The sun was just rising when we got the car parked for the beginning of several Appalachian trials. We’d have to abandon the car here; there would be no way it could travel along the paths we planned to take.
“We’ve got to hike it from here. We’ll go as far as we can today, or until we come across a cabin close to a source of water. If we don’t find that today, we’ll continue tomorrow.” I explained what the plan was.
Both of my friends nodded, and we started walking without a word. We all knew this day would come, and we all knew it wouldn’t be easy. Not only physically challenging, but emotionally too. None of us would ever see our families again. We were our family now, with any luck we might come across some others, but chances are we won’t stick with them.
Our journey continued silently until we came across a cabin. It was the first one we’d seen, but we’d yet to pass a creek or anything.
“Let’s check it out before we head on.” I suggested. “Venom, would you like to do the honors?”
Acidic Venom smirked, knowing that I meant for her to kick the door open, which she did easily. I had my bow loaded with an arrow, which I had sharpened the tips during our hike, and had it pointed at the cabins now open entrance.
No one was inside. I slung my bow back over my shoulder and walked in. There didn’t seem to be anything of value. A broom, and a bucket were the first two things I saw, and I knew we would have no use for them.
“Battery, why don’t you see if there are any water sources nearby? Just in case we have to come back here for any reason.”
Battery nodded, and went back outside to scout the area.
On the table was something that I couldn’t quite make out what it was. I stepped over to the table to get a closer a look. It was a radio transmitter. Something every killjoy should have. We hadn’t been able to get our hands on one, but now we didn’t need to.
“What is it?” Acidic Venom asked me.
“It’s a transmitter.” I said joyfully.
“Does it work?” Acidic Venom asked. She was always kind of a little inquisitive.
“Let’s find out.” I flipped a switch that had the little picture symbolizing power, I couldn’t think of its proper name right now. Static filled the air. I started to turn the dial to search for working channels.
The first few channels just continued to give static. Finally I picked up a station. The announcer was covering a story about Better Living and their recent triumph. I could tell the person talking was a killjoy because they finished the coverage with, “Keep running.”
“So, it’s just a radio?” Acidic Venom asked. Ugh, she could be really ignorant sometimes.
“No. I was just testing the radio on it. If I switch this here, it will intercept killjoys using their radios to contact other killjoys.” I explain, and flipped the switch I was talking about.
“Help!” A distressed female voice came through the speaker.
We all shared a look briefly before I picked up the microphone to respond. “Waterfall Bomb. What’s the problem?”
“Oh thank God. My family's been killed, and I’m alone. Please help.” The girl’s voice wavered over some of the words. It was obviously she was sad and scared.
“Okay. What’s your name, and where’s your location?” I chuckled a little, thinking that I sounded like a 911 operator.
“I’m Flash Drive, and I’m in Illinois.”
“Do you think you could make it to Ohio? Me and my crew can meet you there at a bed and breakfast along the Last Interstate.”
“I’ll try.”
I turned the transmitter off, and faced Battery Pony, and Acidic Venom.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Venom asked me, slightly annoyed.
“Well, yeah. She’s a killjoy, and needs help. Killjoys stick together.” I said assertively.
At the tone of my voice she gave up on arguing with me. We’ve known each other for so long now, that we know when the other won’t give in.
We left the cabin, and I looked around for Battery Pony. I couldn’t see her so I called out her name. No answer. I tried again, but this time I used her real name. Still no answer.
“How far could she have got?” I thought aloud. “I’m pretty sure she went this way, let’s look around a little.”
We wandered through the trees within a ten yard radius, but didn’t see anything for a good ten.
“Come look at this.” Venom called me over.
I jogged over to where she was standing, looking down at something on the ground.
It was a piece of Battery Pony’s jacket. I could tell because it was the end of one the sleeves which had little ponies embroidered onto them.
“What do you think happened?” Venom asked.
“I don’t know, but it’s probably nothing good. Let’s get out of here before whatever it is comes back.”
Venom agreed, and we started trekking back down the mountain. I tried not to think about what could have happened to Battery, and instead thought of the rescue mission I volunteered us for.
It was probably one of the stupidest ideas I’ve ever had. I’ve always been the person to help someone, whether I know the person or not. I just couldn’t leave that girl, whoever she is, alone. With any luck it still wouldn’t be too dangerous to cross nearly two entire states. Especially now without Battery Pony, she was the only one of us who could drive. There was no way we would be able to walk across nearly two states.
To be continued...
Again this re-blogged because of all the blog complications.
Comments please.
Don't let the bed bugs bite,
Sleep tight, and sweet dreams.
-Waterfall Bomb
