Contention

Gang Runaway:
[narrating] In an age of conflict and contention, the heavens condemned humanity. The world became a game of survival - survival of the fittest. Without power, all we had was each other. We resorted to killing, theft, and instinct to help us survive. I couldn't take it anymore. It had been several days since I left the gang. The good part is - no more blood. The bad part is - no more sleep.

[the Gang Runaway awakes at the sound of an approaching Wanderer and points a gun in his direction, startled]

Wanderer:
Woah man!

Gang Runaway:
What the f*** do you want? What are you doing?

Wanderer:
Just looking for some help.

Gang Runaway:
No, no there's no help here. Get out of here man.

Wanderer:
Relax man. Everyone needs a friend around here.

Gang Runaway:
[narrating] Him? My friend? Friendships don't exist anymore. Everything's about greed. What's he going to ask me next? Where I'm from?

Wanderer:
I think we got off the wrong foot. So where are you from?

Gang Runaway:
[smirks] Look dude, I got nothing for you. Get out of here.

Sniper:
[narrating] Waiting is something done in the anticipation of a personal benefit. The accusation of something needed or wanted, only attained through the sacrifice of personal time. However, when time is all that ones owns, is its offering still assumed to be waiting? Is it still a sacrifice if it is one's desire to rid himself of his perpetual torment? No. It no longer serves as waiting if it is one's utmost desire to spend it in linger. Other motives seep into play, other feelings, other cravings. It becomes a hunt. Time is spent, in actuality, no waiting, but formulating, plotting, devising methods of snatching what he yearns for as soon as it comes into view. And when the hunted is na?ve, the strong only becomes stronger. Peaceful meadows will be turned into a wasteland. He has left his den like a lion seeking its prey. And their land will be made desolate by the sword of the enemy and the Lord's fierce anger.

[Younger Brother washes his face with snow from the ground]

Older Brother:
Keep the bag with you, please. [throws down the bag at the Younger Brother's side] Hell of a shower, isn't it?

Younger Brother:
Only for a little while longer.

Older Brother:
[laughs] You're so confused kid. The lights aint ever coming back on. The sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be. Come on, we're already behind schedule.

Younger Brother:
No, it's not going to be like that. You see, we're going to live through this. And I am going to be ready for it.

Older Brother:
[laughs] You best learn we aint living through sh*t.

Younger Brother:
You always say we're not going to make it without having any proof. How do you know we're not going to make it?

Older Brother:
Because they give us guns.

Sniper:
[narrating] What have I become? What powers have put me here? We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Sniper:
[narrating] The responsibility of choice has been bestowed upon me.

Sniper:
[narrating] So shines a good deed in a dreary world.