Chapter 1
They called me a murderer.
The streets are empty. Well at least they appear that way, they always do ever since the atheinai broke out. Then again you can never be sure. That's how it works out here: always be ready, always be alert. I remind myself, after all the second most likely way to die around here is from an ambush, often from the weak and desperate.
We used to be a well knit, safe community adopting new technology and working together to problem solve. That all came to an eruptive stop when the disease ripped through here killing everyone. When the population got too low the government stopped sending food and freshwater to us. Neighbors and friends turned against each other for materials. every house and building has been ransacked. All because of one little germ. It had mostly left the area by now but everybody knew that didn’t mean it was gone. We live in a gentle stream but once it breaks through the dam of safety we have created, it will flood the area even worse than before.
Something rustling down a narrow alleyway. I turn and face the noise quickly, checking my stance. Arms up, feet apart, easy to move.
“Who's there?” I call sternly. A fat rat scurries straight toward me. I scowl quickly, jumping away. The rats, it's always the rat I sigh, relaxing my position ever so slightly.
“How do they get all that food in them to be that big?” I murmur under my breath”.
“I give it to them.” A meek, timid voice calls from the ally. I jump back into my defensive i've pose. I’m so stupid, why did I let my guard down? That is literally rule number one!
Knox’s voice rings through my head and I remember never, never let you guard down. Stupid stupid stupid stupid. Another Rustle from the bins reminds me that I'm still here. I choose to stay silent and slowly approach. Two big, green eyes poke out at me and as soon as they see me, tuck back behind the bin.
“Now why on earth would you feed the rats?” I say, trying to sound comfortable and relaxed. I realize the girl looks to be 8 or 9 years old.
“You know they carry the disease right?”
“Exactly, they are just like us.”
“They are animals.”
“yah, but they lost their families, homes, friends, food and water too.” She says, scutting on her knees to face me. She's awfully skinny, her light brown hair is knotted and overall she is a complete mess, but she does not look sick. I venture a little closer trying hard not to let my eyes furrow.
“But so did you, didn't you? You don’t look nearly as plump as that rat, so I’d figure we ought to get some food in you” I say as softly and as firmly as I can. Was that too harsh? No, It couldn’t have possibly been too harsh, was it too gentle? Her irritated sigh interrupts my thoughts.
“But then what are the rats supposed to eat?” There is a catch of a sassy tone in her voice.
“Well.” I pause. “What's your name?”
“Luz.” She responds proudly, I chuckle a little. It's nice to see that joy can still exist every now and then.
“Alright Luz.” I say, putting an emphasis on her name. That makes her smile. “Tell me this, If you don’t feed yourself and starve, who will feed the rat?” she struggles over this for a while before pointing a little finger at me.
“You.” she say confidently.
“No, I won’t.” I respond, a little taken aback.
“Yes you will, because I said you will.” she says, crossing her arms, closing her eyes and facing to the side. I sigh, why are kids so stubborn?
“How ‘bout this, If I promise to take care of the rats if you die, You have to promise to eat the food yourself that I will give you every other day.” She turns her head toward me and opens one round eye.
“You’ll really give me food every other day?” she questions
“As long as you follow through with your side of the deal.” I say, giving her a wink.
“Deal!” she says, turning toward me once more and smiling brightly. She thrusts her hand toward me, a gesture that had been completely dropped over the last 2 and ½ years. I stare at it hesitantly before grasping it within mine and shaking it. After all, no one could possibly have the heart to make the smile disappear from her face, I tell myself after saying goodbye and walking away.
Knox would not be happy with me for helping Luz out. He alway says, “If they ain’t helping you then why should you be helping them?” I sigh. Besides, Knox would not get mad at her, he would be mad at me for calling him Knox instead of Mr. Hassan even if it is in my mind. I walk up to the abandoned snap fitness gym and knock twice fast, then twice slow. The door automatically opens to let me in. I drop my bag on the bench and glance around.
“26 minutes and 7 seconds late exactly.” Knox’s, scratch that, Mr. Hassan’s voice rings out. I can’t help but groan.
“Oh so we’re counting seconds now,” I mock ever so slightly.
“Is that complaining I hear?” He comes around the corner of the old office glaring.
“Sorry sir.” I roll my eyes slightly.
“Yah, yah Raela let's get on the training shall we?” He scowls, jestering to the workout equipment and punching bags, not to mention all the weapons he has added to the collection. We walk over to the punching bag where as soon as I start going I can feel the scabs on my knuckles opening up again. This is Knox's tough love, pushing you to the limits so you can be the best possible. We started training as soon as I realized things were getting much more dangerous out there and I had no one to protect me after my mom and Little sister had died from disease, and dad in the military. I shake the thought as soon as I feel it coming. Besides, learning to defend yourself is always for the better even if the world isn’t ending right in front of you. I think back to Luz, a small girl just about eight who, instead of putting herself first, chose to look after some gutter rats. I smile. Well that is before Knox derailed my train of thought.
“Hey what ya grinning for? This is training! Now no slacking off.” It’s always training with him, no time for chit chat. I suppose that's what I paid him for. If you can even call it pay. I just pick up his groceries, take his trash out, and every now and then clean. So it's more like doing his chores for him. He's staring me down, his black eyes practically drilling a hole through me. My arms are getting tired. I must have been punching for about 10 mins now. that’s nothing I tell myself he made you go for an hour straight before. Still the heat in my knuckle was beginning to feel more like stinging and that meant soon there would be blood.
“Alright that's enough” Knox, I mean Mr Hassan Calls. I let my hands rest at my side and stand straight facing him.
“How long are you going to make me stand like a silent soldier this time?” I complain.
“Well since you have already failed I suppose we will move onto target practice but that's more work at the punching bag next time” He gives a scowl but I see a hint of a smile in his eyes. He is always trying to hide his emotions but the trick is to just look at his eyes.The truth is almost no one knows how to hide their emotions in their eyes, but only few can identify the emotion. Knox goes to the firing range and takes his position. I grab some throwing knives and take mine next to him. After we finish target practice we plan our next lesson for two weeks from now. We usually do one every week but he claims to be busy. What could a guy who never leaves his house be busy with? I have no idea but it's none of my business is all he says before a simple goodbye and slamming the door in my face.
