Heart-shaped Hope

Starling scurried along the wall of a derelict building. Remnant of a civilization long forgotten. She had to be quiet. Her survival depended on it. 'Quiet as a mouse' her mother always told her.

Being alone at such a young age she had to learn how to survive by watching creatures, mice, squirrels...mostly rodents. She would mimic their movements. She wrapped her feet and hands in cloth to soften the sound. She learnt how to scavenge and forage for food, nuts, berries. She packed it away like a squirrel and hid them in her nest. A small corner of a building high above the city. Well for her is was high. She moved like a cat leaping across broken staircases, but she never made a sound.

Starling was almost ready for her journey. She had stored up enough food to make the long, treacherous trek, through the burning forest. She always wondered why it was called the burning forest. It wasn't on fire after all. The trees were black as ash, maybe at one point they were.

That didn't matter. What mattered to her was the message she heard. It played on what was called a radio she thinks. The voice spoke of a safe haven. A place where people lived in peace. Food and fresh water for everyone. A new beginning. Long before her parents were taken from her, they had planned to make this journey.

Starling squeezed her eyes tight, the thought of that night where she lost her parents was too much. If she began to cry, she would make noise.

Those things would come for her.

She curled up in her corner wrapping her tatted cloak around herself. Trying to remain calm. Red light peaked in through the hole in the roof, warming her face. It was almost nightfall. She fumbled around the nape of her neck and pulled out her locket. A heart-shaped locket she found one day while scavenging. It soothed her. She would caress the object in her hand. It was warm to the touch, always warm. This little object was her only joy in this world. She opened it up to reveal a picture inside. A beautiful family was there. Smiling and holding each other. She loved to look at this picture, it was like looking into the past. A time she never knew existed. She wondered who they were. What kind of life they lived. The picture gave her hope. She held it close to her heart. 'One day I will be this happy' She thought. She poured her emotions into this locket. Never letting herself cry aloud. She let it take her pain. She held it tight until it hurt her hand.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with brilliant colors, Starling knew she had to rest. At the break of dawn she would start her journey. Starling pulled out her bedroll and made herself comfortable, well as comfortable as she could be. She desperately wanted a fire tonight, the warmth would help her sleep. She couldn't risk it, not tonight. She let out a sigh and wrapped herself tight in her cloak.

Starling began to drift off, when she heard a sound. Faintly at first but steadily getting louder as it got closer. The roar of an engine began to echo down the empty streets. 'Not tonight, don't let them find me' Starling got up and peeked out her window. The vehicle stopped just outside the building she was in.

Four figures got out. They were humanoid in appearance, but that was the only resemblance they had. Melted skin, dagger like teeth, these things were like something out of a nightmare.

"I'm bleeding starving." One of the creatures said, the smaller of the four.

"Then go find something to eat, and if you bring me back rats again I'll eat your flesh instead." The largest of the group shoved the other three to get going.

Starling was frozen in terror. 'They can't find me, not when I'm so close.' She didn't know what to do. Should she say put and wait for them to pass. Or run now, leaving all her supplies behind. She looked back at her things, trying to decide. Suddenly a pigeon flew through her room stirring up dust. She was startled so much she breathed in deep.

"Achoo." Starling could not help but let out a sneeze. Sudden silence filled the area while terror filled her heart. A roar from below howled form the four creatures.

"Find the fleshling, we feast tonight." Shouted the leader.

Starling ran leaving everything behind. She had to get to the other side of the building before they could find her. She leapt from the staircase connecting her room to the other side of the building. She didn't try to be quiet like before. She had to run, these creatures were fast. Too fast. She slipped on her landing knocking rock down below.

"I see it, Up there." Shouted the creature. They gave chase climbing the wall like spiders. They wasted no time and scaled the building with ease.

Starling scrambled to get up and make it to the other side. She was too late. The creatures were already there. The little one tackled her, holding her down. Drool dripped from his mouth. Starling struggled but the creature was too strong.

"What have we here." Said the leader. "This one is nothing but skin and bones." looking her up and down. "But it will have to do." The leader knocked the little one off her. "I get first bite."

Starling got to her feet. The four creatures had her surrounded. Nowhere to run. She pulled out her locket and gripped it in her hand, trembling.

The leader laughed. "What is this now, you think that peace of shiny will save you?" All four began to howl with laughter. "They always like to beg for their life don't they. There is no one to save you now. Your flesh is ours to devour." The leader opened his mouth to reveal razor sharp teeth.

Starling gripped the locket tight she would not give up hope, even when she was faced with death.

The creature stepped closer ready to devour her.

A sudden burst of light emanated from the locket. Blinding light. The four creatures screamed in agony as the light turned them to dust.

Starling stood in awe at what just happened. The locket for the first time was cold to the touch. It had saved her. She waisted no time and gathered her supplies. She was leaving now. She safely made her way out of the building. Trying not to think about how she almost died.

What had just happened. She tried to rationalize it. The locket had protected her somehow. When she knew she was a safe distance away she stopped and pulled out the locket. It looked dulled, not as shiny as it once was. It remained cool to the touch. She opened it up and looked at the picture inside. The family was still there, smiling like always.

"You saved me." She said as a tear streamed down her face. She held it close to her heart and it suddenly felt warm again. She pulled it away to see it glow faintly with soft light. Whatever was happening she knew as long as she had this locket, as long as she kept hope alive. It would protect her.

As the sun finally began to slip beneath the sky, leaving the world cast in shadows. The faint glow of the locket shone in Starling's hands. Staring at the beautiful family in the picture she made a promise.

"As you have given me hope for this life, I will do the same. I will not stop until your light has shone through the darkness of this world. Together we will give this world hope."

The End