Pacing down the park path, a bundle of cones of bright lights. Shine down the path of brown tiles leading to the pool of darkness. Beside the path were crowded trees and darkness awaiting their lights.
Panting, Jack aimed his light from dawn 14 at the trees lining the park's path before looking up at the branches and leaves, trying to block out the starry sky.
"Status? Mr.Walker." Amy scans the path behind the trio before aiming at the trees.
"I'm. Fine." Jack whispered.
"I calculated that the dose given to you typically lasts four to six hours, but I'll give it two more hours due to your physical structure."
"Steady your pace, " Rex said as the trio approached a small opening on the right of the path, leading to a slim white brick house posing as a bathroom. In front of it, pieces of pavement and dirt littered the area. At the same time, fragments of sticks attached to various cardboard colors were either burnt to scorch marks or partly attached.
A dead meteor the size of a round table remained on the corner of the branched path within the dirt bowl.
The trio makes their way along the path while Jack shines a light on the signs on the ground that he can make out.
Plants or life?
Predator or Harvester?
A world among factories is a world among consequences.
"One moment," Amy whispered, making Jack halt behind Rex. She approached the meteor before taking a knee and brushing among the dirt. "Thank you." She plucked something from the dirt, resembling a transparent seed.
Amy raised to her feet while Jack squinted his eyes.
"The hell is that?"
"We classified them as transparent seeds, " Amy said, opening her compartment. "Please notify me when another appears." She stuffed the seed before closing it. "I'm sorry. We may proceed." She looks to the ground, approaching the duo.
"Sure." Jack looks to Rex, who twists his hips towards the main path, making progress. "That looks different than the one I saw at camp. What makes this so different?"
"My apologies, Mr.Walker. I can't enclose this information." Amy took Jack's rear.
"Commander orders?" The amu nods. "Of course."
They continued down the path toward the pool of darkness, their heavy and solid steps sung to the quiet Amu, Ranger, and Human, followed by Jack's collective breaths.
Jack aimed his light across the faces of trees along the path. A silhouette of a woman with pink orbs stood at the back of the crowd of trees, only for Jack to snap his light at it.
To the brown bark of a tree before scanning his eyes across the field of unkempt grass.
"Something wrong?" Amy aimed her light.
"I saw something." Jack rests his finger on the trigger.
"What did you see?" Rex aimed towards their lights before scanning its environment.
"I don't know. It could be Jogger." Jack whispered. "Come on. I don't like standing here longer than we have to."
"Agree." Amy looks to Rex, who's aiming his rifle about. "Rex, you may proceed."
The ranger again leads down the narrow brown path, providing heavy metallic steps for the duo to follow. They reached another open space filled with silhouettes groaning, slouching, and stumbling about. Orbs of sickly purple eyes and a dotted blue pupil dominate the dark environment.
The trio shines their lights on the crowd of husks standing before a playground set among the pit of black mulch chips. The large set consists of blue monkey bars, a rock wall with yellow rocks, and a three-lane slide of colors like red, yellow, and blue.
A large brick house for the public bathroom stood at the left of the open space, while a swing set with six seats stood at the right.
The trio aimed their weapons at the hungry crowd.
"Mr.Walker, save your ammo." Amy voiced before drilling into the crowd with Rex.
The last that stood forced Amy to drop her aim while Jack stared in shock.
"Mom?" A boy in a red baseball cap and scarlet color shirt with the cartoon character Soda Pop Dan. The boy, wearing blue shorts, stumbles towards the trio while Amy takes a knee. "Mom?"
"No." Amy smiled lightly, eyeing the patch of blood surrounding the kid's neck and the string of flesh on his slim arm. "I can help you find her." She opened her compartment, resting the transparent seed within her palm. "Come. It's pretty, is it?"
"I'm scared." His purple pupils locked on Amy as he drew closer. "Mom?"
A rifle shot cried out, spraying purple liquids across the pavement. The boy hits the ground while Amy and Jack can only stare.
"Threat naturalized. Shall we proceed?" Rex turns to the duo.
"What was that?!" Jack shouted in a whisper. "Do you have an-"
"You've traveled far enough, convict." Rex aimed his rifle at Jack, who halted. "Disobey my request. I have the right to retaliate."
Jack only flashed his clenched teeth.
"Rex. Report the conflict." Amy raised to her feet, stuffing the seed back into her compartment.
"Routes partaking with squad bravo. These creatures can mimic til confrontation at the striking zone. They are easy to spot due to their eyes, but they could prove fatal if not careful."
"Stand down." Amy switches her eyes to glaring Jack, who looks up at Rex, who drops his aim. "Take charge."
Rex turns his back to Amy and Jack before making his way toward the continuing path.
"Mr.Walker, I encourage you not to raise arms against Rex. I can't aid you when you're reckless." Amy looks to Jack, who grips his Dawn 14 with both hands, following Rex.
"Let's get this over with."
The trio continued along the barrel path, leading toward a slope at a two-way path.
In front of the path is a tree overlooking a lake filled with unoccupied boats and swan boats.
"That's far enough." The sound of creaking and cracking draws their attention to the left side of the path, where a tree reveals feminine arms emerging from its bark. Unraveling the slender figure of a female creature made of wood and plants, her glowing pink eyes captivate all who gaze upon her.
Many sounds followed as Rex and the others aimed their lights at four more trees. Feminine creatures like her emerged from the bark, each with different-colored eyes.
The five creatures surrounded the trio; all they could do was aim. Their mouths were non-existent, their hair was made of vines, and their ears were long and pointy.
"Turn back." The creature with pink glowing eyes with a hint of white pupils ordered.
"I'm afraid we can't do that," Amy spoke, listening to Jack's pants. "The I.C.C. Index Continental Contract has issued an SOS beacon on this soil. All I require is your assistance in finding our license members."
"You won't make it far." The creature stood still as a statue. "Not now. Not, never."
"Reasons behind strong claims?" Amy lowered her weapon, followed by Jack and Rex.
The curvaceous creature remained looking at her sisterhood before staring back at Amy.
"A few of my sisters have ventured down at the base and resided there. And among us, your warning will soon prove fatal if you don't heed my words."
"A moment; what you're saying is you're willing to harm us?"
"We would've killed you after what you did to those people." The wooden creature spoke.
"I'm sorry, but they were not people," Jack said. "The ruin attacked our place. They take a bite or rip into anyone. Man, woman, and child."
"The flesh one speaks of compost." A sister with white glowing eyes and a hint of grey pupils comments.
"Weren't you the one that nearly attacked this hulk of metal?" A sister with violet glowing eyes with a hint of white pupils tilts her head. "You've seen what it did, yet you are blinded by your delusion."
"We gave you a choice among everyone else. You are the first we are willing to stop." The sister with pink eyes spoke. "Look around you." She opened her palm towards the crowded trees. "They are all people after the stars fell and after the military resided. It's also the military that forced half of my sisters into a path I, too, wouldn't touch. You can march down to your base. I will only prepare one seedling." She points her finger at Jack. "Your name."
"I don't have one."
"It's Mr.Walker," Amy answered, getting Jack's glare. "Even in death, there's always beauty in the end."
"She gets it." A sister with white eyes comments.
"It's a shame, but I'll make an exception," the sister with pink eyes said. "I'll plant a seedling in you."
"You are so kind." Amy bows.
"Now, go." The sister with pink eyes waved her hand as she walked toward a tree.
"Won't you give us your name?"
The sister merged into the tree, followed by all the sisters. They left the trio alone with their lights aimed at the trees they hibernated within.
Hanzo remained on the black couch, taking in the blanket and the white pillow on his head. He stays within Mr. Sandman's grasp.
A figure hops onto his lap, breaking him from the long-awaited dream to his paid babysitter straddling him. Jane's face closes the distance with Hanzo before planting her pink lip into his.
"Hmm!" Hanzo widened his eyes, feeling the babysitter comb her fingers into his short, curly hair. "Stop!" He breaks from the kiss only to be barraged with more down his neck and cheek. "Stop!" He pushed her back, driving her to the other end of the couch.
He hovered over her, watching her alluring lips pant and her sky-blue eyes look into his. Hanzo leaned into her lips, planting a kiss. The duo roams their hand along their slender, thick arms, wide back, and slim neck.
The babysitter grasps Hanzo's right hand and inches it under her black shirt. Hanzo pulls back and stands before the couch.
"This is wrong." He pants. "So wrong." His shaky hands grasp his hair.
"What?" Jane's pants and rose from the couch.
"You need to go." His eyes roam across the coffee table.
"Han's, please. I just don't understand. What did I do wrong?"
"You're nineteen!" he whispers, dropping to his knees and looking underneath the table.
"Excuse me?" Jane furrows her brows, gripping the edge of the couch seat cushion. "I'm Legal! And my parent knows you. So why are you making this such a big deal?"
"Where's my keys?"
"Hans, I see you. Why can't you?" Jane glared. "Hans! I'm pouring my heart out to you!"
"Where is it?!" Hanzo flashed his clenched teeth. "My keys! Where is it?" He whispered.
"You could've left it in the master room." Hanzo rose and headed for the steps before hastily climbing them.
Jane followed.
"Quiet! You're going to wake her."
"Like you care."
"What?! I can't believe you even said that."
Hanzo entered his room, flipping on the switch before checking the nightstand. He drops to a knee, checking the drawer.
"I've been here since day one!" Jane raised her voice, containing her volume. "And that ten-year-old girl, your daughter. Who's sleeping in the other room was the first in a year to capture my heart. We're not blood, but I see her like my daughter."
"Your daughter?" Hanzo cocked his head at the door to Jane standing there with her arms crossed. "I admit you cater to her but will never be her mother. Ever."
"You can be a real asshole, you know that?" Jane remarked while Hanzo dug into the second drawer. "But I'm not surprised. Look who's here." She points to herself. "While the mother is somewhere in America chasing some dream, I'm here when Nami loses her first tooth, scarps her knee, and gets a medal for being the first in her class."
"You're paid."
"And then don't! I'll get another job. I'll pay the rent."
"The answer is no." Hanzo shimmied between the babysitter and the white door frame before pacing down the hall to a door next to his.
He cracks the door open, peeking into a dark room. A pink furry rug lies on the floor, trapped between a twin bed with white wooden frames. A sea-blue blanket covers a lump at the head of the bed.
Hanzo closes the door, focusing on Jane, who grabs her arms. He walked past her and back into his room, snatching a black backpack with a keychain of a penguin on the floor against the wall.
"We'll take the other car." He suggested climbing down the stairs with Jane fast behind.
"Hans, I'm not leaving!" Jane whispered.
"Yes, you are." Hanzo snatched a key fob from a key rack by the front door before swinging the door open.
He marched down the stone path of tiles, making it to his driveway in front of his car. He heads for the garage, opening it up with his fob.
"For a man with his own business, you sure are stupid!" Jane shouts, getting his attention. "You've struggled so much!"
"Keep it down!" Hanzo ordered under his breath before staring out at the night of their neighborhood.
"Thrown with attention and some warmth, you don't know what to do with yourself." Jane smiled, raising her hands above her head before resting alongside her legs. Her watery eyes stared from across the house's footpath at Hanzo on the driveway. "Am I not enough?"
Hanzo chewed on his gums and opened his mouth.
His car on the driveway roared before running him over. The vehicle continued before crashing into a black SUV in the garage. Releasing a loud crash and the sounds of a car alarm. Crying out into the quiet suburb nights.
Jane stood there, jaw-dropping, palms shaking, staring down at Hanzo, bloody and hand twitching. She released a high-pitched scream.
Nami stared blankly into the breakroom, where Jean, Dallas, Nobu, and Mai held a group meeting.
"The hell was that?!" Dallas opened his palm towards the brick wall. "The Girl, and now the kid! Who the hell did we let in?!"
"There could be a reason," Jean called out. "They must been hit by that rock just a couple days ago."
"I know that!" Dallas rests his hands on his hips. "You're not the only one dodging flying rocks. What gives me pause is what they're capable of."
"We all have the right to be afraid, me included." Mei chips in. "But those two seem decent enough."
"Decent is not enough." Dallas continued. "They could be from a group. Or I-I don't know. Something dangerous."
"That little girl is nothing dangerous," Nobu said softly. "Different, maybe. But I can see where you get this theory from, Shaun. He seems like a good enough kid, but something doesn't sit right with him."
"So you agree." Dallas opened his palm before resting against the counter.
"No. I say we keep an eye on him. Get to know him. We pushed further. He's bound to retaliate."
"Let's say we do." Nami starts getting the glances of everyone. "They reside on the first floor; we give them a project by then. Would they follow or use this as a weakness to gather information about the place?"
"Where are you leading on?" Jean cocked his head.
"We leave them at the poolside until he recovers. And send them on their way."
"On the ground?"
"There are lounge chairs."
"Nami, there is no way." Jean leans forward in his chair. "We are going to treat them that way. I understand there are strangers, but can't we give them mattresses until we find out what to do with them?"
"This can also mean brownie points for us," Mei adds. "Besides, he's injured."
"The girl could've done that." Nami counters.
"Trust and believe she didn't." Nobu stared from across the table and at his neighbor. "If I'm wrong, put my head on a pike."
"Nobu." Dallas stretched his hand while Nobu only looked at him. "I'm willing to give them bedding. Other than that, I'll think of something." Dallas ran his eyes across the room at the people in the breakroom. "Meeting adjourned."
Everyone exits the room at their own pace. Nami paced to the door.
"Nam," Dallas whispered, beckoning her over to him with a sway of his head. She paced toward him while he pushed himself from the white counter. "We're on the same boat. And the kicker I don't know how to go about it. I need you to be my eyes and ears. Residents and our guests."
"You're asking me to go behind their back?" Nami folds her arms.
"I'm asking you because you and I have enough sense. Jean, he's not all there, but he's a good kid. Hell, he saved my life. And I'm glad he bothered to stay awhile."
"What about his parents?" Dallas sighs. "They could be dead. And yet, you want him here."
"Dead or not, we are preparing to make this place safe. You guys, my day one. And without the others, S.G. will just be a pile of rubble. Time is all we need. And when that time comes, I will provide whatever he needs. You agree," Dallas whispered, getting close. "No one needs to die. If someone does. I'm sure as hell not making that kid the first."
"Noted." Nami steps back, not turning her back. "That plant. Someone needs to bite the bullet."
"Don't think about that. Go. I need you to take a shift this afternoon. Do you think you can do that?" Dallas folds his arms.
"Done." Nami voiced before turning to the door.
Jiro knocks on a door before looking out from the ledge at the sun's rays pouring onto his skin. The door swings open to Amanda poking her head out.
"Hey." Jiro turns to the door.
"Hi." Amanda forces a smile.
"Yeah, I know this is all sudden. I just came by to check on you."
"I'm fine. Thank you."
"That's the thing." He sighs, looking to the ground. "I know what it is like to lose someone." Jiro looks up at Amanda, who stands between her door. "This Devin, I take it. He went out of his way to please you in the face of danger. Whatever you did, that only means you did right. Not only in your choice but also in your solidarity." Jiro cracks a smirk while Amanda clings to the door. "I also remember my songbird. It was a few years back."
Amanda smirks cocking her head.
"Not among a stage, no." Jiro chuckled. "The streets were her life. The trains clicking, cars honking, and maybe even a voice that joined in. Her lips can cast spells if this was a novel." Jiro's nose wiggled before frowning at Yugi. "Are you cooking something?"
"No," Amanda drew her head behind the door, seeing a swirl of smoke rising from her palm. "Yes! I cooked my fish for too long. I left my door open to get rid of the smoke. I'm surprised you're just smelling it now."
"Maybe-"
"I'm fine!" Amanda raised her voice. "I'm thrilled you came to check up on me. Hope is all I have." She looked to the ground before looking up at Jiro. "Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
"I hope you can come to talk to his old man or come out and stretch your legs, " Jiro says, gesturing over his shoulder. "It's better than staying in your castle of self-reflection."
"I'll think about it." Amanda smiled. "Thank you." She closed the door and stared at it before pressing a finger on it, not getting a reaction. She approached her kitchen counter, taking a sheet of paper towel before approaching the front door again.
Ms.Yugi folds the sheet of paper before dabbing the corner against the blue metal door. Smoke pours from the sheet, erupting into an ablaze.
"Eek!" Ms.Yugi rushed to her kitchen with the burning sheet in hand. She drowned it in her kitchen sink with water. Watching the gush of smoke take the ceiling. She stared at her shaky hand before gulping.
Amanda exited her apartment, leaving the door wide open. She held her arms, looking out to the buildings, which were different shapes and sizes, either abandoned or littered with ruin.
A few husks gathered at the window within a building across from Amanda. They clawed at the window, their purple eyes burning into Yugi, who ignored them.
She stared at the litter streets before jumping at a furry sensation brushing her ankle.
"Meow." Gabriel looks up to Amanda, who squints her eyes. She looks over her shoulder before looking down at Gabriel.
"You must be the cat Dallas mentioned." Amanda squats, taking in the black-and-white cat's appearance. The cat looks down at the gap in her oversized shirt. "How did you get here?" Her hand slowly grazes Gabriel's head, getting his attention. "Do you wanna keep me company?"
The cat's blue eyes study Amanda's smile. Who only grew wider.
"It's fine if you don't want to." She stood up, straightening out her shirt. She made her way to her apartment, heading to the kitchen. She opened the fridge, which was filled to the brim with water, sodas, food, and snacks. She pulled out a slab of pink salmon the size of an average female hand.
Amanda sat it by the sink before gazing at Gabriel, who was staring at her from the kitchen entrance. She grew a grin.
"Looks who's hungry."
A moment later, Amanda lies back on the couch, starting a TV series, only to be interrupted by Gabriel, who plants himself in front of the lying teacher.
The teacher hugs the cat close, only to get a smirk from Gabriel, who's now relaxing watching TV.
William walked through the gym, his arms crossed and his legs taking wide steps. The rows of cot beds in the center had been cut down and gathered against the wide edges of the court.
The survivors remained away from the doors against the front seats and in front of the windowless medical center on the sides of the courts.
The children only consist of Yara and another boy sitting among themselves, eyeing Wiliam, who's looking.
"It's such a shame what that group did. What do you say, buddy?" William looks over his shoulder at the ranger, who remains armed. "Not much of a talker, I see." He breathed out, swinging his arms.
"Mister?" Yara called out, getting the kid to grab her wrist; the girl stood to her feet. "Mister?" She approached William, taking a lap around the court. "Excuse me!"
"Buzz off." William paces himself while the kid paces along with him. He waved his hand.
"I didn't say anything." Yara looks up at him, scrunching her face.
"And I like it that way."
"I just have a question." William remained quiet. "I heard you fought with Amy. Have you seen her?" William kept her gaze forward. "All you have to do is answer."
"Nope."
"You're lying." Yara glare.
William clicks his tongue before growing a smirk.
"That bot is just a buckle of bots; why and the hell are you so interested?"
"Well, I don't know. Amy's white."
"Well, I didn't figure you to be a smartass."
"That's because you keep dodging my questions."
William stops looking down on the kid, who only folded her arms.
"You know whatever you two got going on. You see that amu programmed."
"You don't see her like I do."
"Oh really, what's this?" He opened his hand to an Amu with pink eyes pacing about the medical station across from the court. "That's Amy?"
"No." Yara kept her raised brow.
"She's out. End of discussion." The yakuza trainee contiuned his lap.
"Where?"
"I will have to reframe. Your topic over classified matters." the ranger adds while William opens his mouth.
"Hah!"
Yara glared before staring ahead.
"You've been out there. How bad is it?"
"Bad. But, knowing a good friend of mine and the bots he's with. He'll do just fine."
"Justified bad?"
"Look, kid. You're worried about the wrong things. Now, excuse me, I like to get some air." He waved his hand over his shoulder, heading for the double doors.
He pushed them open, letting out a click. Followed by another and weighted steps.
William approached the next double doors, followed by the ranger. The door opens, revealing Ajay with a rifle in hand.
"You're someone I like to see." Ajay stood at the doors blocking Wiliam's exits.
"Speak your mind. And forever hold your peace." William cocks his head.
"Fine. I'll start. Infected or not. If I ever find you whiffling your nose anywhere, it doesn't belong. I'll be the first to put a bullet in your head."
"Get in line." William points his thumb over his shoulder at the ranger. "Better yet, you should be throwing down rose petals. If I remember correctly, twenty to twenty-five of your foot soldiers are here. So that makes you and the other twenty without a spine."
Ajay stood face to face with William.
"I advise you, Private Briggs. If this convict is harmed, I'll notify the chain of command." the ranger spoke while William only smirked.
Ajay shifts his body, allowing William to pass. The ex-yakuza trainee pushes the door open and stands at the front of the camp.
He climbed down the three steps, listening to the hissing coming from Well's tent, which was littered with the limbs of rangers towed on three steel push carts.
William peeks inside to see Wells welding a leg joint into a ranger hoist on a workshop frame. The trainee wanders in, glancing at a repaired ranger standing at the side of the tent, glancing back at him, with its cracked visor. And the name welded Echo on its left breastplate.
"Ah." Wells sighs and takes off his goggles. He looks at Wiliam with his baggy, dark eyes, his hair unkept and sticking out all over his head. "What are you doing here?"
"Curious about how you're holding up." William walked over an arm limb of a ranger.
"Thanks, but I'm doing fine. Echo, fetch me my theoscope." Well's assistant ranger walks across the room, scooping up a scope as big as a thumb. It approaches Wells, delivering his request.
"We using names now?" William raised a brow, folding his arms.
"His voice box was beyond repair. I thought of replacing it with another, but I decided against it. Why not take the opportunity to have assistance?" He throws on his goggles once more. "Now, if you excuse me, I'd like to return to my studies."
"Alright, dude. Just don't forget to rest your eyes every once in a while."
"Thanks for reminding me."
In the corner of William's eye, Yuusei passed the tent. Wiliam walked over a few parts before pasting the ranger on his back.
"Hey! Boss," William called to the commander, who glanced over his shoulder before walking. "Bossman, any words on my boss?"
"No. Walker and the others are still doing their job."
"For this long?" William questioned. "Maybe you should send a search party."
Commander Yuusei paused before turning to Muller.
"Your assistance is noted, but I don't need any doubt, " he whispered. "Now, continue where you are."
"I want to, but it's been all afternoon and night. Why not send one of your flyers?"
"The situation is handled, Muller." Yuusei heads his own way, leaving William.