Song of the Night - Wild things

I am an old woman, yet I ride the power bikes across the Bridges just like the young ones do. For safety, I always traverse them between blocks.

In my youth, before the world crumbled into desolation, these Bridges were known as Highways. I remember those times—faint and fragmented memories of an easier life. The desolation brought hardship, transforming the world around us. Gone are the days of monsters from sci-fi tales; now, our threats are wild creatures—dogs, coyotes, mountain cats, and bears. The real monsters, however, are the violent people who lurk in the high buildings, occasionally menacing us from afar.

The Bridges are our lifelines, connecting the blocks—what used to be neighborhoods—with their single protected tracks. To keep them safe, razor wire lines the access points. While effective against wild animals, it's less so against those from the lowlands. Patrols constantly repair breaches in the wire, but danger remains.

As a messenger in the south Block, I travel to the west Block and Elysian. Radios, like many other luxuries from my youth, were wiped out by EMPs. Yet, we've managed to scavenge and create power bikes powered by small engines and solar panels.

Nighttime travel is discouraged due to the eerie howls of coyotes and other wild creatures. Only the brave—or the patrolling Bridges guards—venture out after dark.

From my three-level dwelling in the south block, I can glimpse the reclaimed wilderness of the lowlands. Amidst the greenery, the remnants of our once-busy roads and footpaths peek through. How I wish I'd been there on that final day, not lost in trivialities. Had we been more observant, perhaps we could have been better prepared for the world that awaited us.

One evening, while riding through the treacherous stretch of Bridges, an unexpected eclipse darkened the sky. The world transformed into an abyss, and the eerie symphony of wild howls filled the air. The predators became more brazen, their cries echoing ominously.

Amidst this cacophony, a mountain cat got entangled in the razor wire, its pained screams echoing my fear. As I raced away, the cat broke free, its pursuit relentless. With the eclipse waning, I spotted the lamp marking Dino's makeshift camp. Dino, ever the hospitable soul, always had a warm meal and his home-brewed concoction ready for messengers like me.

The mountain cat's relentless pursuit drove me to Dino's doorstep. He hurriedly retreated to the safety of his truck cab as I sped past. The cat's claws grazed my tire, intensifying its pursuit. Ahead, the gate to Elysian Block came into view, with Mayor Quinn Locke and his men ready to assist.

With a final burst of speed, I made it through the gates just as the cat lunged at me. The relief was short-lived as I lost control of my bike, crashing to the ground. Dazed, I lay there, hearing the cat's dying screams and witnessing its fading eyes—instincts leading it astray in our changed world.

Mayor Locke approached, his concern evident. Helping me to my feet, he asked about my well-being. After a brief exchange, we walked down the turnoff.

Mayor Locke reached out and gripped my wrist, I gripped his and he pulled me to my feet.

I dusted myself off, grabbed my messenger bag and we walked down the turn off, “What did you think of the eclipse?” he asked me.

I barked a short laugh, “Can’t say I’m a fan.”

Despite the dangers, despite the desolation, this isn't the day that will stop me. I am a survivor, and I'll continue to ride, delivering messages between blocks, navigating the challenges of a world forever changed.