Sitting on the rocky 4,500 foot tall cliff, breath taken by the lights of the now far away city. It was impossible to not fixate on the view, though I’ve been ostracized by the raider- including a number of other city people. The raiders were changing the city I once knew, though something’s never change like the lights of the city.

It was truly a breathtaking sight to see, especially in the night time. Those very lights reflected the lives that were lost the day of the raid. I lost my family that day, it makes a full year today. A year since I lost everything and was forced to fend for myself.

Those cold nights, thinking about sneaking back into the city street to see what’s left of it. The other vagrants, have mentioned how impossible it would be to even step foot near the city, as they have built boarders and will kill vagrants on site.

The government hasn’t done anything since the capital was destroyed by technology of the raiders, we were all helpless. I was helpless, and I’ve been carried this guilt since the day I witnessed the death of my family… my poor little baby sister, dying at the merciless hands of raiders. I was coward enough to run away, my own fears led me into the mountains. Leaving behind the city I once knew, forcing me to watch from the distance.

I wish I was stronger, that way I could’ve saved them, protected them.

My body stiffened as I hear sound boots against the rubble. I swiftly stand up away from the edge of the mountains cliff, holding my Bo staff close. I couldn’t see who it was in this darkness, I remained on defense.

“Who’s there!” I call out, my eyes fixating on the dark silhouette as they took steps forward.

Their menacing dark chuckle rumbles through the night, “what are you going to do kid?” My palms began to sweat. I’ve never had to attack someone but I wasn’t going to die, not like this. I had to be strong enough to carry the guilt of my family, I couldn’t be a coward anymore.

“I- I’m going to kill you.” My grip tightened around the staff as he steps closer with rifle in his hands. He was a raider, no vagrant would carry a weapon like that.

The man chuckles once more, “look kid, come with me willingly before I have to use force.”

I strike his torso with the staff, causing him stumble backwards. “No!” I rebelled, and took this opportunity to step forward and strike him again but he catches the staff with his hand. My eyes widen and my breath hitches.

“Little brat.” He roars, his free swinging the rifle against my head. I fall to the rocky ground, my ears ringing as my vision blurs. I groan as turn to the side with my head pounding.

I try to stand up but was kicked down, I curl into a ball as I felt my lungs burn. I couldn’t breathe, my head dropped to rigid cliff. The sight of the cities light blurred, it was that thing I seen before closing my eyes.

So much for being strong, I couldn’t even protect myself.

It was truly breathtaking, the city.