Deceive

I was born into a dead world. The world after. They speak of what the world was like before, about colours and flavours and flowers. I was born into the world after, and so I mourned a world I never knew. Growing up in the dead world, you learn a few things. Like how to steal and deceive. An event like the end of the world, killing 96% of the population should have brought the survivors together, learning to love and share. But it didn't. Survivors turned against each other, killing one another as the food slowly ran out. People of the dead world became bitter and angry. As a little girl, I learnt the rules of this world quickly; Rule #1- Don’t stop. Whether it’s for rest or water. Don’t stop. Rule #2- Don’t help anyone. They're most likely going to kill you. Rule #3- Don’t ask for help. Few people left in this world still have their humanity and will help you if you need it. But the majority will leave you to die and steal your possessions. Rule #4- Expect the worst, then prepare for it. Being a little girl in this world, I was overlooked. Seen as a liability, never something that could steal a piece of bread or a portion of their meal. I used this to my advantage. Deception and Manipulation. My greatest weapons. Keeping track of time in this world is hard. The sky is grey, the sunlight is dull, the grass is brown, the trees are dead, the people are humans without their humanity. My parents used to speak fondly of the old world. My parents were of the few that believed in being nice and sharing. It got them killed and me orphaned. I became an adult before I was 12. In the shell of my home I learnt the practice of my weapons. I learnt about lying, something my parents did not condone. I learnt how to spin words into lies that made the people of the dead world do my bidding. Over the years, I have deceived and manipulated, I have lied and stolen. I’ve survived. I’m sick of it. Now, 21 years old (I think). I’m one of the only in my generation. People weren’t that big on breeding into this world. I mean, humans already drove this world to extinction, we’re the lucky few that have to live in it. Hefting my bag higher onto my back as I walk through the woods, the sunlight streams through the skeletal trees. I step lightly keeping my ears open for the sounds of footsteps other than my own. I made it to a clearing. Overgrown with dead, dull brown grass. I hate it here. I heard rumours from the other people from the old world that before this started the rich took refuge in the stars, drifting aimlessly through space looking for a new old world. Figures, even then our own people would abandon us. I freeze. The faintest sound, a branch breaking was like a gunshot in my ears. I don’t move, moving will only get you seen. There it is again, I scan my surroundings, moving only my eyes. The sound is closer now. Slowly, so, so, slowly I turn my head towards the sound. The flash of a deep green that would have blended in back in the old world, now it stands out for hungry eyes to latch onto. Growing up in this world I only wore dull colours, easier to hide. Seeing something other than the dull grey and brown of the world around me almost made me move. Almost. I forced myself to breathe normally. By the sound of the footsteps it was male. The sounds stopped suddenly, I didn’t breathe. Warm fingers closed around my arm, “This freezing tactic is very effective, I almost didn’t see you.” A male voice whispered in my ear. I didn’t tense, that will only tell them that I’m intimidated by them. I let my eyes bleed worry and fear into them. Pretending to be a scared little girl out in the woods all alone. I turned. He was beautiful, tall, dark hair, green eyes that match his bag. He looks like he’s my age. The prettiest thing I’ve ever seen up until this point was my mothers eyes, eyes that I share with her, bright blue with specks of dark blue. Like a gem. His eyes made me mourn for the world lost, for a world I’ve never seen. His eyes are what I imagine the world around me would have looked like. He blinked at me, eyes searching my face. “Hey, hey now. Don’t be scared. I don’t mean any harm.” He said in a soothing voice. I feigned relaxation. People in this world are dangerous but men are more so. Physically stronger than any female, they could overpower us. Look for ways out, run. “Where are you headed?” Something was different about him, he seemed… sincere in his concern. No, he probably lures every lone traveler like this to steal their weapons or rations. “East.” I always answer ‘East’ there’s rumours of a colony for survivors of the old world. “To the colony?” I nodded. He rubbed the stubble along his jaw line as if in thought. “You shouldn’t be out here all alone.” He said matter of factly. He was right, of course. While most people were not big on breeding into this world, there were some crazies that would force women and younger girls like me were a prize to be won. “I’ll take you to the colony.” He suggested. “No thanks, I’m okay.” I insist. I could see some kind of battle waging war in his eyes. It confused me but I didn’t let it show. He did something I didn’t expect and only confused me more, he nodded in understanding. The action caused my farcade to drop and I let my confusion cloud my face, maybe he was playing mind games. But I’m a top player at these games. “I understand, you don’t trust in this world.” He said with a sinsercity I’ve only heard from my father. I was still confused but I smiled a small smile, making him think I trust him. He smiled at me, cracking his face, showing all his teeth. Making my heart start to speed up. Oh god, am I dying? Discreetly making sure I wasn't having a stroke or heart attack. I started walking away from him. Turning back, I see him still standing alone. It’s for the best. I tell myself.