The Ladies of Horror

The Wretched Times: The Beginning 
by M.L. Roos 

The brownouts they told us about keep coming, but can they really call them brownouts when the city goes black for days? I have been saving water by the gallons for over a year, long before the Tribal Council made the edict of one litre of water per day, per household. If they ever demanded an inventory, all my water will be confiscated, and I would be put to death, regardless of my title.

These are difficult days and I fear more are coming. Strife, uprisings, and finally War. Will the War be the Eternal One I have often seen in my dreams? Only the Gods know the answer. And if they are watching, please show mercy to the invisible ones. The Gods know these will be the first sacrificed. So far, the streets are quiet during nightfall and the “brownouts”. But that will not last. Once the food shortages and rations begin, then things will turn for the worst.

I have seen streets on fire, whole cities burned, countries that will not exist as we know them now, the eventual demise of what we know as North America and the mythology it will become in centuries forward. The Tribal Council and the military will cease to exist and 99% of the population will die off in slow, painful deaths. I see burning flesh, people with no limbs, women, children and old people put to death in massive raids.

In their short sightedness, The Tribal Council will ultimately put all women to death, however a 100 or so of these cunning women will escape and and evacuate, to settle somewhere safe, because they will have The Sight. They will also have the support of many men.

The Handmaid’s Tale will be Disney Land compared to the barbarity of The Tribal Council.

Soon, I must leave. I have gathered what I need, packed the car, taken my dogs, Isabella and Dante, and I will travel as far as I can during the day, and hide at night. Mentally, I have gone over and over where my travels will take me. The airlines are still running, so maybe I shall fly to a different country that is still safe and has not been touched by The Madness.

Spain, Portugal, and Greece will keep their heads the longest, until France breaks down. Once France burns, Germany will try and save as many as they can and offer sanctuary to all surrounding countries. Germany will rise as the new Roman Empire did in the past. But there is no need to view the future that will be in 3024. By then, my dogs and I shall be safe and many communities will survive in Europe, as they always have for centuries.

That gives me plenty of time to get out of this brackish water they call civilization in North America. I know its early, but in my lifetime, to the chagrin and in some, outrage of my partners, my Sight has proven accurate to the minute detail. Men do not like having their secrets and thoughts exposed.

All you need to see is the politics of the day; the President creating the Tribal Council with their red hats, and Canada following suit. Although, a poor one because the Prime Minister has become a laughable farce. No drama teacher should be made leader, but that is just the opinion of an wizened woman in 2024.

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Fiction © Copyright M.L. Roos
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

More from M.L. Roos:

Zippered Flesh 2
Short Story: After Darque

So, you loved the first ZIPPERED FLESH anthology? Well, here are yet more tales of body enhancements that have gone horribly wrong! Steroids from Hell. Horrendous piercings. Bizarre brain modifications. Obscene amputations. Facial reconstruction. Self-mutilation. Implants. Chilling tales by some of the best horror and suspense writers today, determined to keep you fearful all night (and skittish during the day).

Available on Amazon!