Chapter 417
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According to the smart-phone today was August 30th 2036, almost August 31st. Time didn't seem to matter much. It was always dark outside. The snow covered the doors, before long it would even cover the attic windows. It was Saturday night, as man once measured time. Adam and Eve were playing monopoly, with real money. This was money that mr Picard had hidden here for a rainy day, but now all it was good for was playing monopoly. All money had ever been was a tool humans invented to help them trade goods an services with each other. From what Buck and other Ark communications said most Arks were adopting socialist systems, distributing food and medicine to citizens as needed. All of age were forced to contribute in one form or another. Even the Ark's leaders didn't dare take many luxuries for themselves. It was "From each according to their means and abilities, to each according to their needs." This meant that each citizen contributed to the collective good as best they could. And in turn the state provided for each citizen what they needed. On the off chance there were any real communities were functioning outside the Arks, they would have no use for money. Most likely tribal leaders who rule with an iron fist, and decided what each person got. So now, money served no real purpose. It only made Eve feel nostalgic for a time when it actually meant something.
By September 2036 there were no communications from any communities. There were a few from wandering individuals. These nomads were desperately trying to find Arks to take them in. After impact some had gone to California or Florida, hoping they could provide warmth a little while longer. There was one heart-breaking story aout a woman and her twelve-year old daughter. She tried to teach her child how to survive after she was gone, and also how to use the gun on herself if she were surrounded by morlocks. Either way, the cold laws of physics said they'd both be dead within a month. There was no semblance of decency or law. People murdered whoever they found, stealing rations or outright eating their victims. Friendship was a luxury noone could afford. Adam listened to these stories, never replied to them. He couldn't risk anyone else coming here.
Sunday September 7th. When Adam and Eve met during the war she was a muslim, her was a born-again christian. Eve had become born-again later, then a death cult. Now, she wasn't sure what she believed. Nor did Adam believe that God would send good people to Hell for not believing in one particular faith. Still, this Sunday morning Adam and Eve watched an old sermon. They knew these sermons made some people better persons. But they hadn't lived up to this hope. Eve still hadn't found her daughter, but prayed every night for her safety. Seeing these old sermons, Eve feared God had turned his back on her a long time ago. All things considered, she couldn't blame him.