World End Z

The world changed before we knew it. It happened on the twenty-second of October twenty-thirty (22-10-2030), I remember that day very well. It was on Tuesday. The sun had already dived bringing about the night. The moon was up in the sky, half watching.

It was a beautiful-pleasant day for us, after all, why wouldn't it be? The operation went well without difficulty, we had been smuggled onto a ship. Smuggling might sound a bit hush, right? So we were simply just borrowing one of the containers until the said 'promised land'.
It might sound bad to traverse to an unknown place, right? Well to us that's alright. We did not know its name, location, or inhabitants. However, we knew... we knew it was better, better than home.
Back home, home in Africa. "Mr. Officer, where are we going? Is it a nice place? Are we going to be alright?" I asked one of the border officers, concerned.
I had many questions regarding our future and all my worries were erased by a single answer. "Two meals..." he raised two fingers to my face, "you will be given two meals for your services, at least."
It might sound horrible to most. But to us, it is the best deal we could ask for. Usually, the world would, by all means, regard this as a slavery method.
To someone like 'us,' this is a golden ticket. Living in a nation with severe food insecurity, such a country is bound to starve its citizens. And in the slums, it's worse. It is common for even a mere child to go without food for a day if not days.
The slums are so dangerous even a slice of bread can end your life. Fights over food are a daily occurrence. If nothing is done, what awaits these places is... 'DOOMSDAY'.
I had to leave. No matter what. That's why when my ears caught a rumor of a shipment venturing into the said 'promised land'. I knew right away that, "that was my only ticket out of this hell".
"Alright, this should do..." I said after compiling the assets and staffing. I was home preparing what was needed for the journey.
"Are sure?" asked a woman, worryingly. She was standing in the same room (bedroom) when I was packing necessities.
"This will be enough to secure a seat on the ship. The rest you can have them. This much should push for a while and don't worry I will be sure to come back as soon as pos-".
"No!" she interrupted. "Are you leaving? Are you going to abandon me, alone in this hellhole?"
As I turned to face her, I saw two thin streams flowing through her chicks. I paced toward her then I locked her frail frame to my chest, embracing her. Not a moment later I felt her small weak hands wrap around me. It only took seconds, but we hugged to our heart's content.
"You won't be alone," I whispered into her ear.
"Huh"
I pulled away from our embrace. With each hand on her shoulders, I looked her directly in the eyes. "With your daily income am sure you can afford two meals a day. Oh I'm sure Gift will keep you company 'til I return, so you don't have to worry about someone to talk to".

"G-Gift?" she said with a puzzled look.
"Gift Mpho... Mpho Gift" I smiled.
"W-what!?" she howled, embarrassed.
With our eyes locked I continued.
"I have known about you and mister driver, you know" I paused while looking at her thoroughly. I could almost see her brown chocolate chicks turn red.
As she tried to look the other way I thought
'Isn't she cute!'.
I laid it on her, everything I know about the two of them. When I heard word on the street that she was seen with a man, I accidentally saw them from the shadows a couple of times but didn't intrude because I thought it was wrong.
"?" this time she narrowed her eyes peering deep into mine.
'What! Why is she staring at me like that?' Is not like I was spying on them or anything like that. Of cause, I wasn't stoking them.
"I just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time, that's all" I justified myself.
Don't mistake this, I was just concerned got it. I'm no 'stoker'.
To melt the ice I continued
"Approve," I said clearing my throat.
"Approve what?" she asked with a stained look.
What's with that look? I guess she must have misunderstood me. Goodness with that disgusting I could almost hear her say: "Approve what, your spying!". 'I have fixed this.' I thought.
"Tshepi, I approved your relationship with Mpho"
"..." her eyes widen.
Guess I caught her off guard there, huh? Today must be a lucky day. I had never seen her displaying so many expressions in just moments.
'Even now she is showing her best trait... She is... Oh no! That's the one she shows when assessing. Did I give more than I should have?' my thoughts ran wild.
"Approved? What do you mean by approved? To whom did you approve?" she asked with intense eyes.
The look from before I knew it very well. When her purple dot from side to side, up and down that means only one thing, she scrutinizes the situation.
Beating around the bushes won't get us anywhere, so I decided to out with it.
"Two days ago I met Mpho at his home. This time I visited him and he let me in. Since we were short on time we delved straight into the topic, your relationship. After explaining himself thoroughly, as a man I acknowledged your bond".
"How did you know where he lives? And what did you mean by 'gain'? Also, thanks for the blessing" asked blushingly.
"The first time I was at the right place at the wrong time. However, later on, it was the right place at the right time." I said sitting on a chair and putting on shoes.
Once I was done I violently yanked the sack over my shoulder from the bed and made my way out. My little sister followed behind silent, face down.
*Pat*
*kiss*
Before she knew it my hand had descended upon her head and my lips bounced against her forehead. When she lifted her chin, a smile was already painted on my face.
'Embarrassed are we?' I thought. But my surprise was not due to what I had done, but what was seen and by whom. When looking into her eyes, her sight was fixed behind me towards the opened door.
With my hand on her head, I felt her temperature shoot high my hand became warmer and warmer. Reality dawned on me, the figure standing behind me outside is the culprit, Mr. Boyfriend.
Realizing she will be fine and the is nothing to worry about. "I'll be leaving now. This is goodbye" I said pulling away. As I rotate to leave I spotted tiny droplets of liquid in each eye. I said with a bold voice when I exited the house-
"Hope I would be uncle when I return!" That earned a good smack to the back from my sister. I shot the boyfriend a smile when I passed next to him, and with a firm look, he nodded.
I went inside a car parked at the gate.
"Mpho, come on we'll be late!" call out.
"So I'll be driving you then?"
*Bang*
I said closing the door "Since I gave my sister to you the least you could do I see me off".
"I will be back," he said exasperated.
The only word was "Okay".
With my three-room tin house behind, Mpho navigated us through the shacks. Leaving the maze township we headed to the harbor. During this trip, none of us said a word. I listened and saw, absorbing everything. Imprinting it to my very core.
My home, I might not see it again. My mother tongue, I might not hear it again.
Right then he said, "We are here". Two-hour driving felt like minutes.
"Thanks," I stepped outside "take care of Tshepiso for me". I closed the door and then walked. From the back, I heard "Yeah. You too Tshepo, take care".
When I arrived at the said spot, a tall muscular guy was leaning against a truck-size intermodal container. I handed my sack.
If we weren't out here, would have thought he was a pub bouncer. With a face that's almost impossible to smile. He peered inside for a minute or two, then pull his cell phone and make a text.
Out of nowhere behind me, two figures appear. Dressed the same in navy blue full overalls.
With a smirk "Follow them!" he gestured with his head.
The two workers lead the way with me in between and disappeared from his sight.