Eden's Gate

Chapter 24 - My Warrior

I started up the Death Wish and pulled out on to the road, driving along as I became lost in thought.

I need to get out of Faith's Region for a while. My bond with her is developing too quickly with the Bliss around... Shit...

I sighed and turned the truck around, heading for the Whitetail Mountains. For Jacob's Region. I drove through Holland Valley, avoiding all of the Peggies. As I drove, I spotted a man stood in Oberlin Picnic Area. I pulled up and walked over to him, Boomer and Peaches sticking close to my heal as I walked.

"Hi, I'm Jasmine, but most people call me Rook. What are you doing?" I asked. He was stood in a small baseball court, swinging a wooden baseball bat.

"Name's George. I watch the roads for Eli, let 'em know what the Peggies are up to. Seen a lotta trucks full of prisoners lately. Reckon they're all heading to the Old Lumber Mill. Wasn't always like that. Used to be this whole place was filled with kids laughing, playing ball. I'd teach them too. Used to play in the minors. Shortstop for the Hope County Cougars... but that was a long time ago, before this goddamn war. Been lookin' through my old cards. Them cult fucks killed our whole damn team. Coulda sworn I had the full set when I played, but some of them are missin'. Say, would ya mind keepin' your eyes peeled for any of them suckers? Come back when you get 'em. Be great to remind folks of the good old days." George asked. I nodded my head and walked back to the Death Wish. I pulled out on to the road and drove towards the F.A.N.G. Centre, in the corner of my eye, I spotted a large metal sign over a wooden entrance frame. I pulled over, Boomer and Peaches following me as I walked to the entrance.

"Breakthrough Camp, eh?" I spoke out loud, walking through the entrance. We walked down the road, hiding behind trees and boulders as we approached the camp. Boomer and Peaches leapt forwards, taking out Peggies from the sides, whilst I surveyed the camp. I aimed my sniper rifle and fired at two Peggies across the wooden bridge, taking them both down before I advanced deeper into the camp, hiding behind a cloth tepee. I ran towards a ladder near me, climbing up to a wooden platform in a tree. From my vantage point, I spotted two more Peggies emerging from one of the houses. I fired at them, taking them both out. Just as I walked back to the ladder, a pained whimper echoed through the camp, I turned and looked around the campgrounds, using my sniper scope. My blood boiled as I spotted a white, bloodstained wolf attacking Boomer and Peaches.

Judges! I took aim at its head and fired at the Judge, hitting it in the leg. I winced as the Judge whimpered looked around, searching for where the attack had come from. I took aim once again and fired, successfully putting the Judge down. I climbed down and ran over to Peaches and Boomer. Peaches stood next to Boomer, protecting him whilst I looked over him. A sigh of relief slipped from my mouth when I couldn't see any major injuries on Boomer, only a scrape. I stood up and walked to the Judge's body. Its body was mangled, deep gashes and scars littered its torso and head, the white fur was stained red with blood. A tear slipped from my eye as I knelt beside the Judge.

"I'm sorry you were put through this," I whispered to the dead Judge, before standing up and walking around the camp, collecting any supplies and resources I could. Once I collected everything I could, Boomer, Peaches and I walked back to the Death Wish and continued driving towards the F.A.N.G Centre.

As I drove up a hill, Peggies emerged from the trees, shooting at us. I pulled over, leaping out and began to fire back at them. Peaches and Boomer followed my lead, helping me to take them out. Once that last Peggie fell, I collected any ammunition and walked into a small wooden cabin by the side of the road. I searched around, looking for anything I could use. On a shelf sat one of George's baseball cards. I pocketed the card and walked back out, calling Boomer and Peaches back into the Death Wish.