"Remember do not go into the woods." My mother FrameTag89 said to me, the woods were dangerous. All that they were filled with since the war were monsters and mutations. Revolting creatures if you ask the Republics, filthy if you ask the Wealths, and for an Outsider, you find them interesting. They seem more human than the humans do, full of energy and life. I had only seen one monster and one mutation and they were beautiful. The Mutation had golden hair and wore bedsheets tied together to look like ancient Greece clothing. The Monster was a large beast that resembled a wolf, it had gleaming gold and silver eyes and a pure white coat. Why did people hate them when some wanted to be them?
"ConductBellum37 are you listening to me?" My mother said to me, that is who I am. ConductBellum37, everyone in the city has a name and number, it is how they know who we are and if we go missing. Every day we have to meet up at the Republics HQ and sign in, if we dont then we are known as dead in the city. The Republics make all the rules in this city, have the most knowladge, and get all learning tools. The only way you can get to the tools and books is to pay, this is good for the Wealths bcause they were very welathy, hence the group name Welths. The ones who have it the worst are the Outsiders like me and my family, and the Monsters and Mutations. The Republics and Wealths still look upon us as human though. We still have all of our body parts, no more no less, and have nomal human capabilities.
"ConductBellum37! If you do not listen to me I will take away your best shoes for a week!" That caught my attention quickly, clothes and food are valued to an Outsider.
"Yes mam, I'm sorry mam." We always have to respect out elders, we were taught that at a young age, also to respect the Wealths and Republics.
"I need you to go to market and get me these things." She handed me a small paper with many things on it.
"How will we afford this mother?" I glanced to her after reading the list.
"I sold some things." She gulped and rubbed her arm.
"Did you sell yourself again?! Mother I wont allow it! No man will touch you! I will skin hi-" She touched my arm.
"No I didnt sell myself again, I sold some animals for money." She pointed to the small brown bag on the table, "There is about two hundred in that, use it in a wize way."
I took up the bag and gave her a final kiss on the cheek, money was a precious thing for an Outsider, some old themselfs for hard labor just to get clothes and food sometimes. Mother had to do that once so she could get me a new jacket and pair of shoes. The man walked up here with a few of his friends. It was a rough night, and I never want to see her in such greif and pain again. I pulled on my shoes and jacket and started the walk to market. The market was in the middle of the city and it had many things. Food, clothes, books, glasses, forks and knifes, watches, animals. It had it all, everything we need. I glanced down at the list again and written down was: ten eggs, three milk jars, a pocket watch, three fish, beans, apples, two pounds of beef, and a box of nails. This may only leave us with fifty dollars after I am done, I hope that we have more than that though. As I neared the market I passed two Republics who were holding onto books. I had never read a book completly, I had to return them before I could finish them.
"Coals! Firewood here!" One man shouted from his tent, all he sold was firewood and coals, his name was Emberthorn45.
"Wines and other drinks here, buy before they are gone!" RubyPutty1290 called she sold all of the alcohol.
"Eggs here! Fresh daily!" MasterBreaker823 called out, his cart was the first I needed to see, I hope prices havet gone up.
"Hello sir, I will need ten eggs. How much are they today?" I pulled out the small bag and pulled out some money.
He coughed a laugh, "A dollar a egg, no more no less." His breath smelled of wiskey and he haden't shaved in a few days. MasterBreaker823 had graying hair and a beer gut, he was about my height and he was unmarried. Everyone knew he was a constant drinker, RubyPutty1290 had her best customer.
"Eggs were fifty scents last week, why so high today?" I gave him a puzzled look and handed him the money.
"One of me chickens died, need a new one." He gave a slight burp and took the money. "Ten eggs for the lad." he handed me a small box with the eggs inside it. I placed the eggs in a basket and went my way for the fisherman. "Eggs sold here!" He called once more.
"Candy and sweets here!"
"Buttons and zippers!"
"Lamps and spare bulbs!" Everywhere you looked someone was selling something.
"Fish! Five dollars each!" OceanMill921 stood next to the small boat of his that he had filled with fish that day. This man had blonde hair and a few tattoos, after pulling and hauling fishing nets you would be really built. He was 19 and already had two kids, the Wealths love him.
"Morning OceanMill921, I need three fish today." I pulled open the pouch and pulled out fifteen dollars.
"Ahh ConductBellum37 nice to you you again." He opened up one of his nets and placed three fish into a small cooler, "Tell your mother I said hello." He handed me the fish and wiped some sweat from his upper lip.
"Shirts and pants here!"
"Diapers and rattles!"
"Fresh fruit! Apples, Pears, and more!" MotherTile280 called she always had fresh picked fruit from a garden she owned.
"Hello mam, a bag of apples please." I spoke softly.
"Morning, that will be twenty dollars please." She smiled and adjusted her apron and hair pins. She was a rather plump woman with bright pink lips and a high pitched voice.
"Here you go mam, have a nice day." I stode off and searched for the rest of my things.
After about a hour I bought all of my things and had an extra sisxty one dollars left. Mother should be able to buy a new dress or apron. I walked back home and passed more people, the market was full of people today.
When I arived home mother was sitting on the porch rocking in the old chair. She had her brown hair tied up into a ponytail and wore shorts and a long shirt. She would have been beautiful if she tried.
"Did you get the things son?" she lifted her head from the back of the chair.
"Yes all right here." I showed her the basket with the food, drinks, and other things. "Want me to set them in the kitchen?" She nodded to me and I bowed my head. As I was putting the food away I heard the fimilar sound. Clanking metal and the loud siren that warns the people. The Mutants had gotten into the city, someone must have shut the fence off. Time to hide!
