Guardian's Redemption

Chapter Five

Ben was sitting on a bar stool that was made entirely of ice in the exact same spot where he had met Ashley the day prior. He still couldn't believe that it had taken so long to find the woman, though his hope of finding her had barely been a thread of fishing line left. It had been a little over five years, at least he guessed it had been that long. Keeping track of the days had gotten old fast.

His eyes came to focus on the woman as she came down the staircase of the smoldering building. Odd that the staircase was still somewhat intact, but a lot of things were odd now days. He had been lucky that no one had recognized him when he had entered this filth of a town, to be fair all the towns he visited were filth.

He couldn't help but evaluate her frame. Ashley had aged a bit since he had last seen her. He could tell by the lines on her forehead, but she looked so much like her sister. He laughed at himself as he noticed that hourglass shape of hers. It had been a long time for him and will be until his death. She had definitely matured into a beautiful woman.

"Find anything?" he asked with a yawn. There was no way anything could be of use for most of the building had been on fire until he had put it out.

Ashley went to the inside of the bar. She fumbled around a bit and then took a backpack from beneath the counter to slam it on the top of the counter. Anything that didn't look to mangled or toasted she put in the bag.

Ben had already obtained the four water skins on his way down the staircase during the fire. There was no way those flames could have ever touched him. He had placed his supplies outside the building before making his grand entrance. Ashley was never in trouble, not with him around. 'Had to make it look good didn't I,' he smirked. 'Yes, I did.'

This life was hard, especially always being alone. Ben actually preferred being alone for people were nothing more than monsters seeking their own benefit. Now that option was no longer viable. He had one job left to do in this life before he could pass on. Ben would see it through and would honor that vow.

Ever since he had been married he took vows more traditionally than anyone else. To him it was a binding contract that should not be broken. 'Till death do us part,' and so it had. With her last breath he had taken on that final vow, one he had been fighting to keep for the following five years.

The man removed a cloak from his backpack that was bulging. The seams ready to burst from the equipment he had in it. Items from a blanket to a small pan for cooking. Ashley was closing her backpack on the burnt up counter when he spoke. "Put this on." He commanded sternly. The man placing the large blanket like clothing on the counter. She gave him a curious look in which he replied, "Place it over your shoulders and put the hood on."

The cloak was the same color and length as the one he wore, which meant that it would drag around her feet. He was taller than her by a few inches. Ashley obliging put the cloak on. It was quite comfortable. "Where are we going?" She asked while placing the hood over her head. Her feet were covered when she wrapped it all around here covering her body.

"There are still too many eyes and ears around here." He stated. She looked around the empty burnt bar. "We'll hit the road first and once we are far enough away I'll explain any questions you have."

The two exited the building through the backdoor in the kitchen. Each with a backpack on the outside of their cloaks. Their faces were hidden beneath the hoods. They stood on the outside of the building, the sun beating down on them. "Shit." Ben said aloud.

A scream went piercing through the air. It was in the distance but then more and more screams began to thunder around them. The fear of what it could be made the hair on Ashley's neck rise. Around the corner came a man with such insanity in his blood red eyes that Ashley knew what it was. The Savages had come back.