Kelsey+Dowling's+Vignette

Water. And lots of it. I’m really sick of it. There too much water, but none to drink, sorta like the ocean. I was never a big fan of oceans or lakes, so I sure as heck don’t like the fact that Memphis is underwater. And on top of all that, the government won’t let us out or send aid in. Not that I can blame them, well actually I can blame them. You see, there’s this thing going around that kills you real quick, but it likes to make you suffer. It must have started off when the city flooded. The virus started in the water, but now it’s airborne, I’m pretty sure it is at least. Must have mutated or something. If you get it, you’ll start to cough and you’ll get these big sores that ooze black stuff, and when you start to cough up blood, you don’t have to long. I sigh. You can’t help but sigh in these times. 2051 great technology, yeah, summer equals no school. Hurray. My house is under fifth-teen feet of water, and a crap load of mosquitoes! Can life get worse? Probably will soon.

I look out around my watery surrounding outside of the canoes, two strapped together. The water reaches above most houses, and Shelby Farms is all underwater, like most of downtown. As I float over the once lush fields of Shelby Farms I check my stash out. Three twenty-four packs of water, various canned foods maybe 40 or so cans, a gun running out of bullets, backpack with first aid in it, knife, flint, kindling, a sleeping bag with blankets, and some flour. I’m glad to have big canoes. My dad had helped me get most of the food. I can remember are last conversation so well.

“This all goes in your backpack. Extra food, knife, flint, kindling, blanket, change of clothes-all long sleeved the mosquitoes will be a killer-, and a cantina of water. I know you’ll do great.” “Thanks dad. And all the other stuff is in the canoes? I’m real glad are neighbors were big fans of canoeing.” “Everything’s in there. Remember, steal or trade for everything you need, and trust no one.” “I will dad.” Later, he jumped into the water. He never came up.

I stood up in the canoe and looked through the mosquitoes. I was coming up on the old Wolfchase Mall. I pulled my gloves tighter, my trench coat closer, and adjusted my gasmask, skullcap, and hat. I had some looting to do.