Infected

Scavenger

The wind blew hard in the cold evening. The dense cloud cover made the temperature drop even worse. They were dark, which was an indication that rain would be falling soon. I wrapped my thin jacket tightly to keep the wind away, but it always finds a way through. My shoes were soaked with cold sea water that was left in puddles along the docks. I was out foraging for food again. I didn't go far this time because of the soon-coming rain. I passed by can after can, hoping to find some food, or at least something useful.

Empty.
Empty.
Rotten fish.
Empty.
Aha!

Thank God. A can of old, outdated peaches.

I pulled off my pack and slid it in. Putting it over one shoulder, I continued to look.

Empty.
Busted.
Rats. Ew.
Empty.
Empty. Wait.

I saw something blend in with the can at the bottom. I reached past the grime and pulled out something.

Jackpot! A box-cutter!

I slid it into the side pocket of my pack, now excited. I could use this instead of one of my knives. It would be much faster.

*BOOM*

Thunder boomed in the distance. That was my alarm telling me to get back home. Well, if you could call it a home. It's the only home I have, so I guess it is my home. I ran back quick as I could to miss the rain. I don't want to sleep in soaked clothes again, even though I wouldn't mind a quick shower. It's been, what, three days? Four? I wish I could find an electronic watch that tells the dates.

In just a couple of minutes, I had already made it back. It was a building side by side with some other buildings, as were almost all of the other buildings. I looked around, making sure no one was looking(not like anyone was out fishing now anyways), and kneeled down. I put my fingers through a rusted grate and pulled it off, making a short shrieking sound. I looked around one last time, as if someone was watching me, and crawled inside. It was about two feet wide and tall, just big enough for a fourteen-year-old boy like me. I picked up the grate and pulled it back through, tight.

I crawled through the ducts, taking a left, then a right, then another right, then a left, until it opened up into a small room. In it was my bed(sleeping bag and pillow), my stash(now empty), and my secret compartment with personal items. The room was probably about six feet by six feet and maybe five feet tall. I'm five foot two, so I'm a little too tall to stand straight up. I stripped off my wet shoes next to the opening.

I pulled my sleeping bag to the side and pulled up a hidden panel from the floor. Underneath it was a box. I opened the box and put the lid aside. Inside were random items I had found over the past couple of years. Two hunting knives, a large pocket knife about twice the length of my hand when extended, a rusty can opener, half a liter of rainwater, a granola bar, and some band aids. Now, I have a box cutter and some peaches, and I have my normal SwissArmy pocket knife in my pocket. I also had an iPhone 4 duck taped to a rope that's duck taped to the ceiling. It had its own charger that plugged into an outlet(it was a miracle to get all of this and have electricity), and I used the flashlight on it as my central light source. My own little hidey-hole.

I couldn't light a fire in here. It would suffocate me. Like what almost happened on that day... no. Don't even think about it. Just let it go.

I pulled out my can opener and opened the can of peaches. They still smelled sweet. I'm pretty sure the expiration date was just a recommendation. I've eaten food months past the date, and I've never had any problems. I picked up a peach and put it in my mouth. It was so sweet and made my taste buds tingle. I couldn't help but smile. I couldn't remember the last time I had something so sweet.

I downed half the can and saved the rest for breakfast. I pulled my sleeping bag back in place and pulled it up to my neck. I pulled my pillow close and got comfortable. I reached up and tapped the light button and turned it off. In the dark, I could hear thunder and wind from the outside. Then it started to rain.

I hope it doesn't flood this time.