Broken World

Chapter Four

Rules

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07th March 2018

I watched silently from the shadows for any sign of movement.

After an hour of looking through the scope, I finally made my move.

Rising into a crouch, I swing the rifle onto my back, and make my way over to the wall I had my sights set on.

It was in plain view of anyone coming to town, it would be the first thing they would see.

Perfect opportunity to paint my mark, 52.

I always write the date underneath it, so if they ever find them, they will know how close they are to catching up.

Most of the time I pray that I haven't missed them on their way through. But I know I haven't, I would be able to spot them from a mile away.

Returning the spray can to my bag, I take a step back to admire my mark. I always make it so the hidden heart is clearly seen.

The sound of movement behind me, has me spinning around handgun already in hand and raised at the threat.

I look up at the shocked look of the woman I saw from before.

She raises her hands slowly. Showing that she isn't armed. "I don't mean you any harm. I was just wondering if it was you who save me and the child before?"

I stare at her blankly. Not having to talk to another person in the last year and a half, I almost forget how.

She nods as if she understands, "it's ok. I just wanted to say thank you. You saved my life, if there is anything I can do to help?" She points to the wall. "I've heard talk of that number. Are you looking for someone? I may have seen them."

I think it over, while I look around, making sure that this isn't another attempt at misdirection.

After not finding a threat, I look at the woman who still has her hands raised.

"My family." It comes out rough. I clear my throat and start again. "I'm looking for my family."

"Is there anything you could tell me about them? They may have already come through here." She lowers her hands a little, but I couldn't lower my gun.

Rule #1 never lower your guard.

"Nine. There would be nine of them. All male."

She raises her eyebrows and smirks. I know what she is thinking, but I don't care. I stopped caring about a lot of things a long time ago.

She seems to get the hint and the smirk disappears.

"Ok. I'm sorry. I don't think that group has been through here. If they do come through I'll make sure to let them know you were here."

"Thank you." She smiles at me but I just wave her away with my gun.

She may be helping me out, but I still don't trust her.

She gets the hint and starts to back up slowly. She goes to turn but stops.

"What is your name. Or the name of your family. Just in case I do see them."

"You can call them the Blackbourne team. And my name is Sang."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Sang. I'm Judy. I wish you luck on your travels."

With a final nod, she turns and disappears back around the building.

Gathering my wits about me again, I do one more final sweep of the area and head back on to the street.

I know it's dangerous, and maybe stupid, but I always travel at night and hide during the day.

Less chance of being seen.

There are normally a few people on the street, and I can normally spot them or hear them long before they spot me. But by that time, it's already too late.

Of course I always observe them first, I don't want to go around killing the innocent. But I soon realised, we stopped being innocent a long time ago.

I head as silently as I can down the street, keeping as close to the building as I can. I make my way into the night, and walk until the first rays of the sun start to show.

I only stop to scope out the area, and find a building safe enough to take refuge in for the day.

After a while I pick out a building that looks the safest, and silently make my way to it.

I pull out one of the guns from under my jacket, and make sure to put the silencer on it.

If there is trouble, I don't want to draw anymore unwanted attention.

I open the door quickly and hide on the other side, waiting for any reactions.

Pulling a broken piece of mirror out of my back pocket, I use it to look into the room.

After not seeing any threats I slowly enter the room doing a sweep. There are four doors branching off.

I'm standing in the lounge room and the kitchen is off to my right.

Heading to the first door next to the kitchen, I repeat the same process, but find it is no more than a storage closet. I see some food on the shelf and I quickly grab a handful and shove it into my bag.

Leaving the room. I head to the next door.

This one turns out to be a bathroom, if this place turns out all clear, I'll head back to this room later.

The next one is a bedroom, it too is empty.

The last room had me on edge, this is the last place to look and I hope there is no one in there.

I open the door and find that this to is a bedroom, and clear.

Sighing in relief I make my way back to the door and make sure that all the locks are in place and the curtains are pulled shut.

I head into the bedroom and grab some bedding and take it back to the bathroom.

There is a window small enough for me to fit through if anyone decided to come in.

Rule #3 always have an escape route.

I put the plug in the sink and turn on the water, and thank the lucky stars that it still flows.

I wash up as best as I could, using what supplies they have. I find a razor and decide to do a quick shave.

The world may have gone to hell, but I still like feeling clean, and nothing beats shaved legs and clean hair.

I go back into the other room, hoping to find spare clothes. I make sure to grab my bag as well.

Rule #2 never leave my bag behind.

I find some spare clothes and go back to the bathroom, and wash the clothes that I do have.

I hang them up to dry on the railing, make a bed in the bath and lay down with a can of soup and proceed to eat it cold.

I feel up with water from the tap, make sure my water bottles are filled and close my eyes, ready for sleep to take me.

I never dream anymore. I never sleep deep enough to allow for them to take over.

If I did, I fear what I would see. So in a way I'm glad.

I get enough for me to function and continue my nightly walks.

Every second stop I stay an extra night, just in case. At first it was every night, but I never liked staying in the safe for for more than twenty four hours.

I fall into a semi conscious sleep, and allow myself to relax just enough to get the required rest I need.

My last thought before sleep claims me is, I hope I find them soon. I don't know how much longer I can do this alone.

I miss them so much, that it is this pain in my chest, that let's me know that my heart hadn't completely closed off.

And it will take all nine of them to thaw out the rest.