Aftermath

Chapter Eight - Blaise

Wow I can't believe this series is almost over :3

Special thanks to the electric state by Simon Stålenhag for pretty much inspiring this entire book.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for the post apocalyptic road trip genre.

Sorry if this chapter's kinda short, I'm writing in my study hall on my phone and my first draft was way too boring.

Anyway let's fucking start!

Chapter Eight - Blaise

We speed along the road, Alena and Lili are in the front of the truck while I sit in the back. Lili turns on the radio and after emitting nothing but static for a few minutes it begins playing Lipstick on the Glass. I hum along to the song while the wind blows through my hair. We drive on through the night and while we can see the smoke of a campfire in the distance our ride is pretty uneventful. We take a stop to have breakfast and continue on along the trail. I'm sitting in the back, zoned out when suddenly I'm awoken by the truck jerking to a stop. Before us is a group of several machines, each wearing body armor and carrying rifles.

"Lili?"

"Stay calm, I've got this."

I nod and Lili slowly reaches for the rifle beside her.

"Get down you two!" She hissed.

I lie down and she opens fire, shredding two of the machines. The other three scatter, finding rocks or debris to use as cover before returning fire. Lili holds her breath and waits for them to leave cover before shooting the remaining machines.

"I thought there weren't any machines this close to the border." She says.

"Come to think of it, we have seen more than normal here, until we went on this trip I didn't think there were any left in North America."

"You don't think they're planning something?" Alena pipes up.

"I don't know, but whatever their up to it can't be anything good." Lili replies.

"Do you think we're close?" I ask. Lili knows what I mean without clarification.

"Definitely, we'll probably reach Mexico today or tomorrow."

We drive until dusk and then get out and set up camp.

"Hey Lili?" Alena speaks softly.

"What?" Lili mumbles tiredly after a minute of bugs and silence.

"You've never told us why you're going to Mexico." Alena peers, the question in her voice clear. I tense and look over where Lili is set up..

"Oh God, not this again." She groans, less agitated than last time and more weary.

"It's just, we've traveled so far together. Can't you trust us?" Alena pleads. I almost stop her before Lili replies.

"I suppose you make a good point, if you tell anyone else I will find you and I will kill you though."

The answer surprises me, maybe the both of us, me and Alena had worn her down.

"I promise not to tell anyone." We both nod.

"I'm a diplomat from Cascadia, sent to try and form a secret defensive pact with Mexico. If the Californian government finds out before the treaty is signed there's no way the Mexican government will agree. The Californian government is already funding separatist terrorist groups within Cascadia and if we don't get weapons and troops from Mexico we'll fall into a civil war soon."

"That's insane, I had no idea that was happening." I say.

"Of course you didn't, you two are from the Great Lakes Union, the East Coast is hardly your biggest concern."

"True, well good luck on your mission."

"Good luck on yours too." Lili smiles. I put out our fire and go to bed. We get up before the sun rises and hit the road once more. Within a few hours we're at the Mexican border.

"Well kids, looks like this is where our paths end."

I nod and continue with Alena, glad to be safe at last.

End of Chapter Eight