The Hunger

I have heard it said, when the belly speaks, the conscience becomes blind, deaf, and dumb. Two nights ago, Reese, on guard duty, was sure he heard prowlers around our camp. At a prearranged sign, he tossed a rock at my tent, and I was up and out in a moment. We low crawled around for a while, and saw nothing. Later that day, we had the nagging feeling we were being watched. Just now another  ground tremor, they come and go. Putting John in the lead, Reese and I got off our horses on the down side of a good hill, telling the others to wait for us about a mile on. We saw them, three men, looking rather ragged, and carrying a shotgun, and each a semi auto, running after us.  Staying behind cover, we waited. It was very obvious to us they were trailing us, and waiting for a good opportunity to attack, steal our horses, food, gear, and leaving us for dead. even if all they had in mind was stealing a little food, that is what keeps us alive, and stealing food is a death sentance in this environment. Hunger will drive a man to do many things he would not do otherwise. In the former world, we might have stopped, helped them, or invited them to join us for a meal. In this world it is a luxury we cannot afford. Having no choice, we ambushed them, took what few guns and ammo they had. One guy had six rounds in his gun, and a few extras.  Another was less fortunate. there was only seven rounds for the shotgun, but we took it nonetheless. I am not sorry for what we did, we are saving our own lives. We did not make this world, we are but travelers through it.   Though violence is not the answer to everything, Sometimes, it is the only option. The seperation between man and beast, is knowing the difference.