The Trinket

“It was Jenny who gave it to me, this little thing, this…What a silly thing to give someone. I wanted to melt it down with the rest of my scrap to make more rounds, but she told me to keep it safe. She said people would give each other these things, these trinkets, as a sign of affection. A bunch of shapes and loops of shinny metals and rocks meant you cared for someone. Jenny had always brought us back things She found scavenging in the city. Mostly scrap metal and a boot hear and there, she said that whenever I look at it I should think of her. What good is a shiny pebble when thirst is on your lips? When another moment of hunger is inching its way into your stomach. But that was so long ago, before the reign. She never did tell me what it was called.” Worth held the trinket in the air, it twisted itself back-and-forth with his hands. “I mean why give me something so useless the bonds to this is so weak I couldn’t even choke someone with this.” He put it back in the breast pocket of his vest. I could tell he wanted to go on about how silly the trinket was but, the smell of cooked meat filled the air, we knew we were getting closer.

We hiked another two miles before we started to see the smoke from the camp, and by now the smell was all around us. "You sure about this? I mean even if we do get them to lead us into the city, who’s to say she’s still alive?” I knew Worth was right, about the plan being a long shot. But I couldn’t go on never knowing what happened to her. Knowing I had the slightest chance to do something for her but didn’t try. Shots fired as dirt kicked up around our feet, causing us to stop in mid stride. A voice rang out saying “WELCOME TO MAULER TERRITORY STATE YOUR BUSINESS”. We looked up to see a man on top of a tower aiming a riffle towards us. Worth turned to me with that grin of his. Saying “Well time time for some diplomacy” He dusted himself off and began to dig into his bag pulling out a large plastic jug. “ My name is Worth me and my companion here have fresh water and are willing to trade for a guide into the kingdom. Laughter erupted from all around us, we couldn’t see anyone else but the man on the tower, but we could tell we were surrounded. "What good is water if you aint alive to drink it ?” The man asked clutching his riffle. "I'm sorry is this not the infamous Mauler gang ? I heard you guys walk in and out of New Chicago like you own the place” Worth took a step forward when another shot rang out the bullet passing his face. “Not one more step smooth talker.” Yeah we go wherever the hell we please, but nobody here’s dumb enough to walk into New Chicago for just a gallon of water, trip alone is worth at least three.” THREE? Shouted Worth “Nobody in the out lands has water like that. It took my entire village a week just to get this together surely there’s something else you’d like” He reached into his pocket pulling out the trinket.

“Perhaps you would like this lovely” Worth was suddenly swept off his feet as a woman stood on top of him “The price has been stated outsider pay it or leave.” She said pointing a curved knife at him. “Please we just want to get our sister back, she had gone into the city two days ago and we think” The woman brought the edge if the knife closer to Worth's neck “If your sister hasn’t returned from New Chicago in two days she’s either entertainment or meat”. The woman said snatching the jug from the ground “ consider this payment for your lives or would you like to meet the same fate as your sister ?” It was hours after we left the Mauler camp, Worth was still silent, holding on to the trinket. “Can’t eat it, can’t drink it, and can’t even use it for a trade, what's the point of it.” He said tears rolling down his face. With tears in my eyes I turn to him to say. “So we can always remember her”.