It day 22! Day 30 is closer than we think. Thanks for sticking with me so far. This prompt is probably the most challenging one so far, but I’m going to knock it out the best I can.
Today’s prompt: Write a story about a road trip taking place 300 years from now.
Enjoy!
The US government had completely shut down society as we knew it 100 years ago.
What happened was always called a conspiracy theory, but they knew. They knew exactly when and how this country would collapse. In 2090, the rumors started online. Like any other conspiracy, it was denied and swept under the rug, however, this one differed from the usual. Why? Because people were willing to die over this truth that they claimed. For years, they publicly defended their theory to the point they fought the government. Although some perished, they still, for years, pushed to show the truth.
“Tell the truth! Tell the truth about this planet!” they would yell during their demonstrations and protests.
The government felt pressured but in a society they control, they weren’t as worried as we thought. But in 2230, that’s when it happened. The theory was that in 130 years, the US would no longer be inhabitable. The rest of the world did things correctly to survive, but our arrogance and ignorance stopped us from succeeding. We scrambled at the ending. As the elite and “the powers that be” enjoyed their highly advanced technology, the people below them suffered. Over the years, they developed what they call a “Floating Society.” It was a replica of the United States hovering above the real United States, held up by massive pillars set in each state. It sounds like the plot of an alien takeover movie but it is our reality. Many of us have tried to infiltrate, but nobody — and I mean nobody — gets in there. However, it works both ways. Only select individuals are allowed to go below. Down here, we deal with carnage and mayhem daily. Finding food and water is an everyday struggle. Murder, rape, and every other heinous crime has skyrocketed.
The people above us refer to us as “Bottom Feeders. Very creative. We are what they consider inferior, whether it’s physically, mentally, intellectually, financially, etc. They created a standard which we couldn’t meet so we were left behind. The highways are the new battlefields. Anyone who dares to drive on them is always in for the fight of their lives. It makes Mad Maxx look like a fairytale. If you don’t prepare, the savages will steal your essentials and kill you if they feel like it. I’ve been lucky enough to survive each time I decide to drive (my military skills help out a lot). Today, in particular, is different. The savages aren’t out ravaging and killing like usual. There’s a rumor going around about a possible opening above, but it’s in Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Seeing that I am in Nebraska, I woke up extra early and started my road trip before anyone else. The roads were relatively clear until I broke the state line, arriving in Lingle, which is about 3 hours walking from the fort. Thousands of people flooded the highways in that area.
I can’t stop now; I’m too close. No matter what, I have to make it.
The traffic is at a standstill so I had no other choice but to get out and start that 3-hour walk. I grab all of my equipment and head towards my goal. On the road, the mayhem began. There are raids, fighting, shootings but I try my best to be unseen. As I walk, I keep my hand ready on my gun just in case someone decides to test me. Even though society had fallen for a while, it’s still shocking to witness. Nobody is safe. I still have nightmares about what they did to my wife and kids in front of me but no matter, I have to keep on and survive for them. Trekking through the bushes on the side of the highway was the best way to travel, or so I thought. I walked about 30 minutes until I ran into some savages — 4 of them.
I’m ready, though.
I’ve been through too much to let some vagabonds take me out. Not today. Not ever. I drop my backpack, grab my pistol and stand in the ready position. Their first mistake was crucial. All 4 of them stood in front of me. Now, I know where everyone is, plus, they only had machetes and sticks. Huge mistake. The first one lunges towards me but he drops quickly after I shoot him between the eyes. His cohorts look on in bewilderment for a moment before they rush towards me. I skillfully drop all three of them with one shot each. That ordeal ended quicker than I expected but I must move on. I have two and a half hours to go.
I can smell the finish line.
© Jormatic. All Rights Reserved.
Originally published at http://illthinker.wordpress.com on July 8, 2020.
