Two Strangers, All Alone

[Avellan13]

Nathan woke up to the sound of his music player, which served as his alarm clock, playing Downtown by Petula Clark. He didn't know why that song was pick for an alarm, but it served as an inspiration to make him happier in the depressing world.
Getting up, and put on some clothes. Then as he was headed out the door, which lead downstairs, he caught a glimps of the outside through a window. The view was always the same, The city of Chicago, once a magnificent city, now reduced to rubble and ruin by the anulear holocaust. He remebered what life was like before the bombs dropped. They were happy moment that kept him sane.
Remembering his duties, he grabbed his radiation suit for his closet, and headed downstairs. He needed to check the seals on his house to make sure that no radiation would lak into his home. Sure, after a year, or even a few months, the radiation would have settled, but Nathan wasn't taking any chances.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica woke up in a basement of an old building. She had taken to sleeping underground just because she was still scared. She was sure that another bomb would not happen, at least not in this area, but living through it was tough on her. She had all but given up. It seemed the world had died around her and she would never find another living soul again. She barely even spoke out loud anymore. It was weird to hear her own voice now. It was so quiet now.

She made her way out of the old building, which was close to be rubble and looked around as her stomach growled a bit. She was hungry. She began her trek to find something to eat. It was a hopeless effort on her part. Most of the food was gone, but the city was big and she was sure there was something out there. She just had to leave her little area of safety to find it. She headed out to see what she could find.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan, carrying a semi-automatc rifle, headed outside and walked down the stone steps onto the sidewalk. The weapon was hardly ever used, except against looters, radiers, and the mutants. The mutants were a result from the radiation. People and animals became disfigured, there minds twisted, until they were basically mindless.
The worst were the mutant dogs. They were quick, strong, and always traveled in packs. The mutant creature wee driven by the most basic of needs.... the need to feed. They ate anything; food, spoiled or not, plants, almost anything, even people or other animals.
He was headed for a nearby Save A Lot, where he hoped to find some food and provisions.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica walked silently, listening for the usual sounds. Silence was the best sound. Snarling was not good. She had sadly used the last of her ammo and only had a baseball bat. After she looked for food, she needed to find bullets. She was a sitting duck as it were.

She walked in to a store, a save a lot, that she had yet to visit. She hoped it had something to eat. The side of town she had been on had nothing left that was not spoiled. She tipped toed into the store, hoping that there was nothing in there to defend herself from. She held the bat up ready to swing. She almost dropped it when she saw cans on the shelf. Her stomach growled. She only hoped it was still good enough to eat. She picked up a can and saw it was still good for another six months. “Thank god,” she whispered out loud and then winced as she looked around. That could have alerted any number of things.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan checked his suit. It wasn't your regular radiation suit besides being silver. The faceplate completely obcured his face, almost like a one-way mirror, and the suit was armored; with leather paddings on the shoulders, knees, and other vulnerable areas. He had self created this suit.
Then a sound caught his attention and looked over at the direction from which it came. The noise sounded almost like someone speaking. Nathan was unsure if it was just an animal, a looter or radier, the wind, or just his imagination playing tricks on him. Deciding to investigate he slowly began heading towards the source of the disturbance.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica was looking around hoping that she did not attract anything unwanted. She last time she spoke, she got the attention of a mutant and she was not keen on seeing another. Its flesh was festering and it attacked her much like a zombie in the horror movies.

She kept her bat held high with one hand as she had a death grip on the can. She was too hungry to risk putting it down and not getting to eat it. She put down the bat and pulled back the lid on the can of cocktail wieners. She picked one up with a shaky hand and savored the flavor of have some real food in her mouth. She paused as she heard something like footsteps. She cursed herself inwardly for speaking out loud. She turned to see someone standing there behind her in a suit. She instinctively screamed, dropping the can.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan took a step back in surprise when he heard someone scream. Through instinct, he raised his weapon at source but didn't pull the trigger... not yet. He was surprised to find a person, and not a mutant, but that didn't cause him tolower his weapon. For all he knew, she could be a radier. "Who are you?"

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica did not have time to reach for her bat as the person raised his weapon. She put her hand up to show she was unarmed. She could not see who it was or if they were "safe". She stuttered at his question. "I-I'm Jessica. Please d-don't shoot. I am just here for food." She was not sure if this person owned the place or if it was just a random meeting, but she was now really worried. She had screamed and she was sure the others heard.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan cocked his head at her. From the way she acted, spoke, and held herself he knew that she couldn't be a radier or looter or even a thug. He lowered his weapon slightly then nodded, "Yes. Food is rare nowadays.... well fresh food anyways. Mostly taken by people or.... them"

Nathan looked around, keeping a lookout for any danger. It was never wise to stay in one area too long. Especially not when someone shouted out. He turned back to her, "Food is almost completely gone her in this store but White Oaks Mall is bound to havebe something. It is a mall. I'm headed there now. Follow me if you want but if you do.. stay quiet."

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica looked at the guy in the suit. She was a little off put by it, but at least he was not what he called “them”. She was nervous now that she screamed. She looked around cautiously and back at the guy. “Um…ok.” She was not sure she could trust him, but she had gone so long without someone to talk it was nice to have it again.

She picked up her bat, laying it against her shoulder and looked around the store once again. “How far is it?” She was shaking worse now from hungry and fear. She did not want to eat what hit the floor now. She paused, “Oh and do you have a name? Or shall I call you “hey you”?”

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan turned away from her and made his way towards the exit, "Name's Nathan." he said over his shoulder. He walked out of the door and looked around outside. The street was clear of hostiles,... for now.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica nodded as Nathan said his name. She followed him hoping she was making the right decision. She could be walking into a trap and she would have no way to really defend herself, but she was so desperate for some human contact, she was willing to chance it. She looked outside as well, making sure it was ok for them to leave. It was force of habit, especially after she screamed.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan slowly headed down the street, keeping on the alert as he passed by overturned and ruined vehicles. The mall was only a few blocks away which was both good and bad. Good because he would get to his destinatio sooner, but bad because anything could happen on the way there.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica followed closely behind Nathan, hearing a distance growl. She wondered if it was heading their way or found something else to occupy it. She whispered, “Do you think the mall is safe?” She only wondered since all she had on her that was useful was a bat and that did not help much against a pack of dogs. She swallowed hard as she thought about that. She hoped this Nathan guy was trustworthy enough.

 

[Avellan13]

"Safe? Of course not. That's why there is need for caution." He reached the end of the block and before him was the large White Oaks Mall. The outside of the place looked devoid of life, but he didn't let that put his guard down.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica nodded, “I only ask because I only have this bat. Well, that is armed right now. I am out of ammo, so…yeah, just wondering.” She was not sure how to take this new person. She looked at the mall as they saw it. It just looked menacing to her. She had no clue was on the other side of the doors. It seemed safe now, but she knew from experience, that was not always the case.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan bit his lip as he thought over the idea of handing over a weapon to her. After a few moments of indecision he sighed and handed her a pistol with some bullets. Then he walked towards the Mall's front doors and opened them.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica took the pistol and held it by her side, pointing down. At least she was not dumb when it came to firearms. She walked into the mall behind him. She sighed softly, seeing how empty it was. She kept it silent as she could, not wanting to draw attention to them by anything that may be hiding in there. She stepped out from behind him and stood beside him. She looked at him for a second and then around them. She really hoped one did not end up getting killed by doing this.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan walked over to a map so he could know what shops were where and how to get there.

http://jasperjournal.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/west-edmonton-mall-map-300x225.jpg

"Well now, where to go. Hmm.... Target?"

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica looked at the map as they stood there. She looked at Nathan as he spoke. She nodded, "That sounds good to me." She needed a quick meal, she was shaking from starvation. She need some food fast. She looked at the map to see how to get there. It was eeriely quiet there, like all the city. And the smell was musty. "Guess we should get moving before we attract attention just in case something is in here."

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan nodded as he turned away form the map, "The longer one stays in one place. The better of a chance that something... unpleasant will come along."

Shifting his rifle into a more comfortable position, Nathan began to make his way towards their objective. All the while, listening for any unusual sounds.

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica kept my her new companion. She stayed perfectly silent as she walked along. She did not want to cause a problem with him. She was not even sure what to say with him. It was odd to have someone to talk to. No wonder they were both a bit silent. There was a odd sound behind them a was back. She paused, "What was that?"

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan shrugged, "Probably an animal. Wolves and other scavengers are becoming more popular in the cities."

Turning a corner Nathan found himself in front of the Target store. He turned to Jessica, "What you want is your business. I'm getting the stuff I need then I'm leaving. From there you can choose your own path."

 

[queenclaire]

Jessica looked over at him, "Fine." She grabbed a small can of chicken for chicken salad that had been dropped in someone's haste and headed off to the clothes.

She needed some clothes that were clean. She did not feel like getting cornered in a change room by something she could not escape, so she opted for changing in the middle of the store. It was not like anyone would see her other than the person that led her here.

She was not going to worry about that as she pulled her shirt off and dropped it on the floor. She thumbed through the shirts and pulled one out that would fit her tightly. She found loose clothing to hinder her when trying to escape. They were easier to grab. She then peeled off her jeans as she looked for another pair. She was glad there were still clothes left.

 

[Avellan13]

Nathan began scanning the shelves for various supplies; batteries, food, some clothing, lights, power tools, nails, etc.

The store was pretty bare, indicating that other scavengers had been here before in resent times. The place was dark, lit only by the sunlight coming though the windows.

After he had all that he needed, and putting the supplies in his backpack, he turned and walked towards the exit. Then he stood there, hefting his rifle, as he looked around to see if any hostiles were around.