Reality Hurts

Adrianne Zulueta

You stop to take a break, panting hard. You're crouching behind a low-lying crate. You take a peek around the corner, only to be greeted with gunshot. That was a close call. You look a few crates behind you, to Yano. He's motioning to keep coming towards him, or the soldiers will find you.

You roll across the metal-slated floor, followed by many bangs. You barely reach Yano. Yano pushes you forward ahead of him and you run. You can hear him running behind you. You were almost there.

Yano stopped running, and you look behind to see why. Horrified, you watch him fall to the ground motionless. Your screams split the sky.

Frozen, you're approached by a soldier. His rifle is pointed directly at you. He was shaking though. Guess he didn't want to kill a girl. Weak.

Your name is Adrianne Zulueta. You were born on June 3, 2089. Your mother's name was Dani Zulueta. Your father's name was Josh Zulueta. Your childhood was ruined when you were five. It was all the war. Your only friend was Yano Horron. He was two years older than you. He died... he died protecting you while you were escaping the building. The soldiers... those monsters.

You're on a caravan to the SilverGate. You made a new friend here. He's younger than you, mayber 20 years old. His name is Lenny Cheverie.

He was the one chosen to go talk to Oleander. Apparently Lenny's big sister had dated Oleander at some point. He tells you the story about their first kiss. Oleander kissed her, and she punched him out cold. He laughs, saying his sister was a hoot. Jennifer comes to tell Lenny it's time to go. You wave goodbye, still giggling from the last story. You stop yourself short. Since when do you giggle?

He was gone for only half an hour. He climbs back into the back of the truck, taking his spot next to you. His face is pale and he looks embarrassed.

“How did it go, Lenny?” You ask in a caring voice. He is still not used to the harshness of the world, even though he lived his entire life in the war.

“Well, it didn't tell me nothing. Benny's gonna be mad when we make it to the SilverGate and-” Lenny is cut off by the sound of the truck starting up. It joins the chorus of truck engines as it begins to move.

Lenny looks at you with an excited look. “We're finally gonna get there! The SilverGate... I heard that everybody gets a house, and food, and safety! No more war! No soldiers bothering me, or you! Your Yano would be happy that you got to get to the SilverGate!”

“Whoa whoa whoa... calm down, Lenny! The SilverGate is still a few hours away. But yea, he would be proud,” You smile a genuine smile to him. He was still young, a life ahead of him. Probably would get a wife, kids, everything he wanted when he got to a SilverGate.

You ride in silence with him. Hours are passing. You hear the truck driver shouting that your almost there. Lenny gets excited again. Of course he would.

You, along with everybody else, turns around looking out in front of the truck. You can see the SilverGate over the horizon. You suck in your breath. It was real. You assumed it wasn't. You only decided to travel with this caravan because of Lenny. He was all alone. And scared. But the SilverGate was real. Actually real. And before, you thought it was total crap.

***

You're lying on the ground, breathing hard in pain. It's completely dark outisde. You turn your head slightly to the side, and catch sight of Lenny. He is sprawled out a few feet away. You resist the urge to empty your stomach of what you had for breakfast. The pool of blood leaking from Lenny is already spread out enough to reach you. Another wave of nausea washes over you. You hear footsteps behind you. Your head turns only to be met with the blood-thirsty eyes of a total monster. It's black fur ruffles in the cool, night air. It's teeth is dripping with Lenny's fresh blood. Well, it's been a good run. You close your eyes, waiting for the final blow.

Goodbye, Yano. Sorry... Sorry... Sorry...