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1 Thump, thump, thump went my heart. My feet felt like they weighed a ton. “Behind you!” Screamed a man in his BWP-124 suit. I watched as my college spun on his heals as fast as he could. I saw it. What I created. What the moonlight illuminated. A face, fangs or what I thought what looked like fangs, dripping skin, and charred facial features. It growled at him. And softly said, “Die, pig.” “Talon!” Everything went backing into real time. “Shoot it! Shoot it!” yelled Jim, the man staring face to face with the Taint. I raised the assault rifle and killed it. It hit the ground then melted completely leaving only the skeleton. “Shit…” said Jim throwing his weapon to the ground. It hit the dirt leaving a rough imprint in the dust and dirt covered road. Or what was left of the road. “What the hell were you doing Talon!?” Screamed Curtis. “Jimmy here could have gotten infected! And you of all people know what that damn virus does. You fucking made it!” “It’s changing…” I muttered. “Huh?” said Jim. I said nothing. “What did you say Talon? If it’s important we need to know!” said Curtis waving an arm in front of my helmet. “I said it’s changing.” “What is ‘it’?” asked Jim. “The virus.” “Well it didn’t seem different, they melt the skeleton is left. The end.” Said Curtis “Yes, but look at the ribs.” I said pointing at the skeleton lying in the dirt. “The middle three are shorter. It’s changing people. As if to grow something. Maybe a way to infect more people.” “I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Let’s go. We need to go and tell the elder that the perimeter is secure for now.” Said Curtis. “What about the slums?” Asked Jim. “Skip ‘em. That’s where the taint’s are anyway. Besides it’s about a kilometer away from the city.” Replied Curtis. “Alright, let’s go home.” Said Jim as we walked back into the airlock. An anti-biotic mist rained down upon us through duct-taped pipes. A solution I created to kill the virus. The gates screeched open as they were pulled up by an old jet engine we salvaged from the airport nearby. We took off the BWP-124 suits and put them in our lockers. “See ya tomorrow Jim, Talon.” Said Curtis. “Tomorrow, try not to get eaten eh, Jim?” Curtis chuckled. “Ha-ha, yep. Maybe Talon won’t just stand there.” Said Jim with one eyebrow raised putting on his patchwork jacket. “Yea, see you two later.” I said to Curtis and Jim as I walked out of the post near the gate.” Walking home I was stopped by some one who looked as though he was in some sort of distress. “Can I help you, sir?” “M-my family…hungry…so hungry…water…help!” he said grabbing onto my arms. He looked poorer than most people here in Scrapyard. Wearing only a torn shirt and torn rough sack cloth pants. “Here, have a few bucks.” I said putting a few coins in the man’s hands. “Bless you sir, bless you!” He said waving at me. My house is a small shack, but it does its job with the exception of a few holes in the sheet metal. But what can you do? It’s been through a nuclear blast and through a war. So it’s better than nothing if you ask me. The moon is high in the sky, better get to sleep. I pulled over the dirty patchwork sheet and rolled onto my dusty mattress. Closed my eyes and dreamed the same nightmare I dream every night. Watching the tube with my wife and son. The reporter is telling the world that Russia has just taken Germany. And now china has nuked the U.S.A. “Oh the humanity! Thousands of people are dyeing! This just in! China now threatening to nuke Canada!” The reporter franticly said. “The Canadian government is now offering to give China their oil supply to cease the nuke firing.” The door flies down my wife snatched the boy and screams as two MPs yell at us not to move. Then a bag is thrown over my head. I can hear screaming coming from my wife and the boy is crying. Two shots and nothing. “No! What did you do!?” I yell as I’m struggling to break free. Then I got hit harder than I’ve ever been hit before. I could feel my pulse in my temples as they dragged me into their truck. I know what’s happening. They need me. That’s when I created that fucking virus. Then it replay’s over and over. The screaming that was silenced by two single gun shots. First my wife, then my boy. He was three years old. 2 “Had the dream again, Jim.” I said as I was putting on my BWP-124. “Again? That’s what, the fifth one this week?” chimed in Curtis tying his boot. “You should see someone about that.” Said Jim as he put on the air tanks. “Yea, but who’s there to see? It’s a miracle enough that we salvaged a working air compressor.” I said bucking my air tank in place. “Actually, a new guy came to the city. Before the war he was a doctor apparently. I think he opened up a clinic near the market.” Replied Curtis putting on his helmet. “Oh, really? Finally. A doctor that’s not infected.” I said. “Are we ready?” Asked Jim putting on his helmet. “After you, Jimmy.” Said Curtis bowing as the metal door screeched open. “Why thank you, Curt!” said Jim proudly walking through the door, assault rifle in hand. I followed after Jim and screwed on my helmet. “Where too first boys? Slums, Perimeter? Or the market?” I asked. “Slums, too likely for a fight, crawling with taint activists. The market could be a few taints there. Also, it’s like four miles up the road. Perimeter we should do last. Because the sun is high in the sky. I’m guessing it’s eleven o’clock or noon. The taints will be easily spotted. After all, the only people allowed from outside the city are people who have been checked by one of the Scrapyard doctors, the caravans and well, that’s it. Everyone coming out are peace keepers, like us, or caravans. And they all are easy to tell because we have the BWP-124’s” said Curtis. “Well said!” sighed Jim as he patted Curtis on the shoulder. “I say we go to the market first. By the time we get back, it’ll be dark and then tomorrow morning, we get the day off! Jessie, Carl, and Jeff get tomorrow.” I laughed. “Man the forty-eight hour shifts suck.” Said Jim. “But, it’s a fairly small price to pay for the luxury of a home.” I replied “True that!” Chuckled Curtis. We walked for another; I’d say about forty-five minuets before we could just seethe market in a cloud of heat waves on the horizon. It was unusually hot that day. Everywhere you look scattered bones in the cracks of roads, in the dust. As we were coming up to the market village called Souk, we heard gunfire in the distance. “Shots fired!” Yelled Jim. “Relax, bud. Them damn hunters probably found dinner. Those shots were far away too.” Said Curtis. Two more burst fire rounds echoed off into the distance. “What about those Curt!?” screamed Jim grabbing Curtis by the shoulders and shaking franticly. “Some one wanted the kill. Probably got it too.” Said Curtis breaking free of Jims paranoid grip. “You’re nervous, Jim. Relax. Let’s just go to the market, check it out, and if there’s anything worth buying, we buy it and bring it back to the elder. You know how it is.” Said Curtis. “Alright, you’re Probly right.” Sighed Jim. “That’s a good Jimmy.” Chuckled Curtis We walked onwards into Souk. Immediately it was like we were gods. The one’s immune to the plague. There were children wearing nothing with scars running up and down their bodies. It was amazing people ate anything at all. These kids, these people, are dyeing of starvation. I wish I could help. I wish I could take it back. At the edge of the town there are hundreds of shallow graves with nothing but large rocks and chipped foundation to mark their place. There are few sheet metal huts. Most people here sleep in the dirt or cram into a hut. “Are we done here?” I asked. I just want to leave. Every time we come here, it’s a constant reminder of what I did. “Yea, Nothing good today.” Said Curtis. “It’s rare we find anything of use in a market anyway.” Replied Jim. “Last time I found something here was, oh, I don’t know. It was a few years back.” Laughed Curtis. “Look at the sun! We better head out.” I said. “Alright, alright we know you hate it here anyway. Mr. Biological engineer!” laughed Jim I spun around and let go of my gun. It bounced off the ground into the dirt sending a dust cloud in all directions around it. “Don’t you ever! Fucking call me that again! I don’t need to be reminded of what I did to all these people!” I yelled as I let go of Jim’s through. “What the hell is you issue! Are you homicidal Talon!? Jesus Christ!” Jim said as he pushed me. I turned around to knock his head in but Curtis pushed us apart. “Hey! Think straight! What are you? Five year olds? Grow up!” Shrieked Curtis. I bent over to pick up my gun. After I got myself settled, I caught up with Jim and Curtis who were already a few yards in front of me. “Hey, Look.” “Don’t want to hear it, Talon.” “Just hear me out!” “Don’t want to hear it! “My family was killed because of my job!” “I know that.” “I hate what I did.” “I know that too.” “Jim, I over reacted.” “I know.” “I’m sorry.” “It’s okay.” “See? Was that hard?” said Curtis putting his arms around us. No one talked for the long trip back. It was sort of hypnotic watching the wind push waves of dust and dirt across the road. A few scattered bones here and there. Nothing unusual. “Hah, back just in time for sunset!” Sighed Curtis. “Yea, whatever.” Snarled Jim. “What’s up with you?” Curtis asked. No reply. “Fine! Asshole.” It was very, very slow. Not even an animal was around. Even though animals are rare, they wander into this part of the country anyway. For the first five hours we patrolled the area. Everyone was tired and cranky by that point. I stayed sane by staring at the stars. And watched as they slowly crept across the sky. “I wan to shoot something, so bad right now!” yelled Curtis. “ I hear ya bro.” replied Jim. “I can’t wait until this damned shift is finally over.” “Yep, I hear ya Curt.” “Aren’t they beautiful?” I muttered. “What the hell are ya talking about Talon?” asked Jim “The stars.” “What about them?” Asked Curtis as he looked up as well. “They’re beautiful.” I said. “They’re just stars, don’t get all worked up about them.” Said Jim. “Well, they calm me down.” I replied looking back down at Jim. We did our regular routine, I patrol the east, Jim the north, and Curtis the west. The south is no trouble as our city’s south end is up against the lake. Nothing bothered us tonight. Good thing too, seeing as we all are tired. Not after too long, the sun stated coming up. I got a radio signal from Curtis saying to regroup at the gates. “What do you want Curtis?” I asked “We’re off!” Said Curtis very cheerily. “Oh, cool.” Said Jim. “Time to sleep!” I yawned. I punched in the code for the door, and it screeched open. We got our disinfecting bath and packed up. I walked home, picked up some food in the market and slept. 3 I woke up to people running full speed to the gates. Mobs of them. “What the fuck…?” I muttered staring out of my window. I live near the gate it’s a relatively small town so you can see the gate from everywhere. Just then I hard Jimmy skid into my house. “Talon! Come quick like, now!” He said through heavy breaths. “What?” “I’ll tell you in a sec! Just come… Now! I’ll meet you in the locker room! Curtis is already there.” Yelled Jim as he ran towards the mob. This must be serious. I ran to the gate pushing through the crowd of people that was getting bigger and bigger. I managed to get through and I ran into the changing room. Curt already was putting on his air tank. “Jim, Talon, hurry the fuck up!” Curt yelled. “What’s going on!” I asked. “I’ll tell you as you two get ready now hurry up!” I did as I was told. “Alex and Greg are out there. Greg got ambushed by a taint. Killed the taint. But Greg is infected.” “Fuck!” yelled Jim. We all were ready so we put on our helmets and rushed outside. When we got out we saw Alex holding a pistol to Greg’s forehead. Blood was dripping from a scratch on Greg’s face along with tears. Air was streaming form his broken tank valve. “Do it!” Yelled Greg. “I-I-I cant!” Sobbed Alex. “You’re my fucking brother!” “ I wont!” “Just fucking do it Alex! You fucking coward! If you don’t I will. Huh!? Would you like that?” “No!” “I can’t live like one of…them! I’ll die quick this way!” Then Greg glanced at me. His eyes widened and he ran towards me. “You. YOU! Monster! You fucking did this! You made me like this! You-“ “Greg!” Yelled Alex. “Stop…” Greg then quickly snatched my pistol from its holster and blew his brains out. Just like that. Pop. “Greg!!” screamed Alex. “Greg! No!” “C’mon Alex, it’s over said Curtis putting a hand on his shoulder. “No!” He snapped shaking off Curtis’s hand. “He’s all I had.” Alex then raised his own pistol to the side of his head. “Alex don’t do anything stupid now!” said Jim. “All I had…all I had…” muttered Alex as he closed his eyes. “Alex No!” snapped Jim running towards him. “All I had.” Bang. Jim fell on his knees. “You idiot!” Jim yelled with Alex laying in a pool of his own blood “You Fucking Idiot!” “Jim…” said Curtis. “Fuck off Curtis! Like you helped.” Curtis walked up to me and whispered “Lets go.” “Shouldn’t we clean up?” I asked. “No, that’s not our job.” “Ok?” “We need to go tell the elder.” So, we walked through the blue mist that rains down upon all who enter. The elder lives on the highest point of the village. Its hard walk up the makeshift stairs made from bent and broken I-beams. We passed by the clinic run by Marc Redwin, he arrived a few days ago. Then we passed by the general store run by a nice woman by the name of Grace McBride. Just before we reached the elder’s house we passed by Harmony’s saloon run by a fellow by the name of Justin Harmony. When we reached the elder’s step Curt said to me, “Let me do the talking.” As he knocked on the door. An old yet powerful voiced bellowed out “Enter.” So we entered. An old man with a long white beard sat in a old chair at a table with two men holding guns. “Hello Curtis.” Said the Elder softly. “And hello young Talon. I don’t believe we’ve met. Shame we have to meet with you bringing such grave news, I see it on your face.” We took off our helmets and held them under our arms. “Well? What is it Curtis.” “Elder Oliver, Greg Hudson and Alex Hudson were both killed by their own hand. Greg Hudson Was infected so he ordered Alex Hudson to kill him. When we arrived, Alex Hudson failed to comply. So, Greg Hudson took Talons gun and inflicted one shot to the head.” Curtis explained. “A shame. Well then how did his brother die?” asked Elder Oliver. “When Greg was killed, Alex snapped. Raising his own gun to kill himself, one shot to the head as well. He couldn’t take the loss of the only one he had left. Jim is still out there. Mourning.” “Jim was their friend this must be hard on him. Men!” the two guards turned at attention. “Send some one out to cleanup. Curtis and Talon take the day off comfort your friend.” “Thank you, Elder.” Said Curtis as he turned and left. “C’mon Talon.” We put on our helmets and went out to get Jim who now was sitting against the gate wall. “Jim?” I asked. “What…” “You okay?” “No.” “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Lets all go to Harmony’s!” chimed Curtis. “On you?” asked Jim. “On me.” 4 And so we began our trek through the blue mist. Through the town center with eyes burning holes through us. Curious eyes. Scared and worried. Wondering about the loud bang, five people only three returned. “H-hey!! Hey! What happened?” Said a man putting a bandaged hand on my shoulder. “Nothing.” I softly said. “What? No. What’s with the noise, the screaming?” His Expression darkened. “There were five of you. Why only three?” I didn’t reply. “I knew it! Those fucking bastards! They fucking killed him!” “No. they didn’t. They killed themselves.” I said as I pushed him aside. “Hey! Get back here! You’re Lying!” The man yelled. We just kept walking. The man rejoined everyone else. Staring at us as we walked up the hill towards the pub. We got to the door and opened it. People looked up at us as the door screeched open. “Hey guys! Pull up a seat Jess will be right with ya.” Said Harmony. Harmony is in about his late forties. Grey hair torn clothes, and a thick grey moustache. “If you guys don’t mind asking, what was with all the commotion?” Jim clenched his fist and went to the back table. “What flew up his butt?” asked Harmony. “Alex and Greg are dead.” Said Curt. “Oh, I’m so sorry. If I knew.” “It’s okay. You didn’t know.” “Hey, if it means anything, first round is on the house.” “Thanks.” Really all that we can drink is dirty water and shit beer that survived the blast. But it will have to do, it’s hard enough to find something to drink now a days. “Hey boys, what can I get ‘chya?” Jess, a pretty red head. She came to the town about two years ago. She lives here, in the inn, Harmonys only waitress. She makes a living, gets to live here for free, so I guess it’s a good deal. “Oh, whatever you got in stock Jess.” “Alright curt.” She said with a wink. “And you, mister silent type?” asked Jess looking at me. “Huh? Oh, nothing thanks.” “Alright then Jimmothy?” she asked. Jimmothy is Jim’s nickname. “First, don’t call me that, and gimmi a beer.” “Please…” replied Jess. “What you said.” He said. Jen gave Jim a glare and walked into the back to get our orders. It was silent until Jess got back. “Here you are guys, enjoy.” She said as she placed the drinks in the right place. “Thanks Jess!” Curtis yells as she walked away. “No problem guys, y’all take care.” She said waving at us. We all sat there sipping on our drinks. Talking about what happened just thirty minutes ago. “I just don’t get it.” Muttered Jim. “Don’t get what?” asked Curt. “Them! The Taints!” He yelled as he slammed his fist on the makeshift table. People stopped and looked at us for a second, then went back to what they were doing. “Why cant they just accept the fact that they are infected, with this virus! Why did they start this war? The country’s shit finally hit the fan, and got FUCKED! We’ve had enough god damn war! If the fuckin’ cave men decided that it was best to forgive and forget, smashing someone’s face in with a rock wouldn’t have escalated into nuclear bombs! Think of all the money and time wasted in war. That time and money could have been put into doing something USEFUL. Like, health, or, planetary exploration. I just don’t get why they had to resist. We made them a small town; it’s not our fault that they turned it into a slum. They just had to form a resistance group.” “Well, it’s more of a religious cult. I think.” Said Curtis. “How so?” Jim asked. “Well, they think that everyone should be like them, since they are always trying to kill us and get into the city. I think it’s a religious thing.” “I don’t know. It just needs to end.”
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What did you think? Leave me feedback!
jesska added this comment 2009-09-20 21:56:08-05:00
WHOA! THIS IS AMAZING! Great discription to! LOVED IT! C:
toxicxtree added this comment 2009-09-20 21:11:34-05:00
Im totally amazed by this! Brilliant job! this story sounds phenomenal! =]
brucekidhomie added this comment 2009-06-25 01:15:20-05:00
hehe tha storii ish sooooo cool :P xD wayyyyyy badass!!!! faves :D
xxthefreakxx added this comment 2009-09-25 15:51:24-05:00
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rockstarrr added this comment 2009-06-08 16:40:30-05:00
I LIKED IT! NICE WRITING! :)
jesska added this comment 2009-09-20 21:56:08-05:00
WHOA! THIS IS AMAZING! Great discription to! LOVED IT! C:
toxicxtree added this comment 2009-09-20 21:11:34-05:00
Im totally amazed by this! Brilliant job! this story sounds phenomenal! =]
brucekidhomie added this comment 2009-06-25 01:15:20-05:00
hehe tha storii ish sooooo cool :P xD wayyyyyy badass!!!! faves :D
xxthefreakxx added this comment 2009-09-25 15:51:24-05:00
bang
rockstarrr added this comment 2009-06-08 16:40:30-05:00
I LIKED IT! NICE WRITING! :)
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