Dawn's Redemption

The Night

Walking through the door we are met with a familiar smell, mystery meat stew...again blec. We have a small vegetable patch in the back, seeds scavenged and traded for. Meat comes from the local market it's always best not to ask where it came from.

"You guys are late. I was getting worried." Mum kneeling over the pot hanging over the fireplace. "Any later and I wouldn't be able to keep the fire going.

Dad gives me a look. "oh woman you worry too much, there's loads of time before sundown."

"Well at least you're home now, let's eat then you can get cleaned up, Alyx can you get the bowls"

I head to the counter where there are 3 crudely carved wooden bowls, I made them last year and already they are looking ready to fall apart.

We eat in tense silence knowing the night will be loud, through a c***k in the blinds I watch the sky the sun is beginning to set by the time we finish.

After dinner Dad gets up and crosses to the door pulling on his patchy denim jacket.

"and where do you think you're going" Mum states in that tone mums have, you know the one where they already know the answer but give you a chance to change your mind.

"just to the bar, just one drink don't worry I'll be back in no time"

"mhmm better be just one, we don't need another night of you stuck in that bar"

He just nods before opening the door and leaving.

In silence Mum and I go about the nightly routine, mum cleaning the cooking pot while I put the fire to embers before hanging sheets over the windows.

Once all is said and done I say goodnight to Mum and head to my room.

Standing in my room I glance around, it's not much; a mattress on the floor with a ratty blanket, one of dad's old coats rolled up on as a pillow, the biggest luxury I have is a murky mirror in the corner, I used to clean it but it was alot of effort. I cross to it looking at myself. 14 years old skinny and small for my age, like most I have a good figure (who'd of thought an apocalypse would be the best weight loss diet) My flame red hair is caked in dust, I have bright blue eyes and a freckled face. All in all not bad.

Watching the sky the sun is almost set, Dad still isn't back but no matter he'll probably sleep at the bar again.

I cross to the door and press my ear against it, *snoring* bingo Mums asleep.

I shift my mattress to the side and begin to pull up the loose boards, this is me not the repair man but this. pulling out the padded vest and pads laying them out, my belt with a dagger and ammo pouch my sling and finally I pull out the largest item my trusty spear.

I took me a while to collect all of this, through trading and scavenging but my collection is worth the effort.

Of course every family has weapons, odd assortments of daggers, blades, clubs no guns unfortunately shooting would only draw more unwanted attention. But these are mine.

Now for my exit out the window, round the back, and over the fence using a ladder I stashed in the long grass. Silent. Practiced

Once on the street I hunch behind an abandoned range rover. Listening. It's quiet, to quiet wait no listen again yes the faint scratching to the east. I guess I'll go that way.

Sticking to the shadows I make my way. Couching under windows moving slow and steady careful not to make a sound. Once I reach the uninhabited zone I relax a little, not much chance of getting caught out here...atleast not by a human.

I pause, Listen...

scratch scratch scratch

I must be getting close.

scratch scratch snap

Crap, they are getting though quicker today. Looking around I spot a tall building, flats I think. Bolt, the door, the steps 1,2,3 Flights, ladder, roof. Dad always told me to find higher ground if I'm ever caught out after dark.

Now let's see what we are dealing with, I creep to the edge of the roof and peak over the ledge. I see the hole being made, a shadowy figure yanking at the boards and in front of the wall, something slumped on the floor, it looks like a big worm writhing on the cracked pavement.

oh my god

That's a person bound by the hands and feet.

I can't believe it, who would do something so horrific. are they bait? an offering? a criminal?

what could someone have done to deserve this to be tormented as they see their doom ripping to get at them, to be gutted and burned while they are still alive.

No matter I won't let it happen.

My slingshot in my hands in seconds, from my pouch I produce a rusty nut.

breath

aim

...