Famished

CJ

The desperation just for something to touch her tongue. For something that she can slowly mash up with her teeth, to feel more than a morsel of food on the dryness of her mouth. It's been two days since she has eaten more than a handful of food. Brawls breakout for a dead squirrel on the road, a trash can that won't have anything in it. Everyone and everything is desperate for that sensation of food.

Pushing a battered and worn door a girl sees the sun. A teenage girl, her light brown, almost caramel skin feels warm as she takes a step out of the old and dilapidated house her gray sweatshirt loosely blows in the wind. Her black curly hair gently blows the same way. Tying her hair back she steps out of the house. The dingy sky soaks into her hazel eyes. Her thick sweatpants rub together as she walks down the old road. Her large bag sways back and forth on her back with each step she takes. A bow swings on the side of the bag and arrows poke out of a small hole at the top. The houses and buildings are all abandoned and dim. Each house's paint is chipping and the windows all dusty and gray. The color in everything has become more dull. The trees losing their leaves compliment the lifelessness of everything. A possum peeks its head over the ditch next to the road. The girl stops walking and slowly brings her arm to her bag. She grabs a compound bow off the side. Reaching her other hand behind her head she grabs an arrow. Knocking the arrow she pulls the arrow back. Taking a deep breath she lines up the shot. The possum now in the middle of the road chews on the top of a small nut. The possum lets out a small shriek before flopping onto the ground. An arrow through the top of its head the girl walks to her now food. Picking the animal up by its back legs she pulls the arrow out of its head. A light sigh leaves the girl's dry mouth. The possum doesn't have too much meat to it, the ribs are easily shown through its small layers of fur. Only a snack a year or two ago. Putting the arrow and bow back into the bag she grabs a small amount of twine from the front pouch. Tying a small knot around the possum's legs she hangs it onto a strap on her bag. She continues down the road looking at each house to see any signs that it may have gone unlooted. After a few hours of following the road she walks upon a strip mall. Windows broken and shattered, cars left to sit for the rest of eternity. She walks to the front of a dollar tree. A man sits slumped right next to the door. His insides are carved out and gone. all that's left in his chest is the ribs that held him together. His shoes are the only article of clothing that's missing from him. The smell of rot fills her lungs. She grabs the man and slowly rolls him over. Pulling the door open she enters the dollar store. A pair of bells jingle as the door closes. The smell of mold and must fills the air around her.  Carts and shelves are scattered all through the store. She pushes a cart out of In Front of her and heads to the register. Bending down she paws through the empty boxes where candy and energy bars would be. Some boxes crumble when her hands touch them, others are very stiff, but nonetheless she finds nothing but one empty chocolate wrapper. Standing up the sound of shuffling is heard behind her. Slowly raising her hands up she slowly turns around. A woman stands on the other side of a counter pointing a pistol at her. A dingy blue hoodie covers her slim body. Her long blonde hair tucked into the hood of it. Her pale skin is darkened by the dirt and grime on her. A pair of jeans held to her hips by a large belt.

"What's your name, young girl?"

"Melanie. What's yours?"

"You won't have to know that. Give me that animal." She demands waving the gun at the possum on Melanie's bag.

Slowly Melanie pulls the bag off her back and drops it to the floor. Crouching down to the bag the lady starts slowly walking to her. Melanie pulls her sweatpants up and pulls a knife out of a hidden sheath tied around her leg. Looking up, the lady is peeking over the counter.

"No tricks with that knife. Just give me the animal and I will let you go." She says as she starts to shake fearfully.

"Don't worry. I won't do anything."