The Mist of Ashes (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 1: Thriving For Safety ¹³

I squeezed my eye shut, the cold blizzard swept my bare face while a soldier pushed me further into nothingness. Shouts and wind was all I perceived. I was not aware of my surroundings, including the others. I wanted to ask what was happening, but noises from the blizzard only made it more negligent.

Looking back from behind my shoulder, I saw others shivering and sustaining themselves to carry on. Trees were filled with snow, making them shake back and forth.

I wrapped my fur coat tighter around me. The brown soft fluff made my skin tickle. The sensation only lasted for a few seconds, replacing the feeling with frigid, icy air. The same peculiar thoughts occurred to me while I was taking slow, steady steps.

Why am I exactly here?

Where are we going?

Will I survive?

“Look!” someone screamed out.

Slowly lifting my eyes, I saw that out in the distance, there appeared big warehouses connected together. I broke into my happy dance inside of my head. Everyone cheered, even some of the soldiers.

Our steps became rapid, making the souls of our boots kick up with more snow, but we didn't care. I just wanted to go someplace warm and safe. For the first time in forever, I was going to receive that which made me so elated.

We finally got to the main front of the series of warehouses. A few soldiers rushed out of a big door and coaxed us to come in. Gusts of warm toasty air filled my whole body that made me feel comfortable and complete.

Teens and young adults were all over the area, working, eating, or simply talking. I was fascinated by how many people were in this part of the warehouse; probably at least hundreds. They were mostly wearing dark clothing; cargo pants, v-neck shirts, and combat boots. Most had guns to their sides. I was thinking if it had more to do with protection.

The room grew quieter as people looked in our direction. People stopped eating, working, talking, and socializing. They simply stared. I always had trouble with stage fright, so my hands and legs were shaking nervously. Sweat was already about to run all over my face.

A big buffed man came walking toward us. He looked stronger than the people here, and probably older. “Initiates,” he started, pacing back and forth, “Call me Captain Ace. This is our survival compound, and I am the leader of it. We are known as the Misties Tribe. We are all about unity, survival, and protection. You young folks will be going under a training session in a couple of weeks. But before you survivors get started, does anyone oppose to what I just said?”

No one from our group makes a peep. He acts like he has done this for the millionth time. He continued. “You'll be given an instructor soon for the training, which includes mental, physical, and emotional health. We want everyone to be a working unit. Understand?”

We all nodded our heads.

Deep in my gut though, it was hard to believe that we would be in an organized compound like this. I didn't have this kind of protection for months since The Surge. Now it was my time to finally make an effort and survive to my full capacity.

“Your instructors will go over the procedures and things you have to do soon. Ask someone to help you for now, and get suited up. Fresh clothes are in the corner over there.” He picks up a nearby keyboard on a wooden table. He asked for our names and where we lived in the past.

After that, our small group split up and was off wandering around, hoping to find someone to rely on. Although there were still murmuring, I awkwardly made my way through the crowd, trying to find a girl to hang around with.