Fahrenheit 452

~Chapter 4

As Clarisse followed Rhode, it started to rain. She looked up at the darkening sky and smiled. 'It's so beautiful' she thought as she then looked down; 'it's like the Earth's day is turning grey and the sky is crying.'

Walking through the array of trees and shrubs; Rhode continuously scouted the area. Looking anywhere for a possible threat. He could hear Clarisse's footsteps behind him, followed by an occasional sniffle as they ventured further. "Now Clarisse," Rhode spoke up. "Just a little further ahead and we're going to stop at my bunker. I need to grab a few things." "Ooh um, alright. W-what's a bunker?" She questioned. He looked behind him, glancing over his shoulder. "A bunker is a small structure underground. Strong; good for staying safe." Rhode replied. "It's where I've been hiding out since it started." "Since what started?" Clarisse questioned. Rhode glanced back at her once more. "It's a 'need to know' basis Clarisse. If you need to know something, I will tell you."

"Oh. Okay." She retorted. Rhode turned his head back around; stopping in his tracks. He looked down at Clarisse as she stopped abruptly beside him and looked up; bewildered. "Will you just try not to be so stubborn when I don't tell you things? It's for your own good and safety Clarisse." She slightly looked down and nodded. "Yeah Rhode; I'm sorry. I'm just tired of being kept in the dark about things..; it's been a long time..or at least it seems like it has." He nodded and took the half-smoked cigarette out from behind his ear,"It's been about a year and a half Clarisse." He mumbled as he reached in his coat pocket, pulling out a lighter and lit the cig, taking a long drag "Or at least since it started. Which I presume you were taken not long before." Clarisse looked at him with wide eyes. "It's been..over a year..? Rhode chuckled; holding the cigarette between his fingers. "Yes Clarisse, it's been about a year and a half since they brought you there."

Clarisse stood there; wide eyed. "That's insane. There's no way I've been in that dreary building; for over a year." She said pointing behind her. Rhode sighed and took another drag. "Well, I'm sorry to tell you that you in fact have "been in that building for over a year", Clarisse." He responded as he exhaled. Dropping his butt and stepping on it; putting it out. "Come on, let's get moving. I want to get to my bunker before dark." Clarisse stood there for a minute, lost in thought before she shook her head and started walking to catch up with Rhode once more; bewildered. About fifteen minutes later, they came to this small clearing of trees; Rhode scouted the area. Making sure Clarisse stood out of the way, though she was safe; and perhaps a little hidden. As dusk approached, Rhode found their surroundings to be clear. He held up a finger towards Clarisse telling her to stay put as he walked to an elbow in massive tree roots; protruding from the soft forest floor.

Moving some foliage and dead pine needles out of his way, Rhode lifted up what looked to be a very heavy and secure wooden door. Setting it back against the trunk of the tree, as a metal door slid open underneath. Clarrise watched Rhode walk down some stairs, into his bunker. Clarisse stood there a moment, watching, listening; for anything. She then heard some rustling coming from the bunker as a light illuminated the entrance. All of a sudden, a German shepherd came up the stairs, stepping outside; sniffing the ground around it. Clarisse sniffled as the dog turned it's head towards her. She noticed the dogs face had looked odd. The dog started to trot over to her, as Clarisse squatted down; slowly putting her hand out for the dog to sniff.

Rhode watched from the entrance of his bunker, smirking slightly. As the dog came closer, Clarisse saw that the dog was actually wearing a gas mask. As it sniffed her through the mask, the dog's tail swaying slightly; Clarisse ran her fingers through the soft fur on it's neck. Gently scratching and petting the dog as she looked up, noticing Rhode was watching. Clarisse's cheeks a light pink, she asked in a quiet tone, looking back down at the pooch, "You have a cute dog. What's it's name?" Rhode chuckled; "Thank you, and her name's Kai." As Clarisse pet Kai, she smiled and slowly looked back up at Rhode. "Pretty name." But as she looked up, she noticed Rhode had disappeared. "Rhode?" As Clarrise stood back up, Kai was wagging her tail; padding her way back to the bunker, following Clarisse. "Rhode?" Clarisse chimed again; nearing the entrance as she peeked at the stairs going down. "Come on down." Came a booming deep voice from inside.