Whispers of Despair

The once-proud nation of Canada had crumbled, its cities now silent monuments to a forgotten time. Towering skyscrapers stood abandoned, their windows shattered by years of storms and neglect, while the streets below lay buried under layers of snow and debris. The echoes of bustling marketplaces and the hum of industry were replaced by an eerie stillness, broken only by the occasional howl of the wind.

It hadn't always been this way. Canada was once a beacon of stability and prosperity, a land of boundless resources and opportunity. But years of corruption and inept leadership eroded the foundations of the nation, leaving it vulnerable to collapse. The tipping point came when Prime Minister Trudeau resigned amidst a storm of scandals and public outrage. His departure did little to stem the tide of discontent, and what followed was a rapid and devastating unraveling of the social fabric.

Government institutions fell apart as provinces turned inward, refusing to cooperate. Essential services ceased, leaving millions without healthcare, electricity, or clean water. As the infrastructure crumbled, so did the people’s will to hold the nation together. In the chaos, opportunists and warlords seized power in isolated regions, but their reigns were short-lived, snuffed out by the unforgiving elements and dwindling resources.

Now, those who survived the collapse clung to life in makeshift towns of patched tarps, scavenged wood, and rusted metal. These tent cities dotted the frozen tundra, small flickers of humanity against the vast and uncaring wilderness. The bitter cold was unrelenting, and each day was a battle against starvation, frostbite, and despair. Families huddled together for warmth, their breath misting in the icy air, while children with hollow eyes stared into the distance, too young to remember what life was like before the fall.

The once-unifying ideals of kindness and community had faded, replaced by an unspoken rule of survival at any cost. Supplies were scarce, and the weak were often left behind. Stories of a better time—of thriving cities, laughter, and hope—seemed like the distant dreams of another world.

Though some clung to the idea of rebuilding, the odds were insurmountable. Corruption had stripped the land not only of resources but of trust, leaving deep scars on the collective psyche. The frozen soil yielded little, and the biting winds carried whispers of despair. For now, survival was the only goal, and the future—if it existed at all—was shrouded in darkness.