The Farthest Door

Chapter-6: Hiding Shadows

At Sebastian and Nian's house, on the first floor, Jake has just finished narrating a story of his supposed childhood.

Sebastian:

"Where are John and Lucy? They should have been back by now."

Jake:

"When you come to think of it. Yes, they should have."

Jake murmurs to himself.

Jake:

"Lucy, John, please don't be dead."

There is a knock on the door.

Jake lets out a sigh of relief.

Jake:

"Right on time."

Jake and Sebastian rush downstairs. Jake opens the door as he says.

Jake:

"Oh thank god! You're here, I was getting worried."

The one at the door is neither Lucy nor John. It is a lady about the same age as Lucy and Jake. She is wearing old dusty clothes quite like that of Sebastian and Nian. She has a camouflage coat on her, which looks significantly older than the rest of her clothes, it also seems to be a couple of sizes larger. Her arms were only long enough to allow her fingers to reach out of the sleeve of the coat. She slightly waves her hand.

Lady:

"Nice to meet you too, stranger. I was getting worried too."

Jake is nervous.

Jake:

"Umm...Umm... Hello... Sorry I didn't... My... My name is Jake."

Lady Chuckles.

Lady:

"I get it. You weren't expecting me. My name is Chloe by the way."

Chloe puts her hand forward and Jake shakes her hand.

Sebastian:

"Why is it raining new faces today? I have seen fewer stranger faces at my Nian's birthday party."

Jake:

"You host birthday parties during a war?"

Chloe:

"New to disputed areas, huh? Well, you won't be leaving this place anytime soon. You'll be around for at least one birthday party. Fair Warning, the black cupcakes aren't chocolates, they are gunpowder. They make for some cool firework shows."

A man carrying a molotov cocktail appears from the far end of the road nearing the end of the block. He howls loudly like a hyena and starts running towards the house.

Sebastian:

"No, no, god no!"

Sebastian runs inside and up the stairs to get his shotgun. Chloe pulls out a revolver, pulls the trigger, but realises that she has run out of bullets. Jake takes his taser from the rack and fires at the lunatic. The lunatic starts shaking and accidentally drops the molotov. The molotov explodes right under his feet, lighting him on fire. Jake grabs Chloe's hand.

Jake:

"Get inside, quick."

Jake and Chloe rush inside and close the door behind them. They rest their backs on the door to hold it shut. There are loud screams from outside as the lunatic burns. Jake is taking deep breaths. Chloe is surprisingly calm.

Chloe:

"You're a good shot. Nice to know that."

Jake: