Note

Hello, fellow reader. I thank you for even clicking on this probably amateur story. This is the first fanfiction I've written, and it is of a game that only those who play Roblox would know. I was inspireed to write this after playing After The Flash once again with a long-time friend. It is my longest story on bookrix, outdoing all the other stories by over 7,000 words. I don't find that to be impressive, considering that actual stories probably consist of many more words. I'm so glad that I finally managed to finish this in about the three weeks I've been typing it. My first inspiration to start making stories was the famous author, Stephen King. I give thanks to Mr. King and my friend for reminding me of the great game. Just so you know, I typed out this story in my sophmore year of high school, so the level of grammar and word usage is probably at a somewhat low level. Sure, from time to time, I used some possibly intricate words, but it really is a very simple grammar and word usage. Once again, however, I thank you.

After The Flash: Fanfiction

I joined the CDF only two years ago, but nothing special has really happened. We live in make-shift cities, but it’s the best we’ve got. I go by the name Yoru, but my actual name is James Smith. I’m a part of the scouting regiment in the city I live in. We’re in a cave. To get to the city, you go through the abandoned subway and take the one the goes West. Then, you take the first  tunnel you see left. Afterwards, you’ll see a giant hole in the right side of the subway’s walls. When you walk through it, it’ll be a bit of a walk until you get to the city. However, no one really comes in or goes out of the city, considering there are multiple mutants around here. Since we’re in a cave, we can’t decide if it’s night or day, so we sleep and wake when we want. Even though there is no government here, it’s surprising how very low the crime rate is. The most we ever have is a robbery, but nothing like a murder or something. It’s nice to be put on patrol on the roofs, walls, and towers in this city. Even though it is quite dark, it’s a nice place. The only problem I have is the fear of a makeshift object collapsing while I’m on it. It has happened a few times before, mainly because of water soaking wood and it becomes soggy, so you could step on it and fall right through. The strongest downside to newcomers, other than mutants, are the diseases they could catch. Since the USCPF doesn’t wander down here, we’re rather safe. And the only time that we wander out of this city and out of the subways are when we’re running low on supplies. Even though that’s the case, it’s very dangerous.

I have never wandered into the surface world, but I have heard of rumors of how it’s just the same as down here, but with a sky, a sun, and stars at night. They said it’s like a big lantern shining down on them. I’d like to see what it’s like up there, but I’ve been put on city patrol again today. I sat in the chair up in a tower, faced towards the town, with my partner, Joseph Litwick, facing the other way. I sighed and Joseph looked over his shoulder.

“It isn’t that bad, Yoru,” he said, as if he knew what it was like to be here every day since birth. I looked over my shoulder, to form eye contact.

“It’s not that it’s bad. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike city patrol. I just want to see the surface world some day, even once,” I said. He looked at me as if I was crazy. He knew what it was like, before he was transferred here from Crane Town, which is miles away. “Say, you know what it’s like up there, right? What are the other factions like, or do you know?” I started to barrage him with questions.

“Calm down, I’ll tell you,” he said. I turned my seat around and leaned in. “The other factions are trying to take possession of Crane Town, that’s one of the reasons I was transferred. I was only a recruit then, but now, I would probably be sent back. As a matter of fact, you should be prepared to be sent out, as well.” I then leaned back in my chair, a grin on my face. He gave me a look that asked me what I’m thinking. He probably already knew, so I nodded. He got the message and closed his eyes, then just turned around. I then turned around to face the city again. Doesn’t seem anything major happened for the few short minutes we had. The only way people can be transferred back and forth from here to Crane Town is by ship, so it takes a while. And also, since ships are very rare now, we only make trips once every three months. It’s been one and a half years since Joseph joined the CDF and eighteen months since he came here, so a ship should be leaving port soon.

The next day, I was waken up by the normal wake-up call. I was getting dressed when the city leader walked in. When we saw him, we all stood straight.

“If your name is called, you will be going to Crane Town to provide support from the on-coming factions,” I was rather excited. I could have a chance to head to the surface world. “Albick, Baggons, Bison, Burrough, Dedrik, Dganger, Dinlow, Django, Karrow, Litwick, Sagger, Simmits, and Torick. You all will be headed to Crane Town to provide proper support. Don’t let me down.” After he spoke, he left the room, my name uncalled. If that many people leave, It’ll only be Arryns, Garrison Hendrick, and me left. Of course, that’s not all the members in the city’s military. This shack is only for the city patrolmen. There are many other shacks for the protection force, and other things.

“It’s rather unfair,” I said to Joseph. “Why wasn’t I called?” I continued to get dressed and head to our usual tower. I won’t be seeing Joseph in the tower anymore starting tomorrow.

“Life’s cruel, isn’t it?” he asked. When I turned, ready to get in a fight with him, I could see the fear in his eyes. I calmed myself quickly. Something had happened at Crane Town that he never told me, I could feel it.

“You fear something, what is it?” I asked, but he didn’t respond. I started to grow angry because of his empty reaction. “Tell me Joseph, what the hell’s wrong?” Again, he ignored my question. I clenched my fist, but then let it go. I know I wouldn’t get anything out of him. He’s very stubborn. I finished dressing and left the room, heading to the tower. Soon, the idea of running off with them came to my mind. Should I quit the CDF and go with them to Crane Town? I started making plans for it, but I never had a good plan-making mind. Nor was a very good at carrying out plans, so that’s why the leader was kind enough to let me do it my own way. Being in the CDF gives me restrictions to what I can and can’t do, but being out of it means that they can kill me when they want and get away with it. It’s a tough decision, but I’ll do it.

The next day, when I woke up, I got dressed, started walking to my post, and when I was finally in the dark, ran off. I had a Jorgen and a knife with me, as my weapons, along with a bag of beans and three canisters of water. I continued to run, as if my life depended on it. Before long, I noticed mutants following behind. If I shot, I would be seen as a suspicious character by the patrol, but if I used my knife, I’m bound to lose, so I kept running. By the time I got to the hole in the subway, the mutants had stopped following me. There were giant concrete rocks and more things scattered around in the subway. When I looked up, I saw a dark sky, stars lighting it up. So that’s the sky? However, I didn’t have time to gaze at the sky. Mutants would be coming and soon, the CDF patrolling station should realize I’m gone. They will probably send out a search party to search around the city and a outside its walls. I know they won’t look through the subway. I continued to walk through the subway, around the enormous concrete rocks. Soon, I saw a light, created by a lantern. There were makeshift walls and a makeshift house behind that. Who could be living down here? Slowly, I approached the house, having my Jorgen prepared. I noticed a light, with little flickering. It was probably a lantern, wearing down. When I came around the makeshift wall, through the door, I looked around and saw a lantern, one with a fire burning. It isn’t like the usual lanterns I see hanging around or so. I looked towards the house, also makeshift. I walked over to it, a curtain hanging as a door. When I walked through, there was a table and three chairs around it. One of the chairs was occupied with what seemed like a sleeping man. He had a heavy build, one that looked like he could crush me with one hand. If he’s living out here with all these mutants, he must be pretty tough. Without strength, if you’re alone, you’ll die out here. That also applies in many towns. However, in the town I was in, we look out for each other. We rely on each other for support and strength. We find strength in packs, like wolves. When I didn’t find anything satisfying in the house, I began to leave. However, I heard the sound of a gun being cocked. I turned around slowly, my Jorgen still in my hands. The man seems to have waken up.

“What’s your business?” the man said, Ithaca pointed at me. One blow with that, I’d be dead. I put my Jorgen on the ground, knowing it was no match for his huge body.

“I was just exploring, came from the town further down from here,” I said, “I’m with the CDF.” When I said I was with the CDF, he lowered his Ithaca and put it on the table. I guess he respects the CDF very strongly.

“I used to be a part of the CDF, until they murdered my friend,” he said, “I won’t kill you for something you didn’t do. I can tell you’re fairly new to the CDF, or you would’ve shot me the moment you saw me,” he said. That is true, most of the elder CDF soldiers shoot any non-CDF related people the moment they see them. I picked up my Jorgen and hung it over my shoulder.

“So, what are you doing out here?” I asked, hoping for a simple story. Something like “I just want to be out here,” or “It’s peaceful.”

“Take a seat,” he said. Seems like I won’t be as short as I hoped. “When I was young, I started building my body, so I could become part of the CDF. I also wished I could escape from the subway, but I ended up getting lost barely into the subway. Someone found me, a CDF search party member. They weren’t looking for me, but they knew I was a part of the town,. I was quite a troublemaker back then, so my name was fairly known. I joined the CDF the moment I could, when I was fifteen. However, when they murdered my friend about thirty years ago, I left them and came here, where my old mentor used to live. He taught me how to live here. Now, I’m forty-two and I’m taking his place, but I won’t teach anybody.” It was a bit shorter than I expected, but it passed a little bit of time, Exactly what I needed. However, I guess it wasn’t, since I heard sounds of CDF radios going on and off, coming this way.

“Thanks for the story, but I have to get out of here,” I said, “I’m ditching the CDF.” I stood up and started for the exit. It doesn’t seem he cares if I leave or not. I ran out the other side of the walls. Apparently, they would actually search this far. If that man’s there, I guess this is as far as they’ll go.

I kept running, until I believed they weren’t following me anymore. By the time I started walking, I saw light coming from further down the tunnel. I kept walking towards it, seeing a road that had collapsed from the surface. I climbed up and it was still somewhat dark. I looked around, but it was too dark to see anything further than my lantern’s light could reach. I looked around, seeing a town behind me. It seemed like further than the town, there was water. The ocean. I started walking to the town, which was surprisingly a very short walk. By the time I had got to the town, I realized it was a port town. Was this the town they used to transport goods and units back and forth? I walked around the town and it was much more lively than I expected. People were chatting, laughing, and even drinking beer as if the war never existed between the CDF and USCPF. When I looked up, I saw a flag, a CDF flag. It seems this is the town they use. I walked up to a bar and ordered a beer. I had a bit of money on me, but not a lot.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” someone from behind me had asked a question, so I turned to look at them. It was a woman, a slender body. I couldn’t see anything but her build, due to her rather tight black latex clothes. Her left arm was the only part that wasn’t covered in latex, along with her head. However, she wore black cloth on her head, so I couldn’t see her hair. She had blue eyes, and she seemed flexible. She’s not very strong, but she’s fast and flexible, someone I couldn’t win against. Besides, it’s against my policies to harm a woman.

“No, I’m not from around here. I’m from a town in the subway,” I said, “Why do you ask?” I stared her in the eyes. Most men wouldn’t be able to resist the charm of a woman like this.

“Your Jorgen is old news. No one here uses a Jorgen anymore,” she said, “Also knowing that I’ve never seen your face and that you can resist my charm. No one in this town can really resist my charm.” She seems like the one who likes attention, but I can’t tell. However, I can tell that she likes to tease men with her body. Her zipper is worn. With breasts as nice as those, I’m sure any man would get a good loving out of her.

“I’m thinking about quitting the CDF, running off somewhere,” I said, knowing she’d hear. Then, the bartender came back and set my beer on the counter.

“Seven,” he said. I suppose he meant seven dollars, but I didn’t have enough. I don’t imagine CDF soldiers get a discount, though.

“I only have four,” I said. He looked a bit mad, but then the lady stepped in and gave him seven, then he was satisfied.

“You owe me. You should quit the CDF and come with me, as a freelancer,” I thought about it for a moment, but then again, I was going to head to Crane Town across the ocean.

“I’m trying to get to Crane Town, so I’m not sure I can come along with you,” I said, standing. She was a bit shorter than me, about six inches. I started to walk to the shore, but just then, she wrapped her body around me, forcing me to the ground. She sat on me, keeping me pinned. My Jorgen scattered off nearby, but too far for me to grab. My knife was still on my chest, but she pinned my arms to my sides.

“You do owe me, buddy, don’t try running off,” she said. She did pay for the beer, but I want to get to Crane Town as fast as possible. “Look, I’ll go to Crane Town with you, but I’m coming back here as soon as possible.” I looked at her, but it doesn’t seem my message got through.

“The ship to get back here will be three more months, you sure you’re willing to take that?” I said, but she grinned, then laughed a bit. I guess she’s fine with it. She unzipped her suit, a quarter way, and reached into the suit. She grabbed a card and laid it on my chest, zipping her suit back up. She then got off me and I grabbed the card and my Jorgen. I threw the Jorgen over my shoulder and looked at the card. Akina Kirou. Age 22. Apparently, she comes from a secret faction called the Alliance of Kouzin, more known as “Ay oh kay,” or just AOK.

“Nothing’s too long a trip for me, boy,” she said. Being 22, she’s younger than me, so I don’t see why she calls me a boy. Alas, my journey of the surface world is to begin.

Before we leave for Crane Town, we got ourselves a small snack. I saw the ship, and knew it was headed to Crane Town, because of the symbol on the ship. The CDF symbol. Also, before we leave, Akina gave me clothes to change into. It was a white undershirt with a black trench coat. There was a white hood on the undershirt. The pants were brown, with straps all over them. There was also a black mask part to go over my mouth. It was a bit strange, but I just went with it. What kind of clothes are these? I even think there’s a holster on the inside of the trench coat under both of my arms. To hold the holsters up, straps around my chest. There was also a knife sheath on my chest and on the lower part of my left thigh. There was another holster on the upper part of my right thigh, a sack under the holster, and above the knife sheath. As we got on the ship, we quickly headed to a room that she had already acquired. She walked in on me as I was throwing my trench coat on. She handed me three pistols, all of the same kind, and two knives, both the same. I put two guns in the holsters under my arms and one in the holster on my leg, then I put the knives in the sheathes.

“You’re going to need to know how to be properly trained in order to officially join us,” she said, but that would probably take some time, considering I’m used to the CDF ways. She walked behind me and placed a plastic knife to my throat, the other around my body. She probably wants me to disarm her or escape, but with her experience, I probably won’t be able to. I quickly grabbed her arm to lift it over my head and to twist it, but before I could twist it, she quickly placed one leg behind my legs and forced me down. Guess it was a wrong move.

“Is this really necessary?” I asked. She just stood and placed the plastic knife in a sack on her lower left thigh. She then grabbed an actual knife from the sheath on her lower right thigh. She ran up and jabbed towards my head, but I moved before she could hit me and grabbed her arm. I then swiped my leg, colliding our legs, tripping her. Her body was flung over mine and she landed back first onto the bed, my hand still on her wrist. I didn’t mean to do it on purpose. It sort of happened all by instinct.

“It seems you can’t fight back until you know something’s really serious,” she said, “I’ll have to train you with actual weapons and not fakes.” She stood up and walked towards me, leaving the knife on the floor. She grabbed my wrist and brought me out of the room, to the deck. I saw people sitting in chair at tables, talking, cleaning guns, playing cards and chess, and many more things. She brought me to a table closer to the edge of the ship. I sat and there was a chess board that had already been set up sitting on the table. I ended up being white, so I moved first. Chess was a game I’ve played since I was young, and none of the other people seem to be experienced enough to beat me. However, apparently, she knows how to play chess very well, also. However, in the end, I won, just barely, with my King, a Rook, the Queen, and a Knight left.

“You’re quite a competition,” I said.

“I wouldn’t say the same about you,” she grinned.

“How come?” I asked.

“I could have won if I wanted about twenty moves ago,” she said, “You aren’t exactly very smart if you leave your King so vulnerable against a Queen.” I forgot about it, and I don’t think I even saw it.

“How would you have won, exactly?” I said.

“You left the entire left side open, and my Queen was in just the right placement on the right side. My rook was covering the entire left lane, but you ignored it. I could’ve won,” she seemed to have remembered everything about that move. It’s true, I leave my King wide open, but it’s a strategy I use to reel in people’s pieces. I won’t say how I could’ve easily countered her attack. We excused ourselves from the table after resetting the chess board. She brought me back to the room and I sat at a table while she went to lay down on the bed.

“What now?” I said.

“We sleep,” she said, getting back up and unzipping her latex suit. I wasn’t exactly tired yet, so I grabbed a book from a bookshelf that was next to the door and went to get sit back down. When I looked up, she was in her underwear brushing her hair. I don’t see why she’s brushing her hair when she’s about to go to sleep, but it’s none of my concern. She took a seat at the other end of the small table. She stared at me for a moment, and I found it rather unsettling. When I actually did get a look at her, because this is the first time she’s had her hood off since we met, I found her hair wasn’t exactly natural. It was white and long, normally in a high ponytail. Her hair was also rather long.

“Why are you staring at me?” I asked.

“Nothing important,” she said, getting up and laying in the bed, throwing the blanket over herself. I guess I get a sleeping sack and sleep on the floor. I unrolled a sack and slipped into it, fast asleep.

When I woke up, Akina wasn’t in the bed. I looked around the room and she wasn’t in the room. I crawled out of the sack and grabbed my trench coat, throwing it over my shoulders and buttoning it up. I threw the hood over my head and slipped the mask around my face. I walked out of the room and saw Akina standing around with two other men, talking. I noticed one was a CDF soldier and the other was a normal guy. The CDF soldier began walking off and started walking up to this area. If he got close enough, he may realize that I’m a CDF soldier, or was, and may try returning me to the town. Even though it was a possibility, I didn’t bother running away or turning and walking back into the room, though. I stood there, waiting for him to approach me. He walked up to me and stopped.

“Have you seen this man?” he asked, holding up a picture of me. I examined it for a few seconds, as if I were a different person.

“Sorry, but I haven’t seen this man,” I said, manipulating my voice. He looked back down at the picture and walked off. When I looked behind me, I saw Joseph, someone who would undoubtedly recognize me. I walked off, making sure not to look back at him. I walked over to Akina and joined in her conversation with the man.

“They’re searching for me still?” I asked. She nodded and the man looked at me. He then looked back at her and sighed.

“Have you dragged another man into our chaotic group, Akina?” he asked. “Did you get him by seduction or something?” Akina laughed for a moment and took a deep breath.

“This man’s mind is like a stone, he won’t lunge to try groping me even when sleeping in the same room as me,” she said. The man sighed and threw a hood on and put on half a white mask, one that covered the left part of his face and half his mouth. He then walked off. Akina signaled for me to follow her, so I did. We followed the man and ended up going to the top of the ship, near the captain’s quarters. I suppose they needed a more private place to speak, but why near the captain’s quarters? When I looked around, I saw a sign that said “Authorized people only.” I realized that we were in a pace we weren’t supposed to be in.

“How is this guy’s skills?” the man said.

“He can only operate when it’s serious. Fake weapons won’t work,” she said. The man grabbed the knife from Akina’s thigh and lunged at me. I grabbed his wrist and twisted it. He tried swiping his leg to trip me, but I jumped up and planted my foot into his chest, forcing him backwards. He dropped the knife and slammed into a wall, standing upright afterwards.

“It seems he’s rather strong,” the man said, picking up Akina’s knife and sliding it back into the sheath. “You are worthy, but I don’t accept you just yet.” After he had said that, three CDF soldiers appeared from the small room I slammed him into.

“What are you doing here? This is a restricted area,” one stated. It was pretty obvious, concluding there was a small armory in plain sight up here. One approached us when the other didn’t get a response from us. Akina remained quiet, as if they weren’t existent. When one went to reach for her, she grabbed his arm and jammed her knee into his ribcage, letting him fall to the ground. One of the others grabbed a knife, knowing he had no other weapons, and ran for me. He tried to stab me, but I kicked the knife out of his hand and elbowed him in the jaw. He stepped back and then retaliated. He tried throwing a punch at me, but I grabbed his fist and kicked his side, then slamming his head into a wall. He fell to the ground, unconscious. The other man with us lifted one of his legs and launched it at the remaining CDF soldier, in the center of his abdomonem. The CDF soldier hunched over and the man kneed him in the jaw, hard enough to cause him to go unconscious.

“Now that that’s over, let’s head to your room, Akina,” the man said. We walked down the stairs to the second floor and entered the room. The sleeping sack was still on the floor, but the bed was also untidy. We weren’t exactly thinking about cleaning after waking up. The man just sighed.

“Is there a problem?” I asked.

“Akina, seems like you found a buddy,” he said, “He’s quite like you. Talented and unclean.”

“That’s rather rude to say to a woman, don’t you think?” she said.

“You’re less of a woman than you think. You just have the female parts and body form. Your mind works like a man’s though.” He said. She just laughed, as if it was nothing. The man took a seat, so did Akina and I.

“The ship’s to arrive in Honolulu rather shortly. I hope you’re both prepared. Especially you,” he said, looking towards me. I suppose he was referring to me joining AOK rather unexpectedly. I suppose I wasn’t an actual member yet, until I’ve proven myself and until I am accepted by their leader.

“I’m sure he’s ready,” Akina said, answering for me, “After all, he’s rather strong and has fairly good reflexes.” I suppose she wasn’t wrong about that. Soon enough, we’ll be arriving in Honolulu, where Crane Town is. The room fell quiet and no one spoke. The first to utter a word was me, after I thought it was too quiet.

“What is your name?” I said, directing it to the man. He looked at me and remained silent for a bit longer.

“What use is there telling you when we probably won’t meet again?” he responded with a rather negative side. I accepted his response and relaxed in the chair. Looking around, the room was pretty small. I don’t think we could fit three people in this room. However, I’m sure the man has his own room.

“Then, in the least, where is your room?” I asked.

“I don’t have one. It’s nice that you got one on your own. However, I have a feeling Akina paid for it,” he said, “She likes to have a lot of people who owe her so she can practically control them.” Seems like Akina likes to be the powerful one in most occasions.

In the middle of the day, plenty of things had happened. People playing card, playing chess, chatting, standing, and much more. I’m sure we shouldn’t just be walking around in plain sight, because of the three CDF soldiers we knocked out previously on this ship. However, we still walked around, the man and Akina without their hoods, and me with my hood on. I wasn’t able to remove my hood, strongly because CDF soldiers were lurking around. Having a hood on really messes with my head, and my hair. As we passed each CDF soldier on our way, it made my heart beat faster. Tension flowed through my body, like a river to an ocean. I saw a CDF soldier, one that looked different, coming our way. He had five other CDF soldiers with him. I believe he is a CDF Captain. Instead of the basic black suit and mask, he had just a simple fabric mouth cover.

“He could be trouble,” I said. They looked back at me and ignored what I said. With the skill I have, I don’t think they care what troubles come across them. When we walked side-by-side, the captain grabbed the man’s arm. The man jerked away, but the captain held tight.

‘What exactly are you doing?” the man said.

“You aren’t registered to be on this ship. I’m going to have to ask you to come with me,” the captain said. Akina nudged my arm and I looked at her. She looked at me and the I looked back towards the captain and the man. I sighed, then I grabbed the captain’s arm.

“Sorry, but do you mind letting go of him. He’s travelling with us,” I said, but seconds later, the captain pulled a gun to my head with his other hand. I can deal with blades, but not so much guns. Especially concluding all of the CDF soldiers around him had weapons, as well. This was a problem. There were too many of them and not enough of us. People started to crowd, watching both us and the CDF soldiers.

“You all can come with us or be forced off,” he said. I suppose we’ll have to go with him. Akina trailed behind me as I began to walk, following behind the man, who was accompanied by the captain. He led us to an empty room with a table and five chairs. He told us to sit, so each of us took a seat. He then sat in one of the chairs to face us.

“What exactly did we do wrong?” I asked.

“Did you think no one would notice you leave the town, Yoru?” the captain said. I did expect people to notice, but I kept quiet. “And with gear, worse. Besides, where’s the Jorgen you took? And what’s up with those clothes?” He pulled down the hood and my auburn hair was liberated from the mess being created.

“I abandoned the CDF, along with the gun and my clothes,” I said, ready to strip if he asked. I looked to Akina and the man, who both ignored my eyes, staring at the table. I then looked back to the captain, who looked rather disappointed, and a bit pissed. I can tell I’m not going to get out of this at all.

“So you think you can just abandon your town, your post, without permission? It’s unacceptable, Yoru. You know this very well if no one else. You were loyal and honest, but I guess even the most loyal can turn,” he said. He then grabbed his gun and aimed it toward me. I picked up the table, making him shoot it. I shoved the table towards him, forcing him to the ground, the table on-top of him. I ran towards the door and shoved it open, having Akina and the man following behind.

“You didn’t think this far ahead, did you?” Akina asked. She jumped up and grabbed a ledge, climbing upwards. I followed behind, then the man. When we got to the top, Akina lent me her hand and pulled me up. She then pulled the man up. It looks like we were at the very top of the ship. It was an amazing view. The ocean, all around, beautiful. When I looked over, where Akina was, she had suddenly disappeared. I looked around, and Akina was behind me, the man next to her. She grabbed the collar of my coat and pulled me in, kissing me. She then shoved me, backwards, off the ledge. Before I knew it, I was falling. Quickly, I extended my arm to a ledge and grabbed on to it, smashing through a window when my body swung around. I landed, back first, into a brightly-lit room. room. I looked around, still able to see, and there were people, staring at me. There were tables and chairs, food on the tables. I must have smashed into the cafeteria. I guess in this world, you can’t trust anyone. However, now, both my arm and back hurt. Someone suddenly burst through the door. A CDF soldier. He pulled a gun, but I was already nearly completely out of the window I smashed through. CDF soldiers crowded the entire ship. My hood was off and I was fully recognizable. I began to run towards the bow of the ship. When I got there, CDF soldiers were closing in on all sides, guns aimed, ready to fire at any moment. I looked over the edge and noticed a small metal pole I could jump down onto. I jumped off the ship and grabbed onto the pole. I lifted myself up quickly and got near the wall of the ship. I grabbed onto a nearby indention of the ship, climbing along the wall of the ship. When I found the next pole, it led into a room that was dark. I couldn’t see anything, so I sat down in the room. To think Akina would trick me. It is believable, especially in this world. However, you wouldn’t expect someone to just give free gear and waste money so carelessly to trick someone. I will admit, though, it was very convincing. I suppose I’ll be here for the rest of the ride to Crane Town. I watched the water as the ship sailed across it. It was a pleasant sight, especially for someone who’s never seen the surface world. I’m sure it looked much more beautiful before the war broke out, though. Soon enough, it was getting dark, so I decided to sleep for the night.

By the time I woke up, the ship had already arrived at a place I’d never seen. I looked over the ledge of where I was and saw a dock just below me. I hopped down, making sure no one saw me. I threw the hood over my head and the mask over my mouth. I needed new clothes if I didn’t want to be recognized by Akina and that other guy. I walked through the harbor town, looking at shops around. Finally, I’d come across a clothing shop. I walked over and started looking at the multiple clothing articles. I found some clothes that fit my style a bit more than a trench coat. I grabbed a pair of cargo pants and a black jacket. I looked through the pockets of the trench coat and found a few extra dollars. I ended up buying the jacket and cargo pants, changing into them as soon as I could. I kept the knife and two guns on my upper body, but had to get rid of the other weapons if I didn’t want to look too suspicious. I still kept the knife on my leg, however. I would need a different kind of mask if I didn’t want them to notice me, either. So I went to sell the trench coat, unused weapons, and the current mask I have. I got quite a few dollars off of them all. I went and looked around the town, looking for masks. I saw a few noh masks, but those seemed too strange. I looked around and soon found the perfect mask. A black half mask. It covered the left side of me face, and part of my right. By the time I bought it, put it on, and turned around, I saw Akina and the man walking around town, hoods on. At the same pace, I began to follow them. By now, they probably think I’m dead because of all the CDF commotion on the ship. They both walked into a somewhat narrow space, so I followed, but not too closely. I looked around the corner at a distance. I stood in place, staring at the two of them. They were talking, but I couldn’t hear about what. I wanted to get closer, but I know it’d only raise suspicion. Just standing here is probably raising a bit of suspicion, as well. I looked away and walked over to a bench, sitting. They looked over and saw me, not recognizing it was me. They walked right by me and left the town’s walls. If I followed, I’d seem too out of place. I’m sure they were headed to Crane Town, anyhow. I’ll wait for a few hours until I started on the path to Crane Town. I suppose, for the time being, I should wait in a bar or an area with music. I walked over to a place where people were crowding a bit. When I got closer, I could hear music. I looked over a few people’s shoulders and saw two people, one with a guitar, the other with a bass. They were in the midst of playing, people throwing money. I could see it in their eyes. They didn’t care about the money that was being thrown, but that people were happy to listen. Occasionally, you get people like these, who want to end the war, live a normal life, and revert back to the old days. They play music and sing about old times, or what they believe was before the war. They sang of folk, fairy tales, and stories they heard. I got closer, the music becoming a bit more louder each movement forward. Finally, I got to the front, hearing it at the max I could. I didn’t give any money, but instead, I gave them something else I had bought. I gave them a plain white poster. They could write what they wanted, what they were trying to get through. They could liven up their music. After giving the poster, I continued to listen. They know why I gave the poster, and they seemed happy. After they had finished, I could hear clapping, cheering, and much more. They took a short break and rested.

“Hey you, in the jacket,” one of them said. I looked at the one that called for my attention. “Why give us this? Couldn’t you have gotten something better for yourself?” He seemed somewhat reluctant to accept the poster.

“Life isn’t about yourself, but about the ones around you. It matters on how you affect others, how they react. I don’t need fame, money, nor power. If your dream is to return to the old times, them pursue that dream for as long as you live. A dream is special to someone,” I spoke back to him, giving him an answer he seemed very glad about.

“We do want the old times back, but just singing isn’t going to help,” he said, “so we were planning on quitting our music.” He looked at his bass and smiled. It must have really meant a lot for him to play, even once. It seems the show was going to start again. They both stood up and announced they had two songs left. I stood and listened, not averting my attention elsewhere. When they finished, they began packing up. They didn’t have much, just their instruments. I approached the one who spoke to me previously.

“You want to do something more effective than singing, right?” I asked him. He simply nodded. “You could follow me, but I’m headed to Crane Town. Right now, I’m just exploring, but we can aim to stop this futile war.” He looked at me, shocked for a minute. He thought about it, soon making up his mind.

“Sure, I’ll go,” he said, holding his hand out. I reached mine out, for a handshake. Our hands met, shaking twice. They seemed rather happy to come along. They went off to sell their instruments, being done with their music career. They came back with a few weapons of their own. The bassist had a knife and a pistol while the guitarist had a pistol and an ASR. We set out to Crane Town, walking along the path.

We came across many other people like merchants, soldiers, travellers, and mercenaries. We haven’t come across any thugs or bandits, not just yet. I could see a large crane in my sight. I suppose we were getting close to Crane Town. Soon, I found myself in a coal yard. We looked around, but no one was here. I saw a train still on the tracks. I continued to walk through the coal yard with the bassist and guitarist. We climbed between two cars of the abandoned train and Ended up walking underneath a clock tower. I looked around, looking for the crane I saw. It was nearby, so we continued down the road. Cars loitered the road, useless. Finally, we arrived at the gate of Crane Town. They kept it wide open, a watchman above the gate and two on the ground. Seems like they were CDF soldiers. We continued to walk, minding our own business. We successfully passed by the CDF guards, without them bothering us. I looked around, seeing that the town was a bit small and somewhat crowded. There was a large crane in the middle of a town, a bar to the left of that, an exit towards the far end, a medical home to the right, rooms above the medical home, and much more. People seemed to be trading here quite often. I looked around and saw Akina and the man on a second floor. I turned around, to look outside the walls, and saw a huge cannon-like machine, one that fires shells. A howitzer. How they managed to get it here, I don't know. I suppose it’s used to destroy jeeps and tanks. However, there aren’t really ever tanks. I don’t expect many people to have working tanks anymore. It seems a bit illogical that a group would have so many tanks. When I turned back around to look where Akina was, she was gone. I decided to go into the bar. To my surprise, I found her sitting at one of the tables with the man. There was also a piano in the room. No one was using it. I went to go ask the bartender if I could play a tune on the piano.

“Hey kid,” he said, “If you can play a tune I’ve never heard before, I’ll let you get a beer free.” He made the offer, and I was thinking of accepting it.

“What would you get out of it if I lost?” I offered a fair deal. It wouldn’t be fair if he got nothing and I failed the objective.

“If I’ve heard it before, you have to take off that hood and mask. I’ll give you three tries. So what do you say?” I was caught up on my answer. If I played an unheard tune, I could get a free beer. However, if I fail three times, I’ll have to remove my hood and mask, probably having Akina and the man trying to kill me again.

“Sure, I’ll do it,” I said, “Shouldn’t be too hard, now, should it?” I was starting to grow a bit cocky, underestimating his abilities. I probably should have refused. He’s old and he’s probably been in this bar for a long time, hearing just about every tune known to man. I took a seat and stretched my arms and legs, preparing my fingers for a good tune. Soon, I started to play. Hearing a very soothing tune from each key of the piano, it surprised me. You don’t find a piano in such good condition in these times. It’s pretty rare. It seems that Crane Town has a lot of luxurious things, compared to how the rest of the world is. The tune was soft, and peaceful. It was something you could fall asleep to. If I wouldn’t say so myself, even I wanted to fall asleep. However, I couldn’t just pass up the opportunity of a free beer. Some people had crowded, placing money on the top of the piano, admiring my technique. Others, though, scowled, angry at the sudden quantity of people and the unsettling noise of people talking and clapping. More were happy than they were angry. I noticed that even Akina was in the crowd. The two men, the bassist and guitarist, stood behind me, quietly listening to the piano. Soon, I’d finished the tune.

“How was that, old man?” I asked the bartender.

“Very good, kid, but you’ll need to do better than that. A tune from Jacob’s Reef isn’t going to score you a free beer,” he replied, knowing the tune. I only have two tries left before I’ve got to reveal my face. I, once again, prepared to play another tune. The old man remained at the counter, staring at me, waiting politely for me to resume. Soon, I began to play a different tune. Everyone, or just about everyone, continued to listen. Some of the rather angry customers even joined in, realizing they had no choice but to leave or listen. Soon, I had a crowd of about forty around me. If I removed my hood and Akina tried to murder me, it’d turn into absolute chaos. I heard footsteps from outside of the bar, coming towards the bar. From the corner of my eye, I could see three black figures approaching. CDF soldiers. I resumed to play, however, knowing they wouldn’t interfere. They stood at three different corners of the bar, keeping a close watch on the crowd. I noticed the old man smiling. By then, I knew he knew the tune. I only have one chance left. Soon, I’d finished the tune. Everyone in the crowd turned towards the old man. The old man just shook his head.

“A great tune, indeed, but it’s something everyone hears,” he said, “A song from Bobkin’s Records.” He pointed it out, even though I already knew. This was my last chance. I took a quick look at Akina, who was still staring at the old man. I quickly looked back at the piano. Soon enough, I started to panic mentally. If I screwed this up, I was done. I stretched, preparing for the last song, one that my grandfather taught me. He said it was very common among the undergrounds, but he didn’t believe it was very common on the surface. I began to play, slowly and softly. Most keys were held for a long time, then moved on to another long-held key. Soon, the tune picked up pace, moving along faster, yet still calm and peaceful. My grandfather used to play me this song every night before I went to bed after I was put in his care. I stayed with my grandfather until I was 16, then I moved out and lived on my own. I played the song to myself and to others during the day, letting them listen in joy. I knew they had nothing to give at that time, but I played just to satisfy them. Now, however, there was plenty of money on the piano top. People kept giving money, praising my tune. I kept a corner of my right eye on the old man. He seemed to be struggling to find the tune of this. My grandfather told me it was one of his own songs. He called it the Grandfather’s Greatest Clock. I will never understand why he decided on that name, but I love the sound of it. After I’d finished, I, and everyone, looked towards the old man. He remained quiet for a moment.

“A great tune,” he said. He hadn’t said anything after that and grabbed a beer. It seems I was safe. Akina walked forward and grabbed my shoulder after the old man turned around.

“What are you doing here you fool?” she said. It seems she already knew it was me. Was she trying to murder me or what? She did shove me off the highest point of the ship.

“Just want a beer, is there a problem with that?” I said, taking a drink of my beer. “I could never pass up a chance to grab a free beer, after all.” I said loudly, making sure everyone could hear. They looked towards me.

“What are you doing? Stop drawing attention!” she said, trying to force me to sit down. However, I refused to sit down. I looked around, holding my beer high in the air.

“You know, guys,” I said, “This girl looks rather cute, wouldn’t you say?” I grabbed her and turned her around, wrapping my left arm around her lower-rib area. I placed my right hand on the front part of her hood, ready to remove it.

“Wh-What are you-” I released my hand from the hood and put it on her mouth.

“There’s no need for us to see such a beautiful girl revealed when she doesn’t want to be,” I said, “It is rather impolite of me, apologies.” I released her and she quickly escaped away from me. She glared at me. Looks like I should get out of here. The man noticed it was me, as well. I ran through the exit, drawing just about everyone’s attention. While I was in there, the CDF soldiers seemed rather hesitant to do something, considering it seemed like a hostage situation. However, when I released her and ran, they began to become less hesitant. I quickly climbed up the wall, to the roof of the bar. When I got there, I saw a door to the left. I probably wasn’t supposed to be up here, so I headed to the door as soon as I could. I tried to open it, but I noticed that it was locked. I climbed up the wall to the roof above that, looking around. I saw the clock tower, the coal yard, and a few more things. I ran forward and jumped onto a broken wall used as a defensive method for the town. I jumped over to a balcony-like object, where a CDF soldier patrols the outside. I looked down and noticed he was looking up. He spotted me and fired a shot after I’d moved my head. Looks like I’m a hostile figure to them, now. I jumped off of the roof of the balcony and landed on my feet, rolling and standing back up. I just about fell over do to the force pushing me both forward and down, nearly stumbling. I began to pick up pace, but I noticed something wrapping around my body. I collapsed, chest-first into the ground, some rubble included. I couldn’t see who had me.

“Fool, why’d you come?” a familiar voice. I swear I just heard it, probably at the bar. Oh, right, it was probably Akina, the girl I held “hostage.” She rolled me over and I could see her blue eyes. The glare, something I feel like I’m already used to seeing by thousands of people.

“I told you, I came for-” before I could finish, she slapped me. “That hurt. That wasn’t really necessary, was it?” I looked at her, noticing water forming from her eyes. Tears? Why would she be crying? It’s not like I’ve ever done anything special.

“You weren’t like this when you were young, James,” she said, apparently knowing my name. Wait, how did she know? Did I tell her? I never told her. I met her only a few days ago. I didn’t age by ten years each day, did I? No, that’s illogical. Scientifically impossible. She paid for my beer, tackled me, gave me a card, told me she’d go to Crane Town, and we ended up having quite an adventure afterwards. Yeah, just two days. I don’t tell anyone my actual name until it has been about a year, if they’re still alive. Akina. Suddenly, it’s ringing a bell. I’m bad with memory, and bad with remembering friends. Was she, by any chance, a friend of my younger life?

“Akina…” I said quietly, “Akina, Akina.” I repeated it to myself. I don’t know why, and I probably shouldn’t just be saying it out loud either.

“James. You’ve been my friend for a long time, but what happened to you?” she asked, “What could have happened?” I just can’t remember. So, she really was one of my friends. I was right. How long has it been since I’ve seen one of my actual friends?

“Wait, what do you mean?” suddenly, I started thinking about the questions of “what could have happened,” and all that.

“You’ve changed a lot, James. Sure, I have too, but you’re acting like a drunkard or something. You weren’t this crazy,” she said, teary eyes, nearly broken words, “I’ve loved you for a long time, James.” Suddenly, something inside me was pierced. It wasn’t painful, but rather pleasing. My chest, a pleasing pierce. She… loved me? So, was that kiss an expression of her love? She anticipated for me to live that fall. Soon enough, I felt something warm at my lips, something soft, and closed my eyes. It tasted like cherry. It was sweet, tasteful. I wish I could taste this for as long as I lived in this restless world. The sweetness of that taste lasted for what felt like a millennium, but what was really only for a few minutes. I felt the cold hit my lips again once the warmth left my mouth. I opened my eyes and saw Akina smiling. She removed her hood and let the white strands of her hair down. The perfect ponytailed, now removed from her head. Her hair was naturally straight. Some strands reached to my cheeks, sending jolts of tickles through my body, but I ignored them. This was surely a moment to be savored, a moment to be kept in mind for as long as I live. Soon, I felt the warmth throughout my entire body leave me. Akina got up, standing. I felt a different kind of warmth grab my wrist, one much warmer, and the grip wasn’t as light as Akina’s. It was a crushing grip, one of a man. It was the man that accompanied Akina. I could tell she felt guilty and regretted that she even let me go.

The man shoved me, escorting me back into Crane Town. I was too dazed by Akina in order to properly move my body. I was put in a room with a circular table, one with four chairs around it, and a desk at the far end, with a useless computer and a chair behind it. I didn’t notice where I was, concluding I started dazing off. I noticed my hands were tied to one of the four chairs and my legs, as well. I couldn’t move. I didn’t even bother to escape. I knew that if I tried, it’d result in me growing exhausted. If I could see the knots, I’d probably be able to untie it. Or maybe I could feel it and untie it. Of course, I couldn’t untie it yet, because there was a man behind me. I hung my head over the back of the chair, looking at him. He stared at me, his expression blank. When I looked back towards the door, I saw several feet at the bottom of the curtains that were used as a door. When they entered, I saw the guitarist and bassist. They were both soon tied to a chair, next to each other. Not only were they here, but the old man, too. The four of us sat at the table, quiet. I suppose the old man was taken here because he was the one who challenged me and the bassist and guitarist gave themselves away.

“Mind if we have a card game?” I asked, “It’d make it more lively in here.”

“Not a chance,” the guard behind me said, “You’ve made things lively enough already.” Seems like he doesn’t like lively things, nor does he like fun. There were still more people outside the door. The curtain opened and I saw Akina and the man. Akina instantly looked at me when she walked in. The man darted a look at all four of us. It seems Akina couldn’t take her eyes off of me, like I was the God of Beauty. However, it was nothing like that. I find myself to be the most unattractive man possible in this world.

“Hello there, good sir,” I said to the main. All he did was kick me in my stomach, forcing me to fall to the ground while in the chair. I grunted and soon recovered. “A rather striking entrance, don’t you think?” He glared at me, picking my chair back up and facing me towards the table.

“Why the hell are you here?” he began to interrogate me.

“I was here for a good time,” I said, “and I asked the old man for a free beer, but he said I could get one if I played a tune he hadn’t heard on piano. In other words, he wasn’t really involved in any way, mind letting him go?” The man ignored my request and continued to ask questions.

“How’d you get here, anyhow? And how’d you manage to pay for the new clothes?” He kept asking questions, as if I were some criminal.

“I followed the path you left from the harbor town,” I responded, “And I sold some of my weapons and clothes for these, in exchange.” He seemed rather angry. Did I say something wrong?

“You sold the clothes we gave you, plus some of the weapons?” he said, “For how much?”

“Three tenths of ten thousand total,” when I said that, all of them looked insanely surprised. “What? I told them most of the items were custom-made, so they thought it’d be worth a lot. Sad enough, the guns are made in nearly every town from my region, and the coat is fairly common.”

“You dumbass, those were custom made, but they aren’t worth that much!” the man shouted. Seems like I ripped off two sorry losers.

“Hey, their loss. They’re the ones who accepted the deal,” I said, “Either way, I got some nice fitting clothes, rather than the tight, uncomfortable clothes that you gave me.” The man sighed and let this pass by. He stared at me with his expressionless face.

“Seems like I have no proper use for you,” he lifted his sleeve and pressed a button. I heard a loud beeping come from the guard behind me. Several men came into the room along with that. They all pointed guns at us. Me, the old man, the guitarist and bassist, and Akina.

“Wh-What is this?” Akina said, seeming rather surprised.

“The CDF has placed you under heavy confinement,” the man said, “You will remain here until we are given further instructions from headquarters.” It seems he was a part of the CDF all along. They forced Akina against a wall and stripped her of her weapons. Typically, I have a plan to escape, but this time, I would need to save four others while I’m escaping. That would involve knocking out the seven CDF soldiers and the man who is, apparently, a CDF captain. I may have strange supernatural abilities, or it seems, but I can’t take on all eight of them. It would be too overpowering of a force to have them all attacking at once. If I could only release the other four all at once to have them help me. Wait a minute, I’ve got it!

“Say, I need to use the bathroom. Can you untie me and take me there?” I asked.

“Take a piss in your pants,” a CDF soldier said.

“Rude, there’s a lady in here. It would be improper. Besides, what if I have to take a shit?” I responded. The CDF soldier looked at the captain. The captain nodded. Seems like they fell for my trap. Now, who should I liberate first. Considering Akina is flexible, and much more experienced, I should release her first. As I was released, I grabbed the CDF soldier’s collar and swung his body around, slamming his head into the soldier’s head who was imprisoning Akina. They both fell, unconscious. Akina ran over to the captain and began to get into a fistfight with him. I continued to knock out the other CDF soldiers, freeing the others as fast I did knocking the soldiers out. Finally, the others were all free and the captain had escaped. Akina was practically unscathed.

“Are you okay?” I asked Akina. She stared at me, smiling. Was something wrong? I took a look at her body, but nothing was wrong.

“I’m fine, James,” she said. Good. For a second there, she had me worried. However, I suddenly heard a loud, ear-deafening sound. It sounded like an explosion. I couldn’t move. Why can’t I move? I looked down. A hole? What is this? It’s red, runny. Wait, could it be? Suddenly, my body went limp and crashed into the table in front of me. Red liquid, everywhere. There was another hole in the wall. I could see it very vaguely. It was hard to notice it, but I could see it. I saw Akina’s face appear in front of me. She was shouting, but I couldn’t hear her. All I could hear was noise. Just noise, nothing else. Soon, however, that noise vanished and everything went dark. My final thought: That backstabbing bastard.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 07.12.2015

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Widmung:
Stephen King and my dear friend, who will go unnamed.