The War Satellite

Chapter Three

Clara

As soon as the helicopter was out of sight, Miles and I squeezed out of the hole and made our way down the mountain. We took very little breaks, we didn't want to test fate. Surprisingly we were able to maintain a quick pace. Regardless of how tired we should have been, we kept going. Who were we? As we made our way down the mountain, I saw my first glimpse of civilization.

It was the burned ruins of a small city. Most of the buildings were broken, strewn across a ruined road. Remains of cars, signs and buildings rose as far as the eye could see. In the distance was a tower which resembled an airplane control tower. We hurried down to the city eager to collect more clues. As we got there, the smell of burnt asphalt and metal threatened to overcome my senses. My eyes watered and I pushed my shirt over my nose and walked around, being careful to not trip on debris. As we walked around the ruins, I could tell it had been a city that had been bombed at least a month before.

Already trees and plant saplings were sprouting through the heavy layer of ash giving the sad area a new birth. I spread out with Miles slowly moving from house to house looking for clues and or valuable items we could use.

I went through a small mostly intact home, it looked promising. Inside I found little food, most of it moldy or rotting. In nearly every area of the house there was a bundle of children's toys spread around the room. I knelt next to three dolls set up around a small table. It was like they were having a tea party.

I touched the soft hair and noticed no dust laced the table or the dolls. I pulled away and backed away towards the kitchen. I could see more small signs of life, a water cup, held water not yet room temperature.

"What in the world?" I whispered to myself.

I walked upstairs, my gun raised, and found a small bedroom decorated with flowers and fairies. Dolls were spread across a ruined bed-spread. The floor was swept clean of all dust and ash, sunlight streamed through an open window.

The scene was perfect, I half expected a child to run in and ask me to play with them.

I moved towards the back of the room and opened up an adjacent room that was most likely a closet. A hand reached out of the depths as soon as I opened it.

I screamed as the hand grasped my shirt. I backed away, pulling the hand and person out of the closet.

I was surprised to see an old man, I had expected a child. He looked at me and I grimaced at the sight of him.

His skin was barely hanging onto his bones, his clothes hung off his figure and he was obviously very weak and frail. His head was bald with burn spots everywhere on his body. Pus streamed from various ill kept woulds, the smell was more overwhelming than the burning asphalt.

He gaped up at me and I could see most of his teeth had fallen out, but he still managed to speak with me. He let go of my shirt and looked at me with big eyes.

"Are you here to save my city? Hornet is going to bomb it! He wants more power, the world isn't enough!" He shrieked in a terrified voice. His voice sounded as though he had dust in the back of his throat, dry and raspy. The man jumped to his feet and started pacing. He wagged his finger and pointed out the window.

"I tried to warn them I tried to, but they didn't believe the rumors of Hornet becoming restless. They thought giving him food was enough. But not for Hornet!" He cackled and laughed until he sprang into a coughing fit.

I took a step away from the old man. His eyes moved to the movement and grasped my leg. He looked at me, "Are you part of the Founding Fathers? You have to win! You must! Say you will!" He shrieked.