Chapter 12: Starting A New Journey
2210 Words
Alecia, Diana, and Virgil strode towards a large wall that surrounded the town and stopped by the gate. Outside, an armed man was waiting.
“We’re ready,” said Virgil.
The man nodded, spun around to pick up the three small weapons leaning against the wall, and handed each to Alecia and Diana.
“Remember,” the man withdrew from giving the weapon to Virgil, “a deal is a deal.”
He offered Virgil the weapon.
Alecia shot a ponderous gaze on the object in her hand. Of course, there’d be a danger, how could it slip her mind?
“Ever used a weapon like this before?” Virgil posed with a narrowed look.
She nodded. “Only once.”
“Good,” Virgil said before turning to Diana. “You better use what I taught you.”
Diana’s eyebrows drew closer to each other, a scowl on her face. “As you said, we’re ready.”
She stormed off, opened the gate, and stepped out.
Alecia’s memories came back to the day she had to use the weapon. It was impossible for her to forget; she almost killed a man, who, in her defense, tried to kill her. Virgil having more experience on the dangers of the outside world, it was discernible that there’d be more threats to be found, or else, why would he have given her the weapon?
To defend herself.
“After you,” mumbled Virgil, gesturing his hand to the gate. Alecia gave a slight smile and followed Diana outside.
“Don’t worry,” Virgil uttered to the armed man, “anything I find useful, I’ll give to you as payment.”
As soon as the man agreed, Virgil walked out, the gate closing behind him.
“Alecia,” he called out as he stepped towards her, giving her a wood-handled knife, “in case you have to get close and personal.”
“I don’t think I could use it on anyone.” Alecia wore a forlorn look as she stared at the glinting sharp-scaled blade, shaking her head ceaselessly. “No.”
“Say that now, but when you have to use it to defend yourself, it won’t be a choice. Do you understand?”
Albeit hesitant, Alecia nodded and managed a slight smile. Virgil smiled, too, turned around, and sauntered to the pathway where Diana stood. Alecia stopped in her tracks, shooting the blade a questioning look. As it glinted against the sunlight, carved writing became recognizable. She traced her finger across it, from one end to the tip.
“Alecia, let’s go now! You don’t want to be left behind, do you?”
Alecia knelt down and tucked the blade in her boot. She adjusted her olive-colored jacket and strode towards Virgil and Diana.
“We have a long journey ahead of us,” said Diana.
Virgil grinned. “We sure do.”
-
They traveled to a flat desert field of ash and dust—a land with no sign of life, the dry cracked soil looking as if it swallowed any plant life that could’ve survived. The ground crumbled each step they took; the scent of the dry baked earth could be smelled as the dust went through their nostrils.
“Did we have to go through here?” Diana folded her arms. “It’s a bit freezing out here.”
“It’s the only shortcut,” replied Virgil. “But you’re right, it’s a bit cool.”
He flicked his gaze at the sky and ahead once more.
“During the day? It contradicts itself, don’t you think?”
Virgil shook his head. “Not really.”
“Barely any light’s probably the reason,” Alecia said from behind them.
Virgil looked over his shoulder at Alecia. “I almost forgot you were there.”
“I’d be quiet too, knowing I’d be walking a long way,” said Diana.
He shrugged and knelt down as he swung his backpack to the floor and unzipped it.
Diana turned to him. “Come on, we have to keep moving.”
“We won’t be moving for much longer—” He rummaged through his backpack—“without these.”
He threw a bottle of water at Diana, tossed another at Alecia, and took one for himself before zipping his backpack.
“I thought you’d never take them out,” Alecia said with a cheerful smile.
Diana unscrewed the bottle. “Thanks, Virgil.”
“Now we can move on,” he said as he placed the backpack over his one shoulder and continued walking.
“Woah, hold it,” Virgil said to Diana as she drank from the bottle of water. “We still need to keep some for later.”
-
“So, what do we expect when we arrive there?” Alecia took the initiative to break the silence.
Virgil looked at her. “Are you talking to me?”
“Well, yes, since you’re the only one who knows them.”
“They’re not the nicest people, but they help us and we help them. In other words: try not to be friendly with them.”
“I have no problem with that.”
“Good.”
“Virgil, look.” Diana pointed ahead.
“What?”
“I can see the buildings.” She lowered her hand. “You see it?”
Virgil squinted at the distance and nodded, smiling. “Looks like we can rest once we reach the city.”
“I hope so.” Alecia smiled back and looked ahead. In the distance, two dilapidated buildings towered over the horizon. “How long will it take to get to those people?”
“About two days.”
“Are you being serious?”
“I’m as serious as I can be.”
Diana snorted. “Most of the time, you’re not.”
“Yep, I guess you’re right.”
-
Alecia dropped the empty bottle as they walked near the end of the desert field. Sand dunes scaled up towards a forest of unclothed trees.
“It looks like we need to climb.” Virgil stepped back and ran up the dune. He turned around and looked at Alecia and Diana below. “You can do it, too. It’s easy.”
“You go first,” Diana said, looking up.
“Okay,” replied Alecia. She took a few steps back and ran up the dune as well. Virgil took her hand and helped her up.
“Now, it’s your turn.” Virgil knelt down, his hand outstretched to Diana.
“As if there’s anyone else here.” Diana stepped and smirked, running up the dune to catch Virgil’s hand.
“There we go. That was fun, wasn’t it?”
As they strode into the woods, the overshadow of the trees’ branches passed over them.
“I wonder about these trees.” Virgil strolled his eyes across the branches above.
“What?” asked Alecia.
“Surely, it can find water below ground?” Virgil looked at her. “Don’t you agree?”
“Are you only bringing this up because you don’t know what to say?” asked Diana.
“Just trying to spark a conversation. Do you have anything to say, Alecia?”
Alecia blinked. “Pardon?”
“What do you want to say?”
“All I can say is. . . I’m exhausted,” Alecia said, chuckling as she unzipped her jacket and took it off.
“Don’t worry, we’ll rest soon.”
Alecia tucked her gun in the jacket. “Sounds good.”
“Who was monitoring your condition while you were in that tank? Uncle Wallace didn’t tell me who it was,” asked Diana.
“It was like an artificial person.” Alecia looked at Virgil and flicked her eyes to Diana.
Virgil’s eyebrows shot upwards. “It was a robot?”
“Was it one of those medic bots?” Diana asked.
“I was told that. . . yes.”
“It must’ve been one of those Evie ones.” Diana scratched her forehead.
“Did he have to name them that?” Virgil said with a sigh.
“Who’s that?”
“He’s talking about Doctor Yards. He named them Evie.”
“Do you two know him?”
“It’s best not to talk about him,” replied Virgil.
Alecia turned to Diana before looking ahead, a calm look on her face.
“Is that a hill over there?” She pointed ahead at a steep pathway that headed upward.
“That sure is, Alecia,” Virgil said.
-
They climbed to the edge of the path only to find themselves near the ruins of a city.
“This brings back memories,” Alecia muttered to herself as she stepped first on the concrete road, her gaze sweeping from one side to the other.
“Although not the ones I lost.”
Diana stepped beside her. “You’ve been here?”
“No, I haven’t, exactly.” Alecia walked towards a car covered in a thick layer of ash. “It just looks familiar, that’s all.”
She fiddled with the car’s side mirror, rubbing off the ash with her thumb.
“I’d like to spend time here. I could learn more about the history of this place.” Diana walked between two mangled cars.
“Yes, I bet you would, but we have more important matters to deal with,” Virgil said.
Alecia and Diana walked into a building which had a large square opening, with one pillar holding the frame.
“This looks suitable.” Alecia looked at the walls’ inside.
“Can we rest here?” Diana asked, turning to Virgil.
“This should be good for a shelter,” Virgil said with a nod as he walked towards the wall, swung the backpack off his shoulder, and sat.
“I don’t think we’d be seen here.”
Diana sat and leaned into a corner.
“By who? Scavengers?” Alecia sat and leaned against the wall across him.
He placed his weapon on the backpack. “Worse, I’m afraid.”
“Who could be worse?” Alecia looked puzzled.
Virgil chuckled. “Let’s just say whatever moves kills.”
“I have an experience of how dangerous a place like this can be.” Alecia took the blade from her boot and fiddled with it.
“Is that how you ended up with a wounded leg?” asked Diana.
“That’s one of the reasons.”
“Were you attacked by scavengers?” Virgil posed, taking the weapon off the bag and unzipping it.
“All I know is they’re full of anger and hatred.” Alecia tightened her grip on the handle of the blade.
Virgil nodded. “They get that way for almost no reason at all.”
“How many are they?” asked Diana.
“Too many.”
“It’s very fortunate that you survived,” Virgil said as he took out two more bottles of water.
“Yes,” Alecia said, chuckling. “Yes, it was.”
- Writer
