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The Story:
They were supposed to be housing developments, pointless attempts at relieving the overpopulation crisis. But the wars took care of that problem in just a few years. Now, the rows of cracked pavement are all that’s left of a problem we can only wish still existed.
I stand under the only solar powered light that hasn’t died yet. My rendezvous with Perry always occurs at this spot but at random times and intervals. Otherwise, taker scouts might follow us.
There’s no headlight, but I hear a whining engine coming towards me. A solid black dirt bike pulls up to me with Perry straddling it.
“Perry.”
“Whitney. It’s good to see you.”
“What did you find?”
He smiles, which is something he rarely ever does. We don’t have much to smile about.
“Something amazing. You’re gonna love this.”
He opens the pouch hanging on the side of his bike and pulls out an object. Unfolding his fist, I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“Are those…”
“Uh huh. Grapes.”
The ground needs to be fertile to grow crops. We’ve been straining out what little we could get from the frozen earth during the short spring weather, before the cold sweeps us away again. Truth be told, our community is starving. All of us.
“Whitney, we could make it. We could all go there together. We are few enough to mobilize, but our numbers are impressive, too. We just have to…”
“Wait, our numbers?”
He must have found a dreamland to suggest we all move there, but our numbers are irrelevant, unless…
“It’s occupied, isn’t it?”
“Whitney, we can take them.”
“No.”
“If you would just…”
“No, Perry! We won’t become takers!”
We’ve been through this argument before. However, starvation was not standing on our doorstep, as it is now. Who am I kidding—starvation has taken up residence in our kitchen.
“We’re dying. At least let me take you there. See the land for yourself before making a decision.”
Going for a look would just take time, and the long winter has come back. We’re out of time.
“No. Help me get everyone mobilized. Once we’re moving, you can tell me about their defenses.”
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