The Way Back (Book 1): The Way Back

by Giancioppo, Danny

  It was about 11:00 at night when they reached the city. It had started raining about 2 hours before, and by now it was cascading from the skies like bullets delivered by the stars themselves.

  A haze of fog surrounded the area for miles and miles; the night filled with a mugginess sticking to the air. The view was ruined, and there was an ominous sense of dread lingering in the air. Not to mention, Chris hated muggy weather; it made him feel like he was going to throw up.

  What the group could see, they weren’t pleased with. The buildings were strewn in waste, with only small handfuls of the taller ones still standing fair, haphazardly scattered throughout the graveyard of society to watch over the rubble.

  “Shit…” Nolan muttered, disappointed at the sight of it.

  “Surprise, surprise! The city’s in ruins!” Adam boasted.

  “Hey it’s not like you called it or anything!” Derrick argued. “You insisted that we come here!”

  Adam did have a point though, as a whole the place looked… well, it looked like all the other places they had seen so far. They were only in the Bronx, having come into the state from Rensselaer, according to Derrick, and already they could see the city for what it inevitably all would be. One big, desolate reminder of the way the world fell. A cold, empty carcass of what used to exist in peace, and a gentle innocence.

  “Hey guys, you think there are any uh…?” Cody asked nervously.

  “Maybe,” Jeremy warned. “So let’s be careful, and quiet dammit! We don’t want to get spotted by anything, whether anything’s here or not.” Everyone silently agreed, and Jeremy and Chris stopped the wagon, having taken it off the highway and toward a store.

  They tied it, as well as the horses, inside of a smaller building that was seemingly empty, minus a few food racks, all with almost nothing on them, just a ways out from Willis Avenue Bridge, leading to Manhattan.

  They took what they could from the building, and roamed onward. Chris peered down off the bridge, as did Derrick and Jeremy, and he could have sworn he saw some silhouette moving in the water underneath them. He glanced at Jeremy, who just responded with an equally unnerved expression, and they pushed forward. So long as they stayed on land, there was really no point in worrying the others. Not then at least.

  None of them had much to say, as they simply observed the destruction that had taken place long before, and stayed that way for a long time before even reaching midtown Manhattan.

  The interesting thing about the city was, despite what most would believe, the larger buildings weren’t in shambles. A good handful of them were actually still standing. Covered with patches of moss and mold, and riddled with holes, but almost entirely still standing. It provided as good cover for them, sometimes even as homes. So far as the guys understood them, anyway. From what the people on tv were speculating about, just before it turned off for the last time.

  The group explored through the city, keeping track of their location in relation to the wagon as best they could all the while. Normally, Derrick would have been solely on that task, but for whatever reason Cody insisted on keeping pace as well. Maybe he just wanted to feel useful, Chris guessed. They kept all their weapons on them, as well as a small number of rations and supplies, just in case.

  They made it a good few blocks into the city before anyone said anything substantial.

  “You know, these won’t really help us against most anything we might see here,” Derrick quipped, inspecting the bat he was holding in his hands.

  “Well one, it could help against people. And two, that’s not entirely true, because we don’t know what else is out here, and you know that,” Chris said.

  “Actually, it’s more that he doesn’t know that,” Cody corrected.

  “Hey what was it you called Nolan and I’s rendition of the Full House song again, Luke?” Adam asked, chuckling a little. “Like gargling broken glass and rusty nails or something?”

  Luke didn’t respond, and Adam glanced over at him, unsure why he had gotten no response.

  “Luke? Hello? Anyone home?” Adam asked. Luke just looked outward and marched ahead of the group. “Oh my God, are you serious?” Adam complained, turning back to the others. “What’s up his ass now, god damn it?” Nolan walked ahead of Adam a little bit as well, glaring back at him.

  “God, you really don’t know anything about him, do you?” he asked, then running to catch up with Luke.

  “What? What’d I do?” Adam asked, looking around at the other guys, who just shrugged nonchalantly. Chris knew what Nolan meant though; one joint effort, good as it was, wasn’t going to be enough to bring Luke back into the fold. Jokes and songs were great, but with Luke, sincerity tended to be the more heavy hitter. He just needed someone to be stubborn enough to push past his refusal for help.

  Chris and the others saw where Luke was going. There was a small convenience store down the road. It was only two floors, and the roof was torn apart, mostly gone. Even the front-most wall was missing. Luke was already halfway up the stairs when Nolan got to the front. The others caught up, and Nolan just turned to them.

  “Stay here guys, huh? I’ll be back in a minute,” Nolan requested. The others looked at him curiously, and paused for a moment, unsure of whether or not to let him try what he was about to.

  “You sure?” Cody asked.

  “Yeah, I mean it didn’t go so well last time,” Jeremy said. “And now isn't a great time for us to be divided.”

  “Yeah, yeah I’m sure. Don’t worry about it guys, I’ve known him longest. I know how to handle this,” Nolan insisted, giving a small smile, and heading toward the stairs. The others all just set up camp inside the first floor of the building.

  It was surprising. Not so much that this building was standing, but that it was one of the only small ones left around. Every other area near it for at least 2 blocks was rubble, minus the few taller buildings scattered around them. Whether it was man, Goliath, or whatever else was out there, something was to blame for every broken apartment complex, every torn down sub-shop and mini-mart, and everything in between.

  They could actually see Times Square off to the center-left a little. It wasn’t too far away. Buildings flattened by the block-load made it pretty easy to spot. Again, most of the tall buildings were over there. None of the lights though. Those went out a long time ago too.

  The guys all peered outside, through the entranceway of the building. They gazed out at Time Square, and talked quietly to one another about the city. About what they thought was out there. What wasn’t. What used to be. What would be. Looking out into the fog, it only seemed to them that much more uncertain.

  Nolan reached the top of the stairs, and sitting on the edge on the building, feet hanging off the edge, was Luke. The rain was hitting the entire second floor, and Luke was already soaked. Nolan cautiously moved closer, and hesitantly sat down next to him, dangling his own feet off the edge, and stretching his hands out back behind him. Luke glanced at him, then closing his eyes and turning back to the decimated wasteland beyond them. They shared a brief silence, neither one breaking their gaze, and then Nolan spoke up.

  “You know,” he said, “someone once told me about looking up into the stars. How it helped them make anxiety and pain just, fade away.” He paused, waiting as they both looked up into the sky. “Now, granted, it’s raining, and foggy as shit, so we can’t really see the stars, but that only got me thinking about something else.” He stopped again, and Luke didn’t say anything back. “Sometimes the thing we look to most often for comfort isn’t there, it’s not around. And maybe it never comes back. Maybe who…”

  Nolan paused, and shook his head, keeping his mind from straying to thoughts too painful to remember.

  “Maybe what we used to have that kept us centered, kept us… happy… maybe it’s gone. And it’ll never come back. It makes the world a lot scarier of a place; it makes it seem like you can’t run away from the bad times; from all the pain. Like there’s nothing to look at and kn
ow that everything is going to be okay,” he continued.

  Luke looked at him, confused. Nolan gazed back, and tried his best to smile supportively.

  “And that can feel scary. Scary as shit, honestly,” he admitted. “But the thing is, there’s always gonna be something there to pick you up. To pull you out of the bad times and back into the good ones. And I get that sometimes it’s hard to just let go of something that made you happy– that gave you hope– but what you have to realize is… Luke you’ve always got us. You’ve always got me. Life, especially now, can be bullshit. It takes more from us than it ever has before, and sometimes it feels like that’s all it does. But you know what? Fuck life. Life fucked us all, and now all we’ve got is each other, at least until we get back home and maybe, maybe find our families. But even then, we’ve got each other, and we’re kicking life right in the ass. And so long as we’ve got each other, things will never be that bad. You helped me realize that Luke, but it seems like you didn’t even see it yourself.” Nolan stopped, and put his hand on Luke’s shoulder.

  Luke looked up again, glancing back at Nolan, who smiled gently at him. For the first time in a very long time, it seemed, Luke wasn’t the strong one. The leader who had to keep face for the others. He was glad, he didn’t want to be, not then. He decided to let it all go, and he cried.

  Nolan just gripped his shoulder tighter, and watched the rain fall heavily into the city. He knew how Luke didn’t like others to see him cry; Nolan didn’t like it either. So he looked away, and he felt his friend’s body pulsing up and down through his hand, and that was enough.

  “So long as we’ve got each other, we’re never gonna be too far gone,” Nolan assured, trying to be as calming as possible. “And Luke,” he added. Luke looked at him again. “It wasn’t your fault, okay? None of us put that on you, and you shouldn't either. What happened… it was horrible, and I can’t say if I would’ve reacted differently than you did if I saw what you saw in those tents. But either way, it’s not your fault,” he finished.

  The rain was coming down harder than before. Like a bundle of rocks, clashing to the floor. They were both drenched, but Nolan could still see Luke’s tears. He wouldn’t bring it up though; he got it.

  As for the others, he imagined they were upset enough as it was waiting below them. And he was right. And Chris was tired of it.

  “God, it’s been like, at least thirty minutes!” Adam whined impatiently. “The hell are they doing up there!?”

  “Just give it time,” Jeremy defended. “Nolan’s trying his best.”

  “Oh-ho! And when did you decide to become mister kind and caring?” Adam spat, rather sarcastically.

  “Since Luke made the good point that we’re all a bunch of assholes, you asshole!” Jeremy spat back. “Maybe you’re too thick-headed to do it, but I want to try to be nicer. Better.”

  “Pfft…” Adam scoffed. “Pussy.”

  “Oh my God dude, shut the hell up!” Jeremy shouted, getting angry. This immediately sparked a shouting match between the two. Chris, Cody, and Derrick just sighed, aggravated at the unnecessary aggravation.

  They had all been thinking about what Luke had said, and they were all trying to be better, that much was obvious. It was just… hard, honestly, and Chris hated admitting it. It was a scummy thing to say, but it was true. They had been together everyday for over a year, and in that time everything just devolved into bitterness and constant shit-talking. Not to mention, they weren’t on the best of terms before they went on the trip anyhow.

  Chris didn’t like it, none of them did, but the tension made it hard to comply with each other all the time. Now though, things were changing. They had to. The guys had to work on it, or things like this would happen, and then nothing would ever turn in their favor.

  Jeremy and Adam kept arguing, and Chris was hardly even paying attention to what was being said; he just wished everyone would get over themselves and get along. What he did notice, however, was how close Jeremy kept stepping up to Adam, who was looking more and more aggravated.

  “You need to drop the stubborn asshole act, dude, or it’s gonna get you killed,” Jeremy said. Adam scoffed.

  “Yeah, by who? Are you telling me you’re gonna do it?” Adam asked.

  “No, I’ll just beat the shit out of you until you start listening to reason,” he replied. Adam stood taller, no longer leaning against a food rack.

  “Well maybe reason should back the hell off, and not think it’s such tough shit,” he growled.

  “Guys, that’s enough, come on,” Cody tried to settle, though it didn’t do anything.

  “I’m not the one thinking he’s tough shit, Adam,” Jeremy said. “You’re the one acting like a piece of shit.”

  “Guys, come on, seriously, cool it,” Derrick said. “You’re both assholes, let it go.” Jeremy was right in Adam’s face now. Adam just scowled at him, but Jeremy still refused to back down. Chris really wished he would just back down sometimes.

  “Jeremy, let it go,” He tried to say. Jeremy wasn’t listening though. Neither of them were.

  “Step off, Jeremy,” Adam warned. “I’m not kidding.”

  “Neither am I,” Jeremy replied. “You need to get with the picture here. We’re trying to be better, and that doesn’t work when one of us is still trying to act like he doesn’t give a shit about anything.”

  Adam just scoffed again, still staring at Jeremy, and then swiftly shoved him, sending him falling onto the ground next to a shattered window. The guys all shouted loudly, and got in between the both of them. Chris moved over to help pick Jeremy up.

  “For Christ’s sake Adam, cut the shit!” Derrick yelled.

  “You alright, Jer?” Cody asked, still standing between the two.

  Jeremy got up, and looked at his left hand. It was sliced open by some of the broken glass on bottom of the window. He winced, and clutched it with his other hand.

  “No, god damn it! He cut my hand open!” he shouted angrily.

  “I didn’t do anything, you fell into that yourself,” Adam argued. Cody turned to him, and pointed a finger at him warningly.

  “Adam, seriously, drop the act. It’s not impressing anybody,” he said sternly; Adam even deflated a little. Chris was pretty surprised, Cody didn’t very often get that serious or strict with people. He was glad he did, though.

  Derrick directed Jeremy to go wash his hand out in the rain as he rifled through their things for bandaging. Chris watched as the blood poured down onto the ground, and the slice on Jeremy’s hand became more clear. It went all the way across his palm. Then, still gazing outward toward Times Square where Jeremy stood, Chris saw something. Vaguely at first, but after a moment of focusing his view, his eyes burst open wide in terror.

  “Guys!” he shouted loudly, as well as fearfully, clutching onto Jeremy’s arm, and pulling him out of the rain.

  “What?” Adam asked, confused. Chris pointed out toward the city, already shaking.

  “L…Look…” he pleaded, voice trembling. They all gazed outward to where he was pointing, and immediately, the same feeling of gut-wrenching, heart-stopping fear that Chris experienced seconds before struck them all with great force.

  Nolan and Luke sat atop the others in silence, looking peacefully outward at the city from a different angle, when suddenly Cody burst up the stairs in a panic.

  “Guys! We gotta go, now!” he shouted.

  “What?” Nolan asked, Luke perking his head up and glancing at Cody, then darting his gaze all around as a precautionary measure. “Why?”

  “Explain later, just move!” he shouted again, sprinting back down the stairs. Luke and Nolan got up, and glanced at each other quizzically. And then they heard that noise.

  That deep, echoing, ringing noise. It was loud, and it lasted for at least 10 seconds. It rang throughout the city like an alarm, and they felt the ground shaking, literally seeing it tremble off in the distance. They looked outward, toward the tall buildings surrounding Times Squa
re, and then they saw it too. A plume of dust ripping away from the old skyscrapers, as the leviathan that inhabited erupted out, now having revealed itself to the naked-eye.

  “Holy shit…!” Nolan gasped out, freezing in place.

  “We need to go. Now,” Luke ordered, an old piece of him finally revving back up. He grabbed Nolan by the arm and moved toward the stairs. He lost his grip however, as Nolan froze in place, staring still at the growing threat.

  “Nolan, come on!” Luke shouted. “We’ve gotta go, right now! Nolan!”

  Nolan saw only pieces of it through the haze, but it was enough. Long. Slender. Sharp. Contorted. The rest of it clouded by fog and darkness and rain, hidden behind the buildings. Nolan knew what it was though. They’d heard and even seen one of them before, when the tv’s still worked. The end all be all of his fears. A Goliath.

  Time had ceased to move. Nolan could literally hear his own heart beating. He felt like it could too…

  “NOLAN! NOW!” Luke demanded, gripping onto Nolan, hard, bringing him back into reality.

  They ran down the stairs and joined Chris and the others, already edging at the door nervously. Derrick had just finished wrapping up Jeremy’s still bleeding hand.

  “What do we do!?” Derrick asked, panicked.

  “Alright, the wagon is to our right, correct?” Luke asked, darting his eyes all around the outside of their small safety net.

  “Yeah, something like seventy blocks down the road!” Jeremy frantically answered, saying it as though it was a thousand miles away. “And across a bridge!”

  “Well what the hell else are we supposed to do, huh?” Adam asked, panicked.

  “I don’t know, but that’s still risky as hell!” Jeremy said.

  “So is staying here,” Chris replied darkly.

  “We don’t know that it’s here for us, do we?” Nolan asked, his breathing becoming rampantly frantic.