Meat. That’s what I need. I stroll through the Black Market with my brown bag in hand as I try looking for cheap and affordable cuts of meat. With my money I could buy cheap cuts of chicken or beef and a carb source. That would be fine. If I use the rations of pasta noodles we received the beginning of the month, I could make veggie noodles for me and NE. I notice I’m smiling to myself, and I immediately stop myself. I quickly find a man my age selling cuts of beef. “You a fan of chuck roast?” he asks me. “Sure I am.” Beef shank and undesirable cuts of meats taste miles better when you’re living in a wasteland of what you call home. “How much can I get with fourteen?” I smile politely at the man. I find myself more disgusted with my smile than earlier. “Maybe quarter a pound for ten?” He looks confused with his own values. “I could make it eight for a pretty girl like you.” He winks. I grimace. “Of course you can.” He slides a small pack of beef shank across the stand and I gladly take it. “Have you heard anything new about what’s happening in government?” he asks me. I shake my head. “No I haven’t. Sorry.” “Apparently, they’ve been killing. Killing a whole lotta people. Supposedly working on keeping the population in control. I think it’s a bunch of BS. Government BS. A whole buncha’ of it.” I silently nod along. This man’s words upset me. “Although… I’ll put the government up for it. I really hope they gas your boyfriend next.” “I don’t have one.” That in fact, was true. “Oh, I doubt that! I’m sure a young maiden like you could catch a pretty penny.” “I really don’t agree with that.” If I had a rope, I would gladly use it right now. “Huh…” I force myself to smile. I pretend to agree with his words. I drop eight dollars and leave with an overwhelming disgust with myself. I’m sure he had more to say, but I don’t have the time of day to hear it. I’m sure NE will be glad I have spare change. I block out the noise that rumbles in the Black Market. The quicker I get home the quicker I can apologize to NE. We had fought the morning of, and I deeply regretted it. I tell myself that running away from my problems will do no good, but I repeat my errors again and again. I am like an immature child.
Characters and majority of the world building is owned by @kainesscanon. All writing owned by me or @retsukimaxxing on Scratch. No AI scrapping, translating, or remixing permitted. Crossposted on A03 under @malmilixx
