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Chapter 13

Today was the day to set out for the alliance meeting. It was quite the rush as we needed everybody up before the crack of dawn to depart at the crack of dawn. Of course it was Yeosang who ripped away my covers and then moved to Mingi.

I frequently roomed with Mingi because it was a quiet vibe with a mutual understanding of staying within our boundaries. We share our mornings, brushing our teeth whilst trying to stay awake. There have been times where Mingi would nearly topple over but somehow managed to save himself at the last moment.

This morning was a little different. I was completely awake, buzzing with anxiety. It was my first step outside after a few months along with seeing a whole crowd of people at this alliance. Whilst the biker team were still strapping up, I dawdled to the side. An air tap from Yunho prompted me to turn around. He held out a hat and bandana.

The hat had chains running around the brim which ended in clasps that kept the hat attached to the clothes. It took a while to pin up my hair to tuck in under the hat. The clasps to attach to the clothes were a little problem. I had to acquire assistance from Yunho who had leant down to fumble with the clasp to fasten it to my jacket, which happened to be Hongjoong’s old modified jacket. It was silent in the meantime. I tried my best not to breathe too loudly in case it was distracting.

“Looking good.” Yunho pulled back and grinned. 

Yunho passed a square cloth to me. I folded it into a triangle and loosely tied it around my neck. 

“Alrighty time to claim partners because those snakes don’t have parking.” Mingi called out.

It was decided that three people were to share their bikes with a partner. One of the obvious partners was me because I can’t drive. San, Yeosang and Mingi opted for a partner. The arrangements being Woosan, Jongsang and finally Mingi and I. The rest had their own bikes.

Everybody donned their hats which also had chains and pulled up their bandanas. Mingi turned back to me. 

“You can hold onto me if you want.” 

Unfortunately, I was not comfortable with the idea of having to physically come into contact with another human but the lack of places to grip onto really made the offer liable.

Wooyoung opened the heavy metal door. The wind kicked up a load of sand inside. He walked out a bit first, leaving room for the bikes to come out first. Mingi revved up the engine. It was a slow roll out from inside the garage to the harsh whippings of the outside world. The hat was broad brimmed which provided most of the face sheltering from the sand. The bandana had provided protection from inhaling dust and sand, though proved to be a challenge to breathe through. Either it was a little difficulty in breathing but clear airways or bare-faced but choking on dust and sand. The first option over the second any day. I heard the heavy metal door screech to a shut and the faint call for San to start up the engine again. In a group, we rode on into the orange expanse of the horizon. 

•••

The ride was a little uncomfortable. I had to maintain my balance on an open moving vehicle through conditions that tried to knock me off the bike. The wind threatened to rip the hat off my head multiple times because the hat was a little large. The only thing keeping it in place was the mass of hair tucked in. I grabbed for the sides of the seat I sat on top of when Mingi would randomly accelerate or when the road became rough. I had the realisation that if I fell off, there was a chance that I would crack my skull open. I took a little peek over Mingi’s shoulder to check the speedometer. Much to my dismay, his tall figure blocked the speedometer.

My surroundings blurred into gradients of orange, yellow and grey provided by the sheen orange film of the forever-raging sandstorm. The wind roaring into my ears competed with the lively thrumming of bikes. It was fascinating and depressing how barren the land was. Not a hint of green anywhere. Nothing stood up, all overturned on the ground. Even the rocks were small and broken up, scattered on the ground. What exactly happened for the world to end up like this?