The New Old World

Chapter 2. Looters, Dragons and Harpies Oh My!

My feet hit the pavement hard as I rounded a corner a few blocks down. Running out of breath I slammed my back against an old brick building its windows boarded up long before this apocalypse. Crying I clasped my hands together over my mouth fearing the monsters would find me, tears streaming down my face my body shook and I hugging myself closely. Panting and gasping for air I looked around for any hidden danger and luckily found none. I pushed that feeling of passing out back and started making my breathing even. I had a cotton ball feeling in my mouth and gagging I scraped my tongue spitting out the slimy saliva with the corner of my blouse.

I could have helped. I could have done something instead of running. I was cowardI let them die this is all my fault, for several minutes I cried hiccupping and sobbing rocking back and forth as I slide down the wall hugging my knees and resting my forehead on them. After a while I felt the sun start inching its way across the sky warming me up and making me feel safe. I strained my head up away peering to my side and noticing I was completely alone right now.

As I had ran, I remembered I was with many people and we all made it out of the stadium but after many twists and turns and going around buildings or buses and cars, I was alone in this alleyway now. Looking out into the street finally I could see trash everywhere, convenience stores blown out and looted, cars torched or graffitied over, and abandoned military outpost on a few corner streets. There was hardly anyone out here and those that were, were pushing shopping carts of food and blankets and pretty much their whole homes.

Getting to my feet I walked a little way into the street hoping to stop someone and ask for help. The first woman I came to have this look of deep anguished fear set in her face, she looked at me as if I was ravenous monster ready to rip her open and she scampered away from me. These people werent just the homeless they were families some in casual normal clothes and others in sports gear and jackets though all seemed to be tattered and dirty. Most of them were carrying weapons or knives eyeing those around them with warry and just dodging me when I came beside them.

After a few minutes I walked to another alleyway and let my body slide down to the floor, I felt my pants get a bit soaked a little as I sat on some dirty water, but I didnt care I just needed to clear my head and think of what to do next. I looked down at the dirty water, I am so thirsty so very thirsty and hungry now. No one is going to take care of me no adult, no teacher, its just me and people already fear others like me, specifically those who look like me anyways.

Pushing myself up and wiping the rest of the tears away I went out into the street again and started walking. I dared not merge with a group or anyone else for that matter, everyone seemed at edge and knowing that I was wearing a hijab I decided to stay clear from them, I didnt want any trouble.

I heard a faint crashing sound and it followed by more crashing and laughter, whats going on have people gone crazy I walked upon a group of older teens and young men right around the corner with sagging pants or shorts and with bats and metal rebars or crowbars breaking windows from cars some fancy Ferrari types or old mini vans. Everyone I saw merged to the far side of the street trying to get away from them just letting them do their business and I followed suit.

I was about to round the next corner, but I stopped and starred back, deciding maybe to stick around just out of gut instinct. Two or three men were able to rip the door down and ran inside and several minutes later I could hear a faint thud. Wow with the city so quiet and people just scrapping their feet against the street you can hear a lot better.

No stop! came a shout from the apartment building up above, the men grinned at one another and ran up. Soon shards of a busted window rained down and things were thrown out. I jumped back out of surprise then fear from my location they couldnt see me, nor could I get hit by anything.