Zen's War: Captivity
Chapter 5: The Blind Leading the Blind

There had once been a place called America. It had been a place of freedom and opportunity. Hector had long heard stories about it. While sitting around the campfire Zen would tell stories of what sounded like a paradise. Food and water were both plentiful. Almost everyone had some kind of structure to live in. There were machines of all kinds. When someone got sick or hurt vehicles called ambulances would whisk the ailing person away. The person would then be taken to a vast building complex, where they would be cared for by people called doctors.

Water, the most essential element of life, was at a bare minimum. Due to the scarcity of water, it had become a luxury. Whoever had access to the most drinkable water has the most power. It was possible to attain godlike status by controlling the water supply, and many did. There was no longer a monetary system; the population had reverted back to bartering. People were willing to trade their own children for freshwater.

Zen and Aurora had decided the best course of action was to first renew their water supply. When this had been accomplished they would begin to search for Sahara. The most likely scenario was that she had been abducted. Many children as well as adults were forced into slavery. However, slavery is not without benefits. More often than not food and water is provided for them. Though their portions may be meager, they were better than the alternative.

They had all jointly decided to start for the main road to see if there was any sign of Sahara. Zen took up the lead with Aurora at his side. Hector and Derek followed close behind. They were responsible as always for carrying the supplies. Hector had a large black military backpack with a place on top for a sleeping bag. Within the main compartment of the backpack there was room for one of their two tents, once it had been folded up. Derek carried the rest of the supplies in another backpack slightly smaller than Hector’s, but with ample room for the other tent.

As the four of them reached the bottom of the hill they came upon one of the many abandoned houses that dotted the area. This particular house like most of them was run down and dilapidated. If there was still a state or federal government it would have been condemned. It was a stucco over brick building. The house had been white at one time. Most of the stucco was now missing revealing the orange bricks beneath. As they passed the house they noticed the front door was missing revealing the darkness within. Almost every window was shattered or broken. The front yard was overgrown with weeds and dry grass. Some of the weeds were waist high. A saguaro that was about six feet tall lay on its side across the driveway, forcing them to step over it. It was almost invisible under the tall weeds.

As they were walking through the tall weeds they struggled to keep their footing. Derek could not see directly in front of him. He accidentally tripped over the cactus just as Hector who was directly in front of him told him to watch his step. Zen and Aurora were already far ahead. Aurora stopped dead in her tracks when she heard a loud thud and clatter. Zen who was a couple feet in front of her stopped and quickly turned towards her.

“Did you hear that?”Aurora asked Zen, squinting as the sun peeked through the clouds. They were not clouds as much as a yellow haze. The backdrop was a blood red sun. The sunset would really be spectacular this evening.

“Did I hear what?” Zen asked in bewilderment. Just then he wondered where Derek and Hector had disappeared to. Zen looked to the forest of weeds, which was where Aurora was looking.

“Guys quit messing around, let’s go. We have to get water and try and find your sister,” Aurora yelled at the top of her lungs.

Meanwhile Derek had a mouth full of dirt in his mouth. Dozens of the saguaro’s needles had penetrated both of his legs from the knees down. Hector then took the heavy backpack off of Derek. Hector put the backpack down and proceeded to help Derek up. Once Derek got up to a standing position, he spit out a mixture of dirt and blood. His legs stung and his pants were torn. Derek was angrier at himself, than at anyone else. Due to the fact they were out of water, he would be stuck with the aftertaste of blood and dirt in his mouth. The many cactus needles embedded in his skin, he would have to deal with later.

“I told you to watch your step, shake it off, let’s get going,” was Hector’s reply. Hector had always been a pillar of strength. Derek was also strong, just not in a physical way. Derek was someone who could think logistically. He was the one who kept track of supplies, and was the first to know when materials were lacking.

After Derek had gotten up and righted himself, Hector helped him secure his backpack in place. Resuming their trek through the jungle of weeds, they finally emerged from it.

“Nice of you to finally join us,” Aurora said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry, I was just enjoying the sweet taste of dirt,” Derek said, returning Aurora’s note of sarcasm.

“Cut the crap,” Zen said, glaring at Derek. “We need to hurry, it will be nightfall soon. Then we will have to wait until tomorrow, before we even start looking for Sahara.”

Night was especially dangerous. That was when the Nocturnes came out. The Nocturnes were a tribe of cannibals. They sharpened their teeth to more easily tear through flesh. Like itself many native tribes, for them cannibalism was a tradition. Through the ingestion of human flesh, they believed they were gaining the power of their victims, both spiritually and physically.

“Don’t you think we should check inside this house to see if there’s any sign of Sahara,” Hector said, pointing in the direction of the once luxurious home.

“What makes you think she went there?” Derek asked inquisitively.

“What makes you think she didn’t? You know how impulsive she can be,” Hector added.

Zen and Aurora did not say a word. They knew their opinion of the situation meant little. Whenever Hector made up his mind to do something, he did it, no matter what the consequences of his actions were. Hector was impulsive also, but more than that he was stubborn. Even if he was wrong he would never admit it. He knew he had inherited this trait of his personality from his father. Hector then turned around and started back towards the house.

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