Barren

Chapter 3

*Around Sunset*
"Whew. I'm whipped from that long trip."
Leo sounds exhausted. I'm tired, but it's not that bad. He should rest.
"Leo you should go lay down. I'll go and grab some things from the market and make dinner."
"Sounds good Alec. See ya then!"
I wonder where the market is. I've never been here nor is it a simple place. Guess I'll ask around. Wait, now that I think about it, I haven't seen a soul here besides Leo. Maybe it's just me, but I think this is weird. Something's up with this place. As long as I get free food I don't care what happens. Ah here we are, finally found this stupid place. Took me about ten minutes. Oh, nobody's here? Must mean it's a 'Grab All You Can Hold' sale. I love these kinds of sales.
***
"Leo, I have the food!"
Why isn't he jumping in joy? He's not even answering. Did he fall asleep? Where did he fall asleep? There's a post outside with the dirt bike tied to it. So I'm sure he's here somewhere. Ehhh... This is a bar so he's probably looking for some weird ass mixed drink. That's all he talked about on the ride here.
*People Outside Screaming*
Bet I found Leo. Wonder if that's where everyone was. Oh crap! That old church just blew apart! Leo better be over there investigating. I'll kill him if he's got himself in trouble. Everyone is running away and obviously terrified. I'm glad I remembered I'm special. I have to get rid of all this radiation, but I can't let Leo see me. If I run as fast as I can I'll be there in no time, thanks to my abilities being enhanced by the radiation. Then I'll kill all of the radiators and blow away the radiation with whatever the hell blew up.
***
Okay, I just got here and look, I have an arrival party. With each hit I can tell I'm rusty. My strikes aren't solid and my movements aren't balanced nor as fast as I was. I need to train. But I'll have to do it secretly of course. Even thought I'm not as good as I was, those guys weren't even worth killing. That didn't even get my blood pumping. Now all that's left is to find Leo and get rid of this radiation.
***
Ahhhh, I see you tried Leo. Good job. I'll get you out of here so you don't turn into one of those things.
*Alec jumps through to roof of the church and lands on the neighboring building.*
I'll come back and get you when I'm done Leo.
***
"Alec? Where are we?"
"The inn by the church."
"What happened with the church?"
"I took care of it with some help from the townsmen."
"Thank goodness. I would've died in there if it weren't for you. Thanks Alec."
"Don't mention it. I'll ask for an equal favor when I need it. For now let's just say you owe me one."
"Sounds good."
"Oh dinner is ready now. I used the ingredients I got from the market earlier and made is some stew. I hope you like it."
"Its delicious. Why wouldn't I like this? Actually I love it! Where'd you learn to cook like this?"
"My mother taught me when I was little. She was the best cook ever."
"Now that I think about it. How old are you Alec?"
"I'm only seventeen. How about you?"
"You're younger than anticipated. I'm twenty-three."
"You're older than you look."
"Gotta' look fresh for the ladies!" Making some haughty pose.
"Haha, whatever makes you happy."
"I'll be happy when I find Charlotte. Odds are, you will be too."
"Yeah. I get excited thinking about seeing her again. I love her."
"So it was that kind of relationship. One would assume that, but you never know."
"Yeah. I love her from the bottom of my heart."