New Chicago

20 years ago the big one hit California, which caused immediate devastation and panic. The massive earthquake combined with previous years of rapidly rising sea levels caused the state to “sink” along with Oregon, the Northwestern coast of Mexico, and sections of Nevada and Arizona. This drove millions of people that survived inland seeking refugee wherever they could. That’s when terror struck the East Coast. It was the perfect time for Russia to strike while the iron was hot. New York down to the Southern Tip of Florida was barraged with nuclear armaments wiping out much of the populations in all of the major cities. A once bustling New York City lay in ruins just minutes after the full scale attacks. Those that survived were kept at bay in contamination zones that were set up further inland and the remainder of the United States was kept on lockdown, mandatory curfews were enforced, and a no-travel ordinance was issued. The greatest war of Earth’s history was in full effect.

The years that followed brought forth much change in the way American’s lived. We were cut off from the rest of the world. All other nations were either involved in war, lay in ruins, or were in the process of being taken over by provisional governments popping up everywhere. We no longer had identities to feel connected and loved. It was every man, woman, and child for themselves. 

I was 9 years old when it all started and now vaguely remember the carefree days before this existence. It now seemed that everyone I saw had a permanent worried look on there face wherever I went. Most of it was due to the fact that you now needed to prove your identity to government corrections officers at every checkpoint set up around the city. Nothing and no one was trusted. No more expectation of free will.  If caught out of place then it was a mark on your permanent record. I've been good in getting around this because I didn't want to end up in the Second Tier along with the sick and dying. I'd rather be far away from this utilitarian hell hole.

I've only been staying somewhat sane by sticking to the escape plan that I have been preparing for the past year. I have been woking with a few of my acquaintances to gather the right tools to get the job done. They're not friends because that term doesn't exist anymore. They are only people who offer physical goods or services in exchange for other desired goods or services. There was no point in building friendships because they weren't beneficial to living. In a few days I would be on my way to a life where I am not trapped in a bubble of discontent. I would be free.

My plan was pretty simple but required items that weren't readily available. I would have an improvised motor-bike waiting for me just outside the second tier on the West side of the wall. Finishing touches were being made on my vehicle and I had collected fuel over the past few months. I had the proper survival gear to last me a month outside of the city until I found enough resources where I could survive on my own indefinitely. I had one more day to gather my supply of government issued MREs.

My plan was to head Northwest away from the contamination zones towards what was left of Washington. I've heard stories of people living undisturbed outside of contamination zones and government sanctioned cities. Places where you could live off the land, free, like the Native Americans once did. I remember reading about the Native Americans and how the white settlers drove them from their land, their homes, freedom. I fell asleep that night dreaming of living next to a river, tending to my crops, and hunting wild animals. I would build my own furniture, tools, and weapons and explore the wilderness.

The next day I checked in with one of my contacts to make sure the bike was ready. She assured me it was and would be waiting for me in section C just outside the West wall of the Second Tier in between the two large rain collection barrels, well hidden. I had been stashing away 2 MREs every month for the past year and hiding them behind my neighbors dwelling. I packed them in one of two large bags along with the rest of my survival gear. It was finally coming together. I would head out tomorrow morning around 4am. This was the best time as security detail was most vulnerable. 

I had another contact update my security clearance so I could gain access to the Second Tier. I would have temporary access listed as a night shift waste collector. This would give me good cover as I would be wearing a hazmat suit to protect me from the disease stricken people around me and have the ability to lead my bags through without suspicion. I decided to get a little sleep to prepare me for the journey ahead.

I woke from an anxious dream. Anxious in a good way. I was running, not away from anyone or anything, just running freely with nature surrounding me. I looked over a map of the United States that I had kept in my bedroom over the years. I knew every inch of this country or whats left of it. Only an hour until go time and I was ready to take on anything in my way. I walked through my neighborhood zone one last time just to remember everything I hated about this dismal place. An arm grabbed me stiffly and as I turned I could make out the reflection of my face in a silver visor, a corrections officer.

"Identification immediately" he grunted.

I showed him my details.

"What are you doing out of zone?"

I gave him a look of confusion.

"I am in zone, this is my neighborhood!" I pleaded.

"Parameters were changed effective 00:00 today, come with me." He tightened his grip.

"You can't do that, it only came into effect three hours ago, I was unaware, please!" I pleaded.

He loosened his grip and told me to report to my local zone station by 12:00 or I would be marked. I freed my arm and ran hastily towards my dwelling without looking back. 

There was now a fire in my belly and adrenaline was pumping through my veins. I had one goal in mind and it was to get to that bike. I grabbed my two bags, the hazmat suit, and headed towards Section C. Just before the Second Tier I walked down an alley way and put on the suit. Right outside of the entrance I dumped my bags on the waste cart. At an easy pace I walked up to the Section C gate and presented my identification and held my breath. Access Granted flashed on the translucent screen in front of me and the doors crept open. 

I made my way through the sea of shanties and filth. Sickly people were attempting to get my attention but I had a one track mind at that moment. It was only about a 30 minute walk to the wall. I reached the wall with no problems and started to take off the suit and remove my bags from the cart. I waited for the right moment and made the climb, my two bags dangling from my back. I was on the other side and heard no alarms in the distance. The final stretch was upon me. I just needed to locate the rain barrels. From my crudely drawn map it should only be a few 100 meters away. I stealthily walked towards what I believed to be the right direction.

My navigation skills rewarded me and I reached the Two large rain barrels within minutes. There she was under a large collection of burlap material, my ticket out of here. I quickly secured my precious cargo to the bike, ignited the engine, and waited until the coast seemed clear. I took one last look at my compass and found Northwest, my intended direction of travel. A final check to see if everything was secure and I sped off with an ear-to-ear grin on my face. My moment had arrived, so it goes.