As Earth grows to be something humans have never seen before, humans themselves are growing more obsolete. An alien race called the Romorei have taken over and killed most humans; those that didn't die became slaves or turned to a life of hiding. Le...
The morning was quiet, the sound of slow running water greeting the few early risers as they started to get ready for a day of work in their cave system. The air was cool as a breeze blew through bringing cooler moisture in from the heavy rain during the night, and the sun was just breaking the horizon when something disturbed the calm of the morning, causing those awake in and near the sleeping quarters to shake their heads disapprovingly.
"HURRY UP!"
John's rough voice is one of two things that startle Zena awake. The other being the bucket of ice water he dumped on her.
"WHAT THE HELL OLD MAN!" Zena screams in response as she tries to move away from the water. Looking up at John's tan scruffy face that was littered with small scars.
"Get up, you have ten minutes before we leave," he said, walking off closing the cloth door behind him.
"Shit," Zena mutters along with other profanities as she scrambles off of her cot and readies herself quickly.
Today was the supply run. It was her first, and she was running late. Running around, Zena pulled her worn denim jacket on and grabbed a large lightweight bag. As she tries to rush out of the hutch she and her mom lived in she found something blocking her path. Or more accurately someone. Her mother was standing in front of her blocking her exit.
"Mom, I have to go," Zena said urgently as she tried to squeeze past her.
"Honey, won't you rethink about going out for supplies with the group?" her mother asked pleadingly, standing her ground in the doorway, not moving to let her only daughter pass.
"Mom, we talked about this. Our colony needs all the supplies we can get, and there are very few volunteers to help," she said before adding, "And yes, I know the Romorei are building in numbers and that the number is higher than ever before, but we need food, medical supplies and anything else that is useful." Providing a very valid point to convince her mother to let her go.
Zena managed to squeeze past as her mother faltered in a sad and scared response.
"I know. I just don't want to lose you, like we lost your father," her mother said in almost a whisper as she looked to the floor, her now silver-streaked hair -- once a shining black -- fell from her shoulder hiding part of her face.
Those words made Zena freeze. Neither her mother nor herself had talked about her father's disappearance almost 3 years ago. Turning back toward her mom, Zena moved her hand under her mother's chin to make her look at her, as Zena came back face to face with her. Zena gently moved her hair, tucking it behind her ear. Tears streaked her mother's face and nothing but sadness and worry showed in her familiar honey-gold eyes.
Pulling her mom into a tight hug, Zena said, "Don't worry, I will come back to you. Dad taught me all he knew and John helped me even more after he disappeared. And when I return, you can ground me to your heart's content, if I have so much as a scratch anywhere on me. I will be fine Mom. "
Her mother held on to her tightly before nodding and reluctantly releasing her. Zena left their hut and met up with the group as the last of them joined before they started to head out. Looking back, Zena saw her mom standing at the entrance of their hutch. She waved as she walked out of sight, leaving their cave system and going into the unknown of the outside world ruled by the Romorei.
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