The City (Merome AU)

29

~*Jerome*~

Sunset. That's when I'll leave the City with a band of Wastelanders; never to look back. I would be lying if I didn't tell you I was scared. "All you need to bring is an extra pair of clothes, some dried food, and that knife," Mitch reassures me as I pace back-and-forth in my room. His calm demeanor almost soothing in this new chapter of my life. Key word: almost.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be underprepared when we are attacked or running low on-"

"Jerome," Mitch stands up and cups my face in his hands; momentarily pausing my frantic movements. "it's going to be ok."

"I-I'm just..." I can't bring my self to say it. I just can't.

"I know you're scared. You're being shoved right into a world that is a lot different from which you're used to. Just trust me, ok? I'll make sure you won't get killed out there."

"But what if-"

"There are no 'what if's' in the wasteland Jerome." He looks me in the eyes, and I swear I see a fire within them. "But to answer any that you might have, if things go bad I will protect you with my life." His thumb moves along the white line on my cheek. The scar that has scared off many customers; the scar that Woofless himself made. Woofless. Why does he want me to be part of this journey anyways?

"Woofless is planning something," I murmur softly. Mitch makes a soft sound, confirming my statement before his soft lips press against my nose.

"That man always has a backwards plan up his sleeve." His voice merely a whisper. "For as long as I've known him, he's always wanted to be in control of something, or someone; I would never wish to see the day he finally gets what he wants." He wants to control something; something powerful. I can tell by the way he acts.

"If someone figures out your name, you're at their mercy right?" Mitch let's out a small breath.

"Yes, Jerome. That is correct." His whisper was hesitant.

"Woofless wants to know your name so he can control you. That's why he wanted your gun back then!"

"You're very observant. Much like a veteran wastelander, you can figure things out with so little information." He shakes his head. "I don't know how you do it." 

"Intuition I guess." I shrug and Mitch let's go of me, shaking his head.

"The sun should be setting soon. We should head out before Star comes knocking at the door with his knives at the ready," Mitch states, throwing his backpack over his shoulder and zipping up mine. This is actually happening. I take the bag from his hands and hang the straps over my shoulders.

"Alright. I think I'm ready, but I need one last thing before we leave."

"What is it?" Mitch looks at me in curiosity. Smirking, I lean in and kiss him passionately.

After a few seconds I pull away. "A kiss from the hottest person in the room. Second to myself of course." Mitch rolls his eyes before opening the door and stepping out, into the hallway.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"All right. Everyone but Woofless is here." A strangely familiar looking man with curly brown hair states, pacing back and forth. He didn't look like your average wastelander. He's too... clean.

"Of course he's late. He always is!" Star sighs and shakes his head, leaning against the outer wall of a restaurant I've been to hundreds of times.

"Benj and I will go look for him!" Frags stands up from where he was sitting and stretches his arms. Mitch nods and turns to me. What?

"This is all part of the plan, don't worry." Mitch's lips brush against my ear as he whispers. "Stay by Star, and he'll protect you from Craft. He already knows this strategy."

"Bu-" I close my mouth and nod. No buts Jerome. Mitch smiles encouragingly before kissing the side of my head and running to catch up with Frags. Taking a deep breath I walk over to stand by Star, who smiles at me.

"Lets go ahead," Star states, "they'll catch up. We all know Frags is an expert at tracking."

"Alright. But can the brat handle himself?" The clean wastelander looks at me with narrowed eyes.

"If he can stand up to Woofless, and Craft here without being scared, I think he can handle himself." Star reaches up and puts his elbow on my shoulder. He's actually pretty cool.

"Stay on your best behaviour 'Bacca.' I'll be keeping an eye on you." Craft's eyes narrow as they glare at me; a knife twirling in his pale hands.

"Alright Craft." I flash him a fake smile.

"Enough chit-chat, let's go." The clean wastelander turns around and pulls out a square metal object before beginning to walk out of the Southern city entrance. Why does that thing in his hand look familiar?

~*Frags*~

Benja and I walk down the street to the area Woofless told us to meet him at. The only sounds to be heard was the light breeze blowing small pieces of paper across the ground and our footsteps on the dirt. One thing about it, Woofless made no attempts in concealing his tracks; which makes my job a lot easier than it already is. After a few moments of walking the familiar drone of Woofless echoes from the alleyway, "Took you two long enough. Did anyone else come with?"

"No. And if there was somebody who tried to tag along, we would have taken them out long before we got here. You know this better than anyone," I state, rolling my eyes at how serious Woofless is acting. Benja stays silent while he makes sure the string on his bow is in perfect condition.

"Right, Frags, can you track them from the city entrance?" Woofless looks at me. Who does he think who I am?

"Of course I can! I'm offended you even considered that I can't." Huffing playfully, I cross my arms.

Woofless rolls his eyes at me before turning to Benja. "Can you hit a moving target still, or have you gotten rusty over the last few years?" Benja narrows his eyes at Woof.

"If you can hit a flying knife with a single arrow while turning around, I'll consider that as an insult. But since you can't, I'll just call you an idiot and say 'yes.'" Benja closes his eyes and smirks to himself before taking a deep breath. "Lets head out before they start suspecting us anymore than they already do."

"I have no doubts Nooch sent some people to spy on us." Woof states, looking over his shoulder. "But you're right. Let's go. We'll kill anyone who tries to report to Noochy anyways."

"Alright! Look out world, the Pack is back!" I cheer, pumping my fist into the air before running toward the Southern entrance. And by the sound of it, Benja and Woof aren't too far behind.
_______________________
And the journey outside of the city begins...

Will there be a giant plot twist? Will somebody die?
Who knows! XP

Also! There might be a Prequel to one of my COMPLETED books coming out soon! So stay tuned if you want to.

(2018: It's been out for a while now... 😅)

Anyways,

Much Luv,
Mickey-Kenzie