Scavengers {#Wattys2016}

Chapter Six

  After another trudging night Jordan awoke a second time under the roof of the kind family. This time though it seemed brighter outside. I was packing my backpack with the empty water bottles. I slung my bag onto my shoulders and went to the door.

I nudged Anna with my foot from her watchful daze. Her head snapped up. 

"Just another 10 minutes left. You don't want to be caught sleeping", I said smiling. 

"Thanks", she said fist bumping my waiting hand.

"Oh hey! Would you mind?", she asked handing me two more empty water bottles.

"Not at all", I said taking them, I shoved them inside and the cracking of plastic was heard as I got to the limit of my back pack. It was a hassle to zip up and it looked like it was about to bust open.

As I put it back on I felt the sharp edges of some of the plastic press against my skin a bit.

"Stay safe, and come back", she said.

"Always", I replied smiling.

"I'll go with you", said Jordan standing.

"No", I said sternly.

"It's better to go in groups of two", said Jordan. "I could also be of some help", he added with the hard glare which he never seemed to lose. Wonder if he actually knew he looked angry all the time?

"Let him go with you...for me...please?", asked Anna.

I sighed, "Grab a plastic bag or two and let's go", I said. Jordan did and went after me as I disappeared down the stairs.

This time I went in a set direction. Back towards where the San Antonio river walk once was open to all. But now it was barred off. The water still rushed quickly powered by an engine somewhere far away.

I stopped at the fence and stuck my fingers through the fencing and just stood there. I looked at the rushing water and listened to the roaring sound of thousands of gallons just rush through not bothering to slow down.

 There were piles of trash here on this side and it was all still damp. The acid would be left behind in this huge gunk after all the water from the rain would evaporate. Some was already forming. It was nasty looking and still bubbled a bit. It wasn't dangerous to skin, it just looked like it was alive and moving.

"Stay here, look for anything useful. Nails, bags, wood, metal, bottles, or anything you think you'll need", I said.

"Where are you going?", he asked.

"In there", I replied pointing through the fence.

"But-",

"Stay here", I snapped. 

Jordan knew again there was no use in arguing. He nodded and watched as I left. He looked at the damp grey clouds. "Stubborn American, doesn't she she know I can shoot? ", he muttered under his breath. 

I filled up the water bottles carefully not to attract any attention from the large metal wall that rose high across on the other side. I scurried away as the guards began to reappear taking their posts. They walked slowly and sluggishly as if not caring if anything happened. They thought they served their country. But they served no righteous country. A country who cut their people and citizens off from a simple natural resource. Sometimes, I wonder if this is like North Korea. If North Korea still exists

I closed the fencing and left. I looked at the guard who seemed to just walk straight ahead without looking or bothering to glance over. To glance over and see how bad things were over here. That on the other side of this small once man made river it was chaos. It was disease.