Salvation 2035

Chapter 12- Temporary Peace

『Abel』

     Who knows how long we've been walking for? We started at what I presumed to be morning and now it has to be at least five o'clock in the evening. I'm completely exhausted! All we've had to eat are a few snacks Keisha brought along and we've been walking for hours on end! Any moment now my legs are going to crumble underneath my body like a skyscraper supported by beams of paper.

     "How much longer?" I whine.

     "You said that ten minutes ago," Tsuki notes. "Did you even hear me?"

     "No," I admit.

     "I said it'd be just a little while," Tsuki reiterates. "Have you stopped to take a look around?" I pause and survey my surroundings. And yes, I haven't really noticed what's going on around me. All I've been doing is moving forward. Surrounding me is a... subdivision? Older-style houses, probably from the earlier 2000s, are packed in next to each other, each appearing nearly identical to the other. They have two levels, a wide garage door, a small porch, and a short driveway. Most of the houses are for sale. I guess we're pretty close then.

     Soon enough, we come to a house that doesn't appear to be any bit distinguished in comparison to the others, save a small dead garden that lost its fight to the cold. Tsuki hurries up to the steps and rings the doorbell with myself and Keisha close behind.

     "Are you sure that this is the right one?" I ask.

     "Yeah, I'm positive."

     "Are you sure he's home?"

     "I'm pretty sure—"

     Just then, the door clicks open and standing before us is the familiar sight of David, towering over us all and practically filling the whole doorway.

     "Tsuki?" he gasps. "What are you doing? Get in here!" He then quickly ushers us into his house and locks the door. As he shuts the curtains to the front windows, he greets me, presumably, with "good to see you too, Anton."

     "It's Abel, but thanks," I smile, still a little intimidated by him. Can you blame me?

     "And who might you be?" David asks the third member of our party.

     "I'm Keisha," she chirps, "your house is awesome!"

     "And where did you come from?" he inquires.

     "Kydoimos. It's an underground city where people live without any fear of whatever nasty rules Big Brother put into place. I left because I figure there'd be something interesting up above," she explains. "Also the people there don't really like me."

     "Keisha from Kydoimos..." David repeats. "Well if anyone gives you trouble I'm sure Tsuki here will knock em into next week. He is the best fighter in all the state, maybe even in all of America."
"Haha..." Tsuki laughs awkwardly. "America must have some awful fighters then."

     "Don't beat yourself up, son," David encourages him. "And yes, that pun was intentional." It's official, this guy's definitely a dad; he's terrifying and has corny jokes. He then looks around at his living room, which is dimly lit by a small lamp and blankets and cushions are strewn about the two couches. On the wall appears to be some family photos. "Well, it's clear to see that I wasn't expecting any visitors, but I'll see what I can scrounge together for you guys. In the meantime, make yourself at home. I've got two extra bedrooms and an air mattress, so you guys can feel free to spend the night."