It's the End of the World

Chapter 26

I leaned over the side of the boat, staring out at the seemingly endless water.

"You sure you know where you're going?"

"More or less."

Deacon responded nonchalantly from the cabin.

"Which is it?"

"Look ahead and you tell me."

I joined him in the cabin as the coastline began to appear out of the fog. A sign read Far Harbor with an arrow pointed to a dock.

"I stand corrected. Good going."

I put a foot on the edge of the boat, ready to hop on the deck. Deacon took my arm and pulled me back into the cabin.

"Whoa there. It's a long story, but you're gonna have to wear this, boss."

He handed me a gas mask.

"I'll be fine, thanks."

I didn't take it from him.

"No, really. I need you to trust me on this."

I sighed and took the mask.

"Okay. I trust you."

I slid it over my head and tucked my hair into a hood. Deacon nodded in approval and kissed the top of my head.

"I promise it'll make sense soon."

"I hope so."

I jumped to the dock with Deacon right behind me. We got stopped by an older woman with short grey hair.

"Hold up there. Who are you?"

Deacon stepped in front of me.

"Avery. It's me. I've brought someone who needs to speak to DiMa."

She nodded, eyeing me suspiciously still.

"Very well. You can pass through."

"Thanks."

We were about to walk further up the docks but froze as another woman came running over.

"We have a problem, Captain! The border alarms were triggered. We don't have much time before we'll be under attack."

Avery immediately yelled out to the other harbormen.

"Everyone, at your posts!"

She turned to us.

"You two, we're going to need every gun we got. Can you handle one?"

Deacon answered for me.

"You're looking at the best shot in the Commonwealth, cap. We've got your back."

I smiled beneath my mask. It was nice to know he still thought so highly of me.

"And I've got the second best shot right next to me."

He grinned, teasing me. So much for that high opinion. I put a hand on my hip as I responded.

"You know what, you can go f-"

"We don't have time to argue. Get up there. The wall has space for you both."

The captain cut me off before I could finish. She gestured at the stairs to her right. Without hesitation, Deacon and I made our way up the steps to the wall. I positioned myself at the highest possible point and set up my sniper rifle. Decaon stood right below me with his shotgun, ready to protect me from anything that got too close.

"Don't shoot!"

Humans came running through the fog and up to the gate.

"They're coming!"