Chapter 6 - Building the Community

As dawn broke over the jagged horizon, I leaned against the crumbling wall of what used to be a supermarket, sketching out plans for the community I dreamed of building. My fingers trembled slightly as I traced the lines of my drawings in the dust on an old piece of cardboard. A circular layout, with a central gathering space flanked by shelters to provide a buffer from the dangers outside, surrounded by a garden that could sustain us. This was more than a whim; it was a lifeline. But as I stared at my haphazard plans, a knot twisted in my stomach. I was just a kid. I could practically hear their skeptical whispers echoing in my mind—a chorus of doubt, of resentment, of fear. And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had to try. My engineering skills could guide us; the structure of humanity was a mathematical equation I had been taught to solve. I gathered a small group of survivors in what had once been the back room. Dust motes danced in the sparse light filtering through shattered glass, the structure creaking ominously like an ancient beast wishing to remain undisturbed. There were five of us: Sophie, who smirked like she was immune to danger; Astra, with her calm aura that steadied my frantic heartbeat; Mira, who stood with arms crossed, her face inscrutable; and Derek, bright-eyed and earnest, ready to believe in my dream. "Are you sure this will work?" Mira's voice cut through the uncertainty like a blade. I straightened, trying to mask my nerves. "We can create a community, a safe haven. Think about it—it makes sense. We pool resources, our skills, and we can defend ourselves." I looked at them earnestly. "If we don't come together, we're just sitting ducks out here." Sophie rolled her eyes. "And who's going to listen to a kid with scribbles? What do we even know about leading?" Frustration bubbled up in my chest. "I know about engineering. I know about building. If we work together, we can do this!" "Building a bunker is a far cry from running a community, Eli," Astra interjected gently. "We'll need water, food, shelter. You can't just design it; you have to make people understand why it's worth their effort." I met her gaze, my mind racing. "I can show you. I can make something." A heavy silence fell over the room. I felt the weight of their disbelief. Sophie's skepticism was palpable, but Mira's hardened facade softened just the slightest. "Fine," Mira said. "Show us something." And with that, my heart raced as I formulated my plan. I needed to reinstate some semblance of faith in my abilities. I remembered the old generator we found salvaged in a nearby scrapyard; it had sparked life with that one jolt. Maybe I could create something to demonstrate my vision—an electrical system for a community. Three days later, after scavenging parts and tearing through the remnants of its former life, I finally had something to show. We met again at the supermarket, surrounded by the whispers of the past, but this time there was excitement in the air. Sophie leaned against a splintered shelf, arms crossed. "Hope you're not using typos this time." Ignoring her quip, I powered on the makeshift generator I had built. The sputter of engines filled the air, vibrating deep inside my bones. Lights flickered to life, dim and sputtering but undeniably real, illuminating a space that had long been engulfed in shadows. Mira nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing with scrutiny. "It's… not bad. But we need it to last." "It will last," I assured her, determination making my voice steadier. "If we can secure fuel, we can run this—keep it operational. And think—light at night, a way to store food… It's only the beginning." Derek stepped forward, eyes gleaming with the glimmer of hope ignited in my words. "A place where we can gather, where people can trade and feel safe—it could really work." But the tension in the air thickened when Sophie spoke again, her voice dropping significantly. "And what happens when we run out of fuel, Eli? Are we supposed to just sit and wait for someone to swoop in and take it or us? We can't just create a dream on the backs of our doubts. That's just setting us up for failure." Her words struck like a lash against my skin. I felt the resentment boiling under the surface of my resolve. But instead of responding in anger, something in her skepticism sparked a plan in my mind. "I'll prove it," I said, a surge of defiance rising within me. "I'll make a supply run. We need to find fuel. If I can find what we need, you'll see how we can do this. We can establish a base." The others exchanged glances; I could see the concern etched on their faces. Mira stepped in. "You're asking for trouble, Eli. Going off on your own means risking a lot." "It's not on my own," I insisted. "I'm going with Sophie." Sophie's eyes widened, a flash of excitement mixed with apprehension. "Wait, what? Why me?" "Because you know the streets. You know where to look, and I… I need someone I can trust." She scoffed, but curiosity flickered behind her defiance. "Fine. But if this goes south, don't expect me to save you." My heart pounded—yes, this was a risk. But it was a necessary one. In that moment, I felt the weight of our aspirations resting heavily upon my shoulders. I was asking for their trust, and to earn it, I had to take a leap of faith. Before I left, I turned to the others, studying their faces for the last time. "By the time I get back, things will be… different." As Sophie and I made our way out of the ruin, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. I might be just a kid, but dreams are built on the shoulders of hope—and hope would guide me through the shadows of our world. I had something to prove, not just to them, but to myself. But the badlands were relentless. They could rob anyone of their future in a heartbeat, and even with my engineering skills, uncertainty curled in my gut like ink spreading through water. Would I truly be able to bring us together? In that haunting silence, even the wasteland seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for the answer.