The Twisted Ones(On Hold)

Chapter Eight: Crumble

TTO- Crumble 8

Finn had changed into a new outfit. That was strange. He was were a black, fitted shirt with a pair of denims. He smiled at me before leaving me alone in my room. I sigh and listen to his footsteps as he walks down the stairs. I then change back into my clothes and rub the towel through my matted hair to help dry it.

After I finish getting almost fully dry, I quietly step out the door and down the steps softly. My stealth was ruined when my stomach started howling. I groaned then gave up and started walking normally into the living room where the other boys were. I was expecting laughter or something lively, but what I saw was the three boys, staring out into the distance from the window, with a look of pure horror written on their faces.

I swiftly make my way over to them and try to get a glance at what ever horrific view stands outside the window. All three boys remain silent and unmoving as they stared. My throat felt like sandpaper as the tension raised in the room. What ever it was, it was definitely not good.

I finally caught sight of what was outside. It was like nothing if ever seen. The entire quiet, rundown town had been leveled. All that reminded was our lone building and the rubble of the others that were previously around it. It was almost as if the Earth had scraped this small city off the map, but pitied us for some reason.

This sight confused me incredibly, like I assumed it had everyone. When I looked again at the boys faces' again, however, it almost seemed like they knew the exact cause. A nervous feeling started brewing in my stomach that almost made me feel nauseous. Out of all of the traumatizing experiences I have been through, I feel as though all of my nerves have been heightened since I left the Institution. It's like my numbness has subsided and I can truly feel again. It is strange to think about how I have only been away for a day and I feel as if I am a new being already.

Shortly after my thoughts begin, I am interrupted by Finn and Colt abruptly moving away from the window.

"Sep, pack as many important things as possible. Like food, clothes, a tarp, tent." Finn ordered as he paced into the kitchen.

September nodded quickly and swiftly ran up the stairs. Colt followed him and left me gazing out the window in a daze-like state. Everything was moving so fast to the point where I was having trouble keeping up with the world around me. What has happened? Why is this happening? Why aren't they telling me things? God the dang questions again. I can't do this. I can't focus. I can't do anything. I need to sit down. I need to collect myself.

I do just that and take a seat on the chair closet the window with the obscure view. My fingers become tangled in my hair as I hold my head and try to find a place to even begin processing the last sixteen years of my life. All this time I have so numb to anything and everything and now I was free and the emotions were overwhelming. Maybe I was better off numb. At least then I wouldn't be so torn up.

"Autumn! Hello? Anyone home?" I am suddenly snapped back to reality with Colt's voice calling me.

"Huh? Yes." I respond and straighten my posture.

"Are you alright?" He asks me with a concerned look in his eye.

"Uh yeah, just thinking." I assure with a weak smile.

He doesn't look convinced, but for my sake he just smiles and says, "Just making sure." Before walking into the kitchen.

I lean back against the chair and let a heavy sigh escape my lips. Was I better off blocking everything out? I mean that's basically how I survived my entire life. Yes. I think it is better the more I think about it. I can't get hurt if I don't care, right? Right.

September comes running down the stairs with three medium sized bags in his arms. They all seem pretty full and heavy. This kid is stronger than I am. He probably weighs more too.

"Ok guys. Come eat before we leave. If we leave with full stomachs, we will go through less food on the way." Finn calls from the kitchen.

Food. I hadn't even paid attention to how starving I was until that glorious word was mentioned. As if on cue, my stomach made a low rumbling noise. I quickly enter the kitchen and try to eye something to eat. Finn smiled at me and tosses my a sandwich swaddled in plastic wrap. I ravenously rip open the plastic and sink my teeth into the soft bread and meat. It tastes so heavenly to my deprived taste buds.

Finn is looking at me with the most playful smile. I don't really mind it though, my brain is too distracted by the sandwich in my hands.

I quickly finished my sandwich along with everyone else. Finn grabbed the bag of food he packed and slung it over his shoulder, Colt took one of the bags September brought down, September grabbed the smallest bag, and that left me to take the remaining bag. After we were set, we all walked out the door into the surrounding rumble. Finn lead the way as always, followed by Coltlyn, then September, and lastly me in the back. I tried to step exactly in September's footsteps, for I feared I would slip and get injured in the ankle deep shattered building considering I was still barefoot.

It takes us a good hour to clear the fallen town. When my feet finally hit plain ground, I just had to turn around and get a good look at what we just trudged through. It was honestly the most ridiculous thing I have every seen. In the middle of an old city's graveyard, was just one standing building. September's house. It stood there, lonely and cold, smack in the middle of the wasteland. It was unbelievable to think that the dusty town I saw only yesterday was now ruined. Vanished without a sound. What technology have I missed all these years?

After our brief pause, we all started walking again in our same order. Finn at the front, me in the back as we walked out into the vast desert around us. In the far distance you could see trees, but like I said 'far' distance. I sighed heavily and shuffled my feet forwards. What the heck was I getting into?

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It was now night fall and we have just reached the edge of the monstrous forest. Back at the edge of the rubble, the tress seemed healthy and tiny. Now that I am closer I can tell how sickly they are. Their bark is a depressing grey and their leaves are nonexistent. All of the color from the once lively forest has been sucked dry. Everything is so empty and cold, and alone. Even though the surroundings are foreign and new to me, I can't help but feel a since of recognition among the trees. The way they seem to have been abandoned and are constantly being harassed by the wind brings a sense of familiarity. It is very odd, but somewhat comforting nonetheless. Their branches create moonlit weavings above our heads as we being to trudge into the woods. I also note how lifeless everything seems. It reminds me of how the city looked after it crumbled, dead and vacant.

My mind had been constantly nagging me to stop and rest, but my feet just kept shuffling after September in an endless path. When were we going to stop? Hopefully soon. I glance up at the sky above my head. The stars peak through the tree limbs. The sky almost looked like a big, navy quit with tiny white polkadots. It really was beautiful.

We kept walking for several more minutes before Finn stopped in the middle of a small opening in the trees.

"I think here is a good place to stop." He announced and tossed his bag off his shoulder and onto the ground.

I probably am overreacting, but I don't care. I feel my self being dragged to the ground and onto my knees in a wave of exhaustion. I'm not sure how clear it is, but the boys are all bodybuilders compared to me. Even September.

I hear Finn chuckled at me as he took a tarp out of his bag and spread it out on the ground. It was a rather large sheet thankfully and we all managed to fit on it and have enough room to sprawl out. It wasn't as soft as the bed at September's house, but it was better than at the Institution. It only took seconds for me to fall into darkness.