Chapter Text
After a huge storm, the sky is left with dark clouds and a sense of gloom. Wind starts to pick up, and air grows heavier on your chest. With the leftover drops of rain pounding on rooftops and pavements, it really creates a deafening noise.
Trees swayed before me, bending me with their branches, and I only had my hand to protect the remaining of my sight. I should look for umbrellas down in the city, but it's a bit too late, and this doesn't look much like a city anymore.
Staring at the once-vibrant roads now empty, buildings unrecognized, and dust escaping chimneys. I sighed.
Maybe everyone actually is gone.
Deep down I knew that, but I had to cling to that comforting feeling that maybe someone is out there, and maybe I wish I'd stayed with that random nice man I met months ago, but it's also too late. I can't be trusting strangers like that.
I shuffled through the crashed cars, my hand subconsciously reaching to my rifle when I noticed bullet holes. They look way too old for me to bat an eye. Until it didn’t seem that silly.
"I'm kinda tired, dude.." a tall boy hunched whilst dragging his feet, following another figure I couldn't quite glimpse from behind this deck. I could clearly see their arrows against the dark sky.
"Come on, just a 'lil. I could've swore I heard something over there" the other person's breath was labored but they seemed motivated enough to jump over broken fences, heading north. I wonder what they heard. probably not the military if they are following it. I brushed my fingers through my hair pulling my map open. Can't lose focus. Can’t lose focus.
If my calculations weren't off..
I walked careful enough to not smash stiff leaves..
I should..
I passed the 21st street..
Find it right..
I lifted my head..
Here.
CVS Pharmacy.
Holy mother.
Could anyone be more excited at the sight of trash and a dozen peeled walls? I dragged my fingers touching them right before diving into the half-open locker cabinets. Aspirin.. Codeine.. Empty injectables.. I tossed them away.
My eyes scanned the shelves, but it didn't seem to have something strong either. I punched the locker with a fist smashing my useless map.
Where the heck did the real medicine go?!
"Did you hear that bro?" my pupils widened.
Slipping across the muddy floor, I landed on my bottom in the back corner, only covered by the shadow of the cash register. I sloppily pulled my rifle aiming it at the glass door. My trembling will not be in my favor right now.
"You're going insane, ya know.. It'll just be some freaking cat in the end" the voices closer.. I gulped, feeling my cheeks flush. My bottom hurting would be worthless if they turned around now.
"You'll be glad when I save your ass from real potential threat, Jackey boy" he loaded his gun, which I did not know they equipped, and stormed the tight place kicking the shelves. "We heard you! Come on out.."
I can't believe this.. They're acting like they're actually baiting a cat. I sighed for the millionth time this hour.
"Don't shoot"
I exclaimed, lifting my palms and leaving my rifle at my feet. The weaponed guy quickly aimed at me, and now that I see them up close.. They just look like scrawny teenagers. I could only scoff.
"A girl..?"
The boy furthest away shook his head, pushing the door lazily to leave the scene. I shrugged.
We were both disappointed, I see.
"Why are you here?" the blonde one kept his ground, puffing up his shoulders and all. Can't deny, being at gunpoint is still pretty stressful, though keeping eye contact while he clumsily steps over bottles is harder. "You own the city, or what?" I attempted to casually walk away from my corner but he got closer.
Message received.
"My dad died for this city, stupid girl" his perfectly straight teeth grinded together, I could tell he was heavily spoiled before all of this unfolded. "I'm a doctor" I stared him down, I knew I had to give them some reason not to shoot me, plus being a straight A medic student is close enough.
Frat boys wouldn't know.
"And, my family died, too" his dad must've been a soldier, but he won't ask questions about why someone's family died.
Everyone's dead, for glob's sake, why does it matter anymore?
"Fynn.. This doesn't look good" the ginger called his friend from outside, giving us his back to stare through a binocular.. That'll come in handy if I could steal it from them s..- I was snatched by my sleeve, almost trembling on a pack of tramadol.
What?!
I looked behind me and it was actually that. How did I not see it?! I resisted his pull trying to go backwards but his grip is firm.
"Freaking.. Let go of me!" I stepped on his shoe but that guy wasn't fazed, but shut me up with his hand while we hid behind a huge rock.
"Could she be a hostage?" he whispered to his shaking friend, "I-I-I don't know man.. I don't like this" the Fynn guy clicked his tongue, peeking to see the passing military vehicle, and I bit his hand. "What the hell?!" I watched him wipe it on his ripped blue sweater, and I fixed my backpack.
"Listen.. I could shout and draw some real attention here, but we could be civil and pretend we never met, okay?"
My hand reached out, he was too busy altering his blue eyes between the bite on his and his crumbling friend. I nodded, taking steady steps away. Heavy gun fires caused all of us to lay down covering our ears. I hit my jaw against the concrete.
What was that?
"I'm too young to die bro.. We.. I can't.." The ginger cried, hands covering his hair full of sand particles, and I looked up at the direction of the sound. It wasn't from the vehicle. It came from behind an apartment complex a few blocks away.
Doesn't mean it was good for us, at all.
"I'm sorry.. For stealing your bike last summer bro" The young boys hugged, it was touching..
Almost.
I tied my hair in a bun and picked up that binocular to look at the source of this shooting. It wasn't hard when smoke generated quickly.
"I'm sorry for stealing your girlfriend in 5th grade" the other one squealed, then silence ruled. "Are you for real?" the Jake guy wiped his eyes moving away from his brother.
"You know she was my first love, man.. Not cool"
Is it his brother..? I couldn't tell.
I couldn't bother staying, either. Those military men are killed miraculously, but who knows what'll happen after. I almost sprinted away when a gunshot landed on the rock. The rock they sat right under.
"Did you see that?"
"Yeah, she was about to steal my damn telescope" I panted, staring at that black rifle, with a dark shadow behind it. Why did he shoot here? It couldn't be a mistake..
"Ayo, redhead! Give his telescope back! We're not messing around" Could I actually leave them here.. Or..
I pulled my map to check the closest hospital. It wasn't close at all. "Please, we don't wanna fight anymore. Give it back" the taller boy attempted to pull my sweater. I lost my temper
"It's not a freaking telescope y-"
Another gunshot.
"Oh, my god. You were right.. There is actually someone there" they both spotted that person, wasting no time to reload and run towards him. They pose no threat. I hit my forehead on the rock. Still, I can't witness more death, not today. I followed from a different path, making some zigzags so I'm not the next target. "Guys, not that I care, but this is a bit too dangerous" I warned, and definitely got ignored, because they entered some building.
"This is for all the sex you stole from me" Taller boy lifted his fist, the other hitting the back of the stairs with his knee "Good luck!" I kneeled, taking deep breaths and quick sips from my water bottle. My curiosity led me to sneak through the window, way quieter than they did, and I slowly climbed the stairs where I was surprisingly met by two alive, but tied up sobbing boys.
Is this place soundproof?
And gosh, am I babysitting at this point?
I should've left.
"Please.. take revenge for us, redhead" this Fynn spoke like he wasn't threatening me 30 minutes ago, also as if they are without a single scratch. I chuckled. This would've been more fun if I hadn't noticed the person running from a crack in the wall, and followed them by the guide of instinct.
He can't be dangerous if he didn't kill disposable guys like those two. I could be way off
“Who are you? And why are you shooting?"
I called, more aware he obviously won't stop, but he did, and I was at gunpoint. Again.
What is this day?
"Fuck off you dipshit" I stood, sweaty and intrigued, because it was a feminine voice behind that black coverup. I haven't met a woman in months. Not like it matters because I am going to die.
"If you follow me, I'll blow your fucking brains out"
She threatened, loud and clear, and I noticed a tear near her leg, seemed like dry blood.
"I'm a doctor. I could help"
Here I am using this again. Pretty handy, but unappealing because she just kept running, until she noticed the soldiers lined up on the other side of the road, it caused her to curse and look back at me.
I unzipped my bag, tossing the first aid kit I carried all this time, hoping it was convincing. I don't know why I am addicted to helping people who do not serve me, but it was a trait of mine now, and it kind of worked because she violently rubbed her forehead and walked past me to the door.
"I won't ask questions" I reassured, flinching when she smacked the door shut.
I could do some good during a war, perhaps.
"If you play any tricks, I won't hesitate. Fucking pest" she spit that last insult harsher as she threw her bag of bullets. I could hear the muffled sounds of the boys right above us.
"I just wanna help, really" I soaked a pad in saline solution while this girl sat frustrated, avoiding eye contact and untying her hair to itch her head. Her hair long enough to touch the base of the seat, pretty impressive.
"Why?"
It’s about time she’d asked, a little less defensive than the rest.
"Because, it's basically us against them at this point. Why are we really fighting?" I dabbed the wound causing her to hiss, pulling her leg away. She rolled her eyes at my very valid point.
"Help? Anyone!" the calls continued as I applied pressure, watching her squeeze her eyes. I don't think she would let me stitch this under these circumstances. "They're so fucking annoying" I nodded. "I just met them" I didn't have to explain myself, but I just felt the need to. The sounds of footsteps approaching made me pause wrapping her wound, because they were some certain chunky boots, and she quickly jumped outside the window to go through another one.
Is she escaping now?!
Pulling the bag closer to me, I quickly hid behind the stairs, where the weight of someone was climbing them.
Oh, my god..
They are definitely dead.