It was the last experiment of the government in an effort to turn the environment around. Sadly, all it did was hasten the end of what little there was left. The earth now was hostile to human life. The key now was to survive and that meant finding water and finding shelter during the day as the sun was merciless.
“God help me” she thought with a heavy sigh as she dragged herself up from the ground. “When is this going to get any better? When will it finally be over?”
It seemed like a lifetime ago when all seemed normal. The earth was green and vibrant with creatures of all kinds in abundance. That was before the government decided to get greedy and power hungry, passing laws which broke the environment. She was so young when the earth started to turn brown and the temperatures soared to unbearable degrees. The family home was the last refuge for her and her parents. She remembered the cool tiles as she lay down to rest for naps then later for sleeping at night when she dreamed of the stars. That evening was the last time she saw the stars and her parents. There was a brilliant light followed by a blast that pulverized everything. It brought down buildings with people sheltering within them. There cries of fear and pain filling the air as the blast sucked up their lives. It destroyed her home, killing her parents as they pushed her under a concrete bench, saving her life, seconds before the beams holding up the house crashed down on them. The sight of those last moments was the legacy left to her by that disaster before she blacked out. Sometime later, she did not know as to when, she awoke to a world of darkness. It took her a little time to realize that the blackness was not evening. She could feel the heat of the day. It was then that the full impact hit her. She was blind. She learned to stay hidden during the day and search for food under the cover of night. She learned to trust her senses as she had no choice.
As she dusted off her dress she could only imagine what it looked like now. She lost what was left of her family and home, what was once a safe heaven. The dust clogged her nostrils as her hands broke the dirt beneath. She gazed into the distance, smirking to herself, as she could only rely on memory and touch to know what her reality was. All she could feel was broken earth which in her mind, it looked like mosaic tiles reminding her of the floor at home. She shook her head to clear that memory as the home no longer existed. It has been such a long time without water and she wanted to drink, wash and just be human again. She had been searching the land for some sign of moisture without any luck.
“Rewind...slow down...breathe” Her litany of survival which she repeated to herself.
With practiced will she became attuned to her surroundings. The slight breeze told her that there was a storm on the horizon, maybe one with water but it did not feel like moisture. Best she hurries or she will be caught out in the open completely exposed to life threatening elements. Her memory had become stronger with the passing of the years, as had her senses. Taking a deep breath, she counted her steps automatically finding the landmarks she placed to mark her way home. Home was a small cave with protection from the elements. Inside she stored all that she could, food, blankets and water. When she was lucky, there was water close by and she could refill the jugs she had there. There were other times when luck was not with her and she walked many miles to find water over a period of days.
Soon the ground started to feel familiar to her feet. The staff she carried helped steady her steps as she found the path to her cave. The coolness of the cave was welcome relief as she paused at the entrance. She was always grateful to make it back home, to safety. She always thought that maybe she was living a dream, one where she was able to see again. It was fanciful thinking but still, there was a small hope in the back of her mind. She began her evening routine within the darkness of the cave. She found the utensils she needed to prepare some kind of meal. With a heavy sigh she continued to prepare a small meal. Using economical movements, preparation was swift and soon she had consumed the meal she had prepared. She sat quietly in the darkened cave, listening to the wind howl outside; she could smell the storm rather than see it. Through the years these storms just became worse and worse with their sounds penetrating even her deepest of sleep.
“Rewind...slow down...breathe” She repeated to herself as she willed herself into stillness.
Her thoughts escaped to the time before the storms. She was so happy then. She was soon to graduate and go on to college. She was so excited. She knew her parents were looking forward to some alone time. Their lives revolved around her and she knew that they sacrificed much for her. In the darkness she smiled as she thought of her parents. They loved each other so much and it showed in the way they spoke with each other...the way they held hands. There were times when she felt like an intruder, especially when they passed certain looks. That was her last memory of them...holding hands.
She had come to accept her solitude but it did not take away from the loneliness of her life. She never knew a lovers caress or even her first kiss. These were things that she knew would never be given to her now. She was getting much too old and fragile to keep going. It was these times when she wished with all her heart that she was not alone but this was her role and her burden as well. Each day was a lifetime and the years just kept passing slowly by and she survived against the odds.
She finished cleaning up and putting things back into their place. It was time to rest, inward chuckling, to close her eyes so she could sleep. Well, at least maybe some pleasant dreams. It was getting chilly and she was thankful for the blankets she had stockpiled over the years. She lay in her bed listening to the howling wind. She knew it was still daylight but she needed to rest for the coming evening. She needed to find more water and soon as she was almost out.
She woke with some grogginess and a little disoriented. She felt some unease but she continued on with her routine. Yes, today was a day she felt...ancient. Taking a deep breath she urged herself forward. There was no one to help her and she needed to go out and find water. Her fingers told her that her supply was low and she needed to find more to be able to survive.
“Rewind...slow down...breathe” Her litany of survival as she focused on her environment.
As she emerged from her cave, her face felt the cool wind. Strange that the wind was still blowing but there was no heat felt. The weather has become a little unpredictable lately. Frowning, she stepped out with confidence walking along a path she knew well. Hours later there was no scent of water in the air. She was not too worried as she had brought with her supplies for a couple of days. Always to be prepared just in case and this was one of those “just in case” type of days. She was just hoping that she would not have to stay out for long. It would be a challenge to find shelter and her old bones were complaining more and more.
She was determined to find some kind of shelter as it became apparent that water was not to be found before the sun rose again. She was already starting to feel the heat approaching and she was worried. It was rare that she was caught out in the open and even then, she was much younger and could withstand the elements. She knew she would have difficulty surviving now. Time has taken its toll on her body.
The weather started to change suddenly. The wind which normally did not appear at night started to kick in more and heat started to be felt. Did she misjudge the day so badly? Her disorientation worsened as time progressed. She had to find some shelter and soon as she could feel the heat upon her body making it burn. Her steps quicken in an effort to find someplace cooler. Her senses normally so reliable could not find any coolness around her. This time her staff and feet failed her as she fell to the ground hitting her head on a rock. The sun rising steadily caught her on the ground and slowly fried her skin
“Rewind...slow down...breathe” Her last thoughts before the darkness took her.
© 2010 apr 05/cb
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