The Pales

It has been ten years since the collapse of society in western nations as we know it. Ten years since the Pales took over and ravaged cities and local wildlife in their lusting hunger. Cities lay barren and falling apart, cars left lying and decaying, with towns also deserted. In the beginning the Pales had large numbers of them banded together to feed and ravage cities. They have since separated into packs around the country. They were hurt by UV light so many survivors of western society had adapted to live in high places or behind large walls with UV lights to protect them at night or travel during the day. The Pales were frightening, the biggest stood ten feet tall and was a formidable entity. They had claws to tear their prey apart like a lioness tearing into their own meal. A Pale’s arms hung very long and their legs were lengthy as well. Their heads were big and narrow filled with razor sharp teet

I wake up from a peaceful sleep; no shrieking, howling or screaming. I open my bag, grab my can opener from its pouch and select a can at random. Minestrone. I open it and drain the can’s contents into my stomach. I didn't need to drink water since it was soup.  I’m saving the MREs for when I'm surely hungry and can't find much, there are only 3 of them. I put the can opener away in its pouch, strap on my backpack and go downstairs. I checked the first cupboard to find it empty, the second empty and the third had tomato soup. I take it and put it in my bag now noticeably getting heavier. I look outside and see rainy clouds. Fuck,I thought. Then I notice a closet I didn't see on the way in, I open it and see a dusty umbrella. My luck is too

I woke up to a nudge from one of the soldiers, “Wake up we are in city limits.” he said gruffly. I read the sign on the way in “BOSTON.” The sight that befell me stunned me as I looked on in silence. Nature has overtaken everything As we drive down the streets through the city I admire the beauty. I see birds flying around and vegetation everywhere, the subways are flooded at the entrances and I spot a few deer which take off as they hear the engines from the Humvees. Cars are stricken with weeds and overgrowth. The roads were grassey as well as the sidewalks, I see a few rabbits along the way eating grass and weeds, they too take off at the sound of us approaching. I almost become serene with the beauty. The soldiers smirk at the look of wonder on my face, seeming as they had grown used to this beautiful sight.

  Zane’s POV It took about an half hour but Daniels came back and dismissed Richards. He then turned to address me. “Alright so your destination is barracks J, bunk four. There should be a pillow and blanket there but if not check the closet near the bathroom. I’ll walk you there.” “Alright, I’m probably gonna take a shower and do some laundry. Been eight years since I did either of those. I’ve bathed in lakes where I could, but no showers and no laundry. I’m excited to be honest!” “I bet you are.” Daniels said this with a big bright smile. We moved past the headquarters into the tented area in silence. We got past the tents and suddenly it hit me that I didn’t know the camp’s name. So I asked him as we move

 I walked out the doors and accessed the scene that lay before me. There were bullet holes in the truck and as well on the transport. Most of the vehicle's bodies had been eroded away. Williams lay on the ground, dead. Anderson and Carl were slipping his body into a body bag. After they were done they loaded him into the back of the Humvee by the truck. It was a grim sight and very depressing, to see someone on your team being loaded into a body bag.  “Alright, gather round everyone. Everyone, take a knee.” Daniels called out. We walked over to him, gathered in a circle and got on one knee. “Alright. I already contacted HQ and told them about the casualty and firefight, They said to come back to base, our patrol was pretty much over anyways. Tonight let's drink and celebrate his life.”  With that we all