Upon The Grey Gates

There was little question in Benjamin's mind that he was walking into a situation that he had never before encountered. This wasn't a mere disaster struck area. This was a far worse fate. What he was to come face to face with was those who had all their hopes and dreams wrenched from them. These people had been spat on, kicked while they were down, and told to suffer for the crime of merely having lived. In a world where food was such a valuable commodity such people were left with no other options but to either despair, or succumb to the worst in humanity. After all, even if you were hurting others, destroying them, it was for you and your family. The ties of community would no doubt be stretched to the point that they tear completely.

At the end of the day the people focused on the survival of their family. When any of us find ourselves pressed against the wall we turn to those who share our heritage, our values, our blood. In a world where life is not guaranteed all bets are off. This was the world that Benjamin now had to enter. To walk into the broken homes and dreams of these people and not be consumed in that same wave of desperation. In many ways this was about coldly turning a blind eye to them and their immediate plights. All so that they could eventually receive the aid that they need without forcing them to forsake their fellow man. A balance weighed on the edge of a blade that with one misstep would cause it all to fall apart.

Yet another sigh crept from his lips as he prepared his newly received truck for the ride into the city to get the most recent state of events. He looked back at the caravan that was now parked in this abandoned storage warehouse on the outskirts of Solitude. This location had been provided to them by one of the contacts that he was to meet with shortly. It was the perfect hiding spot for the figurative gold they were transporting. It was a nondescript building that fell into disrepair shortly after food shortage had started as it was once a storehouse for the many food processing plants that made up much of the industry of this town.

Benjamin had to put his own thoughts in order and simply soldier through this. No matter what the situation may be, anyone who has a conscious would find themselves at a loss in the face of such tragedy. He merely needed to do what little he could about it and pray that would be enough to at least somewhat alleviate the suffering here. Mustering up the focus and determination he hopped into the silver pick-up truck and closed the door. With one final look into the mirror as he adjusted it he started the engine. The time had come to pass through the grey gates of lost hope.

The road spilled out before him like a winding river. The asphalt was brittle and cracked with large chunks missing throughout various lanes. There were constant breaks in the lines of pavement constantly rocking the truck forcing it to sway from one side to the other. These were choppy waters that he now drove down.

Slowly with the passing of mile markers stray lamp posts began to pass by. Their numbers increased welcoming in those who approached, or would have if any of them were still functioning. Instead, they only left an ominous air about them and the path that lay ahead. Soon after the stagnant procession of lifeless street lamps the road rose from the ground into the air. Upon the crest of this hill the view slowly opened to the view of the various building dotting the landscape ahead. 

The buildings rose to all sorts of heights and shapes creating a jagged outline that spread out in all directions. The road split into many different separate routes circling through or around the city in a web of veins. Indeed, this was the artery in which traffic and goods once flowed so freely.

It wasn't long before Benjamin drove over the top of the outskirts of the city. He was given a wonderful view of what was spread out below. Only it would have been a lovely view if not for the massive encampments that soon started to speck the greenery and isolated sections of the underpasses. As he grew closer to the center of the city the worse it would become. At least some of the outlying camps seemed to have some life about them. These however seemed to have a whole other atmosphere to them. Lifelessness, despondence, and clearly those suffering from illness all compounded upon itself.

Most notable of all of this was the clear lack of any confrontations or conflict breaking out in these tent cities. It was clear just how agitated the populace of these areas were but it wasn't being directed at one another. It was a curious sight to behold and it didn't sit well with Benjamin either. Something was either in motion or was beginning in this city. The only question then remained now as he turned to take his exit moving further into the heart of the city was what. He had always had a good nose for danger. And right now, this whole city reeked of it.