It's 2023. A war has striked and turned the world into turmoil. 15 year-old Kaylee Jones is alone looking for her parents who went missing pre-war. She was only 13 when they got taken.
Now, with the skills and needs equipped, she's off to find her...
Everything around me is in flames. Flakes of ash glitter about, covering the sky with a smoky black and settling on my nose like a snowflake. The screams from mothers clutching the burnt corpse of their children cause tears to prick at my eyes, blurring my vision as I think of my mother.
For a while, I walk, mindfully stepping over the debris of fallen buildings and scaffolding.
A trail of fire roar angrily, filled from the leaking gasoline of exploded cars.
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I can't be here any longer. If I want to get to my next destination before sunset, I have to hurry.
It wasn't always like this Australia was a nice place. It's why so many refugees came here, because it gave them a chance at salvation, a chance to rebuild.
Now though, it makes no difference.
My hands tremble with adrenaline, fear running its course through my veins like a race car.
No doubt my small frame is covered in grime, dried blood from not being careful around buildings.
It's a miracle I haven't gotten an infection yet.
I close my eyes for a moment, my heart sinking even more when I realise just how lonely I am. I've got nothing but a small pocket knife and a handgun fit enough for a girl like me. The shrill cry startles me out of my thoughts and I spin on my heels to find a group of military dressed men kicking a woman.
My heart tugs, urging me to intervene but in situations like this, it's better them than you.
"Bro is that a girl!?" They ask and before I know it, I'm printing around a corner, sliding into a small, narrow crack.
I slap a palm over my mouth to stifle the cry that forces its way out but it's too late and I'm being yanked out of my hiding spot and thrown onto the dirt.
My mind races for a plan. I can just do the stupid thing but that would get me killed.
Behind the group, a man tenses.
"Hey sweetheart, look what I got for the birthday girl!" A man says beautiful blue eyes that always calmed me down.
I remember my eyes lighting up at the small present in his hands, it wasn't much, only a beautiful purple gem with my name engraved on it. But back then, it meant everything to me.
"What's a little thing like you doing alone?"
My eyes narrow at the condescending tone.
"Why should I tell you? You're just a good for nothing pig who likes to leech off the poor and naive." I retort, not missing the snort from behind the leader.
"Little girl's got quite a mouth on her. I wonder what else that mouth would be useful." He says teasingly, his eyes raking up my body as if undressing me and ew.
