We ended the world

[Ambrosia_64]

Where had-!

She heard something off to her left and turned towards it-just in time for an arrow to tear through her right sleeve, grazing her bicep and eliciting a pained hiss between her teeth.

Cassie whipped around the aisle wall and dropped her backpack, pressed her back tightly against a bare space where shelves had been torn down. She took a hand off the pistol to rip her flashlight from the her hoodie pocket, clicking it on and rolling it into the main aisle. Silence. She didn't hear Max moving around anywhere.

He...he might be dead, too.

Her throat tightened as she tipped her head back against the shelving, silently praying to herself before she glanced towards the aisle opening. Her hope was that the flashlight kept the marauder's eyes from readjusting to the dark, kept her hidden long enough for her to see-and shoot-him first.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

The Marauder growled in pain and threw himself forward to tackle Casey to the ground before sending a series of punches to the other 'boys' ribs.

Moment's later the Marauder was pulled off by a dark figure and two gun shots finished the attacker off. The shadow glanced over and then rolled behind an isle out of view making now sound.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Nothing. Cassie frowned, the muscles in her legs tensing as she ventured a cautious step away from the wall-and then heard noise above and in front of her as a man growled-and threw himself at her in a tackle.

She hit her head hard on the unforgiving tile and the gun spun across the floor, her eyes watering as he reared back and pummeled her in the ribs. Her right hand clawed at the man's clothes while her left shot forward for his jaw, striking hard with the butt of her hand-just as he was suddenly pulled off by a man she hadn't even heard come up.

Two loud gun shots and the marauder was dead-the looming shadow glancing over at her before tucking and rolling out of the aisle. "M-max?" The 'kid' turned, briefly on all fours before rising to stand, a hand to the aching ribs.

It hurt to inhale fully, but nothing seemed to be cracked or broken.

All was silent.

Who...who the hell...? She picked up the gun and blindly checked the magazine. Two bullets left. Venturing into the main aisle she paused to listen for noise again-but nothing. Whoever the stranger was, they weren't looking to talk. If there were more marauders, they weren't moving about either.

That had probably been the last one.

Feeling unnerved, she picked up the flashlight. It...it'd give away her location, but she was afraid to be in the pitch black again. Particularly as she turned the corner and found Max, glassy eyed and with a knife in his chest.

Jesus. This was just...just like-Cassie skittered backwards and moved for the exit, thinking to check on Bear-no. Dead too. She exhaled slowly, blinking back tears. Well...guess she was free to go, now.

It didn't feel very good to escape this way, but...it was what it was. Everything was so goddamned awful, these days.

Bear had another magazine to the pistol in his belt and she took it, giving the poor dead man a pat to the shoulder before she clicked the flashlight off and returned to the darkened CVS. She left the rifles and the larger guns where they were-a big part of her survival when she did encounter people was looking harmless. A rifle would dispel that notion pretty quick.

The 'kid' was deadly silent and surprisingly stealthy, moving soundlessly through relevant aisles. Some trail mix, cashews, a tin or sardines-gross!-and what was left of beef jerky stores were noted. She paused to listen again-no noise.

Retrieving her backpack where she left it, Cassie took the food stuffs that would last, what little was left of any of it-and found herself some more bandages, surgical dressings she hopefully would never need for larger wounds, advil, antibacterial ointment and hand sanitizer-and butterfly wing patches.

Nothing over the top, but still useful. There was a National Geographic magazine on the floor near the counter, next to the torn up gossip rags-and she picked it up, because why the hell not. Few packs of gum, and she was on her way out again, still cautious for the mystery stranger as she exited.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

Shane, as he called himself, could hear the other person moving around. Part of him wanted to say something but the survivor in him didn't trust this person. As they moved around gathering beef jerky he moved through the pharmacy grabbing what he knew was of most value, when they were grabbing medication he was back getting beef jerky. They didn't call out to him so he didn't feel the need to return the effort.

They continued, like two moons around the same planet, never meeting but ever moving. For some reason Shane found himself taking shelter in the greet card section, and looked up to find a card ironically appropriate. Taking it he moved on, going to pick up pens and highlighters, maps and magazine always staying behind the other survivor.

When the young kid was starting to leave he went back around checking the keys in his hand. He'd pulled them off the dead man outside and with any luck there were no spares. He moved over to the distilled water gallons and drank what he could, not intending to take many with him. He just wanted to stall before he could be sure the other person was gone so he could take the truck the arrived in and go.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

The 'kid' was waiting for him outside, backpack once again on 'his' slim shoulders, no gun in sight-stowed away alongside the pistol Cassie had already had.

'He' didn't look so good-pale, maybe trying not to be sick even-those large, almond shaped dark eyes taking the stranger in warily, full lips parting after a moment. "Thanks." Was all the 'kid' said, standing a safe enough distance from the door, Shane, and poor Bear's dead body.

Even the wariest of men might have found it hard to think Casey a threat. Barely five foot four even in boots, 'his' lean frame practically swam in that baggy, much too large navy hoodie and camo green cargo pants. Still, 'he'd' fought the marauder's with surprising ferocity, for a kid.

Glancing to the keys, Casey offered a warning. "The compound who owns the car-crazy guy named Isaac. Watch out for 'em, if you live around here. They kidnapped me in a city hours away, join or die mentality."

A grimace, but nothing more was said, the kid less than trusting of people, strangers.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

The new comer looked from this kid before him and just continued on to the vehicle. "Got no intention of keeping this thing. I'm making one stop then heading on to Texas until this things fails me." He leaned over and pulled the tacical vest off Bear's dead body and the rifle from his cold, dead, hands. The man even went so far as to put the sole of his tactical boot next to Bear's before deciding they were too small.

As it was, he wore jeans and shin protectors normally reserved for hockey or baseball. More guards on his forearms and biceps and even a sports guard chest protector. But once he saw what Bear was wearing, he was willing to trade up, blood splatter be damned.

"Friends of yours?" the man asked, still zipping up the 5.11 tac vest. He didn't bother pulling the various straps to secure the fitting for now, he just checked the pockets and headed for the vehicle.

"I'm out, kid. Be safe or... climb into the back. I don't trust you to ride in the cab with me, but I'm not going to just leave you hear to die if you don't want to."

The man then climbed up into the cab and stared up the diesel engine. He nodded at the fuel level and started to adjust the mirrors. While he didn't unlock the doors he assumed the kid would jump in the cargo compartment of the back or stay her and probably die.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

"Got no intention of keeping this thing. I'm making one stop then heading on to Texas until this things fails me."

Casey gave a nod, then looked away when he moved to remove Bear's vest. The world had turned harsh and unforgiving-one had to be practical, and a dead man had no use for tactical gear. Maybe...maybe she was just too much in the old world, despite everything she had seen in the new one.

"Just met him. Try to stay away from people." The 'kid' said, hands tightening on the backpack straps. "...still, sight nicer than Isaac was." They hadn't seemed half bad, these three. It was...it was terrible they were dead.

The other reason she tried to stay away from people. No one seemed to last long, out here...

"S'fine. I don't trust you in the cab with me." A weak, ghost of a smile, even though that wasn't entirely a joke. He was heading South. Cassie wanted to stay in areas she was familiar with, but with a group like Isaac's moving so far range, it might not be a bad idea to clear out, at least for a while. They were too geared up to risk getting caught again, especially after this mess.

She'd hitch a ride part of the way and disappear later. He wasn't very talkative and neither was she. Or rather...neither was 'Casey'. Following at a safe distance behind, the kid hopped up into the back and gave the CVS one last look before shaking his head and scooting down to be out of sight.

She wasn't going to cry. It wouldn't do her or them any good. She closed her eyes, and tried not to think of her father, or what had happened back at the settlement.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

The vehicle traveled for nearly an hour beofre it stopped at some old deserted building. The place was barely more than a two story cube made of brick and painted orange. It was the intersection of Highway Nowhere and Road Who-gave-a-fuck.

The vehicle pulled up and the man got out, readied the assult rile and walked to the door. He glanced at something on the ground, then above the door and put the rife away. "This is probably where we part, kid." He then stepped over something that was probably a trap and slipped into the darkness.

From what Casey could see the inside was full of broken furniture and spray painted words. The man emerged and put a large bag in the back of the truck followed by a trunk that was probably full of supplies. They looked heavy but his bare, think yet muscled arms, managed to take care of them nicely.

He stopped, as if thinking then looked to Casey and finally offered a hand. The thumb showed a healed bite mark, likely from the mutants and another was on his wrist but he showed no signs of being sick. In fact, if he was turning he'd have done so long before the bites had healed.

"Name's Shane. Like the movie and book. Loner. Dies in the end." He laughed and nodded, "Seeing as we're in the middle of nowhere, and I know because I picked this place to be so, I'll take you to the nearest town when this thing hits a quarter tanke, but that's it!I don't know you, and I don't care to. Up to you."

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Casey gave a nod and slid out of the vehicle, not one to over stay 'his' welcome.

They'd gone about an hour, according to the ladies watch she still wore under the overly long sleeves of the hoodie, a gift from her father long ago.

She only studied the building for a moment before turning to look at whatever else there was to see. Not a good place to be ditched, but she wasn't going to complain. Not his damned problem, after all.

And then he surprised her by offering his hand-a marked hand. Healed though. Cassie had only seen that once before, and was surprised to see it again, out here.

Casey took and gave the hand a shake. "Casey. Nice to meet you sir." The 'kid' provided, a nod. "Farther away I get from that settlement, the better." He agreed.

There was a moment of hesitation, and then the 'kid' put the backpack in the cargo hold also. Another nod, and then 'he' moved to get into the cab, buckling up in the passenger seat.

They rode in silence for several miles before 'he' spoke up again. "Shane. I don't think he does die, in the end, does he? He leaves in the book, after ending things. Leaves bleeding in the movie, but alive." There wasn't any point in telling him this, but it was something to say, as unused to talking as she was these days. She'd seen that movie. Westerns had been her father's favorite, one of the few non conspiracy related interests her old man had had. Something they would watch together. It was odd coincidence he was borrowing a name from one of them.

Casey wasn't her real name either, so it wasn't all that surprising.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

"Yeah, but Shane never responds or reacts. He never looks back. I believe Shane died at the end of the movie and the book. He dies because he gave his life for strangers who were nothing but kind to him. He fought the father's fight because he was the only man who could. It cost him everything but he knew it w-" the man behind the while stopped suddenly and moved to wipe an eye.

"Fucking eye lash."

He continued to drive for a long while then finally asked, "So, if I were to call you something other thank 'Kid', what would it be?" He gestured to the fuel gauge saying, "This thing has barely moved so it's either broken or this thing runs on nuclear power. I don't know which so this is either going to be a long ride or we're going to be walking soon."

 

[Ambrosia_64]

She shouldn't have brought up the old western. Not after all the death she'd just left. Thinking of her old man was never easy, but all the blood and gore she'd just witnessed-

"Fucking Eye Lash"

Yeah, me too buddy. Cassie thought, staring hard out through her window as the minutes stretched out, the miles passing them by.

When he spoke again, after what felt like a long while-the 'kid' jumped. "Oh. Sorry, it's Casey." 'He' turned forward in the seat again, a glance to the fuel gauge. "Could just be a big tank?" Casey wondered outloud, but smiled at him just the same, the 'walking soon' joke. Or not a joke, but she'd take humor where she could get it.

"It's uh...it's been a while since I've talked anybody up much." What was she doing? The less she said, the better. But this 'Shane' seemed to be a lone traveler just like she was, and with those bite marks, and what he'd just said-well, he had probably seen some shit, just like she had.

Kindred spirits in a way, maybe.

He hadn't shot her in the head, anyway, back at the CVS. Could have. Probably would have been safer to, not knowing who they were or what they might be capable of. Luckily for them both, she wasn't a threat to anyone not posing a threat to her-she was still civilized, God damn it, no matter how easily that could get you killed out there.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

"It's uh...it's been a while since I've talked anybody up much."

Shane nodded. "It's been a while for me too." He looked at his hand, then moved it to show Casey the old bites. "I tend to avoid people who might want to turn me in for the bounty. I've been-" He stopped and shook his head.

"Sorry. Being immune is a curse sometimes. But I figure a kid like you has no one to turn me into. But, even if you did I'm probably driving you so far away from your friends it doesn't matter."

He laughed and glanced back, "If you were going to take me down I'm sure you would have by now. And, lets be honest, I don't even know why I'm driving you anywhere... I guess I just don't want to leave you out here to die. I have too much of that on my-" He stopped again.

"Sorry. I don't know how to do this. Talking that is."

He looked around and found some CD's in the visor. "Here." He pulled the entire collection of 12 disks from overhead and handed it to Casey, "Pick something for us to listen to. I'm done with social hour for now."

 

[Ambrosia_64]

"I've seen that once before. Immunity." She didn't say it had been her father. He didn't have to worry about her in that regard, and she couldn't know for sure, but...

Friends?

"Yeah, I don't really have any of those left, Mr. Shane." Casey said honestly, shifting forward somewhat in the seat, a glance sideways at him when he went on further, then thrust cds over. Social hour was done for now, he said. Flipping through the discs, those dark eyes flicked to him again.

"...thanks though. I mean, I would have understood if you left me. Nice you didn't." The 'kid' said before selecting a Beatles CD. Everyone liked the Beatles, right? Cassie did, and it was a good album too, Sgt. Peppers.

The 'kid' popped it in and kept the rest on his lap, a flicker of a smile as the music started up. Leaning back against the seat, an arm propped against the window, Cassie was content to listen to the songs in silence.

It'd been a long couple of days. She'd been awake for two straight nights now, having pushed hard to reach the supply cache before getting herself kidnapped by Isaac's men. Despite her wariness and distrust, she felt sleep pulling at her, but she resisted...all of twenty minutes before accidentally nodding off, those dark eyes closing, fringed lashes against the olive toned skin.

Luckily, the 'kid' didn't snore.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

Shane watched Casey sleeping. Despite the fact that he WASN'T a fan of the band he let Casey pick the CD and this is what the kid had picked. He did like the song 'With a little help from my friends' but he wished to hear 'Come together' and found that didn't end up on the CD at all.

While Casey slept he kept driving. Too focused on fuel consumption, or lack there of, to focus much on the 'kid' who was asleep next to him. Taking the CD pack he kept one eye on the road and another on the CD case. Looking at bands he didn't know he rolled down the window and made sure the kid was still asleep.

Flaming Lips.
He threw them out the window.

Arctic Monkeys... out the Window.

the Pixies... Out the Window.

Nirvana... He paused at that one, then threw it out the window.

Alice in Chains He paused.

Now we were talking.

Re-correcting from having been driving in the oncoming line he checked to see the kid was still sleeping. Shane didn't know why, but there was something rooted deep in him that wanted this 'kid' to sleep. Anyone else he'd have blasted 'Man in the Box' to wake them up, but he couldn't bring himself to do that to this one.

It wasn't until the reached Texas that he finally started playing the Alice in Chains CD, and even found himself saving the Beatles' CD. "Wake up, kid. We're in Texas now. Half a tank of fuel and it looks like we're approaching Wichita Falls. Honestly, I have no idea what that means but I think it's worth looking around."

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Those dark eyes opened to blink out the windshield, briefly confused. It took her a moment to remember where she was and what she'd been up to, sitting up slowly, cautious-before her mind shook off sleep and caught up to her. The raided cache. The men with guns forcing her on a long ride and taking her to an encampment. Join or Die. The slaughter, the marauders, and now this Shane fellow, another loaner.

She had fallen asleep? That had been stupid. Same time...he didn't seem like someone to worry about, so maybe it hadn't been so stupid.

"Sorry-" Casey mumbled, adjusting the seat belt and shaking himself more awake, taking in the change in scenery and stretching 'his' legs out. Luckily the 'kid' was short, or there wouldn't have been room to do so.

"Think that's one of the bigger cities, isn't it?" Worth a look around? Sure was. Did he mean they'd look together?

...that'd probably be alright with her, actually.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

"It's actually a pretty small town, but well before Dallas." Shane sounded as if he even considered Dallas a small town, or at least a place to drive past.

"There's a Walmart and a Cracker Barrel. Either way it's exit Airport. Which usually means an Airport is somewhere long the way." He glanced to Casey asking, "You wouldn't happen to know how to fly a plan, would you? Because I don't."

Slowing Shane exited Airport/HW 11 and turned left heading past a Chicken Restaurant and towards the obvious Walmart Super shop. He parked at the street and looked at the complex which seemed abandoned.

"What do you think, kid? Should we see what's in there or just keep rolling on?"

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Maybe Shane was from one of the big, BIG cities, she wasn't sure.

Casey spread 'his' hands in apology. "Nope, not something I learned before everything went to hell Mr. Shane, sorry." He took the exit and they drove past a few things, pulling to a stop on the street connecting to the parking lot.

Casey seemed a little anxious. Made sense. The last time the 'kid' had been in a store with new aquaintances, the worst had happened.

"Car's a target." 'He' finally said, a slow, scanning gaze around to see if anyone might be out there watching, had seen them. Those dark eyes returned to the store in question. "If it's not picked over, could be inhabited." An uncomfortable shift, then a glance to him.

"I'll go with you, but I'd rather not go in there at all, Mr. Shane. I'm more of a hit and run sort-in and out before anything can happen." Fingers drummed on one of Casey's hoodie covered thighs. "Guess it depends if you need anything or not."

 

[Tx_Liquor]

Shane listened, looked from Casey to the Walmart and back.

"I like your instincts kid. They mesh with mine. My gut says 'Fuck it'." With that he put the Sherpa and drive, pulled into the parking lot and backed out in a three point turn. With that he headed on down Highway 44, stopping only for Shane to check a laminated map.
At 281 he took 79 into "Archer Falls" where they found an apartment complex right off the freeway. Shane drove past and saw that people had started to hang signs declaring it "ArcherTown" and "Piss Off!"

He nodded and they continued on south, "I don't feel like dealing with people. Sorry."

Shane had to eventually stop and turned off the Sherpa. They were well down Highway 281 and Shane took the keys from the vehicle. "Pit stop. Feel free to use the restroom if you feel you need to."

With that said, he left the vehicle with keys in hand and walked well off to the side of the road facing away from Casey and making sure he relieved himself against the trees at the side of the road.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

The 'kid' looked relieved. It was sincere, when Casey said he'd go in with him-but it was also sincere when he said he didn't want to risk going inside. Maybe that had been a test?

Later still, they passed a clearly inhabited building, one that Shane blasted past-much to Casey's relief.

"Yeah, don't apologize for that-" Casey said, peering into the side mirror at the rapidly shrinking building. "I try to stay away from people, like I said." 'He' frowned.

"Sometimes they can be worse than the mutants." The kid muttered. Sounded like the voice of experience, for a minute there.

"I uh, I can wait." A bit of color to the cheeks. "Thanks though." Patiently clasped his hands together and gave a nod as Shane exited the vehicle, keys in hand. Couldn't blame him there.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

As Shane finished his natural bodily functions he turned to look around a tree. Without even pulling his pants back up he readied one of the pistols on his frame. Between the tactical vest, belt and drop holsters, he seemed to have half a dozen weapons on him.

Turning he fired two shots from a gun much like Bear's. Pausing he fired one more and then put the gun away before zipping up his pants and securing his belt. Clearly he had no problem with mutants and as he walked back to the Sherpa he double clicked the remote to unlock it and climbed into the cab.

"You sure you don't need to go?" Shane asked, must to make sure. When he got confirmation it was okay to continue driving he started up and was off. It wasn't a few minutes into the drive before Shane spoke again, "You know, staying hydrated is good for your entire immune system and kidneys." He offered Casey a water bottle, "Seriously."

 

[Ambrosia_64]

The two shots jolted her, the door opening and the 'kid' sliding out to land on the side of the road, rounding the hood-just as Shane was now returning, perfectly calm and fine.

Oh.

Shakily, a little sheepish, Casey climbed back in just as Shane was did, watching the treeline carefully. "Yeah, I'm sure." Came the confirmation, and then they were off.

That color had crept back to Casey's face. "...yeah, probably." 'He' accepted the water bottle and took a sip, but not much more than that, silent again.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

Shane continued driving, realizing they had gone over 400 miles.

"Damn! What is this thing running on?" He asked rhetorically.

He continued through 80, through Luling and past I10 to Gonzales. Pulling over Shane stopped and checked the fuel then checked Casey.

"Not gonna like, kid, but this is a good place to jump out. Gonazles, TX. It's a few miles from Shiner, TX and that's where all this started." He looked off into the distance and touched his shoulder, which had been covered since he and Casey meant but still the point of a memory. "This thing has cost us our humanity. I plan to balance the scales." He waited for Casey, hands adjusting it's grip on a sword while the other gripped Bear's rifle.

 

[Ambrosia_64]

Dark eyes watched Shane as he spoke, right hand finding the handle and pushing open the door as the left unbuckled the seat belt. She'd just grab her backpack and be on her way then, a surprisingly pleasant encounter with a stranger that was going to STAY a stranger.

The 'kid' paused though, frowning. "The...the disease? The virus that did all this?" A studying glance over the hand on the sword, then the rifle. Casey's small hand tightened on the door handle, gaze shifting back towards the wind shield.

What the hell did he mean, balance the scales? Sounded like he was heading into battle. No where she wanted to be, or belonged. Cassie wasn't a warrior. She could hold her own in a scrap, but that was desperate measures for desperate times, not something she could risk on purpose. She didn't know this guy. She certainly shouldn't risk her neck for him or whatever...crusade he was on.

But then Cassie thought of her father, and the things she had seen since everything had gone to hell in a hand basket.

Cassie shut the door, silence in the cab.

After a moment, she swallowed, and spoke up as 'Casey'. "What are you planning, Mr. Shane?" Short and simple. No need to talk about why 'he' hadn't gotten out or why 'he' was staying. Someone to watch your back couldn't hurt-however long the 'kid' would survive for to watch it, anyway.

 

[Tx_Liquor]

"Just, Shane." The man clarified. He looked down at the fuel gauge in surprise. Whatever this thing was running on it had traveled almost 300 miles, crossed state lines and he figured he'd get at least close to Shiner at this point.

"They did tests there. They claimed the town was under quarantine, but that was a lie. It was the original test site. A town they could study in real time..." He spoke as if haunted by memories of events. "The immune they could study in real time."

Shane snapped back from the past and took a deep breath, "I plan to go there and find any of the research notes. Find what they were working on and get it to a friend of mine back north. That's the plan. If we can figure out how this started we can figure out how it stops. Or at least why."

 

[Ambrosia_64]

The ‘kid’ watched him intently, carefully. One could see the gears turning, how seriously Casey was weighing his words.

Could it stop? If not, would the “why?” be enough?

Even just knowing who to blame…?

Casey buckled back up. “Okay. So we find research notes, maybe a heavy concentration of mutants in the way.” It had sounded like Shane had been there. Or some place like it. “Supposing we live-or at least, you live-the notes go to the friend up North.”

The ‘kid’ gave a nod. “Sounds like a plan, Shane.”

This was fucking insane. For all she knew he was a lunatic spouting off crazy. She should hop out, wish him luck, and skip town. Even if he wasn't crazy- Surviving was a mission all on its own, she didn't need some greater purpose, some grand would be plan to execute. All she was trying to do was make it to as many sunrises as possible before she got shot or eaten or God only knew what. It was almost a game, at this point-tiredly wondering how long she could make it, the hours stretching into days, the days stretching into weeks, the weeks into months-how many years did she think she could do this for? Would she make it to thirty? Twenty five?

Who knew? But if there was an answer to this mess, somewhere-or, dare she even think, a way to stop it-Cassie wanted to know what it was, even if it got her killed trying.