drop it out into the street in a pile. Then find a way to bring it back.' I say.
Judy looks at me, she is clearly unnerved by the idea. 'There are a lot of hidden places in there, and anything could be lurking waiting for us, easy prey. I doubt I could survive.'
She squeezes my hand tighter. She looks as if she has survived more than one scrape, scars and knocks to show for it. I feel sure she could just as well as I could. No doubt she is worried I might go, and she wouldn't see me again.
'OK, we'll do it together. You can hold the axe, and if anything jumps out on us you hit it and I'll run away.'
Judy laughs. We don't need to say any more, we just go ahead and try to get it done. The first building is dark red, very tall, but all of its windows are blown out. Obviously they would be, if there was another great war, it's amazing that anything survived.
I push hard on the wooden door to the building. It is heavy, and takes some effort to move. As the door finally opens, a cloud of dust sweeps out, and it stinks. Clearly it hasn't been opened in a very long time. It appears dark, and stairs lead up to other floors. The walls have little of what was green paint, and plaster is flaking off besides.
I can hear scratching sounds, Judy must hear it too because she wields the axe, gripping it tightly and moving around ready to swing
Neither of us feel good about this, but what choice do we have?
First floor, weak half broken door, leads into what appears was an apartment. There is furniture here, if I could carry it we could use it in our shacks; a sofa, two chairs, a small table, a cabinet, all in good enough condition. Hopefully we can find some kind of cart or something to move it all.
Everything is covered in thick dust, no prints, as if it were left like it after some great attack, everyone fled, and nothing has changed since. So sad, and yet so beautiful. Like some kind of time memorial to Man.
It is a small apartment, a connected living area, to open plan kitchen. Two closed doors lead off. The kitchen has utensils, knives, forks, cups, metal plates. I begin to grab at them all, stack them on the sofa.
Judy continues to look all around, seems more scared than I am, but I won't admit it to her.
I open wall cupboard doors, and there are wasted packets of food, no longer rancid, just dried to dust. there is a large basket in one, good enough to carry things for now. I open one of the doors, it is a wall cupboard, big enough to walk in. Wonderful! I find a shovel, brushes.. tools! A saw, a hammer, nails, rope, all sorts. I just throw all of the things into the basket, quicker than I should: making noise.
Finally, we can't take the tension any longer, we need to take the stuff and go, while we still can. Once last thing, the other door. I look at Judy, and can see the concern on her face.
'Take what we have, we can come back another time.' She says quietly.
'We need something more to trade, so we can get better food, and more water.' I reply. It is the sensible thing to do, but I share the nagging doubt she expresses.
No time to waste, we don't want to be here after dark. I grab at the door handle, it comes away in my hand, but the door swings open. Light filtering through from a ragged curtain, enough to see it is a bedroom.
I step through, my senses tingling all the time. A double bed sits against a wall, covers and sagging pillows. I grab at them, thinking they can keep us warm, before Judy can say no, I pull back, exposing two corpses, long since rotted, leaving only what remains of their skeleton. I feel sick, not from what I see but what has gone on here.
I look through drawers, find an old watch, not working but maybe good for trade. There are clothes, in a half open suitcase, possibly my size, and a dress. I pick it up, hold it for Judy to see, I smile at her, picturing her in it.
She returns a look of complete disdain. 'No dresses, I won't ever wear a dress again for a man to enjoy.' She says. sounding dull, angry. the look on her face is fearsome.
I just nod and throw it aside.
Once last cupboard, then we go. I open it, and stand back in shock at what I see. How could such a peaceful place hold such things?
The entire cupboard is lined with guns, rifles, automatic, hunting, handguns, ammunition in bags. It is like Alladin's cave, chock full of goodness.
It is enough to lift both our spirits. Judy doesn't hesitate, grabbing a black automatic rifle. She picks through ammunition, draws a clip and slides it in, cocking it easily, before pointing it ahead of herself.
'I guess you're ready for action.' I say cheerfully. She smiles back broadly, handing me the gun.
'I'll stick with a couple of handguns. We'll take as much as we can carry.' Without another word she leans in, grabs a black bag and piles stuff in. 'What we can't carry, we'll come back for.' She says, sounding more and more in control.
I smile. 'I like your style!' I say. Judy gives a mischievous look back. I follow her lead and fill what we can. Together we go back out, I grab the basket and anything I can carry, laden with it, and we head back.
As we step outside, back into the fading sun, we look down the main street, a veritable trove of treasure waiting for us to plunder.
I turn back, ready to head home, only to be confronted by two more of the great brutes, standing, staring at us with lascivious red eyes.
'Humaaaaan, time for dinner, and you're it!' One screams...
Tuesday 4 October 2016
25) Laughter and Tears.
No time to think, I flail, instinctively, trying to grab onto something, anything. As I round the corner My feet lose grip, because there is nothing to grip onto. The ground opens up into a massive crater, with what appears to be an unexploded bomb in the center.
I try desperately to take a hold of something, swinging like a falling cat, and bang. My left hand grips. A piece of outcropped metal, it stings, and wrenches my arm, but I can just about hold on. I find myself swinging in the breeze, with nothing else to cling to, and a drop hundreds of feet below.
I hear a crashing sound nearby, as this great monstrosity charges after me. He calls for my blood, stamping closer.
He comes crashing around the edge of the building, eyes only on me. I can see the bloodlust in his eyes, swinging that huge blade around. His mighty mouth is drooling, dripping with a thirst to eat, which involves me. As he focuses on me, his eyes light up, surprise and glee that he appears to have caught me.
Just one more, two more steps, keep looking at me...
Too late, he sees the cavernous gap below, but too late to stop himself. His huge bulk drives him over, and now he flails around like a giant bird, trying to catch onto something.
My heart leaps as this creature, knowing what is coming leaps out towards me, trying to take me down with him.
'Come on humaaaaaan, let's die together.' It shouts, like some monstrous cross between a cage fighter and a bull, all muscles and brawn.
I panic, lifting my legs away, holding onto the metal strut for dear life, pulling myself up. This great yellow hand tries to grab at me, like some fairyland giant, only it is no fantasy.
It misses, cursing as it does, before dropping away into the pit. I watch as it falls, wondering if due to its immense size it might just land easily, on its feet and then begin running back up the edge to get me.
The trickling sense of fear that washes over me is proven false, as I hear an almighty crash. It hits into metal girders down below, shattering what is left of the fallen building within the pit. The beast gives out an almighty cry, painful, but wrapped in shadows so far below I cannot see anything.
I allow myself the relief of belief that it is dead. Common sense tells me so, but still, there may be more of them, and worst of all, I am still hanging here, with no means to get back to safe ground. I had to leap like the thing did to gain a hold onto anything, and it is too far back, and higher up now to get safe. The drop below is sheer, and into darkness. I realize what small luck I do have that this thing didn't detonate the bomb below.
Could it be nuclear? If it had set that off I might have gone along with everything else around here. An entire town engulfed in flames and radiation. One thing, it does give me an indication of what might have happened to the world. Did we do it? Did we finally go to war, dropping all these bombs, wiping most of humanity out? Stupid, stupid humans.
I feel my hand losing its grip. I change over, but either hand it stings, cutting into my skin. I look around desperately, trying to see anything to help. It is too far, nothing to grab to, nothing to give me hope. Any second and I will fall.
I close my eyes, and try to remember the past. I remember a face, a young woman, but I cannot recall her name. Names elude me, even my own.
Any moment now and none of this will matter.
'Hey, stranger, here.' A voice calls, and I know the sound of it. I open my eyes, struggle to clear my vision, and I cannot believe what I see at the edge of the cliff.
Macready. That name screams out at me as I look at the woman on the edge of the abyss. She is waving her arms at me, her face pull of panic. Macready the voice rings again in my mind.
I hold into the piece of metal with both hands now, feeling the throbbing as my grips diminishes. My eyes clear, and I see something crazy, Judy is standing there. She has followed me, tears in her eyes. I wonder if she thinks I might have just done this for some fun.
'Hold on, I'll get something.' She shouts, turning to run away.
I can't help but see the humour in it, she says that, turns away and when she gets back sees I'm gone and wonders if she is hallucinating.
I wait, as best I can, I have no choice.
Miracle! It's not rope, but a length of cable. She beckons to me to grab it. Hold on I think, I will just grab it as I fall away into nothing. I release one hands, she swings it out, stronger than I thought. It hits me on the chest, dropping down.
I grab it! Fine, but what next?
'It's tied the other end, just hold it tight and let go.' She shouts. I know what she means, but I know she hasn't thought it through.
I wrap the cable around my hand and arm as best I can, and look at her, eye to eye as I let go. She screams as I drop like a stone. I fall, but the cable drags me to the abyss wall, and I know what is coming.
I crash into the bare rock with a thud almost knocking myself out. I feel dazed and sick, it is all I can do to just hang on.
Moving up, slowly, I feel myself being pulled up, inches at a time. I hear her struggling, doing her best for me, crying.
I shake myself out of this lethargy. I pull with one hand on the rock besides me, lifting and helping as I can. Finally, with one last surge of effort, I spill over, back onto the tarmac, panting and breathing raucously.
I lay there looking up at the blazing blue sky, and then her face leaning over me. I don't know whether to laugh or cry, but she does enough crying for us both.
Finally I sit up a little, and look at her pale skin. Her deep hazel eyes, and her ragged but beautiful hair.
'Hi, my name is Macready.' I say, and she stops crying, breaking out into a joyful smile, full of laughter...
I try desperately to take a hold of something, swinging like a falling cat, and bang. My left hand grips. A piece of outcropped metal, it stings, and wrenches my arm, but I can just about hold on. I find myself swinging in the breeze, with nothing else to cling to, and a drop hundreds of feet below.
I hear a crashing sound nearby, as this great monstrosity charges after me. He calls for my blood, stamping closer.
He comes crashing around the edge of the building, eyes only on me. I can see the bloodlust in his eyes, swinging that huge blade around. His mighty mouth is drooling, dripping with a thirst to eat, which involves me. As he focuses on me, his eyes light up, surprise and glee that he appears to have caught me.
Just one more, two more steps, keep looking at me...
Too late, he sees the cavernous gap below, but too late to stop himself. His huge bulk drives him over, and now he flails around like a giant bird, trying to catch onto something.
My heart leaps as this creature, knowing what is coming leaps out towards me, trying to take me down with him.
'Come on humaaaaaan, let's die together.' It shouts, like some monstrous cross between a cage fighter and a bull, all muscles and brawn.
I panic, lifting my legs away, holding onto the metal strut for dear life, pulling myself up. This great yellow hand tries to grab at me, like some fairyland giant, only it is no fantasy.
It misses, cursing as it does, before dropping away into the pit. I watch as it falls, wondering if due to its immense size it might just land easily, on its feet and then begin running back up the edge to get me.
The trickling sense of fear that washes over me is proven false, as I hear an almighty crash. It hits into metal girders down below, shattering what is left of the fallen building within the pit. The beast gives out an almighty cry, painful, but wrapped in shadows so far below I cannot see anything.
I allow myself the relief of belief that it is dead. Common sense tells me so, but still, there may be more of them, and worst of all, I am still hanging here, with no means to get back to safe ground. I had to leap like the thing did to gain a hold onto anything, and it is too far back, and higher up now to get safe. The drop below is sheer, and into darkness. I realize what small luck I do have that this thing didn't detonate the bomb below.
Could it be nuclear? If it had set that off I might have gone along with everything else around here. An entire town engulfed in flames and radiation. One thing, it does give me an indication of what might have happened to the world. Did we do it? Did we finally go to war, dropping all these bombs, wiping most of humanity out? Stupid, stupid humans.
I feel my hand losing its grip. I change over, but either hand it stings, cutting into my skin. I look around desperately, trying to see anything to help. It is too far, nothing to grab to, nothing to give me hope. Any second and I will fall.
I close my eyes, and try to remember the past. I remember a face, a young woman, but I cannot recall her name. Names elude me, even my own.
Any moment now and none of this will matter.
'Hey, stranger, here.' A voice calls, and I know the sound of it. I open my eyes, struggle to clear my vision, and I cannot believe what I see at the edge of the cliff.
Macready. That name screams out at me as I look at the woman on the edge of the abyss. She is waving her arms at me, her face pull of panic. Macready the voice rings again in my mind.
I hold into the piece of metal with both hands now, feeling the throbbing as my grips diminishes. My eyes clear, and I see something crazy, Judy is standing there. She has followed me, tears in her eyes. I wonder if she thinks I might have just done this for some fun.
'Hold on, I'll get something.' She shouts, turning to run away.
I can't help but see the humour in it, she says that, turns away and when she gets back sees I'm gone and wonders if she is hallucinating.
I wait, as best I can, I have no choice.
Miracle! It's not rope, but a length of cable. She beckons to me to grab it. Hold on I think, I will just grab it as I fall away into nothing. I release one hands, she swings it out, stronger than I thought. It hits me on the chest, dropping down.
I grab it! Fine, but what next?
'It's tied the other end, just hold it tight and let go.' She shouts. I know what she means, but I know she hasn't thought it through.
I wrap the cable around my hand and arm as best I can, and look at her, eye to eye as I let go. She screams as I drop like a stone. I fall, but the cable drags me to the abyss wall, and I know what is coming.
I crash into the bare rock with a thud almost knocking myself out. I feel dazed and sick, it is all I can do to just hang on.
Moving up, slowly, I feel myself being pulled up, inches at a time. I hear her struggling, doing her best for me, crying.
I shake myself out of this lethargy. I pull with one hand on the rock besides me, lifting and helping as I can. Finally, with one last surge of effort, I spill over, back onto the tarmac, panting and breathing raucously.
I lay there looking up at the blazing blue sky, and then her face leaning over me. I don't know whether to laugh or cry, but she does enough crying for us both.
Finally I sit up a little, and look at her pale skin. Her deep hazel eyes, and her ragged but beautiful hair.
'Hi, my name is Macready.' I say, and she stops crying, breaking out into a joyful smile, full of laughter...
Monday 3 October 2016
24) A Huge Yellow Brute Attacks.
As much as I feel more secure, that I have a safe base to come back to, and that I have someone at last that I feel I can trust, I cannot escape the deep sense of fear that envelopes me.
I had a restless nights sleep, tossing and turning. It doesn't help that this bed is so poor. It is strong, wooden, but no softness to it. I look around what there is of my little shack, and I can see sunlight poking through holes in the roof. The walls are sturdy now, but other than that, there is nothing in here. No place to sit, the floor is just mud, and I don't even have anything to cook with.
What I would give to be able to trade for some of those fresh wooden planks they are making over there. Some here have them, bigger places, proper flooring, proper homes.
I cannot rest, and though it is early, I must get on. I take a hold of the axe, because I know I will need it. I sling my backpack over my shoulder. I notice how bad I smell, I have to wash somehow. I need new clothes too, to get out of these rags.
As I step outside, I notice how chill the air is. I have no idea what the seasons here might bring, but I am certain if there is anything approaching it being a winter, I will not survive. I doubt many will. I look quickly in to see if Judy is awake, she isn't. She looks cold, as much as I felt. Clearly we have to do something, but given where I intend to go, I just leave her to sleep.
The white haze from the day before has lifted, and the air feels a bit fresher, as much as it can be in this terrible place. I wonder if the entire planet has become such a tomb.
The camp is beginning to wake up, with the smell of fires starting up, and dare I say it, food being cooked. I wonder about drinking some of the purified water we have, but I will leave it. We need it to last, and I can quench my thirst when I get back; if I survive that is.
As always my legs and arms feel weary, my joints ache. Once I get going I'll improve. I begin my slow walk, to the gate, and a bleary eyed guard lets me through. I know what to expect out here, back into the Wasteland, but no matter what I have seen, I know nothing can truly prepare you for what happens.
To my left, there is the river, and woodland, where we go to cut wood. There are two men and another woman already heading there. Some it seems just do that, endlessly, accepting their limitations, but I can't do just that, it's not in my instincts to be that way.
I turn to the guard and catch his attention. 'Hey, what kind of things should I search out for trade, what makes the best trades for goods in here?' I ask.
He looks as me, finishes yawning again and coughs, scratching his groin. 'Caps, oh and weapons, of any kind. They always trade well.' He replies.
I look back at him, confused. 'Caps, what do you mean caps?'
'Bottle caps, you know, off old Nuka Cola bottles. They had some precious metals in the caps, to stop them losing their special flavour. So now they're the only currency, cos they have something valuable in them.' He says, and turns away to urinate against the wooden fence.
His conduct doesn't instill much confidence in me over his ability to guard, but there are plenty of them, and most importantly the automatic rifles slung over their backs certainly look deadly enough.
'Where's the best place to go looking for caps and weapons then?'
'There's a few towns around here, all of them dead, except for the Raiders, and the Ghouls.'
'I know the Raiders, had a few run ins with them, but what are Ghouls?'
'Burnt like a crisp, and angry as hell. Now if you don't mind, I'm busy.' The guard says, as he begins to pick his nose.
I know what he means, Ghouls, burnt people, wasted. It sends a shiver down my spine, reminding me of my lucky escape.
I head out, searching for a town. The ground is rough travelling, gravelly and full of rocks. It seems like something out of a desert, and to back that up there are even cacti here and there. The sun has risen high in the deep blue sky, and I can feel it bearing down on me. It's going to be a long day.
As I walk along, I think about thirty minutes I must have been heading out now, it just seemed like it was going to be an endless series of hills and valleys, a never ending dead end. It's a wonder anything survives out here, but I guess humans are like cockroaches, cut off our heads and we still thrive.
Then, shimmering in the heat way out, I think I see what might be a building. As I walk closer, I am right, it is one, then another, and more. The beginnings of a town, perhaps more.
A lot of the buildings are half destroyed, doorways collapsed, roofs gone, but funnily enough, the road seems perfectly intact. As I enter the place, the gravel and rocks underfoot change to tarmac, shiny and smooth. There are even cars here dotted around. I wonder if there is any source of fuel, diesel or petrol. Imagine how far I might travel if I could get one of these things working.
There are side streets off, and a long main street, and I can see some buildings still seem intact. I have high hopes that I might succeed in finding some useful gear here. Though, I cannot understand why this town hasn't already been picked clean.
Before I can finish my thought, a glint in the sun catches my attention, and my mind screams to move, as a silver blade comes crashing down upon me. Instinctively I dodge away, dropping sideways, and foolishly falling to the ground. At first the sun blinds me, and I cannot see what it is, but as I try to scurry back, pulling away from further attacks, I finally see what is upon me.
The thing standing over me must be all of eight feet tall, and so muscular that it would win a thousand body building contests. It has a large hammer, which is almost as big as I am. Even its boots are four times the size of what I might wear. Its skin seems like leather, and gives off a raidiant yellow hue in the sun. My puny little axe will struggle to make an impact against this thing.
Brave or foolish, I spin around on the ground, clutching at the tarmac, feeling the stinging heat against my fingers, and leap up to sprint away. The brute may be huge, and fearsome strong, but it's also slow. Or so I had hoped, as it too turns and begins to lunge towards me.
As I run, I feel my heart beating insanely in my chest, and the thought occurs to me: now I know why the town remains so clear of others.
I can hear a giant's footsteps beating down on me, as it calls out.
'Humaaaaaan, come back, I am hungry for your bones!' It thunders.
It feels like I am stuck in some morbid nursery rhyme, and I am being chased by an illusion. I run around a corner, and my world falls away...
I had a restless nights sleep, tossing and turning. It doesn't help that this bed is so poor. It is strong, wooden, but no softness to it. I look around what there is of my little shack, and I can see sunlight poking through holes in the roof. The walls are sturdy now, but other than that, there is nothing in here. No place to sit, the floor is just mud, and I don't even have anything to cook with.
What I would give to be able to trade for some of those fresh wooden planks they are making over there. Some here have them, bigger places, proper flooring, proper homes.
I cannot rest, and though it is early, I must get on. I take a hold of the axe, because I know I will need it. I sling my backpack over my shoulder. I notice how bad I smell, I have to wash somehow. I need new clothes too, to get out of these rags.
As I step outside, I notice how chill the air is. I have no idea what the seasons here might bring, but I am certain if there is anything approaching it being a winter, I will not survive. I doubt many will. I look quickly in to see if Judy is awake, she isn't. She looks cold, as much as I felt. Clearly we have to do something, but given where I intend to go, I just leave her to sleep.
The white haze from the day before has lifted, and the air feels a bit fresher, as much as it can be in this terrible place. I wonder if the entire planet has become such a tomb.
The camp is beginning to wake up, with the smell of fires starting up, and dare I say it, food being cooked. I wonder about drinking some of the purified water we have, but I will leave it. We need it to last, and I can quench my thirst when I get back; if I survive that is.
As always my legs and arms feel weary, my joints ache. Once I get going I'll improve. I begin my slow walk, to the gate, and a bleary eyed guard lets me through. I know what to expect out here, back into the Wasteland, but no matter what I have seen, I know nothing can truly prepare you for what happens.
To my left, there is the river, and woodland, where we go to cut wood. There are two men and another woman already heading there. Some it seems just do that, endlessly, accepting their limitations, but I can't do just that, it's not in my instincts to be that way.
I turn to the guard and catch his attention. 'Hey, what kind of things should I search out for trade, what makes the best trades for goods in here?' I ask.
He looks as me, finishes yawning again and coughs, scratching his groin. 'Caps, oh and weapons, of any kind. They always trade well.' He replies.
I look back at him, confused. 'Caps, what do you mean caps?'
'Bottle caps, you know, off old Nuka Cola bottles. They had some precious metals in the caps, to stop them losing their special flavour. So now they're the only currency, cos they have something valuable in them.' He says, and turns away to urinate against the wooden fence.
His conduct doesn't instill much confidence in me over his ability to guard, but there are plenty of them, and most importantly the automatic rifles slung over their backs certainly look deadly enough.
'Where's the best place to go looking for caps and weapons then?'
'There's a few towns around here, all of them dead, except for the Raiders, and the Ghouls.'
'I know the Raiders, had a few run ins with them, but what are Ghouls?'
'Burnt like a crisp, and angry as hell. Now if you don't mind, I'm busy.' The guard says, as he begins to pick his nose.
I know what he means, Ghouls, burnt people, wasted. It sends a shiver down my spine, reminding me of my lucky escape.
I head out, searching for a town. The ground is rough travelling, gravelly and full of rocks. It seems like something out of a desert, and to back that up there are even cacti here and there. The sun has risen high in the deep blue sky, and I can feel it bearing down on me. It's going to be a long day.
As I walk along, I think about thirty minutes I must have been heading out now, it just seemed like it was going to be an endless series of hills and valleys, a never ending dead end. It's a wonder anything survives out here, but I guess humans are like cockroaches, cut off our heads and we still thrive.
Then, shimmering in the heat way out, I think I see what might be a building. As I walk closer, I am right, it is one, then another, and more. The beginnings of a town, perhaps more.
A lot of the buildings are half destroyed, doorways collapsed, roofs gone, but funnily enough, the road seems perfectly intact. As I enter the place, the gravel and rocks underfoot change to tarmac, shiny and smooth. There are even cars here dotted around. I wonder if there is any source of fuel, diesel or petrol. Imagine how far I might travel if I could get one of these things working.
There are side streets off, and a long main street, and I can see some buildings still seem intact. I have high hopes that I might succeed in finding some useful gear here. Though, I cannot understand why this town hasn't already been picked clean.
Before I can finish my thought, a glint in the sun catches my attention, and my mind screams to move, as a silver blade comes crashing down upon me. Instinctively I dodge away, dropping sideways, and foolishly falling to the ground. At first the sun blinds me, and I cannot see what it is, but as I try to scurry back, pulling away from further attacks, I finally see what is upon me.
The thing standing over me must be all of eight feet tall, and so muscular that it would win a thousand body building contests. It has a large hammer, which is almost as big as I am. Even its boots are four times the size of what I might wear. Its skin seems like leather, and gives off a raidiant yellow hue in the sun. My puny little axe will struggle to make an impact against this thing.
Brave or foolish, I spin around on the ground, clutching at the tarmac, feeling the stinging heat against my fingers, and leap up to sprint away. The brute may be huge, and fearsome strong, but it's also slow. Or so I had hoped, as it too turns and begins to lunge towards me.
As I run, I feel my heart beating insanely in my chest, and the thought occurs to me: now I know why the town remains so clear of others.
I can hear a giant's footsteps beating down on me, as it calls out.
'Humaaaaaan, come back, I am hungry for your bones!' It thunders.
It feels like I am stuck in some morbid nursery rhyme, and I am being chased by an illusion. I run around a corner, and my world falls away...
Tuesday 27 September 2016
23) The Dread of the Future.
We should have checked the food before we walked away. To suggest it was enough for two people for three days is a joke. Yes, it might do so if we just nibble occasionally at it.
There were three ears of corn, small, and nothing to go with the, so tough and dry. There is some kind of meat, which was tough, foul tasting and covered in thick salt. I guess it's designed to ensure it doesn't go off too quickly, and has been heavily cured, but it needs plenty of water to wash it down, and that is the hard part.We have quite a bit now, probably enough to drink to last more than a few days. but when swilling it back to counter the awful food, it goes quickly.
Lastly, a large loaf of bread, but it is solid as a rock. No mold that I can tell, so it will have to do. The combination has created a small meal for this turn's ration, enough to sustain is for now, but it tastes horrible.
Clouds passing over have left the entire place looking washed out, as if a white blanket has been placed upon us, to stem our growth. It affects everything we do, because the temperature has lowered, and so the hive of activity that there was. That won't stop us, it can't, we have no choice.
'Once we finish this feast, we can trek out once again and go get more wood. This time, what we gather we bring back here and try rebuild our houses. Enough to withstand any kind of seriously bad weather.' I suggest. Judy nods, unable to speak due to nibbling on a particularly tough piece of meat.
'Shame we can't use their machine to mill some of the wood into planks, that would make for a very serious and stable home.' I continue.
Judy swallows finally. 'Yeah, you can, but like everything else in here, it comes with a price.'
I can see everything here does have a price, and everything is for sale. The only free thing is the land and our house, but that is free so that more people choose to come and live here, so there are more to trade with, and those with the most make a lot of money from it.
We both get up together, and prepare to work again. We were sat in what is supposed to be Judy's house, not so much a house as a shack, and barely even that. She has done the best with it that she could, some straw on her bed, cleaned out the rubbish and cleared the hard mud flooring, but the roof is virtually none existent, and the walls are filled with gaps. The moment it rains, everything will become boggy and wet.
We can't think about that for now, other than to do better. Once again we both head out of the gate, past the guards. We can never see their faces, always hidden by cloth across or a leather mask, but from what I can see, combined with their fearsome looking weapons they wouldn't be ones I would choose to argue with.
I dread the thought of another day of endless hacking away, sipping carefully at the water, and dragging it all through, but the end product will hopefully prove worthwhile. I hope Judy does better, but I know her cutting is poor.
'How about I cut down some of these trees, the most manageable ones, and then as I cut pieces off, you drag them to our homes?' I suggest. Judy I can tell is feeling the same as I, the hard work just at the beginning, it's going to be tough. She nods quietly, and stands back as I swing away.
There were three ears of corn, small, and nothing to go with the, so tough and dry. There is some kind of meat, which was tough, foul tasting and covered in thick salt. I guess it's designed to ensure it doesn't go off too quickly, and has been heavily cured, but it needs plenty of water to wash it down, and that is the hard part.We have quite a bit now, probably enough to drink to last more than a few days. but when swilling it back to counter the awful food, it goes quickly.
Lastly, a large loaf of bread, but it is solid as a rock. No mold that I can tell, so it will have to do. The combination has created a small meal for this turn's ration, enough to sustain is for now, but it tastes horrible.
Clouds passing over have left the entire place looking washed out, as if a white blanket has been placed upon us, to stem our growth. It affects everything we do, because the temperature has lowered, and so the hive of activity that there was. That won't stop us, it can't, we have no choice.
'Once we finish this feast, we can trek out once again and go get more wood. This time, what we gather we bring back here and try rebuild our houses. Enough to withstand any kind of seriously bad weather.' I suggest. Judy nods, unable to speak due to nibbling on a particularly tough piece of meat.
'Shame we can't use their machine to mill some of the wood into planks, that would make for a very serious and stable home.' I continue.
Judy swallows finally. 'Yeah, you can, but like everything else in here, it comes with a price.'
I can see everything here does have a price, and everything is for sale. The only free thing is the land and our house, but that is free so that more people choose to come and live here, so there are more to trade with, and those with the most make a lot of money from it.
We both get up together, and prepare to work again. We were sat in what is supposed to be Judy's house, not so much a house as a shack, and barely even that. She has done the best with it that she could, some straw on her bed, cleaned out the rubbish and cleared the hard mud flooring, but the roof is virtually none existent, and the walls are filled with gaps. The moment it rains, everything will become boggy and wet.
We can't think about that for now, other than to do better. Once again we both head out of the gate, past the guards. We can never see their faces, always hidden by cloth across or a leather mask, but from what I can see, combined with their fearsome looking weapons they wouldn't be ones I would choose to argue with.
I dread the thought of another day of endless hacking away, sipping carefully at the water, and dragging it all through, but the end product will hopefully prove worthwhile. I hope Judy does better, but I know her cutting is poor.
'How about I cut down some of these trees, the most manageable ones, and then as I cut pieces off, you drag them to our homes?' I suggest. Judy I can tell is feeling the same as I, the hard work just at the beginning, it's going to be tough. She nods quietly, and stands back as I swing away.
*
It's surprising what a bit of food and decent water can do for you. I attacked the wood like a savage, hacking away at it and felled trees in no time. I will have to find a way to sharpen my axe, but thankfully the trees aren't too big and so go down easily.
Judy looks exhausted, walking back and forth, carrying all the heavy pieces. I respect her, she never complained, and just got on with it.
A few times going into the camp we were approached by others, begging for help. I guess begging isn't forbidden, but no one seems to offer help for anything here, and we have enough to do looking after our own.
In all there are around sixty pieces of timber, and another twenty smaller pieces. More than enough to shore up the houses.
I finally pull out the saw blade. It is long with jagged teeth, but no handle. I wrap a piece of cloth around it for now, to make holding it easier, but in time I will have to find a knife, or trade for one, and carve something a bit more fitting. We really need more tools, but getting something to trade for them is going to be either difficult, or dangerous.
I get to work, cutting notches into the timber, then cutting the smaller pieces into narrow joins, slices even that will hold it together. It's not as good as nails and a hammer, or even rope to bind it, but it will do, as long as we leave some of the heavier pieces at the bottom for leverage.
Judy looks at me, watching me work.
'Where did you learn to do that?' She finally asks.
I shake my head. 'I'm not entirely certain, another of those things I don't properly remember. I seem to know enough to do things, but have no memory of how I came to know such things.'
'Most people have no skills, and little knowledge of anything, other than surviving.' Judy says. It seems sad, how things have become. I wonder if mankind is dying.
Bit by bit I drag pieces of heavy wood around our shacks, and fasten bridges between them, across as a plinth, to hold it sturdily in place. It takes time, but isn't too much hard work, and before long it takes shape. It is only a simply wood surround, but enough, and with a fixed roof will withstand most things.
I stop for a moment. 'OK, now get some river water, in anything you can find to carry it, make some of this mud into a kind of clay, and line the holes within the wood with it, to keep out the wind and rain from outside.' I say. Judy springs to attention over it. I think she is so in awe of what I have done here, she is excited to help out.
While she works at it, I continue and do the same to my home, using the last of the wood to surround my place. Before long they both look much sturdier, and though I say so myself, I actually think they look better than most of those near us.
Judy works away at it, on both places, slopping around and using the softened mud to fill gaps. As light begins to fade, it is done. The roof needs a cover, and the floor inside will need attention on them both, but for now it feels much safe, and quieter. The protection from the chill night air is good.
Judy doesn't say anything, but I can see the emotion in her eyes. She just leaps at me and hugs me. It feels nice, the envelope of arms around me, cared for and respected. I hug her back, feeling something much greater than fear for the first time.
We are both clearly shattered. I cannot help but imagine that she might come and share my bed with me tonight, but it is obvious after all the things she must have been through, it is the last thing she wants or needs.
'We need something to cover the roof, and better tools. We need to find a way to get some.' I say.
'No one in camp other than the wood merchants will have such things. There are other sellers, some selling high quality goods, but they expect a lot in trade.' Judy says.
'I guess I am going to have to go wandering outside tomorrow.' I say. Judy looks horrified.
'No, don't.' She says harshly. She is clearly rattled by the thought of me going. Her eyes are wide, and suddenly she is trembling.
'It's OK, I won't go far, or for long.' I say, trying to reassure her.
'I can trade, I can sell myself to them, they will pay for that.' She says, and now it is my turn to look horrified. She returns a look of shame.
'No, I didn't mean it like that. I mean, you're too good for that, we won't do that, ever.' I say, and again she gives me that look, as if she has never heard a man say such things to her.
Again she hugs me, tighter than ever, but I welcome it.
'Sleep, then tomorrow I shall take the axe for defense, and go have a wander.' I say.
'OK.' Judy says reluctantly.
I go to my bed, preparing to lay and sleep as the last light fades. I look around and see her stood by the door. She looks at me, and to my bed, and I know, she feels obligated.
'It's OK, you go get some rest. I'll see you in the morning early, and get started.'
Judy smiles at me, that pleasant positive smile of hers. 'See you in the morning.' She says, and is gone before I can answer.
The last moment of waking, I think of the day ahead, and what is to come. Once again that deep sense of dread returns...
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