Journey in the Aftermath

Chapter 3: Little Bird, Big Trouble

This chapter is told by the POV of Devin

We just got back from a run outside the cave looking for supplies and survivors. We found a box of graham crackers and marshmallows at the boyscout camp. The bodies were all completely melted, bone and all.

"Don't give up hope" I say encouraging Beth. I put my arm around her "There's gotta be a reason that we are still here right? Maybe your powers saved you and I got lucky, that's gotta count for something right?"

"I guess you're right Devin. I'm just worried about Kelly and Madeline. Who knows if Milton and Antonio are even with them or if they are even still alive" she says tearing up a bit. I hug her tight letting her know I'm never gonna let anything happen to her as long as I live.

We spend the next two weeks alone in the cave with brief runs out to search for more food and always barely scraping up enough for the two of us. One morning I wake up and hear a soft chirp coming from just outside the cave. I walk outside and look around for it. If I can find it and zap it, I can cook me and Beth food

"I don't know where it went. Damn bird, I was so close until you scared it off" a female voice says somewhere to my right. I freeze in place and hold my breath. Twigs snap in the direction of the voice and I slowly turn my head. A little girl comes poking out of the woods with a bow in her arms. It looks like a homemade tree trunk carved bow. Impressive

"Well sorry" a deeper obviously male voice says as a boy about my age stumbles and crashes his way through the trees

"You know, I'm surprised that there are any birds left, you know considering the whole 'smoke killing everybody without mutant powers' thing" the female says. Killing everybody without powers? Is that why I'm alive? She knows about the smoke and has info that I want. I wait for the two of them to walk farther into the woods and then begin to follow them. I see the boy lean over and whisper something to the girl. The girl hands the boy her bow then darts off as the boy sits down. I stay and watch to see if the girl will return or not. She does not so I slowly walk towards the boy with my hands raised and electricity pulsing through them

"I know you're there" the boy says. I feel a cold blade rest against my throat as someone gets me from behind "Oh, and she does too" the boy continues

"Rubber rain boots, don't try that little lightning trick on me, it won't work" the girl says tightening the grip on her blade. I bash my head back into hers then duck down and pull her over my head slamming her into the ground

"I don't need my lighting to beat you, little bitch" I say and slam my foot onto her head and push down. She grabs my foot and pushes up knocking me over. I quickly roll over and get back up and immediately get attacked from behind by the girl. She grabs both of my legs and lifts them off the ground with her shoulders making me hit my head on the ground

"Watch who you're calling a bitch, asshole!" she screams and jumps onto my chest with both feet knocking the wind out of me. She walks over to her knife and picks it up. I realize when she stepped on me that she wasn't wearing any shoes. Rubber rain boots my ass! I charge up a large bolt of electricity and let it go right at her. She notices and steps to the side at the last second trying to avoid the attack. It gets her in her arm and sends her flying. I stand up and catch my breath for a second

"Devin? What the Fuck?!" the male yells running towards me. I finally get a good look at him and let a huge smile cross my face

"Steven, my man, you made it after all. I knew SWAT couldn't keep you down. But.. How did you do it exactly?" I ask giving him a big hug

"Jessica saved my butt more than once dude. She appeared out of nowhere after Jacob... Yeah.. Anyway she saved my life and stole a SWAT car. Wait, where did she-" he stops mid sentence as Jessica jumps onto my back and bites my shoulder

"OWW!! Fucking spidermonkey!!" I yell and throw her off of me

"Jessica stop! This is Devin! I've told you about him and the others I was with at the farmhouse!" Steven yells grabbing her

"Oh. My. God! I am so sorry Devin! I thought you were here to hurt us!" she says then runs up and gives me a big hug

"You're fine, it's all good. You're quite the fighter, where'd you learn to do that?" I ask quite impressed with this little girl

"Well that's the thing... We have quite a bit to tell you, dude" Steven says "Are any of the others with you?"

"Just Beth, we have a cave, come with me guys" I say leading the way to both the cave and probably the weirdest explanation ever heard