Maverick: A Tale of Redemption

Maverick: The Reckoning

I found this note lying on the countertop of an old gray building in the kitchen.
"Oh my god..." mumbled Zed, "that's terrible."
"What happened, what's going on?" asked Jeremiah.
"This man died for someone he met during his expeditions."
"That's noble of him."
"We've got to find this guy, this Neeko Plissken."
"Waste of time."
"He could hel-"
"Or kill us." exclaimed Jeremiah, "He could kill us with no remorse like we've done! We're not good people, if not for this apocalypse of sorts we would be found guilty for ten counts of murder, don't you realize that? After what we've done we can't be nice, our names are out there, we're bandits. No going back."

"If that's how you feel, we can't stay together" whispered Zed, "I'm a good person, I've only done
what I've done because you were here and..."
"And what, you son of a bitch? You're about to chastise me about my actions, aren't you? I've saved your life multiple times, from infected and non-infected alike. I've done everything to protect you, if you don't want that anymore I'll be on my way."
"Goodbye then Jeremiah, see you sometime in the future."
"God I hope not, because if I see your pretty little face again Zed, I'll shoot you in the head. No regrets and no remorse, just like the others."
"Alright then."
That night we slept at camp for the last time. We split ways at dawn he would stick around this area and I was to search for Neeko Plissken. The days were long, but the nights were longer. Without Jeremiah things weren't the same. I had left behind my only friend for someone I knew nothing about. I made my way out of the city heading for the Green Mountain Refugee Camp. It's long since abandoned its intended purpose and now serves as a hub for survivors. If I was going to find Neeko Plissken anywhere, it'd be right there. I spent many nights sleepless just trying to stay warm. The fire flickered in dismay as the rain flooded its coals. I climbed into my tent for some rest but heard shuffling outside.
"Who's there?"
"No need to worry friend! I'm friendly."
"What's your name?"
"Names Neeko, I'm here with my friend Alejandra."
"Neeko? Neeko Plissken?"
"How the hell do you know my name? Who're you?"
"I picked up a note left on the counter of an old gray house and my name is Zed."
"Get out here and show your face, now."
"Ok sir, one minute."
I got up and exited my tent very carefully and very slowly. I stood up to see Neeko's and Alejandra's faces but they both had motorcycle helmets on. I won't lie I felt very in danger upon our meeting, but I could sense a pleasant guy beneath the mask. He took off his helmet and so did Alejandra, she was beautiful and Neeko looked like a nice guy, he had a more chiseled facial tone and scars were everywhere. He'd been through a lot for sure. His brown hair was twisted crazily because of the helmet.

"So your name is Zed?"
"That is correct, and your name is Neeko"
"Yes. So you read that note from Mav. How'd you like it? Good story or no?"
"Story? What do you mean story?"
"You didn't believe it did you? Oh you totally believed" Neeko said openly laughing.
"If it's not true what the hell happened to Maverick?"
"He's just up that hill with a mosin pointed at you."
Neeko was still laughing and my situation was getting worse by the second. Then I heard a gunshot and then I saw Alejandra fall to the ground.
"Oh my god! What the hell!" Screamed Neeko.
"Get to cover! We've got to go, now!" I screamed while pulling Neeko away from Alejandra's body. I pulled Neeko behind some trees and told him to radio Maverick to see if he'd seen where the bullet came from, but the answer was a negative. The next ten minutes went very slowly, not a word being by any of us. There was some shuffling to my left and my right. They were searching the woods for us, we crouched as low as we could. Thankfully I was wearing all black as usual, it was my preferred color because it's easy to blend in at night while wearing it. We spent the night like this, cowering in fear even long after they had left. That when the accusations rose to fruition.
"Did you know them?" Neeko asked me through a face of pure rage.
"N-n-no, I swear." I barely managed to get this sentence out before his next question hit me.
"How'd you get this far alone? Most people that stay alone die alone, how're you still here and how did you make it this far?"

I didn't answer for fear of losing my temper. Then I was shot.