Welfare and Warfare

Chapter 39

Day: 3374

Days Left: 2106

Lives Saved: 18

When the city made any form of expansion, Alfreda thought it more dangerous than any blood moon could potentially be. At the very least, a blood moon was one day of violence which you could easily prep for in advance, however these expansions would go on for numerous weeks, possibly even months and throughout blood moons. If they so much allowed for a crack in their defence, there could be an unexpected attack of invaders trying to storm the city, or people attempting to sneak in. There were also protests and complaints from those who had to move their tents and those who tried to ask the guards or the construction workers if they could help to potentially schmooze their way to getting picked next for citizenship. Whilst more workers would get the job done quicker, Corinna always denied them since it would be dangerous to give anyone tools and equipment, as well as the fact of having to promise them a fast track to citizenship. That was until recent.

The large camp of prisoners outside the city walls, were getting restless by the day due to an idea spreading around; to build shelters outside of the walls. Many people had tried with their limited knowledge and resources to build huts with the wood from the nearby emerald forest, however they were rudimentary and often stolen and contested to the point of destruction. However, now there were more people arguing and joining the protests that The Warren should build the shelters for those waiting.

These protests were growing larger and though they were not violent, the noise and the commotion were affecting the construction of the new expansion. Mayor Corinna Warren eventually conceded on her own terms and instructed special shelters to be made for the refugees, something that some people thought should have been done a long time ago. Whilst the materials were provided for, the labour was not; there was a selection of refugees to make these shelters, and by doing so would be the first to live in these shelters and put on a special list to be considered for future citizenship. It did not go unnoticed that those chosen were people who did not involve themselves in any of the protests, keeping to themselves, and were already high on the consideration to be future citizens. It sent a message; you may protest and complain all you want, but when it is finally granted, you will not be the one to benefit.

These new shelters were to be built on the outskirts of the settled camp of tents; an interesting choice Alfreda thought at first since those who had proven to behave would likely be last to receive food as they lived so far away from The Warren, but the real purpose was because Corinna was already thinking of further expansions and setting the future perimeter. If soon more shelters were built, it meant less tents having to be evicted to another location.

After this project began, there was less harassment from the protesters near the construction cite, and soon it was only the dedicated small group, Jules leading it all as usual.

"Will you shut him up, pet?" Alfreda groaned as Talon started their shift. "His insistent yapping is doing my head in."

Talon sighed, and rolled their eyes as they spotted Jules attempting to rally the prisoners nearby to re-join the protest, proclaiming that this move was a tactic for control and everyone deserved shelter and food, it was not a luxury handed out in exchange for fealty.

"He will tire himself out soon," replied Talon, but then sighed again and headed over, scaring away any prisoners that were almost swayed by Jules' words.

"You can piss off too," Alfreda hissed to the nearby black hound. "I'm sick of seeing you. Go find someone else to play with you."

The black hound stared back at her as it always did. During all of this stress from the new expansion and the loud protests and conflicts Alfreda had to resolve, the dog had grown to the size of a bulldog, but had finally returned back to the size of a chihuahua, the creature resembling more like a furry disgusting rat now. How Alfreda wanted to kick the thing away but even with its diminutive size, something in her mind prevented her, as if her mind knew to be afraid of the monster that no one else could see. The more Alfreda acknowledged the hound, the more it seemed to grow, so she had been ignoring it as much as she could and sometimes it was so small she could barely see it; but it was always there, watching her, waiting.