The Broken Locket

The moon glistened brightly in the clear sky. The soil beneath wore a thick blanket of fog. A harmonious shade of white, blue and black dressed the atmosphere.

The radio signal there was almost non-existent leaving a couple of survivors stranded in a school.

"Fuck! My phone just can't receive signals anymore!"

He stubbed his toe while walking around the tables on which the chairs were arranged inverted. "Fuuuuuck!"

"Stop trying. The dragons floating in the sky disrupt the radio signal. You won't find any here." The voice came from the person who arranged three chairs together and laid on it.

"So it was true that dragon skins are capable of blocking radio waves."

"Don't you people think we've escaped from one hell to another?"

"No. This place is safer since those rotten bags won't gather here for the dragons. It'll be fine as long as we stay hidden."

Freezing wind rushed in through the gaps of the window, piercing into their dry skins and making them shiver.

"I'll go look for something to start a fire." She stood up. "Anyone wants to tag along with me?"

"We'll be coming along."

Three people headed together to look for some firewood and kerosene.

"Heyyyy! Sved! Hilda!" A distant voice yelled out the two names as it got closer. He halted in front of the people to whom the names belonged and heaved.

"Did you find something?"

"I've heard gunshots!"

Their eyes widened, jaws dropped, one even pulled in a quick gasp. It was as if they were told that the world reverted back to normal.

"Seriously!" Exclaimed Dolto, the one who searched for network in his phone.

"How is this possible?! We've searched every nook and cranny of the town for ammos! In the end we guessed that the people who provided us with guns stopped supplying ammos!"

"Where did you hear them from?!" Sved sat upright on the chairs.

Zach replied, "This dawn i witnessed some people fighting a horde of undeads and a dragon. They used guns as if they owned a bullet manufacturing company. So I followed them to their hideout and discovered it was just near us, under the ground.."

"Did they get ammos directly from the supplier?"

"Isn't it great?" Said Hilda. "There's a survivor's hideout just nearby. They have ammo and most probably food too. I suggest we should go and join them as well."

Sved protested her idea. "No. Something feels amiss here, Hilda. Why'd the supplier only support them?"

"Probably because they take in survivors."

All their gazes averted at Zach who looked dumbfounded.

"Did you go inside?"

"No. I only peeked down the pit. The inside was clamouring. They must've taken in any people they found. I guessed the suppliers prioritized them over us, a couple of college students."

"Then if we go and ask them for help.." Dolto tilted his head away from the moonlight. "Won't we be treated inferior."

Sved agreed to his statement, adding that, "Right. You can't make me believe that there won't be a superiority of the people who scavenge in that place. I'm plenty sure the rest of the survivors are just treated like extras."

"Those survivors must be thinking of those scums like saviours when they are only pretending their righteousness."

Hilda leaned forward, under the moonlight that shone on her face from the top. "Then what should we do? Do you plan on dying?"

Zach dropped on his butt, settling comfortably on the floor. "I'm telling you. We managed to survive six months somehow. But with more passing time, the situation gets worse. We can't be picky under such circumstances, Sved."

"I'd rather die than be treated inferior."

The rest three sighed in unison. They were in a state where they couldn't agree with Sved, but weren't willing to deny either.

"Guys! We found some equipments to light fire…" her excitement faded upon a glance on their faces. "What did we miss here?"

Today marks the end of my first week in this devastated world.

Fein rubbed the half hearted locket in between his fingers.

There's still no sign of Rene. I'm doubtful if she's even in this country. How am i supposed to look for her?!

"Good morning! Fein."

"Kuina?"

The dainty little girl sat beside him leaning against the wall. "I've saved some food for you."

"Thanks. I very much appreciate it."

She giggled. "Why don't you drop speaking formally?" Her lips pursed. "It makes us feel distant."

Who are you even to me?

Fein glanced down at her head. "I'll try."

"Sayyyy…. I've seen you fiddling with your necklace before too. Do you mind if i ask why is it broken?" Her eyes stared at the half broken locket that looked very much comfortable in Fein's palm.

His sights shifted at his golden locket.

He recalled his childhood. One of his painful memories.

On their seventh birthday, Fein first realised he wasn't really needed in that house. He witnessed his parents singing happy birthday song to his twin older sister Rene and even gave her a present. Their hands were empty for him. All that they did for him was allow him to cut the cake along with his sister.

They did not wish me happy birthday. They didn't buy me present. Did they forget i share the same birthday with Rene?

Fein pondered and pondered. His young mind couldn't find an answer to his parents negligence. He started to hate them.

I wish i had a different birthday! I hate them! They forgot about me!

He shut himself and cried a lot. He was still young and it was the most unfair thing done to him.

Why do they favour Rene more when we're the same?! What makes her so special than me? I hate her! I hate everyone! I wish Rene wasn't born along with me!

After his rage calmed down he opened the door and found his sister sitting beside it. In her hand she held a necklace. The imitation gold locket of a heart was broken in half. Upon seeing Fein she stood up and extended her fist.

"Here! Lo is for you and Ve is for me!" She smiled so brightly that Fein was almost blinded. His face was reddened with guilt and self criticism.

Rene noticed the discrimination between them and decided to divide her present with her brother.

It was that day when Fein realised he was wrong. It might've been the last present for them but it was his greatest.

"It originally belonged to my sister. She broke it in half and gave it to me because i got no presents."

"You must really treasure it."

"Yeah." He put the locket inside his t shirt.

"Is she dead? Your sister i mean?"

Fein's voice got lower. "I don't know."

Kui gasped. "I'm so sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" He looked at Kuina hugging her feet and swaying.

"I mean.. it must be more painful not knowing where your family is or how they are doing. It always keep you on edge, doesn't it?"

Her glances stared at somewhere so distant that Fein couldn't locate. "What about your family? Where are they?"

Kuina stopped swaying and slowly tilted her head at Fein. "They've all died. And i had to burry them."

Fein was taken aback. He had never seen such an expression where the lips grinned and the eyes were filled with terror.

Just what did she go through to make this expression?!