Chapter one : The canal
Judo woke up in a canal one early morning, his body covered in bruises. The early light filtered through the trees, casting long, ghostly shadows across the abandoned park. The once-familiar urban landscape was now a silent, eerie wasteland. He struggled to piece together the night’s events. His last clear memory was of driving past a dilapidated building, where a group of people had caught his attention. He recalled feeling a sudden pang of anxiety but had dismissed it, focusing instead on his destination.
Now, as he lay on the muddy ground, he realized he couldn’t remember how he had ended up here. He tried to stand, but a sharp, searing pain in his leg made him collapse back down. His knee and ankle felt as though they were out of place, sending waves of pain through his body.
Anna, a young scavenger who had been rummaging through the nearby scrapped cars, noticed Judo’s predicament. She had been in the park for hours, sifting through old metal and discarded items when she heard the commotion. Rushing over, she carefully placed his hands on her shoulders and helped him stand. The park, once a lively recreational area, was now a ghostly remnant of its former self. A mysterious fire decades ago had turned it into a desolate wasteland.
Anna led Judo to her home—a repurposed Marcopolo bus that had once been a transport vehicle within the park. Now, it was her sanctuary. The bus, with its worn-out exterior, had been transformed into a surprisingly cozy living space. Anna had spent countless hours cleaning, repairing, and modifying it to suit her needs. The interior was a patchwork of makeshift furniture, salvaged materials, and her own handiwork.
As Judo settled onto a bed covered with patched blankets, Anna brewed a pot of strong coffee. She moved around the cramped space with practiced ease, her hands deftly preparing the coffee and gathering supplies from various nooks and crannies. While she worked, she began to explain the park’s history. “This place was once vibrant, with families coming here for picnics and fun,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. “But after the fire, everything changed. It’s like the life was drained out of it.”
Anna’s words painted a vivid picture of a place that had been full of life and joy, now reduced to ruins. She told Judo about the fire’s aftermath—the park’s transformation from a popular attraction to a forgotten wasteland. She spoke of the few survivors who had managed to rebuild their lives elsewhere, leaving behind the remnants of a once-thriving community.
As Anna cleaned Judo’s wounds and tended to his injuries, she mentioned her own struggles. She had lost her parents in the fire when she was just a child. Her grandmother had taken her in, and they had lived in a small town nearby. “I was too young to fully understand what had happened back then,” Anna reflected. “But I remember the sadness and the emptiness that followed.”
When her grandmother passed away a few years ago, Anna had been left alone. She found solace in the park’s abandoned corners, eventually turning the Marcopolo bus into her home. Her skills as a mechanic and engineer had been vital in fixing up the bus and making it livable. She had even rigged up a small solar panel system to power a few essential devices, such as a radio and a few lights.
As Judo’s pain began to ease slightly, he started to share his own story. He came from a wealthy background, but he had always felt constrained by his parents’ overprotectiveness. At 24, he had left home, seeking independence and a chance to prove himself. He had secured a job and an apartment, determined to build his own life. But his newfound freedom was abruptly cut short by the attack.
Anna listened with empathy, her eyes reflecting understanding. She admired Judo’s determination to carve out his own path, even in the face of adversity. Their conversation shifted to their dreams and aspirations. Judo spoke of his desire to start a nonprofit organization to help those in need, inspired by his recent experiences. Anna, in turn, revealed her dream of leaving the park one day and traveling the world, using her skills to assist communities in other countries.
The day wore on, and Anna prepared a simple meal—canned beans and bread. They ate together, finding comfort in each other’s company. Despite the harsh circumstances, there was a sense of camaraderie that grew between them. Judo insisted on helping Anna with her scavenging duties, determined to contribute despite his injuries. Anna, initially hesitant, eventually agreed.
They ventured into the park, navigating through the twisted metal and overgrown vegetation. Anna showed Judo her favorite scavenging spots—hidden corners where useful materials could still be found. Their search led them to an old, rusty toolbox. Anna’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she opened it, revealing a collection of tools that she eagerly added to her collection.
As they continued scavenging, they stumbled upon an old, dusty book lying among the debris. Anna picked it up and wiped it clean. It was a journal filled with handwritten notes and sketches. She was thrilled by the discovery and wondered if it had belonged to someone who had once lived in the park. She carefully placed the journal in her bag, planning to examine it further later.
Returning to the bus, Judo felt a sense of accomplishment. The day had been productive, and he was beginning to feel more at ease. As they sat around a small campfire Anna had built outside the bus, Judo noticed the warmth and comfort it provided. The crackling fire contrasted with the surrounding darkness, and Anna played a tune on an old harmonica she had found. The melancholic notes added a reflective mood to the evening.
Anna opened up more about her life in the park. She spoke of other inhabitants she had encountered over the years—fellow scavengers, wanderers, and those seeking refuge. She shared stories about Mr. Harris, an elderly man who had been a park ranger and had taught her valuable survival skills. His influence had shaped her approach to life and survival.
Judo was fascinated by Anna’s stories and her ability to maintain hope despite her circumstances. He realized how much he had underestimated the resilience and resourcefulness of people living in difficult situations. Anna’s ingenuity in transforming the bus into a functional home and her resourcefulness in scavenging were truly impressive.
As the night deepened, they made plans for the following day. The ID card Anna had found would be their primary lead in tracking down the attackers. They discussed their strategy, mapping out potential locations and resources that might aid their investigation. Anna suggested visiting the old records office near the park, where they might find more information about the ID card’s owner.
Before they retired for the night, Anna handed Judo a small, hand-carved wooden figurine. “This was given to me by Mr. Harris,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of reverence. “He said it brings good luck. I want you to keep it. It might help us in finding the people who did this to you.”
Judo accepted the figurine with gratitude, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. As they settled into their makeshift beds, a sense of hope and determination filled the air. They were no longer alone in their struggles. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, united by their shared resolve and the unexpected bond they had formed.
