The Desperation of the Poor

Outside the fortress, the world will have turned into a wasteland of desolation and hopelessness. The ruins of the former civilization will stand as monuments to the fall of humanity, and the poor will live in an existence marked by the constant struggle for survival.

The World of Ruins

The streets will be filled with debris, with collapsed buildings and cracked roads that were once full of life. The remains of destroyed vehicles will serve as shelters for the most desperate, while others will have built improvised shacks out of any recoverable material: pieces of metal, charred wood, and torn plastics. The lack of resources will make life a daily test of ingenuity and endurance.

In the alleys and underground tunnels, the air will be thick and heavy with the smell of decay. The sewers, once obsolete, will have become the homes of rats and cockroaches, creating an ecosystem of survival for these insects and their new hosts.

The Fire of Hope

In a shadowy corner of one of these ruined areas, a group of the poor will gather around a small fire. The campfire, a flickering flame in the darkness, will be the only source of warmth and light in the cold night. A man, with weathered skin and tired eyes, will cook the only rat they were able to catch that day. The rat, skewered on an improvised spit made of bones and metal fragments, will slowly turn over the fire.

The faces around the fire will reflect a mixture of exhaustion and hope. Although their bodies are worn out and their clothes tattered, their eyes will shine with unwavering determination. They will speak in low voices about the past, sharing stories of simpler times and what life was like before the catastrophe. They will talk of prosperous cities, families united, and a time when their worries were trivial compared to the daily struggle for survival.

The Inner Revolution

As the rat slowly cooks, one of the poor will begin to notice changes in their body. Their movements will become increasingly agile, and their night vision will sharpen. When looking into a broken mirror, they will see that their skin has acquired a grayish hue and their hands have taken on a claw-like appearance, similar to that of a rat. The changes will be subtle at first, but soon they will become evident. This individual, feeling both puzzled and strengthened, will begin to understand that their body is adapting to the harsh conditions of their environment.

Others in the group, those who have survived by primarily feeding on cockroaches, will notice changes in their skin. It will become tougher and more resilient, capable of withstanding the harsh weather and attacks from others. These physical changes will give them advantages in navigating difficult environments and facing other dangers.

The Formation of New Groups

Over time, the poor who have begun to develop characteristics similar to those of rats or cockroaches will start to group together. The rat-humans will form small bands that will move stealthily through the darkness, using their agility and skills to hunt and evade mutants. Their knowledge of the ruined urban environment will allow them to find secret hideouts and valuable resources that others might miss.

On the other hand, the cockroach-humans, with their resilient skin, will be better adapted to extreme conditions. They will form their own groups, building more durable shelters and developing tactics to withstand mutant attacks. Their physical strength will allow them to face dangers that others could not endure, but it will also isolate them from the rat-humans and other groups.

The Desperate Plan of Infiltration

Amid the desperation and suffering, some of the poor will dream of infiltrating the fortress of the rich. There will be meticulously crafted plans: tunnels dug in secret, improvised tools to overcome defenses, and strategies to evade the guards. Although everyone will know that the chances of success are minimal, desperation and hope will drive them to try.

Rumors about the security and riches inside the fortress will spread among the groups. There will be talk of valuable resources and the possibility of improving their lives through one bold strike. However, there will also be stories of failed attempts, of people who were captured and punished. These tales will serve as warnings and as motivations, mixing fear with hope in the minds of those who dream of a better life.

The Feeling of Marginalization

As the rat-humans and cockroach-humans integrate into their respective groups, they will begin to face stigma and marginalization from others. They will be seen as “different” and will be rejected by those who still maintain a more human appearance. This internal marginalization will create tensions between the groups, but it will also strengthen each group’s determination to survive and thrive in the new world.

The rat-humans will have to deal with their new identity while navigating a hostile environment, seeking ways to integrate without losing their autonomy. The cockroach-humans, despite their resilience, will struggle against isolation and the perception that they are less “human.” Both groups will develop their own cultures and ways of life, adapting to the new realities and creating a unique resistance to adversity.

The Persistent Hope

Despite the harsh conditions and constant struggle, there will be a persistent spark of hope among the poor. In their moments of rest, they will share dreams of a better future. Some will dream of a world where the fortress of the rich can be brought down, while others will aspire to find a way to negotiate with the rich or discover a safe haven elsewhere.

Each night around the fire will be a mixture of reflection, hope, and despair. The poor will continue to fight for their survival, seeking ways to improve their conditions and longing for a future where the suffering of their present becomes a distant memory.

The lives of the poor will be a constant test of resilience and adaptation. They will face a brutal environment and fight against marginalization, but their ability to adapt and their hope will allow them to carry on. The story of their survival will be a testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity, an unending struggle to find a spark of hope in a world plunged into darkness.