Dystopian community

The dusty wind blew morosely through an empty lot, barren land wiped clear of all plant life long since. I pulled my shawl even tighter around my nose and mouth, in the hopes of keeping any grit out. All I had to do was make it through this minor dust storm to reach the market set up in the abandoned mill across a patch of empty land.

When I finally reached my destination, there was very little available for barter. I took my time though, carefully pouring over each item. After all, once something is gone, it rarely comes back. Finally my eyes alighted on a hulking shape near the very back. My curiosity piqued I walked closer to investigate further. There, laying on a grubby blanket like it wasn't pure gold, was a complete deer carcass.

I could just imagine how I'd be received home as a hero for bringing our little community meat. Meat was hard to come by since the acid rains made our foliage die out. The only problem I had was finding something valuable enough to trade. I didn't have much to barter, being the last of my family just like everyone else in our community. That reminded me! I pulled the gem-encrusted gold filagree heart that kept a well worn photo of my family.

I could almost hear my mother as she whispered from her death bed "This way we'll always be with you no matter what." She had entered the very last stage of the plague, feverish delusions. I remembered how bright and glassy her eyes had been. how papery dry and hot her skin had been with the fever. It was a sad memory but one I cherished. I kissed the photo, clutching the locket so tightly it cut into my hand. Then without another thought I strode up to the hunter and offered it to him.

Although he was a burly man with more than his fair share of scars, the way he handled the delicate metal showed a great deal of skill. At least I knew the precious metal wouldn't be turned into ammunition or something. In return, he helped load me up with meat for my trek home. Thankfully the market was only about 100 yards between the mill and our small community. Ferals, humans who had been isolated for so long they went rabid rarely came close to populated areas, so I felt fairly safe walking across the barren wasteland carrying a deer corpse.

When I finally made it to the center of our ramshackle town, thrown together from tents and wooden shacks that were never meant to last as long as they had. Tired, gaunt faces peered from homes and workstations as I carried my prize toward the communal dining hall and kitchen, run by the Fearless Tammica, She was one of the first to welcome me and she and her wife were the first to be considered my friend. So who better to share my spoils with than them? Besides, they would ensure the meat was shared equally among the people which was all that really mattered.

When I entered her kitchen, it was boiling and Tammica was busy stirring what looked to be a soup of some kind, red liquid bubbling, When she turned around and caught sight of the deer, however, her ruddy face broke into a wide, doting smile. I ducked my head, embarassed. "And just what pray tell did this cost you?" she asked.

"Does it really matter? I brought meat back, there's no telling when or if we'll get another chance like this." I retorted. I couldn't doubt my decision. It was for the good of the many and I could never regret that.