Into Oblivion

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

In the edge of the waste lands was a city. It stood out like a sore thumb with the barren land surrounding it half of it and the murky sea water on its other side. There was probably no life for miles except for the odd gang of cleavers and some mutated fish swimming in the sea, also the survivors who had made it to Oceanus. The city was mostly created out of metal but there were some small brick or wood buildings dotted around; not that they would last long. Near the east side of the city was a fishing port. There were very few boats in the docks most of them were fishing boats. The buildings stood tall in the middle of the city. Many of them were apartment blocks which were designed to hold as many people as possible and more. Around the city was a 10 foot tall fence which was thick and made of anything the Government could get their hands on at the time. The fence stretched right the way in to the coast line and stretched part way out to sea, just far enough out so no one who still had their sanity would even try and swim around it. Lining the top of the fence was thick coils of razor sharp barbed wire that covered the entire fence.  The only way in to the city was through the gigantic rusted iron gates that were guarded day and night, but the gates were always shut, unless you could prove that you weren’t affected from the gas.

The sun was just rising about the salt water horizon sending the sky in to a beautiful shade of orange and yellow; you had to relish all beauty in these times, as so little of it remained.  The residents of Oceanus were already up and roaming the city streets. Many of them got on with their daily duties, like cleaning or building new houses or heading down to the docks to go fishing. Everyone had to help out somehow, and their payment was a place to stay and a small ration of disgusting food. Wandering down the middle of the city were two young men, probably in their early twenties but they looked like they had been through more than their faces told.

“She lost the baby last night.” The taller one was saying. He was bone thin with long, dirty brown hair, stubble covering his chin and a thick scar down his neck. He walked casually with his hands in his pockets and he looked down at the ground.

“That sucks man.” The second replied. He was shorter but stronger built like he’d had more square meals than the first. His hair was cut short but it was uneven and messy like it was down hastily with a knife.

“You could be a little more sympathetic Castor.” The first man said with a scowl across his face as he looked down at his friend.

“I’m sorry, it’s just. They kept me awake all night again. I hate living next to the dumping ground. I mean, they’re going to die anyway why they can’t just shoot them and end it already. Someone here has got to have a gun right?”  Castor replied quickly than he sighed. “Sorry Shawn.”

“It’s okay. At least I’m not the only one who didn’t get any sleep.” Shawn tucked his hands back in to his ripped trouser pockets. His trousers were covered in dirt and blood and they seemed to be a little too small for him.

“How is she coping?”

“I’m not sure. I asked her early and she screamed at me, women right?” Shawn joked with a nervous laugh. But when he saw that Castor didn’t laugh along he stopped quickly. “I had to leave the house as well last night. Her Mum thought it would be best if I wasn’t there. I mean I know I’m not the greatest man in the world but I was there for her all the way through the pregnancy you know; until last night.”

“Yeah, I suppose she was just upset you know? I hear women get emotional over having miscarriages.” Castor sarcastically replied.

“Like you would know,” Shawn snapped. “What’s your problem anyway man?”

“Nothing’s wrong!” He retorted immediately. “Listen I’m going to work. Why don’t you find something productive to do that doesn’t involve knocking up women?” Castor turned his back on Shawn who looked offended.