A Rose's Thorns

Prologue.

They warned us, everyone warned us. The scientists, the religious, the elders, everyone warned us. No one listened and no one was prepared.

I adjusted the bandana around my mouth and rubbed my hands together due to the breeze picking up while I walked briskly, trying not to trip over the litter on the ground. The sky was a dull blue, nearing the color of a smoke cloud. Clouds (the ones that showed and stayed) were now made of smoke, smog, or both. Shops and stores for miles, were closed, along with schools and hospitals. People were littered upon the ground as if they were an empty can, hollow and small. Anyone, who wasn't lucky enough to have the ability to walk, could be and was left to rot on the cold ground like old fruit.

I reach into my backpack and pull out one of my last water bottles and handed it to a man who was attempting to drink from a puddle that contained god-knows-what.

He smiled gratefully and began to chug the water, I stopped him and said, "Be sparing, Sole. We don't know when the next drop off will be. Wouldn't want to drink it all in one gulp, would you?"

Putting the bottle down from his dry lips, he responded, "Oh, no! Of course not, Ms. Thorn. Thank you, it's beautiful to see people still carin' 'bout people."

With one last smile and nod, I continue treading through the street full of garbage and people: It being difficult to tell the difference.

It's 2027 and the world shares close-to-no similarities between now 10 years ago; for example, the grass is dead everywhere, limited is an understatement when it comes to resources, and the air is thick with pollution. Not a soul beneath a millionaire had running water, access to healthcare, food (that they didn't need to hunt and scrap for), or family. You'd be lucky if you died, and misfortunate if you survived.

To avoid driving myself insane from listening to the cries of the injured and hungry, I tune out the world and hum Rock-A-Bye-Baby. As soon as I start, a loud crash and abrupt yelling interrupt my peace. Curiosity brought my feet to the source of the noise, maybe minding my business would have been appropriate but, I have nothing better to do. Peeping my head around a corner leading into an alleyway, I'm met with three giants and a man being held against the wall by someone who looked to be the leader.

"Let me go! I have to find someone, I have nothing for you assholes!" The man yelled. It registered in my mind as someone I knew, which is strange because everyone I knew was dead.

Intrigued, I began to walk a little closer hiding behind an old dumpster. Making sure I'm careful in remaining undiscovered.

One of the giants, who stood watching, stalked scarily towards the man and growled menacingly, "Listen here, you good-for-nothing piece of shit, I don't care about what you're telling me. I care about what-" the man stopped due to my tripping over an old food can. As all heads turned to me, I was overwhelmed with the instinct to flee the situation but, the man on the wall held me captive with his ogling stare.

And I stared back.

"Happy Anniversary, Rosy-Posy! I love you to the moon and back." I smiled at Rain before the words even left his mouth, knowing he would use my toddler nickname, "And I love you, Happy Anniversary, babe."

All was good and all was right with the world, as right as it could be.

"As much as I would like to spend the day lying around with you, I have so much work to catch up on," I state sadly as I reach for my MacBook, "It's my fault for procrastinating up until the deadline."