The Evolved

1. The Merchant

Country after country fell as the nuclear war dragged on . This continued on for a decade till the destruction of all goverment. Even after the war, the survivors were subjected to the effects of radioactivity. The weak perished and strong survived. The world was thrown back in time as technology is no more and civilization lived by the words ' survival of the fittest'.

'Hurry up and get down here Dawn.
The food's gonna be cold.' came the voice of my mother; Elizabeth. I rushed down the stair skipping the last couple steps as I jumped down. 'What's for breakfast Ma?' I ask as I sit on the floor.

' Dried fish and some beans. And also some berries from this new merchant I met .' Ma replied as she places the food. ' Where did you meet this merchant?' I asked as I wolf down the food.

'Don't talk while you eat Dawn. I swear I remember teaching you about manners. Civilizations may have crumbled but that doesn't mean you get to be uncivilized.' She joked as she hits my head.

'Ouch, smacking people's head isn't very civilized .' I reply as sarcastic as I could. 'Anyways, where's this merchant?'.

'You best go look along the river southwest of the forest. ' She replied knowing that I would go pay the merchant a visit.

'Food was great Ma. I'm going off now.' I said as I rushed out the house heading to the river as excitement fills my body. There's barely anything going on in this forest we live in. I've been living with my mother ever since I could remember.

Day after day its just us surviving the forest. Not a lot of people have the guts to wonder into the forest. That's why we moved here. Merchants are people I look forward to meeting. They always have cool things and crazy stories from their travel.

Merchants are also my only way of getting to the 'Center'. Its a place where survivors have gathered and built this small town. I've wanted to visit it for so long but mother insist otherwise claiming that were better off alone.

After some time treading through the forest, I finally see a person in big hooded robe and a huge bag besides him as he packs up his tent.

'Hi there.' I practically screamed from far away. Wouldn't want to surprise him. People tend to dislike surprises. Would could blame them? Surprises in the forest would normally mean an animal attack.

'Ah, I take it you're Dawn ? ' the merchant asked. ' My mother told you huh?' I asked as he approach the merchant.