Survival of the Fittest

Chapter 3: Survive the Beginning! 2

Chapter 3: Survive the Beginning! 2

Night fell as I came close to the gates of this small urban society.  The iron bars were rusted for effect, but I knew that they were actually perfectly normal.  The gate stretched a good twenty feet with a single padlock at the right end.  In the moonlight, I could barely make out the words of the small suburban neighborhood: Starfield.  Ironically, the name was innocent, but I knew that this place would be a place of massive bloodshed in the next 24 hours.  I knew I was the first one because there was not a single noise in this area.  The wall was high, approximately fifteen feet high.  The backpack was heavy, but I strapped it on tight.  I took ten paces backwards, readying myself.  I tested the earth to make sure the ground would not make me slip.  I sprinted towards the wall, flailing my arms.  I jumped and grabbed the top of the wall.  I grunted.  I used the remainder of my strength and pulled myself on top of the wall.  The neighborhood stretched for miles.  I was somewhat reluctant to explore this area because of its size. I looked below me to ensure that there was nothing that would cause injury to me.  I threw my backpack onto the floor below.  It landed softly on the dewy grass.  I jumped off the wall and landed, rolling forward to cause less injury to my knees.  I stood up and wore my backpack.  It was getting colder; I could see my breath in the air. 

I quickly scanned my surroundings.  I was in the backyard of a small house.  Maybe, there's loot inside the house, I thought.  I strode to the back door and gripped the handle.  I turned the knob to my disappointment.  It was locked.  Muttering, I stepped back.  Only in the Government.  I kicked the door down with ease.  I heard the scurrying of rodents inside the home.  It was obvious that the house was occupied at one point but abandoned for the sake of the Death Match.  I entered the home.  It smelled heavily of mold.  I covered my nose with a part of my t-shirt.  I walked through the home, walking slowly trying not to break the rotten wood underneath my feet.  I took a random turn and ended up in the kitchen.  Hunger took over and I raided the food cabinets.  I threw open each cabinet to find canned food that was recently placed there.  It was without a doubt left by the Government.  It was getting to dark to see.  I cursed under my breath.  The moonlight could only do so much for me.  In the corner of my eye, I saw a jug of gasoline and an old rag.  Scattered along the floor were tree branches possibly brought in by the rodents that lived in this house.  I fashioned a makeshift torch out of the branches and cloth.  I used the flint and steel at the butt of my machete and the room was filled with an orange glow.  The heat was amazing.

I now saw a small chest at the far end of the kitchen hidden behind the trashcan and sink.  I dragged it out from under the sink.  It was relatively new.  Prying open the chest I gaped at the contents.  There was a comfy jet black jacket that was obviously used for colder climates, more canned food, purifying water tablets, a capsule of an unknown substance and a flashlight.  Delighted by the contents, I opened my backpack and shoved all the contents into the bag except for the flashlight.  I would exhaust the torch and use the flashlight as my main source of light.  It was a heavy standard police flashlight, capable of being used as a makeshift mace in a pinch.  Happy with my loot, I moved towards the living room, a few steps away from the kitchen.  I created a small fire and used it to heat the canned foods.  I ate a hardy meal of beef stew and canned corn.  It was delicious.  I savored each bite because, well, it could be my last meal.  I opened my gallon of water and drank.  The water was sweet and refreshing.  I patted my stomach and laid back.  I was doing well for my first day.  The fire kept me warm, but I knew the smoke was going to kill me.  I looked around for a small window.  I stood up and opened a baby-sized window on the opposite side of the room.  The living room was small and had barely anything except for a couch.  I extinguished the flames and kept the embers as a heat source.  I lay on the couch and rested.