Warriors of the Badlands

The City

Kane's golden irises widened as a stoic man stood before him. His eyes reflected fire, anger deep inside. The boy stumbled backwards, struggling to reach for his knife. The man grabbed him by his shirt, pulling him off the sidewalk.
"Where's your parents, boy? Don't you know these lands are dangerous for little children." The man growled.
Kane stuttered, he didn't know what to say. He'd never had an experience like this in the city. "I… sir, I'm so--" He swallowed the nerves and reached for the knife. Kane swung at the man aimlessly, forgetting the training his parents taught him in the desert.
The man threw him back on the ground, leaving Kane winded. He kicked the boy's hand, hitting the knife out of his hand. Kane's hand shook with fear and shock. The man reached down for the knife. Then a loud bang went off. He fell to the ground, landing right next to Kane with lifeless eyes.
Kane screamed, scrambling back. Blood pooled from under his large body. He looked up, seeing a cloaked figure standing over his body, lowering a smoking gun.
"Are you okay?" The figure said, turning their head slightly to the sky, the light revealed feminine features.
"Yo-- you--" Kane had never witnessed death in front of him. However, this world made it impossible to avoid. Death was a popular show.
The woman bent down and took the knife off of the sidewalk. It was covered in blood. A wave of fear overwhelmed him, scared that she would use it on him next. She wiped the blade on her black cloak. Then she knelt in front of him, blue eyes shining. She put the knife out, pointing the blade right at his face.
"Here," She said, readjusting the dagger in her hands so the handle faced him instead. "It's yours, is it not?"
Kane hesitantly took the knife back. He didn't put it away just yet. "Thank you. For saving me."
She stood, then held out a hand. He took it, she was impeccably strong as he practically flew onto his feet. "Are you alone?"
"No, ma'am." His voice was small. "I had to go into town for a supply run, my folks are waiting for me." Kane took his hand back slowly.
"Have you finished your run?" She asked, taking the hood off from her head. Dark curls rested just above her shoulders. Her hair was streaked with gray, but her face looked young.
"I've only started, ma'am," He said, picking up his gas tank.
"A young boy like you shouldn't wander alone. I could help you."
Kane thought about the offer. It would be easier to travel with an adult, but then again, she was a total stranger. Not to mention, she just murdered a man right in front of him, the man's limp body still bleeding by his feet. But she did save his life…
"Yes, ma'am. I'd appreciate it." He decided if he worked with her, he could return to his parents quicker.
Kane walked with the woman in silence after telling her what he needed to retrieve. She seemed to know where everything was, so he concluded that she must've lived in this city. Kane wasn't sure which city he was in, and debated whether to ask her.

Every city in the Badlands was given the title "Block" followed by a number in the order they were created. There were certain cities that were more dangerous than others, but those were Blocks 0, 4, 12, and 30. Not even the police bothered to go in these cities. The government realized that they lost too many policemen while patrolling them.

"What is your name, kid?" The woman asked as they walked into a pharmacy. She waved to a man behind the counter who had a rifle on his back.
"Kane." He responded, following her into an aisle.
"My name's Carla."
He didn't even notice what kind of aisle they were in. He was too focused on watching her to make sure she didn't try anything. Carla gestured to the shelves as they walked through them.
"Choose," She said.
Kane looked at the products. Canned goods, cereal, bread, and water greeted him. He hadn't seen so many of the items in stocks at the same time. His mouth was agape.
"Close your mouth, Kane. Flies will go in," She said, a smile on her face.
Her comment reminded him of his mother, who would be so proud of him for how much he would be returning with. Kane's eyes sparkled as he stored as much as he could in his pack. The man behind the counter tapped loudly, an angry look on his face. Carla chuckled and shrugged.
For the rest of his supply run, Kane stayed close with Carla who managed to find everything he needed. He thanked her extensively, completely content with how today's events worked out. It almost made him forget the death of that one man... Carla escorted him back to the van in the desert. No one was outside, so Kane inferred his parents were waiting inside. He waved to Carla, who stuck by to make sure he made it inside before turning to leave.
Once Kane was inside, he came in with a wide smile and held his pack up. "Mom! Dad! You would not believe…" He noticed he was speaking to nothing but the air. No one was inside.
The boy threw open the bathroom door, still no one. He ran outside, Carla had disappeared as well. He checked all around the camper. There was no trace of his parents. The distraught Kane searched, tossing his head left and right.
"Mom! Dad!" His cries echoed throughout the desert yet there was not a single response.