HellBreakers (ARCHIVE VERSION)

Chapter 12

Barlon wakes up to being carried on Modus’ back. He looks around and realizes the environment has changed, instead of a large, empty field they are now in a dense forest. Modus is obviously exhausted while traversing the harsh terrain.

“Modus…?” Barlon says drowsily. Modus doesn’t respond.

“Modus.” Barlon repeats. Still no answer

“MODUS!” Barlon shouts. This startles Modus, causing him to lose balance and collapse, dropping Barlon in the process. They lay on the ground for a little bit before Barlon speaks up.

“Modus…what the hell are you doing? Where are we?” Barlon asks him.

“I think we can make it to New Havenport this way.” Modus replies.

“New Havenport? Why would you want to go there?” Barlon asks, confused.

“Well…” Modus replies. “You know it’s a fortified city! It has to still be up and running!” Modus replies.

“Impossible.” Barlon says. “There’s no way it’s still standing, I’m sure they bombed every city that had even a single report of…whatever the hell is killing people.” Barlon notes.

“But…” Modus butts in. “The city was literally built to withstand something like that…”

“It’s not worth it man.” Barlon says.

“You can see Mount Anglen from there!” Modus says. “Besides, we’re already closer there than anywhere else. We might as well just go.”

Barlon sighs, leaning his head back. He lies down and puts his hand on his chest.

“I guess you’re right.” Barlon replies.

“Well then let's go!” Modus exclaims, standing up. “Can you stand?”

“Yea.” Barlon replies, shakily getting up. “I’m fine.”

When Barlon gets up they continue to walk through the forest. The path is narrow and difficult to traverse through but they deal with it and keep walking. Barlon trips pretty much every minute or so but refuses to complain. They find themselves traveling for quite a while, not as long as when they were in the field, but enough to get bored and tired enough of where they are.

“Hey!” Modus shouts. “I see it! I see Ner Havenport!”
“What?” Barlon replies, confused. “Really?”

“Yes! Come here!

“Okay okay, I’m coming.”

Barlon walks over to Modus and looks at the massive city looming tall on the other side of the river. The city is dark and looks almost dead, as if no one has stepped foot there in ages.

“Modus?” Barlon asks.

“Yea?” 

“I don’t think anyone lives here, I don't think anyone has lived here.”

Modus looks over at Barlon.

“What? What makes you think that?” Modus asks.

“Well…do you see any lights on? And a city this…massive would obviously be loud and could be heard even out here.” Barlon notes

“Well…wouldn’t that just mean more supplies and less chance of running into someone?” Modus replies.

“I guess so…?” Barlon says.

“So then we’d be good”

“What about infected though?”

Modus looks back at Barlon.

“You always think the worst don’t you?” Modus says, chuckling to himself. “Infected would find their way out.”

“How?” Barlon asks. “It’s too tight of an area.”

“Exactly!” Modus exclaims. “Echolocation! They find their way out soon.”

“Right.”

“We’ll be fine, Barlon. Come on.”

Modus starts walking, Barlon follows behind him.