After The Ending

The wind was bitterly cold.

Repairing the damage inflicted by Mother Nature seemed a never-ending task. The building material used to construct the tiny shack was just not designed to last this long. There was only so much tape left in the pitiful utility box Kitty kept tucked under her bed. If you could call the rusted-out cot she was balancing on a bed. Every night she went to sleep Kitty feared it would disintegrate from under her. Sleep was hard to come by these days anyway. She etched a mark beside the others already visible on the hard ground.

235 sleepless nights since The Ending.

Kitty stared down at the markings for a while, not really thinking, just staring. Shaking her head to clear her mood, she walked over to the little battered cupboard. Adding a tattered coat to the many layers of clothing she already wore; Kitty rubbed her hands briskly to try and warm them a little. Her locket snagged her hair as she pulled it free from the coat. She untangled it, pulling just a little too hard. There was a metallic clinking sound and the chain snapped, dropping the heart-shaped locket to the ground. With a gasp, she rushed to bend down and snatch up the locket, scuffing it clean with her coat sleeve and inspecting it for any damage. Opening the clasp, she peered at the tiny portrait inside; a single tear rolled down her usually somber face. Her parents smiled cheerfully back at her, frozen in time. Wiping the tear angrily from her cheek, she closed the locket carefully, placing it in her pocket until she could repair or replace the chain that had held it close to her heart. Picking up the broken chain, she retrieved the utility box, placed the chain inside and grabbed the roll of tape. She pulled the tape from the roll to discover that there was only the tiniest piece left. She threw the empty roll back into the box. It might come in handy for something later. Every material thing was a precious commodity these days. She ran her hand around the walls until she located the place where the wind came rushing into the room. Once the tape was secured, the whistling sound ceased, and she breathed a small sigh. It was time to consider relocating, the roof was already leaking and threatening to cave in.

Shelter that was secure and structurally sound was difficult to find. Not to mention close to a clean water source. The Ending had ensured that the mutations were more prevalent than humans. She often heard them hunting around in the night and was terrified they would find her. She wouldn’t dare venture out after dark.

Having reached a decision, Kitty moved to the single patched window in the wall of the shack and took a cursory look outside, just to reassure herself that there was no immediate danger in sight. It was a clear sunny day despite the wind. Satisfied she was safe, for now, she went to the backpack she used to store her worldly goods and took inventory. Quite a few cans of various fruits, vegetables and cooked meals: her usual unappetising dinner. Two packets of rice, one of beans and two of dehydrated potato. Three packets of stale sweet biscuits. She gazed poignantly at the last two remaining chocolate bars, willing herself to make them last as long as she possibly could. Who knows if she could even find any more? The thought was disturbing.

Packing the food back into the bag, she added two full containers of water. A dynamo torch, matchsticks, a Mylar blanket, and a small first aid kit were inspected. A battered pink stuffed rabbit was the one sentimental thing from her distant childhood, besides her locket, that she carried with her everywhere; to remind her of what once was. The precious utility box rounded out the contents. Her father’s old hunting knife was slipped into the belt buckle over her right hip. She fastened the paracord bracelet she had made on her dainty wrist and tightened it.

Opening the weathered door, Kitty stepped out into the sunlight and breathed the chilly air. She wrapped her scarf around her face for warmth and added protection from the wind. No birds welcomed her with their beautiful morning melodies; the creatures had seen to that.

Reaching into her pocket, she grasped the locket for a moment, closing her eyes in silent reflection. She withdrew her hand, closed the door, inhaled a deep breath, and adjusted her backpack. Taking her first steps on a new path, with conviction in her voice, she spoke. “I’ll find you Mum and Dad, if it’s the last thing I do”.