When the World Dies

The world is dying. There is no spring nor summer. The sun never comes and it is eternal night. Everywhere I look all I see is the shadows of what used to be. I've grown accustomed to this way of life.

I must use every minute to better my chances of survival; however, it's hard to do that when the sun isn't around to tell you what hour of the day it is. Others have stopped worrying about time, but I can't do that. Time is the only thing I have left.

My family, friends and whole city is dead. Time reminds me how long it's been. You see, they died because they grew reckless. They trusted people they shouldn't have to much and they wandered. I'm all that's left.

Of course, that's not completely true. There are base camps. Those places are safe to travelers, wanderers and habitants of nearby locations.

I worked at a base camp. They called it Port Camp. It was a long ways away from my city but it was the best place to work. My job was simple. I kept track of who goes in and out of camp. In return, I got food and shelter.

It was a lonely life. Watching people come and go. Some have hope and some are dead inside. It was an easy job, however. I talked to people and heard news while documenting others location. I grew bored of it after awhile.

One day, a young woman came. She walked with a limp and cloak covered her face. She wore a leather skirt, cloth shirt and a sheathed sword was used as a cane.

The woman came to the table I sat at and placed here sword in front of me. "I have one weapon. It's made of steel. I obtained it legally. My name is Song Morgan. I plan to stay for one night."

This was the common procedure when someone came to Port Camp. We took inventory of every weapon and person. It made it easier when there are riots.

"Do you have family you are staying with?" I asked.

Song removed her hood to reveal short blond hair and blue eyes. "Who does these days?" She replied. Song was young. To young to travel this world, walk with limp and carry a sword.

"No vacancy at the hotels." I informed her.

"Shit," Song mumbled. "Do you know how far the next camp is?"

"It's Camp Oak. 15 or so miles North. No way you will make it before dark."

"Are you saying I can't walk quickly?" Song glared at me and her face looked hard as stone.

"No! Of course not! I'm saying full darkness is in an hour."

This took her by surprise. Full darkness was when it got pitch black. "Full darkness? Where the hell am I going to stay?"

I shrugged. I wasn't the type of person to take in strays but seeing Song, who couldn't be any older than 16, reminded me of my niece. She was Song's age when the world took her life.

"I got a couple of extra pillows and blankets. You can stay on my floor. Shift's end is as soon as Lark gets here. It might take awhile. They're always late even though it should be easy telling when full darkness is."

"Thank you, but I don't trust strangers. Learned that after I got my limp."

At that moment, Lark arrived. It was hard for me to believe that they were early. "Hey! Val! Sorry, I'm early. I just wanted to let you off the hook because I'm a nice coworker."

"Since when?" I scoffed when I stood up and grabbed my bag.

"Since I realized flirting with you when you are mad at me is getting us no where," Lark replied cheerfully as they sat down in the chair I was sitting in.