Smog shrouds my city in a thick, yellow gauze. It clings to my eyes as I run, stinging them with tears. I squint, urging my legs faster. Choked lungs breathe fire, steaming against the scarf covering the lower half of my face.
All around me, buildings ooze their guts into tattered streets. My target slips beyond, darting among crumbled bricks. In all the months since the Surge, I have never seen an animal among city walls. My taste buds yearn. White tufts of fur are a rare sight amid the devastation. A pet left behind? Or a gift from the gods?
Pushing through smog-gauze, I rely on other senses to guide me. A tiny avalanche of pebbles among broken mortar reveals a slip of foot. Too fast for me, just out of reach. My stomach grumbles anticipation.
I ignore the pain in my side. Perhaps I've succumbed to hunger-induced hallucinations. A quick judge of prey shows the animal tiring, breathing hard through thin fur. I catch a glimpse of its large ears perked and back legs kicking a desperate dance. I pounce, arching my fingers into claws as I soar through the air. I slam my weight to the ground with frantic abandon.
Long strands of hair fight loose from their braid and fall in my eyes.
The animal kicks distress beneath me. A low growl emits from my throat as I bare my teeth. I grasp the squirming creature in my hands, feel the crazed rhythm of its heart. A feral smile stretches across my wind-chapped lips. I thank the gods for such a bounty, turning my face to beam up at the shroud, and snap the animal's neck.
My chase has led me near the derelict market. A handful of survivors scrounge among broken shops and restaurants in hopes of scraps. Most faces masked in scarves clinging around nose and mouth against the sour air. None of them seem to give me notice. I smuggle my prize into a hidden alleyway.
Gripping the creature by the scruff of its neck, I find my knife tucked on my hip. I slit its throat with one swift movement. Blood gushes, an offering. Caked dirt beneath my boots stains red.
I wrap the animal in spare cloth and lay it in my knapsack. Kiera's smiling face comes to mind, reminding me to hurry.
The knapsack weighs with satisfaction on my shoulders. Before spotting the dashing rabbit, my morning search had been meagre.
It's a short walk to the Locust, a fine hotel mostly intact. The building sags a little to the left, but still stands. Kiera and I have called it home for six months, a spot we once admired with Mother before the Surge. Back then, it had been grand with flashing neon lights attracting guests, a gushing fountain in the lobby, and polished tiles. All I see now are darkened lights, a waterless, cracked fountain, scuffed floors, and blood-streaked walls.
My city demolishes itself, relentless in its suicide, bleeding before my eyes. I stand helpless, unable to prevent it.
Still, my steps are buoyant as I climb to our hideout on the fifth floor. I paste a smile on my face as I tap our secret knock on the door. Not even a second goes by before the door creaks open. I rush inside and close the door behind me, locking the deadbolt.
"Saige," Kiera shrieks. Her wide blue eyes lock on mine, her face lit with glee. We look each other over for a moment, ensuring we are both unharmed. Then she leaps into my arms. I wince a little at the feeling of her ribs against my arms.
Tugging my scarf down to hang around my neck, I give her a kiss on the cheek. "You'll never believe what I found," I tell her.
She holds me a moment longer then she pulls away, eager. The excitement on Kiera's face makes my heart lurch. I smooth her hair with my palm.
Placing the knapsack on the ground, I reach inside for my trophy. "It's a little bloody," I warn her. She doesn't flinch.
I pull the reddened cloth from the bag and set the limp creature on the ground between us. Kiera gasps, in amazement. She reaches out a hand and moves the cloth away from the animal's face.
"I've never seen one before," she says.
"Neither have I. I'll be new for us both."
Kiera smiles at me.
"We're going to need a bucket. I'll start a fire."
Kiera nods, rushing off. I move to the small kitchenette, open the oven's yawning metal mouth to investigate its belly. A few embers remain from the fire I used to make coffee before my morning hunt. Barely a cup's worth, which I split with Kiera, our only option from a dwindling stock of food.
I blow on the coals until they ignite. Kiera comes over to me with a small bucket clutched in her hands. She looks pleased.
"Thank you, little sunflower." I kiss the top of her head and she giggles.
Now comes the dirty part. I look at my little sister, judging if she can handle this. I tie a scarf around her nose and mouth and pull my own in place. "Hold the rabbit's feet." She doesn't hesitate, clutches its hind legs in a firm grip. Kiera's eyes spark over the fringe of her scarf. I've never seen her look so serious.
We hold each other's gaze. We'll have fresh meat tonight.
Author bio:
Tianna lives in the woodlands of PA and is the recent founder of Rhythm & Bones Lit (RhythmNBone.com), creating beauty from darkness within. That's what most of her works focus on, which have been published widely in all forms. Check out CreativeTianna.com or follow @tiannag92.
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