Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror

Chapter Forty-Five

We finally reach Erzurum. Everyone is tired and cranky. Aeriel and I have been passing nasty looks for the last day and a half, enough so that I'd slept with one eye open last night. I'd convinced Joe to sleep between us as well.

I've lost track of the days we've been on the trail. So much so, that I don't even know what day of the week it is.

The blistering sun is high in the sky once we reach the center of the city, and we all decide it's a good place to rendezvous later, we have some pillaging to do.

We split up and look for supplies because even though the angels have no need to eat, I'm starving. I've lived on nuts and berries since Ararat. I swear with all the sweating, I've lost ten pounds since we left Mount Ararat.

Joe and Aeriel head to the east and Daniel and I take the west. I feel bad looking through the numerous shops. The devastated city had housed a great population and I hope we aren't stealing from anyone who still needs.

Of course, in looking around the place, anyone can tell it's long been deserted. The only things we can find are some canned goods with no labels, so for all I know it's dog food. But I won't complain, that's what true hunger will do to you. It'll make you glad for anything edible.

"We should talk about us," I say, shocked at my own words. But I'm tired in body and soul and I'd be lying if I say I'm not looking at my future. I'm wondering what's going to happen when we find this tree, what will happen to Daniel? He can't possibly stay with me, but then again, the entire world has changed.

"I'm not leaving you," Daniel says, his voice a low murmur. "And you're right, the world has changed, we will be together, Andrea, don't worry."

His words are enough to comfort me and enough to get my hinny in gear. We don't have all day, as Joe had reminded me. So, with our loot, we head back to the rendezvous spot.

Daniel grabs my arm and spins me to face him. Suddenly his hands are cupping my face and his lips are covering mine.

"I love you," he whispers, his warm breath a balm for my scorching lips. "We will be together forever; I vow to you." And his words feel final, like nothing will ever break them. "Do you believe me?"

"Yes, I do," my voice trembles. "I believe you."

"Good, I couldn't bear the thought of what I'd do without you," he says. "I didn't know my heart was missing anything until I met you." With that he presses another kiss to my lips and then pulls back. "We must go." He lowers his hands and starts toward the center of town.

I feel better, my spirits lifted, so I start after Daniel, but Ember appears in my hand, her jewel glowing so much it blinds me.

"What the frakk?" I yell but them something hits me square in the pack and it burns through my pack. I scream and whirl to face my attacker. My eyes widen when they land on a snake so big it towers over me. Its tail whips toward me and I evade by jumping to my right.

I hearing the others yelling and I see Daniel from the corner of my eye.

"Your friends cannot help you; you are mine," the snake hisses.

"How are you talking?" I yell and jump to my left when the tail comes at me again. I lunge forward and swipe at the snake's underbelly, Ember slicing through the rough skin with a heavy sizzle. The smell of burning snake flesh gags me but the sword is still guiding my hand.

Take him; his soul is mine!

I don't like the sound of Ember's voice in my head. She sounds hungrier than last time.

"It's a hydra, don't cut it's head off!" Joe yells from a distance.

"How do I kill it?" I answer.

"Spill it's guts," Aeriel adds and takes to the air. I turn my attention back to the snake and lunge again, but this time it's ready for me and it evades by whipping its tail at my feet, knocking me to the ground. Before I gain my footing, Aeriel drops from the sky and slices through the belly, cutting the body into two pieces.

Intestines spill onto the ground, the stench gagging me. Whisps of smoke rise from the disgusting pile.

I force Ember back into hiding moments before I'm enveloped in a hug so tight, I lose my breath.

"I'm ok."

"That was a close one," Daniel says.

"I beginning to see a pattern here," I say, my mind putting the pieces together. "Monsters are real and they're no longer hiding." 

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