Operation PHOENIX

More of the Same

Riding through the woods away from my home, I felt like Dean Winchester running away from the Croatoan Virus. The only difference was that Dean had his brother with him. I and Luis always wanted to take a road trip through these woods together. The thoughts of my elder brother surrounded me. He was the one who used to protect me from everyone. We both were antonyms to each other. I was shy, scared, and smart; while he was outspoken, brave and handsome. He was always there for me. When Rick and his gang bullied me in school, he single-handedly pummeled them down. Sometimes, he drove me nuts. But he was the one cared about me the most. So the thought of surviving all this on my own was alien to me.

Alex!!!

I was jolted back to reality by Kiaras piercing yell. I stopped my bike and turned around. Both girls had stopped a good 50 feet from me. I turned my bike around and went back towards them.

ME: Whats wrong?

KIARA: Look around, Alex. Dont you see whats wrong.

I turned and looked at our surroundings. I didnt notice anything strange or weird.

ME: I dont see anything wrong. Everything looks the same.

SERENA: Thats the thing, Alex. Everything is the same. We have ridden about 10 miles now and we havent encountered a single person.

Thats when it hit me. She was right. I looked around again. It was dead silent. We did not see a single live person in 10 miles. Down the road, I could see a black sedan turned upside down. There was a grey van smashed into a tree just a little ahead. It was like we never escaped the city.

ME: You guys are right. But we dont seem to have any option other than to check out the city. So lets get going, its gonna be dark soon.

KIARA: Ok! Lets go.

So we started back down the road. After about 2 miles we reached the citys outskirts. It was almost dark now and we decided to find a shelter for the night.

We came across a small cabin all of a sudden. It was more like a shack. Next to the cabin was a barn with doors wide open. There were a few pigs and a couple of roosters lying in the yard. We decided to settle down for the night. I led the way, checking for any signs of danger. I relaxed once I checked that the shack as well as the barn was clear. I found the owner of the place inside the barn; or what was left of him, I guess.

The cabin was small and messy. It neither had a bed nor a bedroom. Even the kitchen and living room was separated by a wooden plank bolted to the floor. There was just one single bed mattress in one corner of the room and a creaky chair in another. It was worse than the cheapest motel shown in Supernatural.

I hadnt eaten anything other than crackers for the last couple of days. So you could imagine my delight when Serena suggested that we make some bacon in the kitchen. I jumped up in agreement startling the both of them. They stared at me in surprise. I looked away, embarrassed; they suddenly burst into giggles. I just walked away, annoyed. Although they were irritating me, I was much relieved at the pleasant mood of the girls. They had been through a lot, they deserved a little joy in their life.

I went into the yard and stripped one of the pigs of some meat with my katana. Every time I looked at that blade, it left me speechless. There was a divine luster in it. I just couldnt take my eyes of that majestic weapon. It felt so preposterous that something that looked so pure and serene was one of the deadliest weapons in human history.

SERENA: So have you decided on a name yet?

I jumped up alarmed at the unexpected voice.

ME: You have got to stop doing that. I couldve hurt you.

SERENA: Yeah, sure right! So you didnt answer my question.

ME: What do you mean a name?

SERENA: Well, you look at that sword like its your baby or something. I know it is beautiful, but its just a sword.

ME: Its not JUST a sword!!! You do not know the significance of this blade.

SERENA: Enlighten me!

ME: Legend has it that a swordsmith named Amakuni was employed by the Emperor of Japan to make weapons for his warriors. But the warriors returned from war with broken swords. The Emperor was disappointed. Determined to make things right, Amakuni and his son sealed themselves away in the forge and prayed for seven days and seven nights to the Shinto gods. Amakuni then selected the best iron-ore he could obtain and refined it into steel. Working without rest, the two worked at their apparently impossible task. Thirty one days later, Amakuni and his son emerged gaunt and weary from the forge with a single-edged sword with curvature. He called it Katana meaning one sided blade. This new design of sword defined the tribe of the Samurai.

Serena stood there with a curious expression in her eyes. Only when I stayed silent for a while did she speak.

SERENA: Wow.you really are a geek!

She walked back inside the cabin giggling, leaving me astounded. I was smiling at her comment. I somehow knew that it wasnt an insult, rather a compliment. I just couldnt stop my face from smiling. There was something really wrong with me!! But now that she mentioned it, I realized that I should name it. After all, every great sword has a name. It felt like I was destined to have this blade......so I decided to call it DESTINY!!!!