The Rapture

Part 3

Most of the walk there was silent. From time to time, Thorne would furtively glance up at Spindle just to make sure he wouldn't try anything. While Spindle would ask the odd question or two about how she was feeling or how she was coping in this strange world.

It had been a good while and Thorne was starting to get impatient. She sighed loud enough for him to hear. "Spindle, are we there yet? We've been walking for ages." She asked glaring at him. Spindle looked back at her. "As a matter of fact we are! See." He pointed to a small building that was the only one intact Thorne had seen so far. Spindle picked up the pace and Thorne followed him, also at a more brisk pace. However, when they reached the doors, the sign said in all capital letters: 'CLOSED'. Thorne frowned that she wasn't able to sit down while Spindle instead smiled eagerly. "Let's go inside Thorne." He said and she looked at him confused. "But the sign says it's closed, dumbass." She retorted annoyed. Spindle only laughed. "Not for us." He replied and opened the door and went inside.

The inside looked really well kemp and organised. Stools sat next to the clean bar and a few tables were placed around as well with their chairs tucked in. Behind the bar where shelves with wines, gins and vodkas. There were also fridges with other alcohol such as ciders, liquors and spirits while other drinks resided there such as fruit juice and coke. There was a sharpened katana that was placed proudly on a stand that was clearly out of reach for patrons. Thorne was a tad unnerved at the sight. There was another man stood behind the bar, he was probably the same height as Spindle and was dressed somewhat formally. He looked up from a glass he was cleaning towards the two.

"Spindle! How are you doing mate?" He greeted kindly, opening a can of apple Thatchers and pouring it into a clean glass. Spindle went to take a seat onto one of the padded stools. "I'm doing alright, thanks Saint." He replied getting comfortable where he was sat and took off his coat and leaving his gun on the bar close to him. Saint slid the glass towards him and then looked at Thorne with a kind smile. "Thorne, it's nice to meet you again. Pleas, take a seat." He said gesturing to the stool next to Spindle. Thorne glanced around a bit more before slowly strolling towards the bar. She hopped onto the stool and nervously played with one of her platts. Saint noticed how tense she was. "Hey, there's no reason to be scared here Thorne." He smirked. "Think of this as your sanctuary where you are welcome anytime! Now, what can I get you to drink?" Thorne peeked behind the bar, looking at the vast variety of alcohol there was before deciding what she wanted. "Can I have a small glass of... Prosecco please?" She asked meekly. "Of course!" Saint said enthusiastically, taking a glass and then picking an unopened Prosecco from the fridge and pouring it into the glass. Thorne watching intently.

He then handed her the glass. Thorne looked at it for a moment and then took a sip, it did taste enjoyable she took a few more. She saw that Spindle was happily enjoying his cider. "So where's Citrus? Is it just you out here today?" Spindle asked curiously. "Oh no, she's just round the back mate. Hey Citrus! Come say hi to Spindle and Thorne!" He called. A few seconds later, a door creaked open and a shorter woman who was just a few centimetres taller than Thorne skipped inside. She was dressed less formally than Saint by a lot. Thorne actually found it amusing at the completely different style choices. "Hey guys!" She chirped, making her way towards the bar. "Hey Citrus, you good?" Spindle asked, taking a sip of his drink. "I'm alright luv, just finished sorting out stuff from the back." She said and swung open the fridge door to get a Strongbow for her and Saint. She opened them both and handed one to her boyfriend. Saint smiled at her and gave her a little kiss on her head.

Thorne was starting to feel a bit more comfortable now and turned herself around completely towards everyone. "I'm guessing you're Citrus now?" She asked a little more confidently. Citrus nodded and took a few swigs of her cider. "Indeed I am luv, I run the bar with Saint." She smiled widely. "Have you got somewhere to stay Thorne?" Saint asked. Thorne was about to answer but was interrupted by spindle. "She can stay at my safe house for now, Nugget tried to kill her earlier so it's best she stays with someone." He said quickly and pointed towards Thorne's bandaged arm. Saint gasped while Citrus just took a few more gulps of her drink. "Oh gosh! That looks painful, are you ok now?" Saint asked with genuine concern in his voice. Thorne nodded and gave a tiny lopsided smile.

Just then, glass could be found on the bar as well as the insides of them on the floor. The four of them were startled and Thorne was horrified to find an axe thrown threw one of the patterned windows and was now stuck in the wood that once held the smashed glasses and alcohol.

Before Thorne could question anything, Citrus scrunched her can, threw it away and yanked the katana from the stand. A cunning smile curled on her lips and she leaped over the glass covered bar and jumped out of the same window with great agility. Something akin to fighting could be heard. "Shit..." Saint muttered "Thorne, you and Spindle have to leave now, come round here." He ordered and then grabbed a steel bat from underneath the counter. Spindle hastily put his coat back on and picked his gun up. He then swiftly but carefully grabbed Thorne's good wrist and they both scrambled behind the ruined bar and Saint lifted up a trapdoor. "I'll see you guys later." He ended before he hurdled over the bar too and out the shattered window like Citrus.

"Jump down! I'll explain when we get out." Spindle instructed as he jumped down himself and impatiently waited for Thorne. She too jumped down without any hesitation or thought and they both raced down the underground passage way. The unpleasant sounds of fighting and shrill yells quickly faded away. It wasn't long before the two had finally made it to the other end. Thorne was quivering lightly and Spindle struggled to catch his breath. "What now?" She huffed still trying to catch her breath. Spindle took out his pistol and and shot the locked padlock and opened the old wooden square door. Spindle climbed out first and then helped Thorne out of the underground. She brushed herself off and rubbed her forehead to clear of the sweat. "Come on, it's getting late, I'll show you my safe house. It's not far from here." He replied late. Thorne just nodded, she wanted to rest and was looking forward to just going to sleep.

"So, what happened? Whose axe was that?" She exclaimed. Spindle had a serious look on his face. "That was Scolex... most likely the most dangerous one here. He will kill anyone or anything that stands in his way and only cares for himself." He scowled but continued. "He has no remorse and is completely selfish and a narcissist." He ended and there was a brief moment of silence. "Aren't you a narcissist though?" Thorne questioned glancing up at him slightly amused. Spindle playfully nudged her arm. "Shut up." He retorted. Thorne sighed though, knowing that someone more dangerous was out there now. "We are how now." Spindle spoke up again. Thorne glanced at the house and was just happy that she could rest now. He opened the door and they both trudged inside. The place was actually quite decent but Thorne didn't care about that right now. "I'm going upstairs to sleep, you can sleep on the sofa. Goodnight." He said and pointed toward the only one that was in The corner of a room. Thorne thanked him and the two parted.

She placed herself down and found and old blanket, She covered herself with it but didn't fall asleep straight away. She stayed up a bit, worrying on how she was going to survive a month, If Nugget was ok, how dangerous Scolex really was and where the others were. Exhaustion won over and she fell in a dead sleep.