Casey’s Run

Sneakers pounding on pavement and their own harsh breathing was all Casey could hear as they darted between back alleys. They knew that they had been seen, and it only took a few minutes for The Rozzers to respond to a theft, especially if it was an outsider like Casey. The Elites didn’t care about what was being taken from them, just that what they had stolen from the people was being taken back. Casey didn’t regret it though, because being shot and killed was better than starving to death anyway, in their opinion. They had seen what wasting away does to people, what it did to their mom. The weight of the canned food in their backpack meant little if they could stave off the hunger for just a few more days.

They couldn’t hear sirens or dogs barking yet, but that didn’t mean they were safe. They tried to squash the glimmer of hope blooming in their chest as they pushed on, trying to make it back to their safe house. They didn’t have to try too hard though, because soon enough their foot caught on part of a chain link fence, sending them tumbling. They felt a crack as their head bounced off the concrete, and heard a rip as their pants leg ripped open.

They looked down and tried to keep their composure as they stared at the gash running up their calf, dripping blood steadily onto the sidewalk below them. Bile started rising in the back of their throat as they felt themself start to panic. They swallowed it down and checked to make sure the food was okay. They sighed softly as they found everything intact, but still had their leg to deal with.

Casey looked through their bag for anything that may have been useful. They had a safety pin, but that was about it. They cursed themself for emptying the bag completely before the run, just so they could grab more food. Casey knew they needed to close this wound somehow, and it was bleeding too much to just wrap up in cloth. They pulled off their shirt anyway, looking for any loose thread or something, to no avail. They huffed and wracked their starving brain for anything they could use, patting themself down. They found a lighter in their pocket and set it aside next to the safety pin. They just needed something to thread the wound closed…

They suddenly remembered a movie Scene they had seen once when they were younger… a woman was stranded on a rock in the water, and had to close a gash like this using… They gasped as they realized what could be done. They reached up to their neck and quickly pulled off the golden, heart shaped locket they always wore. It was the last thing they had of their mom. They put the locket up to their lips and closed their eyes, hoping their mom could help them one last time. Putting the locket in their pocket, they took the gold chain and held it up to the moonlight. It was thin, so they hoped it would help them.

They looked at their tools and quickly, but meticulously, sterilized the sharp end of the safety pin and the chain with the flame. They looked down at their leg, which was now shaking slightly from the pain. They looked away for a moment so as to not get sick just from the sight, but knew it was useless. They took a deep breath and looked back at the gash, taking the pin in their trembling hand.

Dark red blood steadily oozed from the deep cut, tinging the air with a metallic and rancid aroma. Their flesh was jaggedly cut and pink, the pieces of torn skin and muscle jutting out like pieces of a mixed jigsaw puzzle. It was now or never. They bit down on the fabric of their discarded shirt and took a deep breath, stabbing the skin on their calf quickly before threading the chain through the new hole. They screamed into the gag and felt fresh tears prick their eyes as the rough chain dragged through the raw flesh and their exposed tissue. Casey panted as they repeated the process a few more times, pulling the wound closed slowly.

They gently rested the pin on their non-injured leg and took a small break to sob quietly. The pain was nothing they had ever experienced, but it was still overshadowed by the fact that they were on the run from The Rozzers. They were starting to feel dizzy, their empty stomach turning in knots, trying to find something to throw up. They leaned over and dry heaved for a few moments, bile mixing with blood and tears on their face. The world was spinning as they sat up and closed their eyes, leaning on the brick wall behind them. They startled as they heard sirens in the distance. “Rozzers…” they mumbled.

Casey took another deep breath and put the fabric back in their mouth, bracing themself for more self surgery. They repeated the process of stabbing and threading the chain through their bleeding flesh until it was as closed as they could get it. They took the shirt from their mouth and ripped off a few strips, wrapping their leg tightly.

They stood slowly, with aid of the wall, and grabbed their bag. It felt like it weighed five times more now, but they still had to move. They were so close to being safe. If they could power through for just a little longer they would be in the clear. Their leg throbbed with every wobbling step they took, causing them to grit their teeth.

They slipped their hand in their pocket to worry the locket with their thumb, taking a deep breath before starting to pick up pace, slowly making their way back to a jog. The clanking of the tin cans in their backpack was almost too loud, but they still heard sirens and dogs approaching. The panic set in once more as they broke out in a sprint, adrenaline making it so they couldn’t feel their shredded leg throb under the fabric that was already starting to become blood soaked.

Casey remembered when they were younger, and they didn’t need to scavenge and steal to eat. They remembered before The Rozzers were invented, and their vicious hounds. Things weren’t always life or death. Things were never great growing up, but they weren’t anywhere near as bad as they were now. Now only the immensely wealthy could afford to survive. Casey remembered when the walls were built, and all the rich people gathered in their little community and built terrible bots to keep everyone else out. They shut their doors and never opened them again, planning on creating their own perfect world, and leaving out anyone who was “undesirable”. Casey had spent most of their life in a village that was hidden from The Elites, off the power grid The Elites lived off of. A harsh winter had left them with almost no food though, and forced their village to resort to sending people into The Elites community to steal from them.

Casey would be the first person to return from a mission into the community, if they could make it. They were so close, and determined to not let their people down. Relief flooded them as their exit came into view. They were thankful that months ago, one of their people found a small hole in the wall, thus finding a way into The Elites’ coveted community.

They took their backpack off and shoved it through the hole harshly, giving it a few good shoves to squeeze it through. They looked over their shoulder and saw the Rozzer’s dogs hot on their tail. Casey smirked a little and threw themself through the hole, tumbling out into the grass on the other side.

Panting, they dragged their worn and tired body to the closest tree and leaned on it, shutting their eyes as they listened to the commotion on the other side of the wall. The power grid that controlled The Elite’s bots stopped right at that wall, so Casey let out a sigh of relief that they were finally out of danger. Well, mostly. They looked down and pressed a hand gently to the fabric on their leg, frowning when it came back bloody.

Once the initial adrenaline rush had worn off, Casey realized they started to feel light headed and woozy. The world felt like it was spinning, and they felt themself sweating, even though they felt cold as ice. They tried to pick up their bag, but it was suddenly too heavy for them. Their body felt weak and tired. Even their hunger pains were gone. They wondered if this is what dying felt like. At least it was peaceful.

They closed their eyes as they slumped against the tree behind them, finally feeling defeated. They barely roused when they felt someone pick them up, but opened their eyes again. They saw torches and barely recognized familiar faces as they were brought back to their village. They smiled weakly, letting their eyes close as they slipped back into the void.