The Perfect State: A Fictional Commentary on Humanity and Politics

The Journey: Chapter 8

Great North American Wasteland, 1 February 2048

9.00 AM, the Convoy had finally left the flat plains of the Great North American Wasteland. The night's rest was uneventful and by the time they had set down to camp that night, the natural boundary separating the flat plains of the Great North American Wasteland to slightly elevated hills was present in the near distant.

Now the journey to New Providence began properly. Although not toxic like the wasteland like they just left, the hills and mountains which were the natural boundary were not exactly safe. The wildlife would now be more common and that scared them, the area they were entering wasn't exactly famous for friendly wildlife.

All that for the moment though was overcome by the joy that the wasteland had ended. The two men stopped, got out of their cars to discuss the next stage of the journey. All estimates stated it would probably be another two days before they reached New Providence.

Quent and Mane smiled and started to discuss the plan, It was clear to see both men were relieved. "It's over! It's finally over!" said Mane.
"I relate to your euphoria at this moment. That was hell, literally."

"Now it says two days to New Providence."

"Correct. Though this leg of the journey will be just as dangerous."

"What you mean?"
"The Wildlife will be more common and dangerous in this area. It wasn't ravaged in the second civil war."

"Well, at least we'll have clean water supplies."

"Yes, Indeed."

"So what's your calculated distance between here and New Providence?"

"700 Miles or so maximum."

"Okay, so what's the plan to deal with the Wildlife?"

"Shoot if they attack but keep your distance if they seem non-aggressive would be a good rule of thumb."

"I'm just glad it's over. I thought I'd die in that godforsaken wasteland."

"Me too, Friend."

"So two days?"

"Yes, Two days till we can be in safety."

"Such a nice thought."

"Indeed it is, My friend. Indeed it is."

The two men got back into their cars and started to drive down the windy roads which dominated the hilly landscape. Power would be drained quicker due to the gradients but they were sure they had enough.

Soon enough they saw their first tree. It was tall, green and slim. The children in the back were in awe, they hadn't seen a tree in a long time. Even Quent and Mane smiled when they saw it.

The landscape slowly transformed into green hilly forests, full of trees and streams. Compared to what they had been travelling through it was heaven. The beauty of it all got to their heads as they were not looking out for dangerous wildlife as much as they should have.

Now a good fifty miles into the forested hills, the Convoy stopped. It wouldn't hurt to top up the now reduced water supplies by collecting some water from one of the streams which trickled through the delightful area. Quent volunteered to do the water collecting duties; he needed a walk anyway to clear his head.

He got out of the car, picked up a jerry can and walked down to the stream which was about 300 meters away from the small one-lane road they were travelling on. The sound of the stream calmed Quent's anxious mind, for the first time in some time he felt at peace in himself. He put the now-empty jerry can into the stream to fill up slowly.