Worth Saving Read Free Page A

taken my share of deer, this was different. Seeing such violence inside the city made me uncomfortable. For the thousandth time I desperately wished I had a gun. A bow, even a professional compound bow like the one dad had left me was great for hunting, but I’d need a machine gun if I ever got cornered by a large pack of wild dogs.
    Living was easier at the beginning, as long as you didn’t mind the over powering stink when going into some a dead person’s house to retrieve their food. Now, after five years, the easily found stuff was running out or had already spoilt.  I could survive in the mountains on my own, - barely, but it was close and wasn’t much fun and only a small step up from the dogs below.
    Tearing my gaze away, I returned to scanning the city. The cathedral sat catty corner from my library overlooking the park and the river. Several places on both sides of the river had been turned into blackened rubble. There hadn’t been anybody to put the fires out. Still other buildings had smashed windows and doors hanging open on their broken hinges. Most of the city looked normal, only abandoned, As if someone had vacuumed up all the people and left everything else untouched.
    An eagle cruised above the building behind me. Suddenly a pair of crows flew up to harass the bigger bird. They acted like fighter jets attacking a lumbering bomber. They’d swoop in from above and then dart out of the way before getting too close. Cawing and raising all kind of hell the whole time. The eagle tried to ignore them, probably frustrated out of his mind. Deciding he’d had enough he turned and slowly left the area. He must have traveled a good mile before the smaller black birds left him alone.
    Smiling to myself I returned to searching the city. I tried to come here at least once a day. It was definitely the best vantage point. Automatically I looked at the last place I’d seen her, what I called “Her building”. I tried to scan the rest of the city but my eyes kept being pulled back to that spot.
    Only after a long time could I force them away.  I slowly searched each street and the park. Gasping with shock as I grabbed the ledge for balance. Smoke rose inside the park, a long column stretching into the ski. A campfire at the far end. How had I missed that? A fire meant someone wasn’t afraid, someone willing to be found. My heart racing once again I ran down the stairs and into the park.
    I’d gone a few feet into the trees of the park before I froze, slow down Kris, I thought. Just because they’re willing to be found, doesn’t mean that all the dangerous beasties have disappeared. Putting my head on a swivel, looking everywhere, I notched an arrow and slowly made my way forward, crouching and constantly scanning everything around me.
    The acrid smell of charred wood tickled my nose long before I saw anything. Slowly I approached the edge of the tree line, being careful not to scare anyone away. If the last time had been any indication, people around here didn’t like strangers. I stopped at the edge, being sure to remain hidden.
    Three wagons, the type with big wooden wheels, were arranged in a loose triangle, six horses were picketed not far away tearing at the luscious green grass of the park.
    Weren’t these people scared of the dog packs? I wondered. Or did they not know about them? Maybe they were from outside of the city. Maybe they weren’t afraid of strangers. I had to fight to keep my heart from jumping out of my body.  Still I didn’t move, I’d spent too many years being cautious to throw away good habits now. I could hear my father whispering in my ear. “Patience Kris. Nothing was ever accomplished by rushing.” And “Slow and steady wins the race every time.” I wished my dad was here now, he’d know what to do.
    Shaking off the maudlin thoughts, I made my way to the right, hoping to get a better look into the campsite. I’d traveled about ten feet when I caught site of a man squatting