Objectively, sprinting through a murky forest in the early hours of the morning was dangerous. Stealing trinkets from a local tyrant even more so.
Callum glanced behind but failed to discern pursuit through damp fog and hazy moonlight.
A tall figure burst out of the mist ahead and crashed into him.
*
Callum woke and felt bindings digging deeply into exposed wrists and ankles. The dining chair was probably luxurious once, but cushioning had been stripped away and a lingering strip of desiccated leather dug painfully into his side.
The Mayor was seated behind a dirty desk, making a sandwich. Callum hadn’t seen its construction, but did observe a measured application of mayonnaise before a thick slice of bread was placed carefully on top.
“There will be few sandwiches in the times to come. Best to enjoy the little luxuries now, don’t you think? Is this why you stole from me? Taking a little luxury before the world falls and they become meaningless?”
“A working cigarette lighter is no luxury for those of us out there.” Callum indicated toward boards nailed across the dilapidated office’s dirty windows.
“Maybe you think I should be lenient because the item is valueless to me? No. Everything here is mine: worthless trinkets and priceless artifacts alike. No one steals either from me.”
The Mayor considered his prisoner.
“Not too long from now, the world will complete its descent into chaos and mayhem will envelop the unlucky survivors. They will cry out in dismay for salvation. You, I, and a selection of others, will listen from behind barbed wire and concrete.”
“Really. And what do you want for my…salvation?”
“All that you have now, and your labour after.”
“You’re kidding? We barely have anything and we need what we have to survive.”
“I could have you killed right now. I could cast you out, which would be much the same, and I would save a bullet. This crumbling world would consume you before long. However, the young and strong will be needed to rebuild after. You are both.”
Callum listened as the horrific sounds of a dying world seemed to reach out and claim his soul. Shouting, gunfire and screaming suddenly cut short had replaced birdsong and bubbling creek. Nature was receding and humanity was going with it.
“Fine. I’ll do it. Just let me bring my family too. They will be able to help in whatever you have set up.”
The Mayor clapped his hands in glee and took a generous bite from his sandwich.
“You’ve made the right choice, my boy,” said the Mayor around a satisfied mouthful. ”Oh, and I have already been to your hovel and taken everything. You may see your family again, but perhaps not.”
“You bastard.” Callum attempted to leap out of the chair but only managed to stumble and fall sideways, banging his head painfully on bare concrete. A whimper escaped before he could suppress it. “Don’t injure yourself. You have a lot of work yet to do.”
