The Rabbit's Den

Three Bunnies

Lights had long been extinguished with the cut off of electricity in the Desolates. The glow from the small fire could be seen from a distance, but so could the others. It was normal to now see huddles of men around these fires warming themselves in the chilled fall weather. Heavily worn layers, skull caps, and unkempt beards was the general description.

This part of the Desolates had been one of the first to be torn upon by WOLF. The images of their loved ones being ripped away burned fresh in all the memories of these men. Their anger made them barely human anymore. The attack had been years before, underneath it all they blamed themselves. Why had they chosen to live so close to the city? It was because supplies were easier to come by this close, but at what cost? The men stayed here, not for hope of revenge, but because other communities relied on them. Communities that had still managed to hide their most precious commodity. In return, those communities offered help when needed to these men. They were known as the Boarders.

Boarders would raise hell, in any way they possibly could. They ambushed cargo as it came to the city. Stealing mostly clothing and medical supplies, which would then be redistributed throughout the encampments. Violence was nothing to them, and they enjoyed it.

This fire was further to the south then the rest of them, and around it there were three individuals. Jacque was a dark stout man in his late forties, he was a construction worker in his twenties when the world went to hell. Ryan sitting beside him was barely a man, rough stubble covered his chin along with dirt. Ryan's bright blue eyes shined under his dark brow as they chatted quietly among themselves. Sitting across from Jacques lumbering figure was a slight one, with narrow shoulders and waist long black hair. Trixie had a hardened look to her. Her skin wasn't soft and glowy like Jacque remembered his wife's at her age. Her long black hair was tangled and slightly matted, pieces of dried leaves stuck where she had laid down. Nevertheless they both enjoyed her company on these trips.

Trixie was only a child when Jacque had found her in an abandoned grocery store. She had run when WOLF came, and now wandered the aisles aimlessly. She was hungry and had remembered a time when they had come to a place like this before. It wasn't what she remembered, no piles of produce or stacks of canned goods. She held fast the lone can of condensed soup when Jacque approached her. It was her quick reaction that drew him in. As the can zipped by his head he rushed the child, scooping her up. He brought her back to his wife and son, under the impression that she was a little boy. Her father had been smart after they took her mother, grooming her and dressing her as a boy.

She was shifting items around in one of the three duffle bags on the ground. "Did the Boarders come through?" Jacque asked. She nodded silently and continued. "Enough insulin and antibiotics?" He prodded. She sighed heavily, "Enough insulin for the both of them, we never have enough antibiotics Jacque. I wish they could get their hands on some I.V. saline." Ryan pointed at the bag, "Enough insulin for both?" She nodded, "We almost have Kelsin's under control with his diet." Ryan looked confused, "What about Max?" Trixie zipped the bag up, "Hers will never be controlled, she has type 1, she's lucky she's made it this long." Ryan shook his head he hated how blunt and cold she could be.

"I think we should move." Trixie stated as she stood up. Jacque shook his head, "Trix I'm tired, Ryan's tired and so are you. We stay here for a couple hours, then we move on." Her eyes fell coldly on him, "I don't like being this close to the city." "I know." And with that he began to snuff out the flames.

Ryan stood staring off into the dark, "Dad, stop. Do you hear that?" Jacque stopped and turned his attention to Ryan's gaze. The hair on his neck stood stiff. He leaned down and grabbed Trixie by the arm jerking her up and throwing her back behind him, "Run!" he hissed. As the word left his mouth he was hit in the chest by two shooting prongs. Lights suddenly lit up the darkness. Jacque fell jerking to the ground. Trixie stumbled to her feet running into the darkness. She could hear Ryan yelling and fighting behind her. When he went silent she looked over her shoulder, then felt sharp electric pain in her gut.