The Plague(A BWWM Dystopian Novel)

Mission

LEENA POV

8 YEARS LATER

I jumped down softly on the ground after descending from the ridiculously high fence. My backpack heavy with my boon. I had hit jackpot with all I had found here. I had traveled a little farther than ever before but was greatly rewarded when I stumbled upon a variety store barely picked over.

Ever since the Plague the government have been supplying the remaining survivors with "necessities", but as I grew older I began to become annoyed with the situation. We barely had enough to eat and we remained in rags with hardly any other things we needed such as clothing, blankets, hell even a bar of soap would have been appreciated.

 I began to scavenge and learn to hunt. I  fashioned my own bow and arrow and had began to learn to fish and hunt and scavenge, as a result we had more than ever before. 

My mother could have done this but she had delusions that things would turn back to the way they used to be if we simply waited. Well i had never been one for patience and i wasnt going to wait until my lil sister was on the verge of starvation before we acted, so i took matters into my own hands and have been doin this every since

It was extremely dangerous of course. The government gave us things we need for survival but left us to our own when it involved crimes and that since the plague, was at an all time high now.

 Disgusting humans who reveled in taking advantage of the circumstances and tried to rape, steal and kill other humans, and lets not forget them. We had began to call them "outsiders" and they had also been spotted around. I hadn't seen or heard of them hurting anyone but it was obvious we were not friendly with one another.

I feared the day I ran into an outsider and was killed or captured. But even still every time i saw one on my scavenge hunts i thought of him. Not a day had passed when i didn't. Id still visit that empty barn almost every night reminiscing on our fun days together. 

A familiar emotion flooded me that I didn't and couldn't do more to save and protect him. then i felt happy that he was with his own people, at least he didn't have to hide with them, of course that's if he survived at all.

My determination to survive i had to unwillingly admit had a lot to do with my family, or my sister should I say but it also had to do with hoping someday I'd live to see him again.

Would he have changed in looks. Would he had gotten taller, stronger, have horns like the ones who took him. The longing to see him again and just know he was ok was like a living breathing thing inside me. It grew constant every passing day like a flame that refused to snuff out and truthfully I didn't want it to. He mattered to me. he mattered then, and still, and most likely always would whether i ever met him again or not.

I dropped my backpack and hid it in a nearby bush I now needed to hunt to secure dinner tonight. I climbed a nearby tree and stood statue still waiting a unsuspecting critter to emerge.

I heard rustling to my right. I slowly turned my head and stared, my gaze focused. a moment later a large figure appeared, however it was no critter. This was an outsider. My eyes widened at the sight. He was closer than I normally saw one. 

It looked magnificent. I had no idea what it was doing in the woods though. He looked to be searching for something. He sniffed and shot his head toward where I sat crouched on the tree branch. I held my breath although I  knew he could not see me, I was obscured by many leaves.

 He seemed not as muscular as some others I had seen and his horns not as long or defined. maybe a younger one then? I mused. He tilted his head confused but ultimately decided to move along.

I stood reeling after the encounter and wondered what that was about.

I arrived home weary from my burden and thoughts. my mother ran and threw herself at me almost toppling me over . I stood frozen uncomfortable and confused.

"They took her!" she shouted unhinged

"What?" I grumbled tiredly

"Nina they took her!" she yelled again hysterical

Immediately I tensed in fearful growing rage

"Who? Where is she?" i snapped gripping her arms impatiently.

"The militia" she sniffed defeated

That's what the police were called that had became a extended version of the military and government since the plague began.I inhaled deep trying to remain calm.

"What happened" i inquired growling

"They stormed in after you left they said......They said...." she stuttered. She had the Plague" she sobbed 

My face froze in horror. The Plague. No! We were so careful! 

Every since the "Outsiders" came and the Plague with them, we were extra cautious to never go out unless absolutely necessary, and when I returned from outside I soaked and scrubbed vigorously for hours before interacting with my family. It was believed the Plague was a virus that was contracted through touch. Like the common germ when someone didn't  wash their hands often, but far more deadly. Sometimes fatal.

"Calm down mother i will find her and bring her back"

"You cant, she's infected" 

Her face a mask of defeat. But I was not. i didn't know how to accept defeat. I refused to believe that there was nothing we could do.

 Every since i was old enough to be more aware i had begun to question the things happening around us. And i was sure there was more happening than the public were privy too.

i grabbed her and brought her to our sofa. She sat obediently staring at nothing. Her sniffles occasionally the only sign she hadn't totally checked out in her mind, yet i suspected it wouldn't be long. 

I sighed heavily and went about my hygiene/decontamination routine. The last thing i wanted was to have my mother catch the Plague next. I cared little if I did.

After i finished i began to unload all the goodies i had found and began preparing supper with the quails i had caught on my way home. My thoughts wandered to the my sister and i began to tear up at the thought that she was probably so scared.

 She had only just turned 16. i had promised to protect and take care of her every night as we slept together in our tiny cot cuddled up together. She was all I had left after Xui was taken. I would get her back. I thought fiercely. I would save my sister no matter what it took, if it cost me  my very life and in the process find out what the hell was really going on..........................