Treasures

It was rare these days to find something of real value.

Team leader Six stood confidently in the center of the village’s common area, her experienced senses taking in the information around her. Villages like this were scattered all along the river, filled with communities of survivors eking out an existence in what was left of the world. Survival for her clan meant controlling the world around them, and controlling the few resources that were left. Scouting, planning, and ruthless execution always overcame seclusion and anonymity. This fight was over.

The thrill of victory always took second place for Six, finding something valuable was far more exciting. Of all of the things she had held in her hands before, nothing was as captivating as this. It was a heart shaped locket, white gold or platinum trimmed in yellow gold, on a long matching platinum chain. “It had to be either white gold or platinum” Six thought aloud. “Silver would be tarnished black by now.”

In the center of the heart was a lovely yellow diamond, stylized as the sun, rays of platinum and gold embossed across the locket’s face. A black enamel inlay gave contrast to the finely engraved trim work that formed the rest of the locket, including the bail the necklace passed through. Even the weight of the chain, its’ simple design in sharp contrast to the locket’s exquisite detail, added understated value.

Six held the locket aloft, arm extended toward the rising morning sun. Spinning slowly on its chain, the locket caught the morning sun, sparkling like a thousand memories. She marveled at the craftsmanship, the fineness, the uniqueness. How many years went into this, the learning, the patience, the love? Even the artist’s mark, hidden in plain sight, showed the care and passion for the creation. There was no one left alive that had the ability to make another like it. The technique as dead as those who had been destroyed those many years ago. A singular beauty.

“It is a locket, right? Not just a pendant?” Six wondered. Yes, she could see the seam of the two halves, but for all of her poking and prodding, she could not figure out the mechanism for opening her treasure. Viewing it from every angle, turning it over and over in her hands, she had been thwarted in her efforts. Her brow furrowed in puzzled, and determined frustration.

“It’s platinum, it’s made of platinum” spoke a weak voice below her.

Six looked down at her feet. Yes! There in the mud and muck lay the young woman Six had found wearing it. Blood and fear were smeared across what could be called a pretty face. The wounds to her stomach and legs were from a grenade that Six had thought had killed the thing.

“How do I open it?”

A slender arm raised weakly, a finger extended and pointing. “You twist the top, und…under the chain.”

The wounded woman lowered her arm as Six gave a little cry of joy when the locket opened, a cleverly hidden spring hinge snapping to reveal the two halves. One side a photo of an older woman that matched the one laying at her feet, with an engraved sentiment on the other side. “For my love”

Six looked back down at the young woman at her feet. Another time, another reality she would be well off, with the luxuries of life at her disposal. Married, probably children, with safety and security constant companions. Who knows, they might have even been friends, maybe even best friends.

Now she has mud and muck.

“Where did you get this locket?” Six asked gently, holding it out before her.

“That’s my mother… my father made it for her. He w… was a jeweler.” Pain reflected in her words and in her eyes.

“What do you want for it” Six asked.

“Mercy” came the reply.

Six raised her pistol and shot the young woman between the eyes. “Done.”

She put her pistol away. With reverence Six placed the chain over her own head, adjusted her hair, and centered the locket on her chest.

A voice called out from her left from her second in command. “SIX, everything OK?”

“Fine.”

“What do you want to do with the prisoners?

Six shook her head. “I might have to replace this one” she muttered to herself. “What we always do. Kill the adults, get the supplies ready to move, and bring the children with us!” She snapped. “Quit trying to ruin my morning.”