A group of seven were slowly approaching the bridge. Their gait was that of lepers, one wearisome step at a time. However they were not lepers. Hunger, thirst and severe deprivation of nutrition broke them utterly. All they then relied upon was their fading will. Once that’s gone, the last thread of humanity will be severed.
A meter, two, three…yet they press on. As if possessed.

Many years ago, when the children laughed, the sky would entertain a yellowish-orange hue, occasionlly, as if it was celebrating its eternal love of the sun. Bathing in that sunlight was a privilege even the poorest begger had the access to. Yes, the leaves were green then.

And now? A yellowish-orange tilt hung in the air but permanently. The sun couldn’t pierce the thick layer of dust particles entirely. As a result, even when the sun was directly on top, only a glow could be seen, and the earth looked like it was cursed to have the eternal afternoon. The flora was bereft of green, thick coats of dust on them.

Regal coughed harshly, the force of that jerked his entire body. He’d fall to the ground if Minala’s nimble hands didn’t catch him in time. Regal leaned on her, steadying himself. They were a couple of the seven, at the very back of the group.

“How much further?” He asked her, his voice hoarse.
“Almost there, love.” Minala replied with a tired, weak voice.
“You keep saying that!”, complained Regal impatiently.
Minala didn’t reply. She couldn’t afford to. Talking only burns bodily resources. Something they didn’t have, if they wanted to make it to the other side of the bridge.

A flock of migratory ducks were flying across the bridge. Looking at them minala licked her lips. Ducks! Oh, she could remember the taste! On their yard, beside the fire and coal. Roasted, dripping in sauces. Teardrops were burgeoning at the corner of her eyes.
The birds were fleeing. That was the last time they were migrating. Next winter, they won’t be returning. Perhaps, there won’t be a place to return to.

“Minala! Minala!” Regal shouted meekly, looking around him frantically. “I can’t find Jarek! Where’s Jarek? Where’s my son? Where’s our son?”
“Don’t talk, Regal. Ye gotta save your breath. We’re almost there.” Minala hushed him, forcing herself to supress an outburst of emotion. Oh, Jarek! Oh, poor Regal!

It was the children who started dying at first, by the millions. They found the cause and the agent in the air that caused all that, but by then every child was gone--leaving a carcass that was the adults, almost mad with grief. What was there to live for when your future was dead and withered?

Yet, the group pressed on. They say, the land at the other side of the bridge is more fertile and the air is less dense. The green warriors of earth were still thriving. Will it change anything for them? Minala didn’t know.

When they stepped on the iron bridge, it felt cold as ice. Minala shivered. She could feel a sense of hushed enthusiasm in the group. Despite everything she too felt a bit lighter. What was that feeling? Could it be...hope?

What was a few minutes, felt like an eternity to Minala. When the group landed on the other side, they faced a vast open land. Patches of yellowish-green plants were scattered here and there. Muddy surface was oozing out bubbles. A nigh-dried marshland.

The group dropped on their knees. Ruyam, their leader, a woman in her 40’s was lying on the ground. Minala couldn’t see her face. Was there any relief, joy? She couldn’t be sure.

More people passed through, she was sure. How did they feel? Was it any different for them?

She looked back at the bridge. Has anything changed? The harsh landscape was still the same. The sun was still behind the veil. But at least, the air is better. At least, the air is fresher.

She breathed in a lungful of evening air and took the first step.

Hi, thanks for reading! I wanted to metaphorise life as the path and the bridge as a transitional phase. One hardship to another. Overcoming one doesn’t necessarily make it better but change matters after all and is quite essential in a life.

The bridge is situated near my hometown. Gopalganj rail bridge. I took the photo a couple of years back.

This is an entry to the writing contest hosted by bdcommunity, check the post here - https://hive.blog/bdccontest/@bdcommunity/bdcommunity-presents-a-picture-speaks-a-thousand-words-contest

Tagging @Zayedsakib and @Simplifylife because they're still on the fence!