Sectored Off

II. Buildings

Running with a terrified 8 year old was no easy task and the pistol in Edens waistband wasn't the most comfortable feeling in the world. Hopping over the frame of metal from the remnants of the front door, Eden frantically looked around. The outside. Trees, air, leaves. She had never seen anything so fascinating. But there was no time to take in the beauty, she took off running. Not stopping even when she nearly tripped over a root.

Stones nails were piercing through his sisters shoulders in fear. His sobs were echoing through the forest as Eden grasped him so tight he was sure to have bruises tomorrow. This was the least of her worries, though. She had not even the smallest clue of where she was going. In fact, she didn't even know if there were any survivors near.

After what seemed like hours of running, Eden reached a small stream. It had a trench most likely created from the war. She hopped into it and placed Stone against the mud wall.

His hands were covering his face and his breathing was uneven.

Edens small hands pushed back his hair and said, "Stone, Stone look at me,"

He shook his head furiously, as if he was trying to wake up from a nightmare. Eden grabbed his wrists and pulled them away from his face once more saying his name rather stern.

As she was pulling his hands away, Stone let out a ear piercing scream. Eden quickly covered his mouth. His tears covered her hand as his big brown eyes stared into hers.

"Stone! Be quite and listen to me!" Eden whisper shouted.

She slowly removed her hand and Stones eyes never left hers. His breathing had still not returned to normal.

"We're on our own now. You can't trust anyone. You have to do everything I say or we will not make it." Edens voice had never been so stern before.

"Where are we going?" Stone whispered scared.

Eden pursed her lips in frustration. Not from her brother, but because she had no idea how to answer that question. She had no clue where any survivors were, or worse, if the government was near.

But then she remembered something she had read in a history textbook. It was titled The History of Georgia. There were multiple maps and graphs in the book that Eden was captivated by. She read the book almost every night. One map in particular stuck with her. The header read Griffin Historic District and pictures of landmarks were plastered across the pages. A large clock, large brick buildings and a tall church. Given the research Eden had done, she believed the Lincoln sector was located somewhere near Griffin.

The factory that had been known has home to her for her whole life was previously a bottling factory for water. The same factory was listed on the map. If she remembered the map correctly, she could make it to a place called Charleston where the Kennedy sector was located. The biggest and safest sector.

"We're going somewhere safe. Somewhere where people will take care of us. But, it's really far so I need you to do absolutely everything I say, do you understand?" Edens eyes stared into Stones.

He nodded almost unsure but he trusted his sister. He sniffed and wiped his tear stained cheeks.

Eden stood up and looked behind her at the stream. It was flowing so peacefully in no rush to be anywhere. "Drink some water before we go," she motioned towards the water.

Stone slowly approached the stream and begin to take small sips of the cold liquid. Eden kneeled beside him doing the same. After the two had taken their drinks, Eden grasped Stones hand and they began walking west of the Lincoln sector.

Eden was putting all of her trust in her memory of those maps she had gazed upon so many times. She knew it was approximately a 40 minute walk from where she was to the historic district. It was going to be strenuous but, there was no other option.

"Wheres mommy?" Stone asked the one question Eden was dreading.

Eden sighed and tried her best to refrain from letting a tear escape. "She'll meet up with us soon." She quietly answered.

At last, Eden spotted a large metal post. Chipped black paint covered the surface and an enormous clock sat at the top. This was the Griffin historic district. Behind it sat a long street with small buildings lined along the edges. Wild weeds and grass sprung out of every crack in the pavement.

One building read 'Grocery'. Eden didn't know what this word meant but looking through the dusty window she could tell it was a place for food.

"Come on." She said to Stone, still holding his hand.

Upon entering the store, a rat scurries across the floor. The store is trashed. Metal shelves were laying on the ground and glass was scattered everywhere. After searching the entire store, the only food left was a pouch of peanuts, a can of chicken broth, and three bottles of sports drinks. Collecting the rations, Eden also grabbed a black backpack where she stored the food.

The bag wasn't too heavy but with it on Edens back, Stones hand in hers and a pistol in her waistband, she knew keeping up with it all was going to be a task.

"What is this place?" Stone asked looking around curiously.

"This is life before the war." Eden responded continuing their walk.

"Where are the people?"

"Some are hiding, some are dead." she answered honestly. Eden didn't see any reason to lie as Stone would eventually know the truth anyway.

"Why did everyone die?" Stone had always been a curious little boy.

"Some bad people thought that there were too many people here, so they thought it was a good idea to kill everyone and start over." Eden had learned all this through the books she read. Although every child learns the history of the war when they are young, it is not explained in great detail. Leaving many questions unanswered.

The two walked for nearly an hour. Eden assumed it was safest to travel through the woods as it would be harder for anyone to find them. When night fell, she decided to call it a day. In the distance she could she buildings that seemed to touch the sky. They were shiny in the moonlight and had a metallic look.

She leaned into her brother as they sat on the hard ground and pointed at the buildings, "That's where we're going tomorrow."

Stone looked into the distance where his sister was pointing. The large buildings amazed him. He wondered what the buildings were used for before the war. He imagined a time when he could walk freely through the streets without the fear of being seen. Where he could talk as loud as he wanted and go anywhere he wished.

As for Eden, hope did flow through her veins. But something more than that was present in her. Something that enraged her and made her so livid that she could only see red. How could someone believe that extinction was the best solution? The question raced through her mind, searching for an answer. But the more she thought about it, the more tired she felt. Eden looked to her right where Stone had already fallen into a deep slumber. She covered him in leaves and branches to try to camouflage him. And soon she drifted into another world, where fear wasn't possible and everyone lived freely.