The Others

Greed and Gluttony

"David! Get up the party starts in an hour we musn't dawdle!"

shouted my wife, from the floor below.

Tonight was the Winchester's Annual Solstice Party. They held it each summer to show wealth and prosperity among anyone who's eyes were made of gold. Anyone who had a shiny shilling found there way in one way or another.

"Coming dear, just fitting my suit."

Wilfred reached for my black leather band watch and fixed it to my wrist. Waving Wilfred off, I fixated to the two hands withing the glass. Funny invention it is, two hands that move within such a small dome to the tick of time. Tick..Tick..Tick...Looking down through the dome realizing she was right, I made my way downstairs. It was 7pm and the party started at 8pm. Charlotte was waiting, beautiful as ever, at the bottom of the stairs for me. 

"Hello there gorgeous, ready?"

"Am I!? Why of course dear I would'nt have pulled this out if not!" Laughing she flicked her hair flaunting the newest addition to her large collection of necklaces. We joined arm and arm making way to the car. She really was the shining jewel of the city, not a single diamond nor crystal could compare to her in the slightest. Our servant, Walter, showed us to the car we'd take to the party; black with a silver trim lining, doors that had a nice tan felt, closed tinted windows, tarp top, the nicest money could buy. As Walter handed me my cane, he burst out into a coughing fit.

"AGH! Disgusting swine cover your mouth before you cover me with your sickness!"

"Very sorry Master David, it won't happen again, please excuse me." 

 "Yes, please do go clean up." 

 "Ungrateful sod he is." Charlotte added.

With the shut of the door, Charlotte wrapped her arm around mine and held me close. Looking out the window, I took in the full gravity of the barren lands around me once called New Victoria. The city was dying, it was clear. The peasants littered the streets begging, crying for food and help. Some sat vomiting with multiple gashes all over that oozed puss and blood. 

"Mind them none David, the High Overseer will clear them all the minute the council allows it"

Yes, the High Overseer, High Overseer Churchill. He had taken control over the Military affairs of the Kingdom. Was about time a man was running this country, instead of some broad who had it handed to her. It's odd to think of how this place used to be. The green grass, Victorian homes filled with hard working families, bustling life on the streets, children playing ball, and carriages carrying the livelihood of the Kingdom. Now all we see is dead, decrepit homes, shattered windows, doors broken off their hinges, rats in the allies, feces and blood trailing the streets. Each home covered in white letters saying "The Dead Walk Among Us" and "They Abandoned Us". No tree showed life, no human showed compassion. Nothing..All dead..

It seemed that there was nothing left until I saw the beginning of Churchill Square, named after the Lord Regent himself. It was the crown jewel of the entire city. All you saw was the golden trims of the mansions lining the streets, bright lights lighting up the sky, loud bustling music in the distance. The Winchester's estate were right around the corner. 

"Here we are Sir, the Winchester Estate in all its glory" 

Ah yes, there it stood, the proud tall monument of all modern luxury. Finally we pulled up to the main gate, with 3 guards and an escort waiting for us.

"Overseer David I presume? Welcome to the Solstice Ball! Right this way please." 

Just as we made headway, whistles rang loud. Turning to see what the commotion was, a man ran up. He had a ragged face, ripped clothes, soot covered face, and a set of eyes showing he'd seen what this dark nature truly does. He got on his knees by my feet and lapsed his gruff, calloused hands begging,