Chapter 14: A Shared Secret
Luke: "It feels like we were brought together for a reason."
Henry: "What does that mean?"
Ana: "Yeah, I just got here, man."
Luke: "If I could finish my sentence, I'd say it was because of our auras."
Henry: "Hmm, I don't know anyone else with one outside of you two."
Ana: "What's an aura?"
Henry: "It's whatever manifests with you when you fight. I have my stingers, Luke has his spears, and you haaaave..."
Ana: "Crystals that form around my fists. They leave residue that then detonates like a concussive grenade after a few seconds."
Henry: "Oh, that's cool as shit."
Jace: "Is that what you hit me with?!"
Ana: "Yup! It also has the force of an even stronger punch, which explains how I sent ya through a wall."
Luke: "Anyways, Henry, when did you get your aura?"
Henry: "I dunno, when I was a teenager? How about you?"
Luke: "About the same time. I can remember a hospital before things go blank for a few years."
Ana: "The only hospital that immediately comes to mind is the one here in Bluestone, are there any others nearby?"
Henry: "My old home, It was a small town, but they had a pretty modern hospital for those who were traveling from city-to-city. I went there a handful of times."
Luke: "It's worth a look. I've never been to Bluestone's hospital as this isn't my hometown either, so you have my interest."
Jace: "Does this mean we're going on an adventure again?"
Luke: "If you count Rozay as an adventure, then yes. We may be going farther than that too, Henry knows the location."
Henry: "I hope you have your walking shoes on. We're going north-east, by the coast. It's relatively flat and empty, so there's nothing to worry about."
Jace: "What other kind of shoes would I have on? These are my only pair!"
Jace lifts up his leg and places his foot on the tavern table. Everyone groans.
Ana: "You have some serious issues that even another concussion wouldn't fix."
Luke: "We leave tomorrow. Early. I wanna be there by sundown, if not earlier."
Luke pushes his chair back and stands up. He walks off, irritated as usual. Ana stands up and walks back to her room upstairs. Jace looks over at Henry as he's beginning to stand up.
Henry: "I was going to steal shit for our apartment if you wanted to join. I want a TV."
Jace: "I'm alright. I think I've committed enough crimes for a bit. Can I give you a raincheck?"
Henry: "Ana's making a list of things she also wants for the apartment, so you can ask her for anything you want me to nab for ya. I'll let you know the next time I go thieving, cool?"
Jace: "Cool."
Henry leaves through the front double-doors, leaving Jace alone amongst the fellow customers. He places his foot back on the floor and sighs. He stands up and walks upstairs to the apartment. He knocks on Ana's door. The door cracks open.
Ana: "You have five seconds before I tell you to fuck off."
Jace: "Henry said you're making a steal-sheet. Can I ask for a gaming console?"
Ana: "Will you let me use it?"
Jace: "Y-Yeah? I was going to let everyone play. I was alone growing up, so I was hoping to play some co-op games with you all."
Ana: "...Can I be player one?"
Jace: "If that's what gets you to play it, sure."
Ana: "Are there any games where I can beat the shit out of you and not help you?"
Jace: "Too many. I'm gonna go ahead and go to bed, goodnight."
Jace grabs the doorknob and shuts the door. He slumps his shoulders forward and hangs his head lower. He finds a corner in the living area of the apartment and rests his body on the floor. He closes his eyes to fall asleep, the brick ceiling being the last thing he sees. Soon, dawn rises and everyone meets up in front of the tavern.
Luke: "Henry, point us in the right direction."
Henry points northeast.
Henry: "That way, lieutenant."
The walk out of Bluestone is easy enough. The four took turns sharing stories and laughs. Soon, the sun reaches its peak in the sky and fun is starting to wear off.
Ana: "You really meant it when you said there was nothing, huh?"
Henry: "Why do you think my town was the little place that is was? To help idiots like us that decide to walk the distance."
Ana: "Okay, smart-ass. How much longer?"
Henry: "Few more hours, I'd say we'll get there by 5PM at the latest."
Luke: "Jace, are you okay back there?"
Jace nods and continues walking with the group, staying towards the back of the huddle.
Jace: "It's a little hot."
Henry: "You aren't your cheery-self today, did you sleep funny?"
Jace: "Wood floors aren't the most comfortable things to sleep on."
Everyone chuckles and focuses back on walking.
Jace: "(Do I even fit in with these people? I call them my friends, but they all seem to have perfect chemistry with each other. The only one who really engages with me is Henry. Luke gets annoyed by me and Ana has some sorta vendetta all because I burned a house down. Maybe this is an adventure that's too much for me...)"
After enough time, they reach their destination. They look up and notice a sign-post. Before anyone can speak, a horrifying discovery hits reality.
Henry: "What the fuck happened here?"
Henry's breath becomes shaky and his eyes widen. This isn't the town he grew up with. Buildings are ripped in half, trees have been uprooted and placed several yards away, and most importantly...it's empty. Jace places his hand on Henry's shoulder.
Jace: "I'm sorry..."
Henry: "I'll be okay. This is just shocking is all. Let's keep moving, the hospital is just ahead."
As they make their way deeper through the abandoned town, an odor begins to fill the air. It's not pleasant, it smells of decay. After what feels like an eternity, they've made it.
Henry: "Morning Glory Hospital. At least you're in one fucking piece."
