Spica, Alpha Virginis

Dystopian Utopia

   He kicks rubble as he walks through his hometown, now in shambles. It seemed as though just yesterday his family was gathered for a typical movie night after Friday's dinner. It had been years since he'd last heard from any of them, they'd all been separated during the attack. He can still recall them being split up as they ran for cover, the screams of others who weren't as fortunate piercing his ears to this day, haunting him. Survivor's guilt was a bitch, but living in the remnants of paradise, now a dystopia, without a clue as to his family's whereabouts or condition, it reduced him to a shell of a man.

   His name was Taekwoon Jung, was, he went by the name of Leo now. Taekwoon was always a warm man, albeit shy. He woke up to coffee and a loving family every morning, made it his mission to pet every puppy and hug every baby, and his passion for soccer and music were second to none.

   Leo was snapped out his thoughts when he felt a drop on his arm. His once full shirt now just the torso and ripped sleeves, jeans torn in the way he used to love wearing them. However, this time he didn't choose ripped jeans, it was all he had left. The last time he had any new clothes were a distant memory, until he'd claimed residence in an uninhabited building, belongings left behind by former residents. His last decent meal was when he had stumbled upon what was left of a farm, where a few animals remained.

   The rain grew in force now, no longer just droplets, but rather than seek shelter in a torn building, Leo continued walking through the downpour, for what else did he have to lose?

   Along the way, a stray dog ran up to Leo. And he, still keeping a fraction of the soft-hearted man he used to be, felt pity and let the dog tag along. They strode along together until they reached a river, nothing but gray skies overhead and seared grass during their journey. So much for sightseeing. Waiting for the storm to subside to see if he could go fishing, Leo lay back on the grass, the dog following suit and laying beside him.

"What in the world are you doing here, fella? Poor boy," Leo spoke softly as he scratched behind the pup's ears. It wasn't until she stood on her hind legs to shake off the rain that he noticed.. oops, turns out the dog is a girl! "How's about Lucy? You like that?" He took her bark as a sign of agreement. Truth be told, he'd named her Lucy after Lucifer, because after all the hell she'd been through, she seemed like a fallen angel at this point.

   Few others had stayed in town after the attack, let alone survived. Many had died due to illness, starvation, or slept in a building that ended up collapsing. Some just couldn't take it anymore and left, or... sought an end to this lifestyle, so to speak. Lucy barked at something overhead, causing Leo to jerk upright, fight or flight response triggered. Taking note of no one around them, he continued about his business.

   Leo's tall, lanky build made its way to kneel by the muddy river, eyes blinking shut as rain streamed down his face. He walked over to a dead tree, his wet shoes feeling disgusting and he couldn't wait to get them off once he and Lucy sought dry shelter. Leo broke a branch across his thigh, the loud snap startling the dirty blonde Lab.

"Sorry girl, just looking for dinner." He pressed a kiss to her wet forehead, not caring for the dirt matting her fur. She was his only friend in a long time, and we would do anything in his power to protect her.

   Taekwoon began donning the name Leo after he'd begun his new life among the rubble. Being called by his birth name brought too many painful memories forth. At least this way he could create a wall between his past and the present. Taekwoon was a young, naïve boy with a home and a family; Leo was a man fending on his own to simply survive, someone who found he could no longer care or trust. Leo was not an alter ego nor personality, but a mask.

   The way his mother called out to him as his father dragged her and his sisters away to safety... it was too much for him, he couldn't bear it. She'd screamed for him as the buildings began to crumble, but he'd chosen to stay and fight.

"TAEKWOON!" She sobbed as he stood still, fists clenched while tears streamed his downcast face. Taekwoon turned his back on them to join the rebels brave enough to stay and fight, but in his heart, he'd never turned from the ones he loved most, not even once.

   That was when he was just seventeen years old, it had been four long years since. Now, at 21, Leo seemed much older. The life he lived made him age quickly, bitterness filling the cracking void in his heart. The last time he'd had a friend was over a year ago, another boy who'd fought in the rebellion with him. Slightly older, the boy became like an older brother to Taekwoon. Nathaniel was his name, but when he'd decided to go by Nate instead, Taekwoon followed suit and chose Leo, hoping to survive with the ferocity of the jungle king feline. Shorter than him by a few inches, all tanned skin and kind eyes, Nate took Leo in like his own.

   The two lived in the remains of an old warehouse, with some other rebellion members. Leo didn't mind his new life as long as their group stuck together, he thought. As long as his family was able to escape, he was fine living this way, knowing he'd protected them.

   It wasn't until Leo had watched Nate die violently before his very eyes, brutal murder delivered by a raiding demon, that he swore never to make another friend again. He refused to be covered in the blood of another ally that way.

   As Leo kneeled by Nate's side, weeping at his quickly fading friend, he heard him whisper, "You must.. survive.. for me, please.." And with a cough, his dearest friend lay completely still, no longer suffering, no longer in pain. Leo closed Nate's eyes, carried him outside their home and gave him a proper burial. He spent the next months stashing alcohol he could nab from old taverns and liquors, unable to deal with the pain when sober.

   Leo didn't clean up his act until recently, realizing that he couldn't keep his promise to survive if he continued to live in such a manner. He briefly wondered what happened to the others in their group before noting two fish splashing in the shallow river, using the branches in both arms to spear. Immediately maiming both, he whistled to Lucy and started heading to his latest temporary home. Leo had stashed away some other clothes and supplies people had left behind in their homes there, hoping to dry off and perhaps start a small fire to cook dinner for himself and his new companion. Lucy faithfully followed the raven-haired man to his mess of a home, content with any company at all, let alone his loving manner towards her.

   Upon entering the apartment he'd claimed, Leo stripped down, tossing the tattered clothes into the trash, setting the shoes aside to dry. He'd be lucky to find another pair that fit, and he'd be damned when these sneakers broke. Making a fire out of old paperwork and a stolen matchbox, he began slowly roasting the fish, sitting by the old tin can in just a fresh pair of boxers and socks. After making sure they were done, he took a towel to help dry Lucy off, staying next to her by the fire for warmth, both eating their miserable excuses for dinner yet somehow content beside one another.