King Nothing

It took King Nothing several more years to catch on to the fact that money once so adored was utterly worthless and he was no more the stuff of kings than his large armchair. The fool did not get that the world had moved on leaving him behind. It took a little over ten years for things to boil over into open fighting. The unit he had hired to do the dirty work fell into infighting. It was the same old sad story; loyalists versus those ready to move on. In the bitter end the douche bag supposedly became a meal for a few starving slaves. That was the roomer anyway. By this time, Miriam was gone and there was no reason for me to stay any more. Smitty had taught me how to go topside on my own. One night with little real planning and preparation, I slipped away into the never-ending frozen night. I would never be such a slave again. My mind was made up; it was time to go. I became a slave of a different sort, a slave of survival.  The name they gave me was from a past never too return, Gavin. I changed my name to Pick, like Pick Axe. There are not enough people around to bother with first and last names anymore and I’ve long forgotten the last name of my parents. But people still gather. I was determined to find out where. 

I stole just enough food to get me a day or two away from the mine, the only home I had ever known. I had herd Miriam and others speak of great cities still flourishing out there keeping the dark at bay with electric lights. Lucky for me, I did not know the awful truth. That came in time. I followed the valley for three long freezing days. The fear of being recaptured, tortured and executed kept me going long past when my food and water ran out. I collapsed under a dark gray sky. Only a bright spot occupied where the sun would have been in another time. My freedom had been brief but worth it, I thought. I succumbed to the darkness for what I thought would be the last time. An angel with blue hair appeared before me. It had to be a dream. She slapped me hard across the face and I came to a little.

“You’re not dead. Here drink.”

The water she gave me was the best thing I have ever tasted in my life before or since. I sat up dizzy and confused.

“I’m Blue Raven and I seek what you seek.”

“What is that?” I asked unsure who or where I was.

“A home in freedom.” She had a confident smile.

“That’s what I’m doing alone out here in the middle of nowhere?”

“Yes but you are no longer alone. What's your name?"
"Pick."
 "Glad to meet you, Pick. There is an old city just a few hours walk from here. Can you walk? We need to find more food and shelter. Bad things come out at night.”

Despite the dark twilight, I could tell she was young, not much older than I was. Though her layers of clothes were thick I could also tell she was lean and strong. Blue Raven was not very tall. She did not need to be. I got to my feet a bit shaky but able to move. She put herself under my arm and we made our way to an old road.

“Eat this.” She said passing me an ancient discolored candy bar. I looked at her unsure.

“The boomers (a common name for the last generation that had destroyed the Earth) could make food that lasts forever. Besides, if I wanted to kill you, that would have been easy and I would now have more water. Eat.”

Despite the years, it tasted good. I soon found myself able to walk on my own.

“I’m glad you showed up. My planning skills suck. I would have been a goner for sure. Thanks. Just why have you saved me?” 

“Yeah, sure. Oh I don’t know, Pick. I have saved countless strays along the way. You looked like you needed saving and I was tired of talking to rocks that don’t talk back. I’ve heard given enough time they will but I’m afraid of what they might tell me.”  She sounded seriously worried.

“Thanks again. Let’s get to town.” I was glad to be still alive and with some company.