Headaches & Hazbins: Book 1: New Kind of Life, New Kind of Hell

Chapter 16: Cutthroat Competition: Part 1

Four Days Later...

[It's been four days since Asher and Jerry were ambushed by their so-called "competition". At the moment Asher is sitting at the edge of the overlook with a pair of binoculars surveying the dead forest. While he did get his throat slit resulting in him almost being killed during the recent ambush, he seems to be doing just fine now. He's back wearing his usual outfit, silver necklace, maroon vest, and gas mask around his neck included. All the blood that was on him a few days ago seems to have been cleaned up completely. The only remnants of his injuries are a few bandages wrapped around his neck and a bit on his collarbone. The bandages look to be clean and applied somewhat recently. He must be maintaining his injury whenever he can to ensure it heals correctly. As of now, he seems to be on high alert examining the forest as closely as he can. Looking for anything that may be a threat to him or his well-being. As far as he can see there isn't a single bit of life anywhere in the forest.]

Asher: *Mumbling* Hmmm...

[He mumbles to himself. Distrusting his own eyesight.]

Asher: Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh– I'm not buying it...

[He lowers his binoculars and looks at the forest with his bare eyes. He shakes his head and lets out a sigh.]

Asher: *Sigh* A full week. Finally, we're getting out of this creepy forest. *Shivers* Thank God... I can't stand being here any longer.

[Asher turns around and looks at the campsite. Or he would if the campsite was still behind him. Everything appears to have been packed up and loaded into the truck. The tent, wooden crates they brought, and their bags are all located in the back of the truck. The large metal crate and crate with the red strap wrapped around it rests on the truck bed, untouched during their entire road trip. The only remnants of them being here is the ash and soot from the campfire and the log beside it that they sat on. Some movement can be heard from the other side of the truck. Jerry walks out from behind it holding what looks to be Asher's duffle bag. He looks to be doing the finishing touches on packing up the camp.]

Asher: Hey Jerry! It's been almost an hour, are you almost done packing?

Jerry: Yea, almost. It'd be done quicker if you decided to lend a hand.

Asher: I would if I could, but uhhhhh–

[Asher points to his throat and coughs.]

Asher: *Cough* Cough, cough. I can't, remember? I got injured.

Jerry: *Groan* Yea, yea, you're injured... Suuuurrrreeee... By the looks of it, you've already made a full recovery... Ehhh... Goddamnit, fine. Ya guilt tripped me.

Asher: Yes. Yes, I did. Now chop-chop! I want to get out of this place.

Jerry: Same here bud. Same here...

[Jerry tosses Asher's duffle bag carelessly into the back of the truck.]

Asher: Hey! Be careful with that!

[Jerry glares at Asher and raises an eyebrow.]

Jerry: Why? Is there something in there that shouldn't be in there?

[Asher avoids Jerry's glare.]

Asher: Nooooooooooooo–

[He looks at Jerry.]

Asher: No.

[Jerry continues to glare at him.]

Jerry: Uh-huh... Sure...

[Asher shakes his head and chuckles at Jerry. He turns around, raises his binoculars, and goes back to surveying the forest. Jerry shakes his head in disappointment. He grabs onto the side of the truck and steps inside. He looks around at the objects in the back of the truck. Everything seems to be there. His eyes stop on the box with the red straps.]