Chapter One
1048 Words
Arya's POV
I stare out the window but could only see grey clouds and an atmosphere so polluted, it looked foggy. My mom told me of a time when the sky shone blue and the air was filled with the scent of flowers and people could walk around freely without having to look over their shoulders. Looking behind me, I see my fellow humans shivering together from the cold and hunger. They've taken most of us prisoners and we that are left have turned to primal savages. Some of us are even worse than them.
Hearing my little sister cough jolts me from my reverie and I rush to her side to sit her up.
"Are you OK?" I ask scanning her face.
"Water" she says in another fit of cough. Bringing out our last bottle of water from one of the many pockets in my coat, I sigh feeding her some.
"We are running low on food and drugs for you Tessa, I will need to go out soon"
"No, don't. We both know it's not safe" she says with a glance at the window.
"This is not my first time and I can take care of myself." I say ruffling up her cute little bangs.
Getting into a more comfortable position, I produce a bag of chips from my coat and the rustling of the nylon causes heads to turn in our direction. Producing a knife from my sleeves and dramatically flicking it causes them to grumble and look away.
This is my turf, bastards
Smiling to my sister, I share it making sure to give her more.
"Where is Jumani?" she says looking around.
"Oh, she went scavenging"
"I hope she comes back with something"
"I'm sure she will" I say cuddling her close and we happily crush away in peaceful silence. Tessa soon starts dozing and I use our mom's old quilt to cover her.
"I love you, Arya" she says sleepyiy resting her head on my laps.
"Love you too, Tess"
Soon her soft snores filled the air around us mixing with the whispers from the people nearby.
Checking the time on my mom's watch, I am suddenly caught by this heart wrenching feeling in my gut.
God, I miss her so much
I always have to remain strong for my sister but whenever I am alone, I mourn and long for her. She was killed about three years ago and I have been fending for I and my sister ever since.
The demons had just attacked our last shelter and we were on the run with barely any sleep for days. I could still remember the screams of pain from some of my friends as they were drained of their blood on the spot. The ones who got lucky were taken as slaves to their castles, where they'd probably work them till they drop.
Thinking we were far enough, my mom decided to stock up at a nearby exchange shack. Money had since lost its value and we have receded to the old "trade by batter",trading what you have for what you need. Not sure of the intel since it was came from a local, she told us to wait on the roof of a nearby building while she went in.
If I had known it'll turn horribly wrong, I'd have to told her we were fine and not hungry. We had a flare gun and I was to be the lookout. If there was anything suspicious, I was to shoot the gun and send her a signal.
But no, my stupid ass fell asleep only to wake up from the screams.
I watched in horror as a man's arm was wrenched from its sockets and the male demon who did it laughed crazily with maniac red eyes. Gathering Tessa, I face her away from the gruesome sight.
Oh no, mom!
Looking at the flare gun near me, I hesitated. What if me shooting it attracts them to our location. They are way faster than us and will catch up no matter how fast we ran.
I look back to the scene, scanning for my mom's auburn hair. I found her hiding behind a tree facing me. She slowly creeps towards us but stumbles on a stick alerting a blonde haired male demon feeding to her right.
In a blur, the demoni snatched up my mom and I hear my sister scream a "Mom!! "
Meeting my eyes from across the street, the demon smiles evilly at me while pulling my mom's hair forcing her to kneel in my direction. My mom mouths a 'I love you' just as the demoni snaps her neck and I knew we had to get out of here or else we'll be next.
Dragging my sister down the flight of stairs, we emerge from the emergency exit. And I find the same demoni casually whistling at the only exit to the alley.
Putting my sister behind me, I take a step back and she chuckles a "There's no where to run" in a singsong voice.
Picking up a stick, I break it into two and take up a defensive stance.
"You shouldn't have done that, I love challenges" she says hissing with her eyes turning black.
"Why don't you pick on a real challenge" said a voice from behind her.
The demon's neck snapped to the side and my savior overstepped the body.
"That won't keep her down for long. I'm Jumani and we need to move now"
I stare in shock at her.How did she do that? I thought the witches were all dead but here is one in front of me.
Movement on my left has been looking up and I smile up at my friend and savior, holding the pain and guilt the memory triggered from my face .
"You're back! Any luck?" I ask scooting over to accommodate her.
"None" she says wearily patting Tessa's head.
"Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow. I think I should go farther out, there's barely food around here anymore"
"I'll take first watch, you've been watching over Tess without sleeping, I'm sure you must be tired"
"Thanks" I say adjusting my sister to create space for me. "Wake me up when it's my turn, okay?"
"Okay".
- Writer
