The Songbook

Note: A.E. (After-Event) refers to the new dating system in-universe. In the year 2012, a massive solar flare hit the Earth, sending the human race back into the Dark Ages. A Second Dark Ages.

New Orleans, Duchy of Louisiana, Kingdom of the South

July 22^nd, 2156 (144 A.E.)

"The world is a vampire... set to drain..." muttered a young boy as he read lyrics from an old-world songbook. It contained lyrics and notes from the 1990s, a distant era. According to his father, it was a time when humanity wielded godlike power but succumbed to laziness, like sloths. The boy often heard his father rant about how mankind's belief in their own divinity led to their downfall.

With long, dark hair, the young boy didn't always buy into his father's ramblings. He frequently brushed off his rants and theories. Today was no different. He found the old songs to offer valuable insights into the human psyche and the essence of life itself.

Reading these songbooks also meant that he was gradually delving into musical theory: understanding what the notes represent and gaining a detailed insight into how music operates. A lost art to much of society.

The boy leaped to his feet, startled by the thought of someone entering the apartment. He wasn't supposed to be here; the building had been condemned due to "Unwell Spirits," a common explanation for feelings of unease or discomfort in a home. New Orleans, an ancient city, had seen its share of death and chaos over the centuries. Many had perished here long before the sun's merciless rays scorched the Earth, as the city's history stretched back to the 1700s—a distant era.

Some of the more intellectually-minded individuals in New Orleans often scoffed at such paranormal notions. The idea of condemning perfectly good homes due to negative feelings or beliefs in spirits was a topic of frequent debate.

The boy paid little mind to debates or spirits; his focus lay in uncovering treasures hidden within the city. He sought out hidden gems from the old world, discovering ancient books, outdated technologies like cameras, and, of course, the cherished old songbooks.

One band that brought solace to the young boy hailed from Liverpool, England. They were known as the Beatles, and their music filled him with joy.

A creak from outside the bedroom jolted him to attention. He sprang up, ready to dart under the bed if needed. Now, as footsteps echoed closer, he knew for certain that someone else was inside the building as well.

"I need to find a way out," he muttered under his breath as he stealthily navigated through the apartment. Dust filled the air, carrying the scent of old furniture. Rat droppings littered the floor as he passed through the living area and kitchen.

The boy made every effort to move silently, but the ancient wood flooring protested with each step, creaking and groaning beneath his weight. He clenched his teeth in frustration, fearing the consequences of being caught by a guardsman or copper. The thought of his father's fury if his son was caught in a restricted area only added to his anxiety.

Moving faster, he reached the front door, his hand trembling as it rested on the doorknob. Slowly, he began to turn it, but the fear of encountering a copper on the other side made him hesitate. Uncertainty gripped him, and he felt fear coursing through his veins. Glancing back into the room, he noticed a balcony running alongside the building. A spark of hope ignited within him as he realized he could potentially find a way out through the balcony.

On the balcony outside, a few dining sets made of now rusting metal were arranged. Painted black, they belonged to a different era and were beginning to show signs of decay from the elements. Decades of rain and neglect had taken their toll, leaving New Orleans in disrepair.

Fortunately, the young boy had missed the worst of it. A second hurricane had devastated much of the city a couple of decades after the Solar Flare Storm hit. Monsoons had become a constant reality, although they were gradually decreasing as the swamps of the south reclaimed their territory from human encroachment. Additionally, there had been four major floods since 2012, further adding to the challenges faced by the city.

Using a small emergency hammer he had found a couple of years back, the boy smashed a window, carefully avoiding any bits of glass that could cut him. He was mindful of the risk of infection and took precautions to prevent injury as he climbed through the window. He didn’t need an infection.

The air was dry, and the sun blinded the boy as sunlight streamed through the balcony. Shielding his eyes, he began searching for a set of stairs. Thankfully, the tin roof above provided some relief from the scorching sun.

His scalp could certainly use a break. Louisiana was notorious for its heat, especially during the summer, and as a youngster, the boy had spent much of his time outdoors—exploring, playing, and socializing.

Walking past boarded-up windows and doors, it was evident that this part of town held promise for exploration. The boy couldn't help but think of the hidden treasures within those walls: books, toys, old-world relics. However, now wasn't the time. He needed to escape the potential consequences lurking within those confines.

The flags of the Duchy hung upright on the balcony's supports, though they were in a sorry state—rotting and falling apart, held together by mere strings of fabric. The boy had torn apart these flags on numerous occasions, mostly out of boredom. However, such actions were considered a crime; some individuals had spent years in a cell for even touching a flag. The flags, adorned in great purple, green, and gold hues, featured a prominent star in the center.

The old flag of New Orleans, with its French-style design, was a common sight on personal properties. It bore the colors of France, featuring three gold fleurs-de-lis in the center. It served as a reminder to the boy of the world as it once was. A world now long dead.

Finally, the boy found his way out: a set of metal stairs with rotting bolts. It signified that he had made it back home, and he now had a new songbook to treasure. Glancing back, he pondered the idea of waiting for the person to leave so he could return to the apartments and continue searching through them. It seemed preferable to facing his father at home.

He shook his head, adjusted his backpack, and descended the stairs. Getting into trouble wasn't worth whatever treasures might be hidden within those walls.

With a sigh, he turned his back on the apartments and headed home…