Carrion Wastes

Total nuclear destruction. The thought had evoked fear among people ever since the first bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And as if by some cruel hand of fate fall they did. Entire cities had been reduces to skeletal frames and ash in the wake of the bombs. Humanity had once covered most of the nation, now those who had escaped the blasts now combed the wastes in search of food, and shelter. Some took from others without remorse, and some still banded together in small camps. The fragments of the still standing government had labeled these undesirables as human carrion.

Less than human.

Mather held no sentiments towards the government. He had served his time during the war and had been lucky enough to get out. Now his only goal in this apocalyptic nightmare was to find his daughter. The small heart shaped locket clung to his perspiration as he trod on the ashen asphalt. His calloused hand clenched at the silver pewter heart, her picture the only thing keeping him going. The air was silent, save for the rhythmic clicking of his Geiger counter and his own breathing. Nature had abandoned Boise, her once lush trees and surrounding wildlands had turned to ash. Those few trees that still stood had turned into crimson leafed shadows of their former glory.

Mather's fingers trembled around the heart shaped pendant.

"I will find you" His resolution whispered aloud. His mind racing as he entered the broken remains of an old hospital. The ornate granite panels of it's exterior had shielded most of the building's lower levels from the blasts but even they were caked in ash. Still this refuge from the desolation of the outside was far escaped from being a home. machinery, wire, medical supplies had all been scoured and looted by other survivors. He however, was not here for supplies, but rather, a trove of information.

His heart trembled with anticipation as he sifted through the files of the medical records ward. One name the focus of his entire journey He had not seen her since before his deployment. The thought of

"Where did they take you Samantha?" His mind questioned as he went through folder after folder, finally victory! his fists clenched on a folder, her name labeled on the top lip.

"So, this is where she is now." His dejected voice whispered , he was glad she was not here but now knowing she had been transferred out the days before the bombs dropping meant more travel, and with that more risk to himself. Still there was no question he would get to her. Even if it cost him his life.

Carefully heaving his backpack to the ground he unzipped and slid the paperwork into it. Removing a small canteen of water and an iodine tablet, he took the antiradiation medication and enjoyed the chilled water. His eyes burned, the ashes of civilization had irritated them. Slipping his pack back over his shoulder he began to head towards the foyer of the hospital, a low rumble in the bottom of his feet alarmed him. Instincts told him he had to find somewhere to hide. His heart raced as he ran back looking for somewhere to lay low. His fingers switched his Geiger counter off as he ran.

The rumble of a tank's engine, the sounds of treads turning concrete to powder. It was a terrifying prospect, in the absence of modern law, the military had taken to policing the streets and it was these officers of law and order that he feared so much.

"Check the building" a voice called out, as a handful of soldiers clad in full battle gear the clattering of rifles on armor filled the hallways of the desolate hospital as they slowly cleared each room, one after another. "I know I damned well saw movement in the building. I refuse to allow these carrion to overtake this city!"

Most of the doors were gone, the walls barren and there were few places to hide. Mather's need for refuge led him to hide under a desk. The sound of boots crunching on glass filled his ears as the soldiers passed by the room he hid inside, listening and praying he waited. his breathing nearly halted, he dreaded the thought of hearing the soldiers locating him.

It had seemed like hours, even though he knew it had only been a few minuets, the rumble of the tank droned off into the distance. It was only then that Mather left the safety of his desk sanctum. The soldiers had taken very little time searching the hospital considering what he had heard. Mather took each turn carefully, his ears listening for the slightest disturbance. his progress was slow and methodical but he made it outside, to see a dust trail from the tank, he could now breath a sigh of relief.

His footsteps began anew, the slow steady clicking of radiation levels on his meter kept him focused on the direction he now headed. He knew exactly where he was headed, it too was a place of quiet all the same but far less comforting.

He reached his destination, a mass of stone columns neatly organized and spaced. He looked around the polished stone, nearly untouched by the horrors of humanity around.

"There she is." His whisper was one of melancholy as he looked at one of the stone pillars, her name carved artistically into a headstone, small patches of moss grew on the bottom of the stone. Taking the pendant from his neck and placing it upon the column of stone he sat down beside it.

"Hey baby girl, daddy is home."