A World Fallen

by Carter, Nicholas Lawrence

  “We’re gonna go out back.” Rad shouts from the living room.

  “Rad, be careful!”

  “We always are!” Outlaw reassures her.

  Rosaline sighs, motioning her annoyance. Zee and Hawaii chuckle, shifting about in their chairs at the table. Sweetie leaves the counter, going to her partner at the entrance of the kitchen, and pats her lower back for comfort.

  “Respirar nena. You’re so tense today, what’s wrong?”

  The young fighter slides her arm around her companion’s side, turning to face her.

  “The more he gets comfortable here, the more he’s letting his guard down. I don’t like it.”

  Sweetie runs her finger along her girlfriend’s jaw, pulling Rosaline’s gaze up to meet hers.

  “Is it so bad that he’s starting to feel like a kid?”

  “No, but-”

  The petite warrior sighs once more, rolling her eyes.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Hey, look at me. You’re not used to feeling safe somewhere, I get it, but, just, you know, try to enjoy it.”

  Sweetie kisses her partner’s cheek. Rosaline’s lips crack, a smile easing it’s way out.

  “It’s not fair when you do that.”

  “I never play fair nena.” Sweetie says, winking at her.

  Rosaline giggles, as she leans up into her companion, and kisses her lips.

  “You two are so sweet.” Zee says, her elbows on the table, her chin resting on top of her hands.

  Rosaline blushes, gingerly peering at the intruding woman.

  “Oh, yeah, um-”

  “Don’t butt in chica, we’re having a moment here!”

  Zee laughs, Hawaii shakes his head. The couple glance to each other.

  “Yeah, because we’re not just sitting here, right next to you.” Hawaii teases.

  “Don’t start with me chacho!” Sweetie replies, breaking her grip from Rosaline to point at him.

  Sweetie walks back to the counter, where the fruit and beans she is preparing still reside. She lightly smacks Hawaii’s shoulder as she passes him.

  “Or no breakfast for you!” she playfully exclaims.

  “Hey, I’m just happy you’re finally not hitting on Zee all the time.”

  Rosaline’s brow raises, her head tilts.

  “What’s that now?”

  Zee giggles as she takes Hawaii’s hand.

  “It’s nothing Ros, Sweetie just liked to make him uncomfortable. I’m not, how do I put this, um, I like a man’s embrace, let’s say that.”

  Sweetie whips around, glaring at Hawaii, then looks to Rosaline.

  “It really is nothing nena. I just make jokes, you know how I am!”

  Rosaline shrugs, laughing off the comments.

  “I’d be surprised if you didn’t do things to upend people.”

  Sweetie points the knife at Rosaline, swirling it around in the air.

  “So no breakfast for two of you now, that what I’m hearing?”

  The two smitten women grin at each other, their eyes twinkling. Rosaline takes a seat at the table, joining Zee and Hawaii. Zee puts her hand on top of Rosaline’s.

  “I’m so glad you two stayed.”

  A sheepish expression forms upon Rosaline.

  “Me too.”

  “So” Hawaii says, interrupting the moment, “are we gonna have this couples picnic anytime soon, or what?”

  “¡Ay chacho! I’m hurrying, I’m hurrying!” Sweetie exclaims, her pace quickening.

  As the two couples share laughs and banter in the kitchen, Rad, Outlaw, and Mikey have taken their game of hide and seek outside, behind the house. The game only lasts one more turn before Outlaw suggests they go to the barn and practice their knife throwing. Outlaw, who has become determined to be able to throw a knife like Rosaline, is first to the barn. He gathers the knives and takes position by the doors, aiming at the targets Rosaline set up for everyone.

  The younger Puerto Rican sibling has taken Rosaline’s advice of using all the blades they have, and mixing them as he throws them. To her, it’s better not to get accustomed to a specific weight. She instructed him to focus on his aim, to be consistent with hitting the rings around the bullseye, then moving on to aiming for the bullseye every time.

  In the wild you’re not guaranteed to have the same equipment at all times, and as such being accustomed to one specific weight or feel can end up being more of a determent than a benefit. Outlaw has taken to Rosaline rather quickly, his sister’s budding relationship with the young fighter no doubt influencing this.

  They practice with the barn doors fully open, and though it creates more noise this way, it allows anyone else outside to hear them training. A measure of precaution in case something goes wrong.

  The two couples exit the house, their meal finally prepared. Hawaii and Rosaline have already set up some blankets on the ground in front of the house. On this day the sun shines brightly in the clear sky, the weather aiding their planned activities.

  Zee and Hawaii lay the plates out, Rosaline pours water for each of them, and Sweetie garnishes their plates with food. After she finishes her task she plops down next to her partner, nudging her with her shoulder, drawing a smirk from Rosaline.

  After an hour of enjoying each other's company, and conversing among themselves, Rad and Outlaw come bounding from the barn, with the little boy in a full sprint behind them. Rosaline beams with joy seeing Mikey connecting with his first true friends. The trio circle to the front of the house, brushing by the picnic, Rosaline waves at Mikey, an expression of full delight exudes from the child.

  "See nena, isn't this nice?"

  "I didn't say it isn't nice babe, it's just unusual for us, but I am glad he's getting to experience it."

  She puts her arm around her companion, and kisses her cheek.

  "I'm glad I'm getting to as well."

  "Oh I know you are nena." Sweetie replies, a confident smirk across her face.

  "Any other plans for your free day?" Zee inquires.

  Sweetie shrugs.

  "Just gonna see where the day takes us." she replies, glancing at Rosaline, to wink at her.

  "What about you two?" Rosaline asks.

  "I've got something planned for me and Zee later."

  "Oh, do you? Tell me!" Zee says, with a raised brow.

  "No, no, it's a surprise."

  Zee's eyes squint as she playfully leans into him.

  "Alright ko’u aloha, keep me in suspense."

  "That's the plan." Hawaii says, as their faces touch, and they kiss.

  Rosaline puts her plate down, and scoots closer to the center of the blankets. An odd change in her expression accompanies the action.

  "Listen, no one look around, or freak out, continue smiling and laughing, but listen to me carefully."

  Her eyes rapidly move to each of them. They do as instructed, timidly keeping a joyous appearance.

  "There is someone watching us. Don't act any differently."

  "What? Are you sure nena?"

  "Yes, to my right, near the tree with the broken branch is a patch of shrubs. Someone is in that patch."

  Hawaii reaches into the basket grabbing a canteen out of it, leaning closer to Rosaline in the process.

  "A person or an infected?"

  "Definitely a person, they have a gun, a rifle. I saw light reflecting off the scope about ten minutes ago, and again just before I started talking about it."

  "What do we do?" Zee asks in between forced giggles.

  "Right now we don't do anything, we can't do anything. Our guns are in the barn, we can't act as if we know they're there."

  Rosaline fakes a smile, glancing to Sweetie.

  "In a minute I want you to reach into the basket for more food, pretend like there's nothing in there, playfully blame Hawaii. I'm gonna say I'll go get more, then I'm gonna rush through the house, out the back, go through the gardens, then into the woods, and come up behind them. It's going to take me a bit to do this,
so keep acting like you're having a good time, and don't move from here."

  "Are you sure about this?" Zee asks, her eyes wide with concern.

  "We don't have much of a choice, I'll take my backpack."

  "Nena they have a gun, your hammer can't shoot bullets."

  "No, it can't, but I know these woods, and they don't. If you hear anything, gun shots, or struggle, run to the barn and get guns and get Rad with you. Someone get Mikey and Outlaw inside and make sure they stay there, otherwise just keep acting like nothing is wrong."

  "Okay, I don't really see any other options here." Hawaii interjects.

  "Me either. Sweetie, look for some food now."

  Sweetie giggles and picks up the basket.

  "For real chacho! This basket feels pretty light!"

  She puts her hand in feeling the fruit within it.

  "You ate the last strawberries!"

  Hawaii chuckles, holding his hands up.

  "Hey, too slow."

  Rosaline leans into Sweetie, kisses her cheek, then takes the basket from her. She rises to her feet.

  "I'll get more babe."

  "Thank you nena." Sweetie replies, an extra layer of meaning behind the words.

  Rosaline turns away from them, nonchalantly striding toward the house. Once inside she drops the basket on the floor, rushes to her room, retrieves her backpack, then sprints back down the stairs, and out of the back door. Mikey, Outlaw, and Rad are sitting against the back of house, drinking some water.

  "Where are you going?"

  Rosaline regards them, speaking low and sternly.

  "Listen to me carefully, I don't have much time. Go inside and stay there. Get your knives, and lock yourselves in a room."

  "What's going on?"

  "Don't freak out, but someone is in the woods watching us, from the front of the house. I'm going to find out who it is."

  "I'm coming with you." Rad says as he gets to his feet.

  "No! I'll move quicker by myself, and I'm more silent than you. Please, just take Mikey and Outlaw inside and keep them safe. I really need you to do that."

  Rad begins to question her again, but the look on her face halts him. He sighs and nods.

  "Thank you." she says.

  She races to the gardens, keeping low to the ground, passing between them swiftly. She reaches the edge of the woods and passes into the trees without hesitation. She knows she can sprint for more than half of her destination and still be out of range for the person to hear her. “Why would only one person be here? There has to be others.” she thinks.

  She's not sure if this was the correct decision, but if she can sneak up on the intruder she might be able to draw the others out, and avoid any of The Family getting harmed. She keeps close to the outskirts of the woods, making sure she can see the house at all times.

  Once she's in line with the side of the house she slows her pace. She keeps low to the ground, and timidly moves deeper into the woods, until the house is no longer visible.

  It takes Rosaline thirty minutes in all from when she first left the picnic to be in sight of the intruder. A backpack lay on the ground just outside of the green hiding spot. She can't see the person, but she can see the heel of a boot, and the butt of the rifle, sticking out from the thick shrubs.

  Rosaline, hammer in hand, slowly approaches the patch of greenery. She squints, trying to discern the outline of a person. She should be able to see a change in colors from the person's clothes, but she doesn't. The brush is thick, but not thick enough to hide an entire body.

  "You're clever."

  She freezes, her face turning pale. The voice came from behind her.

  "It's alright, you can turn around, but do it slowly."

  Rosaline gingerly pivots on her heel. She completes her turn, but doesn't see anyone. She scans over the woods for a moment, her brow furrowing in perplexion. Suddenly, movement comes from her left side. A figure steps out from another dense patch of forest. It's a woman, pointing a handgun. She's taller than Rosaline, completely covered in green clothing, her face is painted green, and her hair is short, nearly shaved, and green as well.

  "How did you know I was here?"

  "I saw light reflecting from your scope."

  "Impressive, not many people can notice that. In fact, you're the first."

  "What do you want?" Rosaline says through gritted teeth.

  "Believe it or not, I don't want to hurt you. I'm here to help."

  "Oh yeah? How are you gonna help us?"

  "I should talk to all of you about that. There are seven of you, right? Three on the blankets, three others now in the house, and you?"

  Rosaline gulps, a sliver of fear rising within her.

  "You don't have to say anything, I wouldn't expect you to, but I do know there are seven of you. I've been watching you for two days."

  Rosaline's eyes slam shut, her jaw clenches, she grimaces.

  "Don't feel bad, no one ever knows I'm around until I show myself. You're the first person to ever detect me, and you almost found me. Feel good about that."

  "What the fuck do you want?!" Rosaline snarls.

  The woman holds her hands up, turning the gun away from Rosaline.

  "Like I said, it's better if I tell all of you, together."

  Rosaline furiously shakes her head.

  "No, tell me now, or I scream, then they get our guns, and you die."

  "You don't want to do that, and how do you know I'm alone?"

  "You're alone. If you had others they would've shown themselves by now, or rushed the house. I've been gone a while, my people are starting to worry. That wont be good for either of us. You're smart, you know that."

  "You are clever, I was right about that."

  "Tell me or I scream."

  "Don't do that."

  "Give me a reason not to."

  The woman holsters her gun, and eases her stance.

  "My name is KP, and I'm a Guide."

  Rosaline's face scrunches.

  "A guide?"

  "I find people."

  "Find them for what?"

  "I'm from a place called Oasis, a community, more than a community actually, we're a city now, the last city we know of. We're rebuilding society, we're safe, and we have an immunity for the disease."

  Rosaline's eyes grow wide, her brow raises, her chest fills with air.

  "You're full of shit."

  "I'm not, and I can prove it."

  CHAPTER FORTY

  “You’re certain you know where we’re going?”

  Karo’s hand falls to his side, smacking against his thigh. He sighs, and pivots to face Daisy.

  “Are you going to ask me that every day?”

  “There’s a good chance of it.”

  The rugged man grunts, then resumes his forward trek.

  “That’s very reassuring.” she says, in a mocking tone.

  He breathes in heavily.

  “Yes, I know how to get back there. I only traveled northwest from Atlanta. Oasis is south of Atlanta. I’ve traveled from there to Atlanta many times, one of Maria’s sisters lived there.”

  “So, you just walked northwest until you ran into us?”

  “Yes.”

  “And when we started traveling together you kept taking us northwest?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Pretty much?”

  His face red, his chest hot, he stops walking, giving his full attention to Daisy.

  “Listen, traveling back southeast will put us around Atlanta. There will be signs everywhere for the city. We travel close to Route 19 and we’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing.”

  “Alright soldier, take it down a notch. Can’t blame me for being curious.”

  His eyes sharply cut to her, her head tilts, her hands come up, and she relents. Daisy slows her pace, rejoining Norman and Patrick.

  She winks at Patrick, “Gotta keep him on his toes.” she says.

  The group has been traveling for two days now. Each d
ay their journey has lasted as long as the sun is out, only stopping for bathroom breaks and one small meal. Every day around an hour before dusk sets in Karo finds shelter, or the next best thing, to make camp for the night.

  They know this travel will be long and arduous. They know it’s likely they’ll encounter infected, they know it’s possible they wont all make it, but at least one of them has to. Jack’s death can’t have been for nothing. He was too good of a person, of a friend, of a husband, for anything less to suffice.

  Karo has kept them in brush and on backroads for the entirety of their journey, but this will not be possible much longer. The group will have to make supply runs, and, when they get to Georgia, they’ll need to be close to cities for Karo to get an exact reading of where they are.

  The first pitfall was having to travel around a long river. They could’ve passed through it, but the trouble of having freezing and soaked clothes wasn’t worth it, not to mention the possibility of what could’ve been in the water. None of them are sure if the diseased could venture into water, sink, and still be dangerous, so they chose not to risk it.

  “First the river, and now this, what great fortune we have.”

  Daisy’s annoyance is on full display as she glares at the unfinished construction. A highway was being built, but never finished. At least half a mile long, littered with construction vehicles left behind, and gated off as far as they can see.

  “It’s clear to me now that we definitely were not traveling northwest before we met you.”

  Karo’s brow furrows, but he doesn’t respond. He remains in thought, standing rigid, with his hands on his hips.

  “Did you come across this before?”

  “No, I was further west. This zone can’t be too long.”

  “Can’t we just climb the fence and go through it?”

  “Not the best idea. If there are diseased mixed in with all that, it’ll be too compact for comfort. Too easy to get separated.”

  “So we go around, again?”

  “Don’t have much choice.”

  Daisy frowns, and runs her hand through her hair.

  “I guess not.”

  She turns on her heel, looking to Norman and Patrick.

  “Saddle up boys, we’re going around, again.”

  Patrick slides the backpack from his shoulders, drops it to the ground, and plops down on it. His head hangs low, he hunches over and curls his arms to his chest, attempting to warm his cold appendages.