Harmonize With Chaos

HWC- Bad Vibes

Bad Vibes

I travelled through the forest and on the other side I could see a large complex made up of brick buildings with a tall fence surrounding them. The fence was overgrown and somewhat hidden. I walked around it until I could get a good look inside. There were train tracks and a few rail cars in the center. I heard soft speaking coming from behind me and spun around to see two kids, a boy and a girl, maybe 16 coming from the woods kissing and straightening their clothes. "Today is not your day Lilly." I thought. They didn't see me. They stopped walking to make out. I wasn't the only one they were oblivious to. Three walkers were on them before they noticed. I quickly retrieved four daggers from the straps on my legs and threw all four. One stuck in the first walkers forehead, one hit the second in the eye, and the last two hit the third walker. One in the head and one in the throat. I ran to them and began pulling the blades from the corroded creatures. As I pulled the last from the walkers throat I reasoned, "That was a bit off." I wiped them in the grass and slid them back in their place on my thighs.

"That was impressive." The girl smiled at me. "Yeah, sure kid. Be careful now." I replied as I started away. The boy grabbed my arm, "Hey, wait a minute. I'm Mathew. This is Tina. Thanks for that." He finished as he gestured towards the three biters. "You're welcome. I'm leaving." I said as I pried my arm from his hand. "Don't you have a name?" He asked. I stopped and turned to look at them. "It doesn't matter anymore, but, I'm Lilly." "It's nice to meet you Lilly." the girl said with another bright smile. "You have a group around here?" The boy asked. "Nope. Don't need one. I'm better alone." I finished. "At least come in for dinner and let us thank you properly." the boy plead. I don't know why, but, I actually agreed.

They took me in the large wire gates and I read "Terminus" on the first building. "End of the line?" We took a right down the first street. The whole place looked deserted. There were weeds growing as tall as my shoulders through the cracks in the brick roads. There were papers blowing up the streets and broken, boarded up windows in every building. We came to an outdoor cooking area where a woman was barbequing some kind of meat.

"Mom, this is Lilly. We met her right outside the gates. We got in a little trouble with the rotters and it turns out that she's pretty good with those knives." Mathew finished. His mother smiled a warm, appreciative smile. " It's nice to meet you Lilly. Welcome to Terminus. All who arrive, survive." she recited while shaking my hand. "It's nice to meet you too ma'am." I replied with a small smile. "Let's get you cleaned up for dinner. Follow me dear." she finished and began walking into the building to the left.

Once inside, she took me to a room on the right. There was a bath tub in the middle of the floor. She turned on the water and I could see steam rising out of the cold basin. "Go ahead and strip down dear." she glanced at me over her shoulder. "Ok." I took off my shoes and socks and blades before removing my pants and sweatshirt. She turned the water off and stepped aside with a smile. "Step on in." she seemed a bit impatient.

It had been years since I had a hot bath. I lowered my stiff, achy muscles into the relieving liquid. She poured water over my head and face and began scrubbing my head with lilac scented shampoo. She was humming and it was very relaxing. So, why couldn't I shake the feeling of dread? "All who arrive survive." She had repeated the words written all over this place. "In a post apocalyptic world where everyone and their mother are searching for sanctuary, why is this place so empty?" I kept thinking as she meticulously scrubbed my head, face, arms, and legs. She went to scrub my inner thigh and I snatched her wrist. I glared at her. " Do NOT take me for granted Stepford." I warned. "Oh dear. I'm not interested in hurting you." she reassured before standing and gathering my clothing. "I'll let you finish up and I'll take these to get them cleaned up for you. I'll be back with something for you to put on. Just relax and enjoy." she smiled on her way out the door.

I quickly finished scrubbing myself and stepped out of the silver basin. I went to the door and turned the knob. I pushed and pulled the door. It wouldn't budge. I looked around the room. The only thing in there was a toilet and a stack of towels. "My BLADES!" I thought as I felt my upper legs. "Great Lilly. What have you gotten into this time? You're defensely with Stepford. And to think, it was Stranger Danger you were afraid of. Dumbass!" There are no windows and no way out. I just broke down. I hit my knees, shivering from being wet and cold, and started crying.

I heard a click and the door flew open. Stepford entered with an armfull of clothing. "Oh honey, what's wrong? Why the tears?" she fired at me while setting her load on the floor in front of me. "I-I-I was...where are my weapons? Why was I locked in?" I fired back while standing and taking a step towards her. She laughed. "I locked the door so no one could come in while you were indecent. As far as the knives go, I'm sorry dear. We don't know you yet and don't allow those we don't know to carry weapons while in our camp. I'm sure you understand. Here are some clothes for you. I'll step out and allow you to get dressed. Just knock on the door when you're decent." she ordered as she shut the door behind her.

"I don't like being without my blades. But, I can understand why...I suppose." I thought to myself as I unfolded the clothing. There was a clean pair of pink underwear with lace around the top and legs..."Pink underwear? Good God, they trying to make me a Stepford mini-me? At least they fit." There was also a pair of grey sweats cut off to make shorts and a white tank top. It all fit, but, I felt totally naked without my blades. I put on the fresh pair of socks and my old boots before I knocked on the door. There was an immediate click and Stepford smiled in at me. "Sit down my dear." she ordered as she guided me to sit on the edge of the basin. She began combing through my auburn curls. It reminded me of when my mother would do this same thing. When she was finished she stood and took me in from head to toe. "My, aren't you a pretty little one under all that filth." she said with a smile. "Come on dear. We have some food waiting for you." she ordered as she took my arm and lead me down the hall to a larger room with tables and chairs. She sat me down at a table. There were eggs and some kind of hot cereal sitting there. And there were 2 bottles of water. She sat beside me. "Eat dear. Get some strength."

I drank an entire bottle of water first. Then I ate everything they gave me. I was hungry I guess. Now, I'm just exhausted. Once finished, she stood. "Follow me. You should get a little rest before taking off again." she explained as she lead me outside of the buildings and to the rail cars in the center of the compound. "We've prepared a sleeping place for you in these. Once again, for the safety of our group...I'm sure you understand." she finished as she opened the door and stood to the side. I stepped up to the door and glanced inside. It was so dark I could see nothing. Before I could back away she shoved me into the rail car hard and slamed the door shut. I heard a chain being latched in it and a lock. I then heard a mans voice say, "If you're lucky, we'll only kill you if we need to."

"Shit! What now?" I asked myself as I heard them walk away. The only light was coming in from around the doors. I looked around. There was a blanket spread out on the floor in the corner, and a shelf containing packets of food and bottles of water.