Aftermath

Chapter 2-A Good Start

Max and Alice left the small town, they walk towards The Fort. There is a dirt trail in the direction to The Fort, it might be a pathway to a highway or the forest since Ashbourne is near a forest. They decide to follow it, since it follows the direction to The Fort, they might also found some more helpful clue and tag.
During their walk, it was quite awkward. It has been months since Max seen anyone, and now he's with someone… He doesn't know what to do, I guess he didn't think about talking with someone through.
It is silence, only the sound of their feet stepping on the dirt covered snow can be heard. This silence is relaxing, but also awkward. It might be the best to try and break the silence right now.

But what should Max ask? What topic would be the best to talk about? It's the end of world, something casual or funny wouldn't be appropriate. Asking something too personal might be too… Well, personal. What should I talk about?! Should I even talk?? What if she thinks I'm a creep?
Oh wait! Ask about the little girl. Oh wait, no. What if she thinks I'm a pedophile? I mean, it's the end of the world and she might be thinking negatively about me since I haven't seen any girls for months. Nah, that's too far fetch.
   F*** it's so stressful being a man near a girl, especially when they are stranger. Maybe I shou-

“So, Desmond... Do you think The Fort is real?” Alice said, being the first one to break the silence

“Well, i hope so. I mean, through all the things i found, there's a high chance that it's real” Max said, although there's a little bit of doubt inside of him when he said that

“Yeah i hope so too” Alice said, she sounds sad somehow

“So… She's your daughter?”

“Lilly? Well, no. She's my friend's daughter. Accident happened and…” Alice said, she paused, she doesn't seem want to continue the story

“Oh… I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have asked that” Max said in response to Alice's pause

“It's okay, it's better if you know about it than keeping it a secret” Alice replied, trying her best not to keep things tense

The little girl, Lilly. She glance over to look at Max, Max notice, he gives a little smile before the little girl goes back hiding behind Alice's arm.

“So Desmond, are you always alone like this?” Alice ask in curiosity

It's gonna be hard for Max to answer that, since his friends is also dead. But figured it would be better if Max share his past too with her.

“Well no, i do have friends. But… Well, they… died in the war” Max said, trying his best to also not make things tense

“Oh god, I'm sorry. I shouldn't-” Alice's word were cut by Max

“No no no, its okay. Look, now were tied. Like you said, it's better than keeping it a secret” Max said calming her down

Max can see her face starts to smile a little, she's getting a bit more comfortable with Max. Ok, this is good. The little girl is also not holding as tightly to Alice as she was before, things is getting better. And it's not stopping yet.
In the distance in front of them, a silhouette of caught their eyes. It's something that is gonna be really useful for them, Max first thought is to hope that thing is still working

“Is that a car?” Max ask, getting Alice's opinion.

“Wait… Is it?... It is! C'mon, let's check it!” Alice said being impatient.