Then, Now, After

Prolouge:

I sit huddled in the corner my small body curled in a tight ball cold and thin knowing I have almost no chance at survival. I hear noises downstairs and whimper closing my eyes as they got closer, the door opened and a few men filed in with guns I looked up into their faces with a look of terror on my face. One nelt down and placed two fingers under my chin looking into my eyes. "He's thin and young but ok," he said picking me up. "Where are we going?" I ask "Home." Was all he said.

Chapter 1

The world was slowly going to hell, in my city we now had very little food and could barely keep everyone fed, and often we did'nt. I had my siblings to look after and knew we couldnt stay here much longer, there were rumors of a compound that took people in. I slung a pack over my shoulder and walked out the door, there was an age limit that was though not official enforced by the families that were still around, let your child out thats not  old enough to fight for themselves likelihood was you would have one less mouth to feed when it came supper time. The boys werent allowed to go out much to their dismay, I would often put them to work doing some meanless chore inside the house, even the yard wasnt safe. Though criminals were not popular cannibalizm wasn't against most peoples morals anymore. The world fell out years ago, now known as the falling the few schools that some mothers hold teach about the events up to the falling when the peace treaties crumpled and brother turned on brother.

I was 5 when the first souldiers came to our house and searched our house stealing any food they could find, plus any materials that may be useful in warfare. After they came everyone tried to pick up where they left off but we all knew that this was the end, many left right away going to where the soldiers had already been believing they would be safe. Walking down the street with a gunbelt on my hips may have looked funny before but now it was a necesity and if you didn't wear one you were opening yourself up to being killed, raped, or robbed.  I walked into one of the few stores that were still open though it could hardly be called a store it was more of a trading hub where anything that hadnt been taken or used up you could trade for things you needed, matches, cooking utensils, clothing and blankets dominated but every once in awile you could find something worthwihile.

I wasnt after any of these in praticular but if I had to do alittle trading to get the information I wanted i was ready to do so. "How are you Jen?" The man who often worked the counter asked me, he was extremely dirty and though non of us were particularly clean I tried my best to keep the boys in presentable shape. "Fine how are you?" I asked not really caring what he answered. "Business is slow more are moving trying to find a place where it is better but I'm afraid their looking in vain, nothing can be better." He said shaking his head slightly looking at the floor. "I'm here for information," I told him, "I want to get the boys out before it gets worse." I told him. He looked at me with saddness in his eyes and shrugged, "I have heard whisperings but nothing that I would go chasing after, and anyone who leaves never comes back.." He stated looking me in the eye, "I have to try I tell him, the boys are going to want to get out soon and I cant risk them getting hurt here, there must be something you know." He smiled and took out a pencil and a piece of paper and began to write.