Running with the Devil

[Bullet Ringer]

*Had it been weeks, months or years since I could truly say I had somewhere to go....

Things got ugly, let's face it they always did, but this time it was different, or not. Near death expiriences had always been more common than hot meals out here in the zones but recent events had changed me, changed the way I see the Zones. To be honest what had actually happend was all still a blur to me, bullets and lasers flying through the air, the screams of the wounded and war cries of the hopeful, flashing lights and deafning sounds. Did we win? Did anyone truely win? Lifes were lost, friendships broken and families torn apart... It was like the bombs had dropped all over again.

I managed to get out by the skin of my teeth, but I can't help asking myself, should I have stayed? Like a song stuck on repeat inside my head; Did I abandon them? Leave them for dead? Was it the only logical thing to do? Leave now or never leave again, did anyone else make it? But I had to right? I swore to myself and to Midnight that I'd protect her sister, that I would look after Neon. It's impossible to do when you're turning into sand and dust...
But Midnight isn't Midnight, Bli have taken her back. This whole journey was in vain, Neons sister lost to the City.

I look to my side, a tired, hurt, scared, girl walks beside me, her hands full of dust and blood, her clothes ripped and tatterd... Did I abandon them? I needed to protect Her! I left them for dead.

A constant argument inside of me adds insult to the injuries I've sustained.

My feet drag in the sand and my arms feel heavier with every step, we should stop to rest but we're in the middle of the dessert. I couldn't tell you which Zone, I couldn't tell you which direction we were heading and it was getting dark. With no food, water or shelter logic said to keep moving.*

[Neon Sky]

*Everything was broken, nothing remains. I felt numb all over, just placing one foot in front of the other for what seemed like eternity, clutching onto the bullet keyring Bullet gave me. I didn't want to think or replay the past events, I had permently blocked them from my mind. It was too painfull.

The air grew colder as the night drew upon us, two shadows walking across the desert, hungry, hurt, hopeless. It was just the two of us now, adopted siblings. The dessert was painfully quiet this evening as if it were mourning with us, the only sounds were the unsteady shifting of sand caused by our steps.

I felt his gaze upon me and switly leave, I returned the look. All I could see was red, the blood from his body and mine, burn marks surely to leave scars behind, cuts, grazes and everything inbetween. His breath was short and harsh, struggling to to meet the demands of his body, his eyes focused but not. Not a sound came from the dessert.*

Bullet? *I said softly, the dryness of my throat could clearly be heard. There was no reply.

I stopped walking, standing still, my legs feeling as if they were to give way.*

Bullet? *I called once more, as he was still taking steps. I felt tears in my eyes, my voice was hopeless.*
We need to stop. *He turned to me, nothing upon his face, just hurt in his eyes.*

[Bullet Ringer]

*I hear a voice call my name, or atleast, I think I do.* Bullet? *There it was again, only this time I recognized it.*

*I take a look at Neon, and blame myself for what has happend. Turning and walking back towards her I nod my head.*

You're right Neon, but it isn't safe, we could've been followed. *I take a look around us, it was getting darker by the second I started to doubt we would survive the night.*

[Neon Sky]

I belive we would be dead by now, Bullet. Our pace isn't fast, there's nothing else out here apart from us. *The sands were so flat you could see for miles.*
But I can't move anymore, my legs won't carry me. *As if my legs were their own beings and heard what I had said they gave in and I collapsed to my knees.*
I'm sorry. Bullet.

[Bullet Ringer]

*I watch her fall and take to the sand beside her, ignoring the pain in my limbs as I do so.*

Don't apologize Neon, none of this is your fault. *As I try to get myself comfortable on the ground I feel fresh, healing wounds re-open and can't help but wince a little.*

*Some time passes as we sit side by side staring into the distance, my mind showing me random images of the past events. The supply shop Neon, Midnight and for some time I called home blown into the air by a crow invasion. The life-less body of fellow Killjoys that helped run the store, their eyes staring at me.
I check Neon to see if she was still awake, her breath was shallow. Her eyes wide open, it was impossible for either of us to rest, the fear kept us awake.*

[Neon Sky]

*It was getting colder, the nights out here were harsh. It's easy to forget that when you have a safe house to take hostage in but no more... I heard noises from some desert wildlife in the distance and my wide eyes grew wider.*

Do you hear them Bullet? *I asked in a whisper, not wanting to attract more attenion than the smell of fresh blood already had done. We had no weapons apart from the bruised and batterd hands attached to our arms, was this our last moment? I recognized the noises, these were carnivours animals and the were hungry.*

[Bullet Ringer]

*I did hear the noises and knew exactly what they were... Long-Teeth. Big, ugly, mutated lizards. They were about waist high but could tower over you when they stood on their hind legs. They slumber in the sun during the day and hunt at night, apart from the poison flowing through their pointed tounges the name gives away their most terryfing feature. The air was still, luckily for us but not lucky enough as we were the only things out here apart from them, A slight breeze could send the smell of our blood straight towards them. Our only defence, the knife in my boot.*

I can hear them. *I whisperd back, I could hear about two of them to be precise, mates.*

[Neon Sky]

What are we going to do? *I whisper, I can hear them getting closer to us.*
I think they know we're here Bullet. *I feared the worst, holding his keychain even tighter as if it was all I had left.*

[Bullet Ringer]

*Honestly I had no idea. I got myself into a crouched position, ignoring the pain, hoping to see them or at least their outlines. I looked around,into the distance and there they were, straight ahead of us, coming this way. Neon was right, they know we are here.*

Sh*t Neon, they're coming...

---

Gonna leave the start of this story here for the night, I'm excited to be writing again. I have great plans for these 2 unfortunate souls

[Toxic Residue]

*A radio crackeld and came to life "Be a juke box hero" the music was interupted by more static "He's a juke box hero!" The soft rumbling of an engine filled the silence between white noise and music, the smell of cigarette smoke filled the cabin along with a soft hint of pine from an air freshener bounching around under the rear-view mirror "juke box hero" sang a man, off key, taking a pull from his smoke.

Nightfall meant one thing to Toxic, beast hunting. Why? Because certain body parts sold at high rates on the new black market, and buisness was booming! The money he made would keep the bar stocked, his weapons loaded (because real bullets arn't cheap nowadays) and his employees happy.

Bringing his four seat pickup to a sliding stop in the sand he switched of the engine and waited for the dust to settle, leaving the ignition turned on so the music would still play "bought a beat up" static "in a second hand store". Once the cloud of dust had settled he swung his door open and placed his cowboy boot into the sand, exiting his truck almost dramaticly whilst flicking his smoke away. Whistling along to the music he walked round to the side of his truck, clicked open a locked box attached to the side and withdrew his precious rifle from within.*

Good evening scarlet. * He said with a smile, slinging the gun over his shoulder and climbing into the back of the pick up to gain some height advantage.*
What are the sands telling us tonight.*Around his neck hung a pair of nocturnal binoculars which he raised to his eyes and began scouting the area.*
Just one guitar, slung way down low. * he continued singing, doing a slow survellance of the horizon*
Was a one way ti-, huh? Now whats this then. *He had spotted something, four silhouettes about 550 meters away*
A family, prehaps... *he hit the zoom button on his binocs, and his eyes widend.*
What the fuck are you doing out here. *he opend up the bipod on his rifle and set it on the roof of his truck, looking above the scope before looking through. A small smile appeared on his face.*
Show me your moves scarlet...

[Bullet Ringer]

*They had seen us now and sped up, they were hungry, we were the only things out here for miles, we could hear their excited screeches as they started to run, I grabbed the knife from my boot and usherd Neon behind me, they were close now,one stood up on its hind legs and continued to sprint, the other jumped forward, it was mid-air within arms reach, this was it, I prepared myself for the blow. Bang. CRACK. My ears were ringing and I closed my eyes. Bang. CRACK. I heard something whistle past... The night was silent once more.*

Neon? *I called out quietly, not realising my eyes were still closed. I opened them to see two bodies laying on the ground. Were they ours? Was this the afterlife? I blacked out and collapsed.*

[Neon Sky]

*I could see them, they were huge and they terrified me. Bullet forced me behind him, even though I tried to fight against him I was too weak. I watched the whole thing, this creature launched itself at Bullet but as it was inches away a loud crack was heard and it hit the ground, a second crack and the second creature dropped spraying its green radioactive blood on the sands before us. I heard my name and watched as Bullet hit the floor, i grabbed hold of his collar and with my remaining strength pulled him away from the Long-Teeth.*

Bullet, wake up, come on. *It was then I had realised what just happend, off in the distance behind the dead creatures a saw a shimmering light, the moon light had reflected of something, someone else was out here.*

Bullet we need to go, WakeUp!! *Adrenaline was flowing through me now, what if it was Bli? Wanting to capture us alive.*

God damn it Bullet. WAKE UP! *I slapped him around the face and he started to awaken.*

Come on! We're out of time* His eyes started to open slowy. I started shaking him*

Now Bullet!!!

[Toxic Residue]

*Two bodies hit the floor, two 'joys left standing, two perfect shots.*

Beautiful work Scarlet.* I jump from the pick up into the sand and place my beloved rifle back into her box. Leaning into the cab I grab the radio that's always tuned in to my homes frequency.*

Carl, you read me?* I grab another smoke from my inside pocket and lit it up*

Loud and clear boss *Carl was the bar tender and pretty much manager of 'The Rubber Burner' me, I just enjoy owning a stocked bar.*

Got a couple of 'joys out here, look like they're in rough shape and a couple of dead Long-Teeth, can you send some guys over to pick up the bodies? Long venom is quite profitable this time of year. *I throw the radio onto the passenger seat before climbing in myself and starting the engine.*

Sure thing boss, max and harry are on their way. *Max and Harry wern't specifcly killjoys but they had been running with me for some time now, and were good at there jobs.*

*with a smile on my face I start driving toward these unfortunte souls. The night was completly upon us now. Without lights there wasn't much you could see, I stopped the pickup a few feet away from them.*

Hmm *I say to myself* seems we have a man down. *I hit the talk button on my radio*

Carl, have a medic ready and waiting. * theres some static before I hear a reply*

Er, boss. One Shot is asleep, alcohol induced. *I sigh and roll my eyes, One Shot was our resident Doc'*

Well I suppose you best wake him up and give him some painkillers, I'm half a zone away, over and out. *once again I set the radio down and speak to myself*

I hate owning a bar.