What is Left Behind
Marth found the child hiding in some rubble. She had white hair and kaleidoscope eyes. It was obvious she was one of them.
He should have killed her.
He took her home, carrying her on his back. She would have been no more than five, in human years. He didn’t know the equivalent in their kind. He didn’t ask. She didn’t say.
She ate only the crusts off the bread he gave her, refusing to touch the canned tomatoes or dried meat.
When he left again the next morning, still searching for other survivors, she followed him. He let her.
He should have killed her.
He took her home, carrying her on his back. She would have been no more than five, in human years. He didn’t know the equivalent in their kind. He didn’t ask. She didn’t say.
She ate only the crusts off the bread he gave her, refusing to touch the canned tomatoes or dried meat.
When he left again the next morning, still searching for other survivors, she followed him. He let her.
Originally Published in APOCALYPSE: An Apocalyptic Microfiction Anthology