Katelyn Roy
June 16, 2014
World English
Contagion
Carnage. That's what the world had come to be. Within the first two months since the outbreak, 40% of the population in America was wiped out, now, after a year, only 20% remains. Some people say that the disease came from an extraneous source; others say it was set up by the government in order to deal with overpopulation. Those were the two largest rumors, however many people were credulous enough to believe anything. Me? Well, I believe the latter. While we suffer, they thrive. Only those who are amenable enough were given decent rations, while the obdurate ones, like me, were left to rot.
I grunted as I hoisted myself up onto the ledge, throwing my pack towards the corner of the room. I pulled up the rope I had climbed, and started toward the washroom to clean my injuries. I hissed as the alcohol seeped into the gash on my arm, exhaling raggedly as I wrapped some gauze around the wound. With the help of my teeth, I tied the knot and left the washroom to unpack. Throwing the bag onto the counter, I pulled out the cans I had managed to salvage during my trip. While none of the foods were first class, I was at least at least able to get a months' worth. I sighed as I pulled out the eighth can of sliced peaches, checking the bag to see how much water I had been able to get.
The water nowadays had become a scarce necessity. People have begun to hoard it, and our water supply has depleted immensely over time. I frowned at the old, dusty potpourri bowl on the hutch. The rest of the apartment was turgid, but nowadays nobody cares about the interior décor. I walked toward the window, looking out at the town below. A group of people huddled over a fire. I contemplated going down and offering them food, until I saw the soldiers. Three of them walked over to the group, talking them down. I frowned and knelt down to get a better view.
"It's past curfew, what are you doing out here?" One of the soldiers asked, prodding one of the women. She flinched and huddled closer to the man standing next to her.
"Please let us stay here. We don't have anywhere else to go." The man supplicated, swallowing hard as the soldier's attention snapped toward him.
"What did I say? Curfew. Off. Now." The soldier pushed the man back towards an ally. My eyes widened, and I grabbed the bat I had stored in the closet. I threw the rope down, leaping onto the first floor and rushing out into the street. I sprinted towards the ally, past the people still huddled together, watching in horror. I paused momentarily as I watched the scene unfold before me.
The man was a crumpled heap on the ground. At first I thought he was unconscious, but then his body rose lightly with his faint breathing. The cop lifted his baton, his face twisted into a sadistic smile. I gasped as the young boy that was with them ran in front of the man, tears staining his face.
"No!" I ran as fast as I could, throwing myself over the two as a searing pain blinded my vision. I shook my