The Return Journey

[Garras Agudas]

Open Thread

OOC: End of Days Concept

99 percent of Earth is a scorched and lifeless surface

1 percent can still sustain life if you can find it

A lone man knows the way there as he's just come from it.

He's returned to his hometown in hopes of finding his family, his friends, his sweetheart, planning to take them back.


Instead he finds thier lifeless bodies and buries them, then begins to plan his return back. A stop at a giant wholesale warehouse gives him the supplies he needs and he is ready to move on. A sudden noise and he turns, finding he isn't alone.

IC: "If you're planning to rob me forget it, I've got nothing you'd want and don't care if I die"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

"Why would I want to rob someone now?" I stood there, haggard from my journey to reach life, somewhere. The four days walk had brought me into a small town, no survivors I could find. Now suddenly there was one lone man wandering the same place I sought food and shelter before moving on.
Filthy from head to toe, blood from various small cuts when the blast sent debris into the air and into the basement where I had hidden with so many.. So many who had been fried to a crisp.. Why was I left alive? I asked myself many times that same question and each time, I had no answers..
"C-can you tell me what happened?" I should have been afraid of this lone man, but since there was little to no life left, what did it matter? We're all dead eventually..

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

"The idiots did it. We warned them not to arm the missiles, it would be seen as an act of transgression and still they did it. When the first missile incoming was spotted they fired everything we had and burned them as badly as they burned us"

The blond haired young man turned his eyes towards the dirty and tired girl, thinking she couldn't be old enough to vote, IF there was anyone left to vote for.

"Look, take this" He offered the sealed bottle of water and drew one for himself "The tag shows no rads here, at least not enough to worry about"

Pointing to his shoulder he showed her the triangluar patch and raised his hand with another to match.

"Hey? It's just one of the same. You'll need it when we take off?"

Blue eyes looked at her face, eyes that should have been young, happy, carefree but weren't. They were old, beyond definition of age and full of pain.

"The entire place is a treasure chest of what we need. Alone I can't carry enough to make a difference, but together?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

I took the water after a moment, still uncertain about the future.. Looking around the past four days showed me there was no future, and yet here stood a lone man?
"I.. thanks.." In twenty four years of life, I never thought this would happen.. And if it, how would any one survive this? How was I going to make it? How did he? So many questions in my mind, and no time to ask them right now.
He said 'we', did that mean he intended on me going with him? Going where?
"There is a basement in this building and four wheelers down there, but no keys.... Everything up front is melted from the blast.." I doubted we could get them running, or find gas but it was worth a shot wasn't it? I planned on stealing one if I could figure out how to hotwire the machine.. No luck though.
I took a drink of the water, just a small one and recapped it. I turned and caught my reflection in a steel siding sheet, I was barely recognizable? It didn't matter, not right now it didn't. Again I felt the desperation and fear coming over me. I had spent the first twenty four hours just crying and feeling sorry for myself... Thinking I would die where I was, no food.. nothing.
Lord, why did I survive? I hated feeling this way and quickly squashed the thoughts.
"Where are you headed stranger?"

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

"Adam, my name is Adam"

It hit me then, I had seen only one live person in over 500 miles and she was in front of me now. Was I truly her Adam and she, my Eve?

Despite the horror of it all or maybe because of it I laughed and looked into her surprised eyes at the sound of my voice.

"Can you show me the four wheelers, I can jump them if the wiring isn't completely destroyed from the E M P" I asked carefully, still trying to avoid the last question she directed at me. A single flight of stairs and she held the flashlight we found on the way.

"I can fix the larger one but the smaller one is shot" I explained, cutting the hot lead and arcing it to the solenoid, then turning the engine over with the kickstart "There is kerosene in gallon cans under the counter, it will run long enough for us to get to the valley"

I had said it and wondered at her reaction, she was intelligent but tired, maybe it would slip past her?

"After we get it up the stairs lets hook the trailer to it?" I suggested, watching her carefully pour the clear fuel into the tank. A couple of good kicks and the engine barked, then chugged to a rough idle and we both grinned. It was a small victory, but one I'd take.

"If you can drive it?" I offered, moving to the counter and pulling all the cans of fuel out that remained. It wasn't enough to make it the entire distance, but it was a good start, maybe we could find fuel on the way. I moved to the corner and the glass covered display, using a chair to break the glass before pulling a pair of target pistols, a shotgun and rifle out as well. I hated the damn things but we would need them, and the ammo.

The engine had roared and then the sound of tires spinning told me she had made it up the steep steps and another thought occurred to me, leaving me with a hollow feeling in my chest as I told myself I didn't even know the woman.

"Hey?" I shouted to the top of the now empty steps "Are you going to wait for me?"

I tried to stay calm, moving up the debris covered steps with both arms full, hoping. But hoping for what?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

Interesting, I had never watched someone hotwire something. It didn't look too hard, but then again I was mechanically retarded.
I nodded, "Yes I can drive it." With more confidence than I felt as I eyed the stairs.

"What valley are you talking about?" I questioned as I climbed into the vehicle. The smell was back, the one in the air that kept causing my head aches. Perhaps it was all in my head, but I hated that stench. Ignoring it as best I could, I located the gas and climbed my ass back off the machine.

"Nice to meet ya Adam.. I am Kaitlynn.." His laughing caught me a little off guard, I seen nothing funny here? I had not seen anyone in days, not a single living soul.... It dawned on me what he was laughing about but said nothing. He would have found it strange my mother's name had been evelyn. I felt a tear form and quickly staunched it. They were gone now, no use crying over it.

Jumping on the four wheeler, I got the feel of it idling and found the gas handle. "We can hook it up to a trailer..." Part of what he said caught me and I turned my attention back to him. Part of me wanted to tell him, "Knock it off! We're doomed to die anyways!" And part of me had a sliver of hope that this wouldn't kill everyone on the planet. But I had been in school, I had watched the news now and then. Nuclear winters would kill everything on the planet.. Or so they said.

Feeling a little angry, I revved the engine and tore up the stairs. I didn't stop there I kept going until I was outside through the blow off section of the warehouse. Turning back I heard him yell something, but could not make out the words over the engine. Turning around I went back inside and shut the machine off.

"Well where is this trailer?" The machine was big enough for both of us to ride on it, or did he have his own transportation? "Why couldn't we get lucky enough to find ourselves a truck?!" I questioned him as I roamed the isles of camping gear.
"Any clothing or bedding downstairs that did not get ruined?" We would need more than just guns and ammo, water and food was also important, but so was sheltering our asses from the cold and heat. What I would give for a damned bath or shower right now. I was covered in mud and ash from walking and moving around in burnt down buildings. all well, can't be prissy in these conditions..
"Fishing poles a good idea? I do know how to fish..." A thought in my mind, food.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Her suggestion of other supplies made me aware she was here alone, stranded, possibly all her family, friends and loved ones gone as well and it staggered me. I had been forcing myself to think of the next step needed to survive, to make it for so long I had almost forgotten the enormity of the holocaust mankind had induced on itself.

“Kate, There was a complete camping outfit set up in the far corner. Also I think I saw clothing that would fit and protect you. I’ll help haul it up here and anything else we can pack including a first aid kit.”

For a long minute I tried to look past the layers of grime and see the person underneath, the impulse to tell her how much I actually knew coming to my mind and then pushed aside as I mentally wrote a list of needed supplies.

I tore my eyes away and moved to the rubbish piled against the caved in wall, pulling the tarp off the trailer I had hidden before she had arrived. Together we pulled, yanked and pushed it to the 4 wheeler and then locked it to the ball already on the back of it.

“Can you use this?” I offered one of the pistols to her, butt first and let my breath out when she took it and handled it like she knew what end to point, the barrel going to the sky as she jacked the receiver back and checked for loads.

She had asked about radiation, fall out and the tone had hinted at a dismal hope of seeing another day. I couldn’t let her give up, not if we were both going to make it, not understanding myself why it was so important suddenly that we BOTH survive. But it was.

“The first rounds that fell weren’t nuclear” I spoke softly, avoiding her eyes as I explained “They were designed to eliminate the electronic and electrical links, burning out the communications and weaponry that all depended on the computers. Then the next group was an evolved form of incendiary and explosive, targeting the most likely sites to be military. It wasn’t until we returned fire with our own nuclear that they replied with their own, in the end neither side won”

I let the words taper off, hoping she would see the best of the worst news in them and moved downstairs again, another light in my hand as I negotiated the rubbish and dark interior. I felt rather than saw her beside me, a light of her own shining a path for her as we began to rummage thru the riches of a now past life. Quickly the pile in the cart grew as trip after trip was made and armloads were packed into it, darkness had fallen as we tied the final load down and we both knew we had to leave before other things came to scavenge as well.

“I’ll let you drive for us, if you don’t mind me sitting behind you?” I suggested gently “Head due east for an hour or so and there will be a small creek emptying into a water hole”

I kicked the engine to life as I straddled the machine, then slid as far back as I could, trying to give her all the room and private space two strangers could when trying to survive together.

A final look back and I said a silent goodbye. Goodbye to the town I was raised in and the business my parents had given their life for.

OOC: Adam is assuming Kaitlynn will step onto the machine and drive them both away? Stating this so you will know how my scene ends. Thanks for writing with me again, Sweetp.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

Helping as much as I could, it wasn't easy but it occupied my thoughts. His comforting words helped some what, but my mind was too busy with all the "what if's" in life.
"Alright" it was all I could say after everything we had done, the loaded up four wheeler was going to be slow going, but at least if it lasted twenty miles, it was less distance to walk.
Hopelessness was eating away at me and I did my best not to cry or just give up. I had more back bone than this!
I smiled a little and climbed on the four wheeler, out of the business and into the darkening streets. I looked at the compass I had mounted on the metal tank and headed as he instructed. Little could be said, I was riding off with some stranger, but if he was insane, at least I'd die quicker than starving or worse.
He tried to give me as much room as possible, but face it... there wasn't any. I knew he held himself stiff behind me, so i said nothing about it and kept driving.
"relax!" I called over the loud noise of the motor. "I dont bite!" I shouted again over my shoulder. I didn't know how long we drove, but I did finally reach the creek. Now was it safe to bath in or not? And I used to think smog, polution and smoking would kill me...


ooc: no thanks needed Garras, ty for the invite

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

I tried to keep some distance between us on the single seat but as the four-wheeler began to move it quickly became evident it was no use. Every small bump despite her careful driving moved me forward and as I slid back again another bump repeated the motion. Eventually I gave up as her invitation came over her shoulder.

"relax, I don't bite"

The hour went by pleasantly enough following that, my lean frame pressed against her softer curves, an arm carefully curled around her trim waist holding me steady. The heat between our bodies was welcome as well, the relative cool of nightfall bringing a slight chill to the air.

Despite a promise to myself I would stat alert it jolted me when Kaitlynn pulled the machine over and cut the engine. We had arrived at the creek, the sound of water gurgling softly having a relaxing quality all to itself as I slid back, suddenly reluctant to move away from her.

"The creek was safe enough to drink from when I passed here a week ago, but it might be best if we held off until morning to use it. What animals are left will come to drink at night and without daylight I can't safely recheck the water"

I felt ashamed, denying her the luxury she obviously wanted and as I pulled the two man tent and sleeping bags from the wagon tried to apologize.

"I could stand watch with a flashlight, but if an animal were desperate enough they would come in despite it, to shoot and kill one of the few remaining of a species would be useless when we don't even need it for food?"

I received a nod as we gathered enough for a dry camp and quickly erected the tent, placing it far enough away so as to not be in the walking paths. Sleeping bags, pistols and water inside the tent I stood, awkward again at the next prospect.

"Kaitlynn? I could sleep outside if it made you feel better, there isn't any chance of rain, I think and you could get a good nights sleep?"

A sleep we both needed, it had been nearly 24 hours since I last stole a quick nap inside the destroyed store and my eyelids were telling me so.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

I nodded mutely, the mentioning of animals had me a little choked up. My family's horses were all gone as well.. I wouldn't think about it, them, grandma.. None of it.
I tensed up a little, determined to STOP acting like a baby. "No, We do not wish to shoot any remaining animals there might be left.. I understand." I helped unload the fourwheeler enough to get to the tent and sleeping bags. Once set up I seen a slight problem, tiny tent..
"Kaitlynn? I could sleep outside if it made you feel better, there isn't any chance of rain, I think and you could get a good nights sleep?" My eyes jerked to his face, had he been reading my mind? Looking at him, closely I could see he was beyond tired. perhaps more so than I was? He did look haggard and worn, what threat could he pose?
"That's silly Adam, If you were going to hurt me, you wouldn't have dragged my sorry ass with you..." I smiled faintly, feeling a little more human for once, alive.
"If animals are around and it is too dangerous to bath.. It is definately too dangerous to leave a zombie outside to be carted off with.." I winked and knelt down on the ground to climb inside, "Besides, I am a terrible tracker and would take me days to find were they took you.. So get in here." I chuckled a little, I did not lie there about tracking things. That's why I never got to hunt with my family in the seasons, Couldn't find what I shot.
Lying down and scooting into the sleeping bag, I lay there waiting for him to shut off the flash light and get in. Again my mind wondered how? How could they be so stupid to use a weapon that would kill us all?

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Kaitlynn was correct. I was nearly a zombie, the strain of the days physical work wasn't the worst of it, rather the stress induced upon myself by the guilt I felt. Shutting the flashlight off I let my eyes become accustomed to the dark, my ears listening for sounds in the night.
Silence, dead absolute silence. We had committed suicide as a race. Pride overcoming the willingness to solve our differences, arrogance dragging us down in the assumption that we were right, stupidity blinding us until it was too late. Too late because the light of revelation was the final thing most of us saw, the thunder of the bombs and our cries the last thing registering in millions of minds.
I had survived. Survived when I should have died with family, survived because I refused to be a part of it all, the madness. And where had it brought me to?
I crawled into the tent, zipping the flaps into place and moving into sleeping bag. I would sort out my future and tell Kaitlynn what was in store for us tomorrow, when the sun was shining and my maudlin thoughts had passed. Survival. It was the new name of the game, the only game.
I slept, the pistol in my hand as I wished her a good nights sleep, dreams of the horrors I had seen keeping me company.


Morning came, the sun shining brightly as I had hoped and I crawled stiffly from the bag and outdoors. A fast trip to the bushes and relief, then a slow circle around our campsite and the undisturbed machine and cargo.
Nothing. Not a single animal track, nor bird or human. I moved to the creekside and pulled the sampler from the makeshift pouch on my side, testing the water and nodding. It was a relief, at least temporarily water wouldn't be a problem, it registered normal as the entire area had when I came through the first time.
I moved to the trailer, unpacking a few luxuries I had placed into it and setting up the grill. I had a fire blazing merrily, the gathered wood crackling as water boiled in preperation for coffee, the powdered eggs and wild onions ready when a low moan came from the tent.


"Breakfast ala natural?" I quipped, keeping my voice merry. "I will serve you after your morning absolutions"

I kept my face pleasant and attention diverted to the now boiling coffee grounds, rubbing my face and reminding myself to save enough hot water to shave.Two more days and we would reach where I set out on foot, two days and nights and then I'd have to confess to Kaitlynn, if I couldn't find the courage to do so before then.

The brush crackled beside me and I lifted a tin cup, offering the first of the coffee to her tousled head as she approached.

"The finest of the silver, Miss. Dine with me and we can discuss who draws the chore of dishes"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

I did not want to wake up, I hated getting up and going to work day in and day out... Though it had to be done. I scretched a little and scratched, wondering why I couldn't hear my grandmother's singing? Sitting up, my eyes opened as I moved and I realized where I was and what had happened. Again I felt anger and upset, but I couldn't do anything about it either.
Smiling a little at his voice, I crawled out of the tent and watched Adam for a moment cooking something. At least I wasn't alone anymore.. That was a good start I thought.
Thent he silence caught me, the dead silence. I could not even hear a bird chirping. The brook beside the tent splashed around and made noise, as did the sizzling of the fire and whatever he was cooking, but no animal sounds.
Sighing, I walked over to where Adam stood and did my best to be cheerful.
"Good morning.. Thanks" I took the offered cup and glanced at the water.
"Did we bring canteens in all that stuff for water?" I hated to get down to business but the thought was there.
"Sorry.. I am not used to this..." Sighing, I set the cup down and excused myself. Walking through some of the bushes, I made my way down the stream a little ways and relieved myself far from the water. Moving back towards camp, I couldn't help but think of all the movies I had seen on this, the possibilities and scenarios as well. Food, shelter and water all needed. I needed to ask Adam where we were going? Spotting a wide spot in the stream I smiled a little, I could bath there before we left! If I hurried that is..
Walking back into the camp, I asked him just that. "Will I have time to wash some of this grime off before we go? And I will do the dishes.." I smiled and took a plate he offered towards me.
Sitting in silence again for the longest time, I kept wondering, "Are there others alive?"

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

I smiled at the forced cheerfullness in her voice as she responded to my words, knowing the ache inside she must feel at finally and trully being alone.

Brushing aside her apologies I smiled at her request to bathe in the stream and the offer to do the dishes. She was trying, I gave her that and that alone showed courage as she sat and picked at the meager fare for breakfast.

And then with a few words she seemed to sum up what I was feeling.

"Are there others alive?"

I turned, trying to fight the emotions that bunched in my throat, using the cup of coffee to conceal them and wash them before I answered.

"The law of averages say yes, Kaitlynn. This area was exposed to the least lethal form of attack, no nuclear, or chemical, or biological. I've seen traces of human presence where I dry camped but haven't found them yet"

It was the only answer I could give, hopeful but not knowing for sure.

I collected the small amount of utensils and stacked them in a small basin we had used to pack them in earlier.

"You go ahead and take your bath" I offered "It will give me time to clean these up and shave, then I'll take a quick swim next and we can leave"

We had packed several bars of soap and various toiletries in a canvas bag and I pulled it open, taking a blade and a bar of soap from it before offering her the bag.

"Just don't use all the hot water"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

I grinned a little at his teasing and nodded my head, "I'll try not to use it all up... Thanks Adam..... For everything." I grabbed the bag he held and a towel. Rummaging through I found some shorts and a shirt to throw on after wards. It wasn't much but it would do. It had to.

I quickly made my way down stream a little way and found the wide deeper spot of the creek. Stripping down, I yelped out just a little as I stepped in.
"Holly shit! This is cold.. damned cold!" It felt good though and I couldn't wait until I was clean again. Quickly washing my body, I spent a good five minutes on my face and hair, hoping I could get all the grime out of it.
Standing in hip deep water, i watched the dirty flow downstream from my hair. Washing it a few more times until the water ran clear, I was finally able to get my frozen tushie out of the water.
Shivering as i dried off, I wondered yet again where everyone who survive was hiding? Bigger cities more likely.. Unless those were hit first? The attack came so quickly, I never did reach the ranch house to turn on the TV set. I reached the house in time for my grandparents to usher me down into the basement and bury me under all the matresses and such they had lying around.
I wished now they had crawled under it with me, perhaps they would have been saved from the fires and heat?
I blocked the image out of my mind and tugged on the clothes I had brought with me. Arriving back in camp I sat and waited for Adam. I wondered if he would recognize me now?
Auburn locks, clear blue eyes and a young face. I was young but I appeared younger than I was. A blessing grandma had told me, I smirked at her comments I could hear playing over and over in my mind. I looked as she did when she was young. Tall, slim but nice in the right places. I found a pony tail and pulled my hair up once again. Perhaps it would stay cleaner this way?
Stretching out on the sleeping bag, I dozed off waiting for Adam to return.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

I had finished and set the dishes aside and was using the last of the hot water to lather my three day beard, the first strokes of the blade cleaning the gristle from my well tanned cheeks. The squeal I heard wasn't loud but in the absolute silence we had found ourselves in it was alarming and I thought the worst. The blade in one hand the soap in the other I moved quickly towards the noise and it's source.

Slowing at the brush I rounded it and stood dumb founded as a second, lighter squeal came to my ears again. But it wasn't the sound that stopped me flat footed, rather the sight, mouth wide open I stood there and watched Kaitlynn stretching, her hair and face full of soap as she washed.

Young, full breasts followed her motions, her stomach stretched flat across her ribs as she worked the soap into her hair, then slowly lowered herself into the water.

I turned and left, moving up stream and away from the sight of the lovely young woman, trying hard to avoid the thoughts of what my body was reacting to.

"It was obvious the water was cold the way her nipples had hardened" I mumbled trying to forget and losing, then remembering I still held the soap bar in my hand "Maybe that cold water is just what I need"

I was far enough up the stream to be out of sight and quickly stripped, tossing the clothes onto a nearby branch and plunging into the water. The shock hit me as the water wrapped itself around me and I pushed myself into a rapid stroke, coming up for air as my arms pumped against the frigid liquid over and over. Three quick laps and my blood was pumping and I recovered the bar of soap floating in the water, then used it quickly on my hair, face and body, scrubbing the skin like a madman as I tried to wipe away the sight of Kaitlynn's naked front.

The cold returned and my teeth were suddenly chattering as I pulled myself from the water remembering I had brought nothing to dry myself with.

"Keep your mind on business, Adam" My conscience chastised itself as I slipped on my pants and shirt. "Business, not pleasure"

I repeated the words as I made my way back to our camp, promising I would remember them and doing just the opposite when I walked into the camp and saw Kaitlynn drowsing in the sun.

I pulled a pair of fresh pants and shirt out, dressing quickly and grateful Kaitlynn was sleeping so I wouldn't have to do it in front of her, then realized I had left the camp in a hurry and hadn’t finished shaving as well.

Moving to the still warm water I couldn't help but admire the beauty that lay sprawled out on the sleeping bag then averted my eyes with an effort as I finished shaving. The chore finished I tossed the water and stowed the cleaned basin away with the dishes tucked inside.

"Kaitlynn? Time to be moving" I prompted the sleeping beauty gently "Rise and shine?"

The words went unheard and I moved next to her, kneeling and touching her shoulder gently, shaking it.

"Come on sleeping beauty" I urged "Time to wake up and get moving"

It was hard not to smile as her long eyelashes fluttered and her full lips moved, even more difficult to fight the urge to cover those lips with my own, but I fought the impulse and won as she stretched once again and sat up.

"Time to go, Kaitlynn" I repeated gently, averting my eyes from her top as her breasts stretched it tight underneath, showing the full curves and still hard points. "We can pack the tent and bags and then head east again today"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaithlynn

Stretching, I head a soft voice calling me awake and stretched as I smiled. Not opening my eyes at first I nodded and stretched again. It felt good, from head to toe to stretch out like that.
Scratching my stomach, I peeked out at Adam. A small gasp of surprise, I stared up at his clean shaven face. Clean and looking human again, we both must look alot different to the other.
Smiling as I sat up, I gave him an apraising glance over.
"Nice." Scooting on my butt until I reached the tent opening, I climbed out and stretched once more. Hands higher over my head, and twisting a little to pop my back, I glanced around the open terrain.
"We should locate some horses before this thing runs out of gas.. We're in Ranch country out here.. Should be some around here somewhere..." I heard him climb out and stand beside me. Peeking sideways at him, I wondered how long I could go on this trip without wanting to see more? Shaking my head a little, survival was important, not getting into his pants.
Sighing, I began gathering things up again without another word, but my eyes were drawn to him again and again. He wasn't the typical male I found attractive at all. Which was surprising me even more I was interested in him. Blonde hair, blue eyes.. A dime a dozen and those as cute as he was were generally stuck on themselves. I was a typical female.. liking tall dark and threatening looking. Adam was none of that.. He didn't even look like he'd been on a horse before.. City boy? Possible.
Still he was attractive in a way I should definately watch myself around. Temptations were too great at this point, and most likely the last thing on his mind right now! He looked older than I, but by how much? Was he married before all of this? Nosey females, I chuckled at my own thoughts. Work katie! I kept telling myself over and over, of course that didn't stop me from admiring his butt in those jeans each time he walked in my line of sight...
"Where are we headed too Adam?" I tried to sound noncommital and reserved, no bad thoughts in my head innocent thing. Chuckling inside, I hid my smile as I worked with rolling up the sleeping bags.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

"We're going into the worst of it" I answered carefully "Where the destruction was done with a mix of incindiary and chemical agents. The people here died painfully and not at all quickly."

I could tell her in detail of what I had seen, the bodies twisted and unrecognizable, the horror stamped on what remained of the faces and bodies. But it wouldn't prepare her. It wasn't enough to get her ready for what was coming.

"Kate? This is going to be tough for both of us, but if someone or something approaches no matter how hard they beg? We don't dare stop. The risk of infection is too great if we're touched. I'll guide you around the larger towns when we get near and with luck we'll be thru this before dark"

And if we weren't there was a good chance we wouldn't see the morning sun, but no sense to speak of gloom.

"I left a larger vehicle parked on the far side, big enough to take all the gear we have and us to the valley"

We could talk on the way we both knew and we moved to the four wheeler, checking it over and seeing no bad news.

Kaitlynn swung her leg over and I triggered the crude starting system, the engine chugging once again to life as I moved behind her.

"Lets do it" I spoke with more assurance than I felt

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

Climbing onto the four wheeler, I wondered what exactly I was going to come across today? I could see the haunting expression on Adam's face, whatever it was it wasn't going to be pretty. No matter how they beg? Good lord! Some were alive? I shivered and felt a little ill to my stomach. How could anyone live through it? The answer came to me from no where....Painfully.
I had a soft heart, I didn't know if I could turn away from someone who needed help.. This I hoped would not happen. Maybe everyone has died by now who was going to die? Hopefull thinking in a childish set mind, but it was best not to think about it. I had been doing alot of that lately.
As he climbed behind me and got situated into a comfortable position, I glanced around once more. This land was destitute, a little green here and there, some bushes along the stream, but not much out there a distance away. Well not much alive.. I could see large pine trees that were withered and brown now. Mountains in the distance and open prarie to the south. He was headed north-east. Up into canada? A possiblility, less populated spots up there between the east and west coast. No reason to bomb in the middle. Something to think about if Adam found where we were headed was a bad idea.
I had been following the small two lane road off and on for so long, I stopped musing to myself and glanced up again from the ground. I had no idea where we were but we were obviously heading the right direction. Adam hadn't stopped me or even shaken me from my thoughts. Leaning back into him, I asked over my shoulder, "What's up ahead? How bad is it?" I felt him tense up against me as I asked those words, I could feel his heart slamming into my back? Or was it my own? Either way, the thoughts in my head were getting movie quality in nightmares, something a little less nasty ahead? I could only hope. My eyes caught the tops of a few buildings ahead, a downtown area of another farming community.
Slowly we made our way towards the town, my eyes searching for an alternate route around when I spotted the little CRX on it's side off the road. Burnt black, as I slowly passed I could see the heat bubbles in the paint and smell the most sickening stench imaginable! Choking a little, I held my breath and hurried the four wheeler along. Rancid meat smell or something dead, either way I wasn't going to stop and take a look inside the car.
Skirting the town to the east, letting it pass on my left, I easily moved from field to field.. or what used to be fields. Now it looked like a large forrest fire had come through and burned it all down in patches. And in other's everything was brown and rotting. Passing over a little bridge, I could see the stagnant green water under the bridge. Another nasty stench came from that, but I had a feeling the water wasn't sitting still but running and that color.
I picked up a speed a little more, hurrying along.
Another small town with not much to see, but up ahead was a larger city. I had been this way many times when I had flown out to the coast to visit my girlfriend from college. I stared straight ahead, silent for awhile, ignoring dead cattle and horses that littered the ground, easily maneuvering around the carcasses. In town had been several stores and several schools as well, many kids bussed in from around the small county.. I hoped to god I did not see the schools or anyone who might still be inside it.
when we were finally far enough away from the town, I began to feel the strain of the situation in my body. Tensed from the moment we entered that town until we left, everything ached. Glancing down at my hands on the bars, I slowly let up my grip from the handle bars, flexing my fingers a little.
Adam had come this way to get where I had found him, if there had been survivors.. He would had found them already.. I felt like screaming in angry and crying in misery all at the same time. Doing neither, I kept the machine moving.
"Is there a safe place around here to stop and stretch?" I asked finally. My throat dry and my voice hoarse as well, I wondered if he heard me?

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

The vibrations from the four-wheeler had changed and we were slowing, her words coming to me and I knew she wanted, no needed, an answer.

“There’s nowhere safe in this area, Kate” I answered as she coaxed the machine to a stop and let it idle as she turned.

“I was in a party of eight men and women, Kate” I began slowly, clasping the rifle I had pulled from the trailer before getting on. I had spent the entire time watching for the things that drug my friends from the doors of the mobile lab and killed them with their slow death. I shook my head to break the hold of the memories too fresh in my mind.

“We made a mistake by stopping for what looked a boy and his younger sister. They were only four or five and were crying pitifully in the middle of the road. My captain made the decision to stop and investigate, help them if possible? The rest came out of nowhere after we were out of the lab and pulled them down, biting and clawing them like animals and trying to eat them alive. I was the last out of the lab and managed to pull a shotgun from the wall. I emptied the thing into the mob and helped what was left of our group back. When I sealed the door the last thing I saw before it closed was the little girl feeding off our captain’s corpse”

I set the rifle down and pulled a canteen out, offering it first to Kaitlynn and finishing.

“The three that got back into the lab never died from the cuts or bites they received. But before it was over they begged for it, they were infected by a mutated virus created from radiation and one of the viruses dropped on the city next to us and it’s inhabitants.
The blood samples they took of themselves showed they were mutating into some horrible cross between human and mindless, hungry animals.”

I let the words trail off and took the water she offered to me, drinking from it and then recapping it.

“We need to keep moving, turn due north now and we’ll find the lab where I hid it. Once inside of it we can stop anywhere we want to and rest, not even THEY can get into it”

Kaitlynn nodded and grimly turned back, snapping the transmission into gear with her foot and easing out the clutch handle.

“We can talk as you drive,” I offered, knowing she was hiding her reaction and the curiosity that would come. “Tell me about yourself if you would?”

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

Shifting, I tried to drive and not think about the horror story he had just related to me. I had no reason to think it was a lie, infact as scary as it seemed, it also seemed very real and threatening.
I tried to think as I drove, something to tell him about me, but all i could see in my mind was the vividly painted pictures of the attack he told me about.
"I ahhh....." I cleared my throat, I had to think of something else or I would never sleep tonight! Shifting in my seat, I pressed backwards a little and into his chest. A more relaxing position, I did not even think about what I had done or that he might mind my touching him. I stayed where I was and again tried to think.
Watching the compass, I headed due north and watched for anything creepy to jump out at me. Seeing nothing, but staying alert i finally thought of his question.
"Well.. Sorry.. My mind was elsewhere.. I am twenty four.. from a small town outside of Dodge City.. I helped my grandparents run their ranch.. lost both my parents to a car crash just about 9 months ago... I was attending college for awhile, business major but had to come back to the ranch and help with finances and such to keep it from being lost..." I shifted a little in the seat, his body heat keeping me warm, I actually felt better.. I felt safe where I was.
"I like horses, camping and fishing. Like to dance now and then and watch movies,.. though I doubt I will be doing any of that now considering..." I fell silent, not sure what all to tell him now. I still couldn't stop the horrors of what was lurking out here or could be, from my mind. Shivering, I turned on the single head light as the darkness got to a pitch black state.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Time had passed quickly as Kaitlynn talked, the miles we needed to make going by and the sun slowly setting. The landmarks looked familiar and as darkness arrived I sighed with releif.

"Over to your left, Kate" I spoke to her ear and she turned smoothly.

"All I see is that old white shed" She replied and I grinned.

"That's no shed, it's our mobile lab" I replied with a smile.

Kate manuevered the four wheeler beside the large white side and played the headlight back and forth over it.

"You said MOBILE lab? Then why did you walk away from it?"

It was a good question and showed her keen mind despite being tired and I answered as I hopped off the four wheeler and moved to a small keypad on the side, punching in a series of numbers.

"Technology is great when it works, the lab is run by solar power and batteries and is stocked with every necessity except one!"

A humming was heard inside and a panel slid open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the hallway into the craft.

"And what is that?" Kate asked curiously, her eyes scrutinizing the interior and then me as I reached into my pockets and held up several small packages with a grin.

"Fuses"

We both laughed then, slowly at first and then louder, the laughter growing and becoming near insane like as we releived the tension of past days.

"There have been several smaller electrical outbursts and they burned out the existing fuses, I shut the lab down to save the batteries and went to find more." I explained with tears in my eyes "I was happy to find someone alive and well when we met"

I triggered several switches on an inside panel and the interior began to grow brighter, showing it's large interior.

"Lets get our gear loaded and then the four wheeler into the cargo hold as soon as we can, then we'll secure the lab and reinstall the fuses and I'll treat you to a HOT shower"

We both bent to the work at hand and I kept smiling, at least we had made it this far, alive and well!

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

Chuckling and shaking my head, I couldn't believe that. All because of fuses? Shit. Wonders never cease around here. I helped unload the three wheeler and load it into the mobile lab. Then putting the three wheeler into the cargo hold, I stopped and arched my back a little.
"I am worn out and ready for some food." I said as I climbed inside and shut the door behind me.
"All is set Adam.. Where are we headed to now?" I sat at the table and rested my head in my palms, weary and worn out from this whole thing.


ooc: sorry so short, brain isnt functioning

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Pressing the new fuses into the panel the lights winked on as the deisel engines kicked in. The interior of the lab became obvious, sullenly empty of the crew it had housed and uninviting in that emptiness. A long hallway ran down the 35 foot craft, doors on each side every 6 foot announcing the presence of rooms on the other side. The room Kate had chose to sit in was the only area that widened and served as a dining and conference center in the past.

"I have the equivalent of TV dinners?" I offered with a grin "High nutrition and carbohydrate proper and still barely manages to taste like cardboard and potatoes"

She was out of it, her head was on the surface of the combination table and geographical map and she was snoring gently.

Sliding the trays into the warmer I set the timer and moved to the front of the craft, triggering the security systems and watching the exterior cameras verify we were alone and temporarily safe. The green lights flickered merrily for each area and I moved back to where Kate was sleeping as the timer chimed.

"Dinner is served" I announced softly and placed the trays far away enough not to burn my guest as I ate.

"Bon appetit" I murdered the phrase and began to chew

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

Waking up to his statement, I nodded and sat a little more upright. It had been a long day, a long drive as well and my body was beat.
I smiled some what and thanked him, eating little and saying less. I just wanted this all to go away and be a horrible nightmare. At least then we wouldn't be stuck in an oversized bus worried about stepping outside.
As I ate I watched him in silence, he too looked drawn and tired.
"Is there a safe destination around here anywhere?" I asked quietly, worried the answer would be No.
Pushing the tray back away from me, I really wasn't too hungry, more tired than anything. It was a little strange just us.. Who ever heard of two people anywhere?

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

"Beds are that way, the shower is on the other end, there are clothes that will fit in each room if you look for them" I supplied as I cleared the table. "I'm going to run a systems test and then move this hulk out of the area, so don't be surprised at a few bumps"

I was anxious to get moving before we were spotted and had to test the crafts self defense systems, and with eight wheels under the carriage we could roll easily over almost anything.

"Once we're moving I can set this thing on auto and retrace our path back to the valley" I called out down the hall "If you need anything don't be afraid to ask"

The chair and the security it represented felt good, I quickly went through the checklist and found no troubles, than fed power to the transmissions and grinned as we smoothly took off. We'd be out of this area in hours and from there to the valley in days.