Note: This creative writing piece was a piece I really enjoyed. I think it’s pretty decent and I hope that you enjoy. It portrays a lesson that this world is chaotic. I hope that it shows that you can’t make everyone happy, but also have this survival situation.

 

Tice Jenkins
Mrs. Jank
English 2
19 December 2017

A New Beginning

I woke up suddenly: wide awake. The cold brisk air blew against my face like a whipping sensation. I wasn’t sure where I was, or how I got here. I gazed around the area, noticing that I was in the middle of the forest. I don’t remember what has happened in the past – to my knowledge no one was around. What I did have was a USP pistol and a 15 round magazine on me. My curious human mind and fit body came to the conclusion to explore this mysterious place.
While trotting through the forest, I quickly realized I wasn’t a track star, but could get around easily if I took walking breaks here and there. “My goodness how much longer until I get a hint of life around here.” I gasped for a deep breathe. “It’d be nice to know if anyone else is lost like me.” I continued to walk with a lack of motivation wondering if it’s worth continuing this journey to find success in what I’m searching for. Walking slower and slower with my head down, I realized my feet felt a different surface than grass. “Cement!” I murmured with excitement. “If I follow this hopefully it leads me to civilization.”
My stomach echoed fiercely, but I ignored it. I knew I couldn’t give up, traveling this far through the forest. Finally conquering the forever continuous hill I glared at the out skirts of a town. “It’s about time,” I said with a sigh of relief. “Hopefully there is someone I can talk to or a place that I can rest: I am exhausted.” I jogged down the hill with excitement, watching my step as my legs wobbled, due to my tiredness and lack of food.
“Hello?” The echo bounced off the vacant walls of the empty town. I came to the conclusion that no one was around. I scavenged for supplies throughout the town looking for evidence of survival. My stomach growled: the cruel pain due to the lack of food filled my abdominal area.
*BANG*
I stumbled for cover as a bullet whipped past my body. I panicked, breathing intensely, repeating to myself in a whisper. “I don’t wanna die. I don’t wanna die. I don’t wanna die.”
A deep voiced man shouted, “I know where you are, state your business!”
I sat there hesitant to answer his command. “I don’t want to cause any harm. I’m just lost.”
“Don’t you know better not to scavenge through another persons belongings?” He replied. “Toss your gun out in the middle of the road and slowly show yourself with your hands where I can see them.” My heart raced, debating whether or not if I should trust this guy. I’m was in a foreign place, I didn’t know if this was the man’s home. “Hurry up!” The man yelled sternly. I tossed my USP out in the middle of the road, indicating to the man that I surrender. “At least some people around here have some common sense,” the man continued to speak. “Now slowly come out.” I obeyed his command like a dog to his master. The man slowly crept toward my USP, and grasped it, canceling all of the advantages I could get to go against him. He picked up the gun and put it in his large military pants.
“All I want is some food and a place to rest, I’ve just been traveling to find a sign of life. Of c-co-course, you have brought the answer to my question. All I ask is that you show mercy to me please,” I said stuttering with fear.
“Don’t worry I won’t hurt you. You were smart for taking peace instead of survival, many others decide that the answer is survival of the fittest,” the man stated.
“You mean there are more people?” I questioned.
“Of course there are, but at the conclusion of each day there becomes less of us.”
“What do you mean?” My curious mind continued to wonder.
“Aren’t you a kid with a lot of questions.. How about we continue our conversation somewhere safe.” I slowly brought my exhausted arms down to my sides, which didn’t seem to bother him. My muscles relaxed realizing he wasn’t as intense from before. “Come on, catch up.” I quickly caught up to the man. I was clueless where he was leading me, but all I wanted was food, water, shelter, and information.
The man prepared food and a glass of water for the both of us. I broke the silence admitting, “Sorry for disturbing you and barging in on your land. I seriously didn’t mean any harm.”
“Seriously bud, you need to stop being so worrisome. If you continue this, your future will be a disaster,” he replied handing me food and water. “Let’s just start fresh. Hello my name is Clinton, but my friends called me CB,” he held his hand out for a handshake. My hand met his hand, giving and receiving a firm handshake to confirm the trust for one another.
“I’m Sandro.” I replied with confidence.
“I like your name. So…what brings you out here? Don’t you know it’s dangerous to travel alone?” Clinton stated with a little bit of concern.
“I’m not sure to be honest. I just kind of woke up, but it didn’t feel like I was sleeping,” I replied being puzzled.
“Hm, well I’m glad that you’ve come by. It’s very common for people to take the violent action instead of being peaceful. I feel like we can make a great team and survive here in this chaotic place!” Clinton said with emotion.
“Well, I’m very confused of the reason for all this chaos. Why is everyone so hostile and wanting to kill each other?”
“I’m not totally sure, but rumors I’ve heard is that a virus broke out. From there on, people have gone crazy, living by the motto: ‘survival of the fittest.” Resources are very scarce,” he said. Clinton went on talking as my eyes got heavier. “Looks like you need some sleep. We can continue this conversation in the morning, it’s kind of getting late and you look exhausted.” Clinton added.
“That sounds outstanding, thanks.” I said, finishing up my rations. Clinton arose from his chair, leading the way to the place I would lay my head.
“Here you are. Blankets, pillows, and a bed, sleep as long as you’d like. I’ll wake you up in the morning for breakfast, If you need anything let me know,” Clinton said closing the door.
“Thanks CB, you’re the best,” I said feeling important. Right when I turned my body to a comfortable position, I closed my eyes and I was sound asleep.
The sweet smell of eggs and bacon filled the air of the house. My eyes slowly opened, but closed quickly once they came in contact with light. I slowly stood up from my bed, rubbing my eyes and stretching to wake up from the deep sleep I had. I walked out of the room and saw Clinton making food and my USP on the table.
“Morning CB, you seriously don’t have to do all this stuff for me,” I admitted.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s an act of kindness, but take advantage of it. You probably won’t see this from anyone else. The reason I decided to be kind to you is that I saw something about you that I haven’t seen from anyone else. You seem like you have potential and we could make a great team,” Clinton embraced.
“Uh, yeah sure!” I replied.
“Well, we’re running low on materials such as weapons and food. We may need to go on an adventure,” Clinton explained.
“Sounds great, do you have some weapons at least to help us survive?”
“Like I’ve said, resources are scarce, but I’ll show you where the guns are after we get done eating.” We got done eating and Clinton lead the way to this back room. I hadn’t noticed the door until he brought attention to the area. My eyes roamed in curiosity wondering what else Clinton had. “I don’t have high military gear, but what I do have is a Mosin Nagant and a Support 22. Go ahead, make your choice.” I slowly reached out my hand, attempting to decide this tough decision. My hand hovered toward the Support 22 since I knew that had a 10 round magazine.
“Where is the ammo for the gun?” I asked. Clinton used gestures toward the back corner of the room where the ammo was placed as he cocked his gun. I grasped for a few magazines, cocking my gun.
“Here, take these clothes and accessories,” Clinton demanded. Clinton gave me plenty of gear to be ready for this journey, I had military camouflage combat pants, a camouflage shirt, a black ballistic helmet, a blue hiking backpack, and a black bandanna.
“Now I’m ready,” I smirked as we began to head out, I had no idea where we were going and what we were going to get ourselves into. I decided to just comply.
We journeyed through many different scenarios; country roads, other towns, camp grounds, factories, and more. We looted the areas, but not much loot was collected. We’d been traveling for almost five hours, and I felt like I couldn’t walk any longer.
“Alright Sandro, I found this map. It says if we continue walking this way for a mile, we’ll encounter a Military Airfield. This means military gear, but also there might be some people.”
Butterflies filled my stomach, I didn’t know what to expect. My fear overcame my body, from my head to my toes. Clinton saw the fear in my eyes, but he didn’t say anything. I thought to myself, I bet Clinton is used to this and it doesn’t bother him anymore. We continued to walk for another mile, and the sky began to dim.
“Looks like it’s about to rain, how much longer until we get to the Military Airfield?” I questioned.
“Looks like it’s coming up pretty soon, but we better hustle, we’re running out of daylight.” Clinton replied. “We’ll have to loot in the night time drizzle. It’ll keep us hidden and hopefully we don’t get in trouble with the other survivors.”
We shuffled to the airfield trying to beat the darkness and rain. We needed to stay as dry as possible so we don’t contract hypothermia. Clinton and I finally arrived to the Military Airfield. Clinton gestured different hand signals that I was clueless about, but I just kind of played a long. The rain proceeded to drizzle as we took a step into the airfield. The drops repeatedly fell against the pavement taking over the sounds of our footsteps.
“Stay close, keep your eyes peeled Sandro,” Clinton commanded.
I followed closely when suddenly, I saw a body like structure in the distance. This brought an image to my head that things could get dangerous. I wasn’t sure if I was seeing things or if it was reality. We hugged the walls of the buildings in the airfield. I caught Clinton’s attention pointing him to look at the direction the structure was moving. Clinton was puzzled at what I was pointing at because the object was gone. I whispered to Clinton, “CB, I think I saw something over there, but I can’t say for sure.”
“Keep an eye out, lets loot these barracks,” Clinton replied. The rain proceeded to fall at a rate that was quicker then a jaguar. Clinton and I knew we weren’t in a good situation, darkness and rain wasn’t a good mix. We quickly ran into the barracks and we hit the jackpot. In front of us was military vests, combat boots, clothes, and the best part military weapons. I reached for the M4A1 as Clinton reached for the Mk17. We were decked beyond of what we expected.
The rain witnessed sudden change from a thunderstorm to a drizzle. This seemed to be a key for an attack. Bullets rapidly hit the side of the barracks like a wood pecker against a tree. We dove for cover, as glass shattered into millions of pieces. Gun shots from left and right filled the drizzly night, knowing we were in trouble. “Sandro are you good?” Clinton questioned in terror.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Stay down they may come in soon. Keep your gun locked and loaded facing the door. We can kill them coming in,” I replied giving advice. My muscles in my body shook in terror, thinking to myself. Is this the end?
I rattling sphere rolled into the room Clinton and I were laying in. The word ‘GRENADE’ ran through my mind; I knew this could be the end of me. I collapsed my fingers around the sphere and quickly threw the object back from were it came in. “COVER!” I yelled warning Clinton. We both ducked our heads praying that the grenade made it to the designated spot I intended to throw it.
*BOOM*
My prayer was answered; we were alive, overdosed in terror. Lifting my body from the ground, the glass from the windows crackled as I got up and took steps through the barracks. I waved to Clinton that the coast is clear and he can come with me. I looked through the loot, or what was left from the explosion. Nothing seemed to be worth my time: only some ammo for our guns.
“Man, all that fear for nothing, just some more ammo for our guns CB,” I stated. Expecting a response there was nothing. “CB? Are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here, just confused.”
“What’s up? You good?”
“I can’t say I’m good. I’m trying to find the answer of its it worth living in this chaotic world anymore. Why are people wanting to kill, instead they could just join together and make this society a better place.”
“Clinton, you shot at me when I was messing with your stuff.”
“Well yeah of course, but that’s different. You were roaming through my stuff without permission. I just want this world to become peaceful like it was before. Ever since the notification to people that supplies are scarce, some people probably don’t even know what the word peace means. It just doesn’t make sense, I try to show peace, but obviously it isn’t working.”
“Clinton you can’t make everyone happy, you can’t make everyone peaceful, that’s just not how it works. This problem is out of your control.”
“Look, if it’s out of our control… We’re next, what if we turn to be chaotic like this world. Mankind is better off being dead then alive at this point.” Clinton reached for his pistol cocking it and raising it to his head. “I’m sorry Sandro, it’s our destiny to die and obviously we aren’t doing any good here.” Without anytime to react, the trigger was pulled and Clinton’s body laid their motionless. I sat there with misbelief that my only friend was gone in a blink of an eye.