Salvation 2035

Chapter 20- Bizarre Picnic

『Abel』     

    "Wow, I'm surprised that a place like this even exists," after staying in another motel, we're back on the road yet again. Keisha said that there was a huge, dead mall a few hours from the last town we were in and that we should check it out. She's into exploring all sorts of things, so I suppose we could stretch our legs for a bit.

     "I know, right?" she beams. "Apparently it was just about to open before the nearby cities were evacuated because of a bomb threat. Some of the stores even got merchandising, but I guess people sort of gave up on it. To my understanding, it never even opened."

     "So we're going to be the only people there?" Tsuki inquires.

     "Correct!" Keisha confirms. "We can eat our lunch in the home section of the department store."

     "Sounds like a plan," I nod. Surely enough, a large, faded grey building looms in the horizon, sticking out against the desolate plains. It looks as if a city was going to be built around here, but it was never seen through. The structure looks as if it is multiple, rectangular-shaped buildings clustered together to make one giant mass. It looks as if there's underground parking, in which I promptly pull into. Can't risk anyone seeing the car. I end up going down a few levels, but not to the complete bottom since that would be too obvious.

     "Alrighty guys, let's get a move on," Keisha stretches as she gets out of the car, sandwich in hand and walking towards the stairs.

     "What's the rush?" I ask, hurrying over to catch up with her. Tsuki's seems to have caught on early, as he's basically right next to her.

     "Hunger." she answers genuinely. "Also, the sooner we eat, the more time we get to explore."

     "I'm just happy I get to stand up," Tsuki looks back at me.

     "So you guys are just going to abandon me?" I joke and lock the car. "Some friends you guys are!"

     "No, of course not," Tsuki runs back over to me. "Need any help with... anything?" Keisha stops walking and just grins.

     "I can't tell if you're being serious or not," I'm a little surprised by how fast he reacted.

     "Well, uh..." he shifts uneasily for a bit, looking for an appropriate response, presumably, "you forgot your lunch," he points to the dash, in which my solitary sandwich sits.

     "Oh. Right." I sigh and unlock the car. "It's been a long few weeks."

     "Seeing how there's a big stretch of nothing after all of this, how about I drive for a while? You can take a nap in the back," Tsuki suggests. Huh, I didn't know he could be this considerate.

     "As long as you promise to obey the traffic signs and drive safely, then yes." Finally, I'm ready to go on our little field trip. We begin our walk towards the door that seemingly connects to the mall.

     "Of course I will," Tsuki assures me. He's probably lying.

     "Bad news, guys. The door is locked," Keisha pouts. "Looks like we're gonna have to find another way."

     "No we won't." In an instant, Tsuki whips out some hairpins and begins to attempt to pick the lock. I feel like he's used to this. Maybe a little too used to this. I still don't know the exact list of crimes that landed him in prison, so I have a feeling we're going to get to witness all sorts of his questionable skills. I mean, he already hotwired a car, so what's next?