Rant had a unique talent–Or perhaps it was the beers..Either way, this talent was being the classic, ‘old school matey boy’ that you’d find in pretty much any local village pub, and it was also being able to put you at ease and coax you into spilling your life story and even throwing your pin number in just for the heck of it, because: Good ol’ Rant is cool. He’s just here to have a good time. Nothing is too private or sacred to share with Rant.
He had been telling the truth. He and his people were some of the good ones.
Siya was attended to by a concerned and rather eager young healer lad; she didn’t open her eyes once he was finished, but she was back up to full health, even if it did take pretty much all of the healer boy's resources.
His obvious interest in her made me frown and feel unnecessarily aggressive and protective but fortunately he reluctantly trudged away after running out of excuses to linger–and after Rant amusingly told him to ‘find someone else to help’ and to ‘stop sniffing around sleeping girls’..
Unnecessary because Siya could look after herself better than most here, including me, probably even whilst unconscious.
He had given me an incredible fable of his experience; the gist of it being that he was an oil rig manager who was on a ship when everything kicked off. The ship had experienced the usual melting so it was a mad scramble to survive through that and then swim to shore; mercifully they were very close to the dock, although after they thought their wild ordeal was over, they reached land and were promptly attacked by monsters. He proceeded to survive - unless I was talking to a ghost..which wouldn’t surprise me at this point - and then a ‘bunch of things’ happened that led up to him being responsible for this travelling caravan; things he deliberately avoided going into detail with.
..
After a lengthy conversation and a refreshing visit from a different medic, I felt physically lighter and happier–although I'm pretty sure it’s the alcohol-but I was still absolutely battered from exhaustion and, after explaining where I was headed, Rant broke into a broad grin and explained they were heading somewhere that was very much on the way..
“Well that settles it then bud! Yer coming with us! At least until you get to yer junction that is. We’re going to a place called Silchester, one of the engineer gals was visited by something like a ‘witches-drone’ or ‘day-mon’..looked like a friggin’ metal bird to me but hey-ho, what does stupid ol’ Rant know! Ha!” He took another swig of his fifth beer. “But before you refuse bud, I’m gonna pull a low blow sneaky on ya and ask if you could just please, rest up in one of the caravans and help me keep this lot safe, at least until your stop. I know yer keen to get back to your missus and kid..but even you would be daft to keep going in your exhausted state, carrying the little lass.” He gestured to Siya on top of a lightly snoozing Immo. Whatever mine and the wolf's connection was, I could practically feel the fuzzy, warm, happy feeling she had being surrounded by so many things that weren’t trying to kill her.
Fuck sakes..he’s right. I’m absolutely fuckidy-doo-daah’d–being totally honest..
I sighed. “Yeah mate you’re right..hmm, how long do you think it will take for the caravan to reach my exit?”
“Ah psschhhh! Bud. These things can move pretty fast, but it’s the monsters that are the problem really. We have a scout that gives us a heads up if they think there’s anything fishy..but each stop makes us lose 15-20 minutes as we get into formation and then confirm if it’s a threat or not..crap like that ya know..Anyhow! If there are no interuptions, it should take us a couple of hours to get back, give or take?” He waggled his hand, gesturing it could be a bit more or a bit less.
That’s how I close I am? 2 hours? After all this time…it..it feels weird. Like everything is not real..
I mulled it over more briefly before nodding. “Sure alright then mate. But wake me up if you need me or if there is any trouble. And without sounding too big headed, I could potentially go ahead and deal with most things before they reached the group..I mean, as long as they ain’t super mutants or some shit heh..” I rubbed my fuzzy eyes and yawned.
I’m too close to fuck it all up by dying in the last few kilometres..need to rest.
“Ughh..Yeah..Can I uhh, get a headstart on that nap right now? Or do you need some help with anything?”
He shook his head with a grin and got up. “That is fantastic to hear and knowing yer willing to help is a big weight off ma shoulders. Naw bud, come with me and I’ll get ya settled in the front van that I’ll be driving. There’ll be enough space in the hold for the big gal there too.” He gestured to Immo, who peaked open two of her four eyes and gave him a cursory glance before yawning and standing up.
It took mere minutes for all the caravan to get moving, the inside of the lead one I was in was quite spacious and made of the strange Majik material that wasn’t quite plastic, wasn’t quite metal, wasn’t quite wood. It was lit fairly well with embedded strips of soft, glowing lighting and there were compartments lining the top area with fabric doors tied down, holding clothes, supplies and other things, and either side had a sleeping or seating bench with pads and quilts neatly layed on top. The front cabin had a square perspex glass window that was completely spotless and there was a simple chair with hand imprints that was the drivers seat and the apparent controls. I placed Siya on the bed opposite and Immo flopped down onto the floor near the canvass sealed back entrance.
Godu: Immo, are you okay to keep watch whilst I get some rest?
The wolf raised her head and nose poked me in the leg.
Immo: Of course you silly human! Get some sleep already! My eyes may be closed but I continue to stay on watch. But we have nothing to fear other than from the imps that lurk in the trees and long grass. These people are honourable.
I smiled sleepily and patted her head as I laid my own down.
Godu: Thanks, Immo. You’re the best..
…
..
.
Gasping, I woke up like I'd be electrocuted and bolted up-
Ah here he is. Hello, darling.
-Only to see Seren fiddling with my maelstrom.
Hey Seren…ugh my head..What's going on? What are you doing?
My head felt stuffy and dehydrated, I’d had enough hangovers back in my teens to recognise the feeling.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
Hmm? Ah yes, I mean afterall, you did ingest poison willingly–not literal poison, just the nasty stuff you call beer. She sighed. Here, I’ll purge the toxins. You’ll need to pee when you wake up..Tremendously.
She slipped into a devilish grin and winked at me, but it was not to my face.
I would offer to help you do it now whilst you rest, but I don’t think you want me near that when I’m in my construct form..Teehee!
I gave her a flat stare as she blinked out of existence, giggling. I experienced a headrush and all the pain drained, leaving me feeling cool and relaxed.
Ahh that’s much better.
Thanks Seren and also, thanks but noooooo thanks. I don’t think Marri would be too impressed either way..
Oh I don’t know, if it made you uncomfortable, she’d probably find it hilarious more than anything..
Seren blinked back next to the maelstrom covering her mouth as she giggled more.
“Yeah yeah har-har-” I yawned and stretched. “Okay, so..Anything interesting I need to be aware of? Or can I go get a quick 30 minute nap before some spider-goblin-shark comes crawling out to eat us?” I smiled at my own humour but the smile faded as I realised the universe is always watching, always listening, and I most likely had just set up a flag event to occur. Fuck.
Uhhhm let’s not tempt fate shall we?...Hmm actually yes, I’m working on something but it’s a secret and not ready yet, so go get some rest–your alpha waves are going beserk as it is, so you definitely need it in any case. No upgrades tonight I'm afraid.
She reappeared at the maelstrom and started to distractedly swipe and poke around, symbols and unfamiliar geometric shapes came and went at speeds far beyond what I could keep up with.
Okay. Hmm what’s Alpha-
Your brain activity sweety..just go get some rest, me and the pup will keep watch.
She gave me a ‘do as I say’ look and a wink before continuing with her secret activity. I laid down and started to immediately drift off into true sleep as I pondered more on the endless unknowns about this new world.
Secrets. There are so many secrets and mysteries. What would Majik look like under a microscope? How would EXP react in experiments? Were these new beings like Seren born? Orrrr were they like some type of existence-spawned-macro-mitosis of their ho-
Ahem? Sleepy time mister!
I smiled. The lights went out. And I went completely offline.
…
..
.
“Rise and shine bud! We’re here!” Rants jubilant words pierced through the veil of nothingness and I jolted upright with a deep nasally inhale. It took me a few moments to recover but the first thing I noticed was an insatiable desire to pee and the low vibrations of lots of busy voices talking carefully outside.
I rubbed my face and hopped up.
“Ugh, brill, thanks Rant, you’ll uhh, need to excuse me for a sec, I reaaally need a tinkle.” I hurriedly shifted around Immo who snorted at me without opening her eyes and I hopped out the back.
Immo: I’ll wait here whilst you go mark some territory don’t worry.
It was still nighttime and the sky had become overcast, with the stars and moon blotted out by the thick clouds, my sight flickered as my eyes adjusted to the changes in lighting. People were moving around the caravans, talking to each other as they patrolled and one fast moving group were running at quite the pace further down the motorway. The scouting group I bet.
After my initial scan of the surroundings, I jogged carefully over towards my chosen bush and once I felt comfortably out of sight I yanked my pants down and unleashed a power jet stream.
“Uhhhhhh..” I groaned with relief and then chuckled as I realised the somewhat silly notion that I still felt shy enough to require to be out of line of sight whilst doing my business.
Nobody cares anymore..although I suppose that kind of poor attitude and mannerly neglect is what accelerates a civilisations downward spiral into the dark ages.
*Crack*
A stereotypical twig snapped and ripped my attention from my thoughts, and, immediately I impressively located the source with my acute senses and locked eyes with a mag level 8 Grinner, AKA the baby eaters from the hospital.
It was several metres away and it was frozen on the spot, mid-chew on the remains of a Notpidgy, and it glanced down at my jet stream, including it’s source, then back at my eyes in a ‘deer-in-the-headlights’ stunned way. My pee did not stop and my bladder gave no indication there was an end in sight.
For a few more seconds we just stared at each other, a comical splattering of piss backtracking the silent moment, until the Grinner came to some conclusion and took a single step forward, dropping it’s chew toy and widening its grin with a subtle hiss.
My shields deployed into config:prime with the signature printer-jam sound effect, and shifted into the mantis type formation; pointing over my shoulders, aiming at the creeper.
“Yeah, that would be a mistake. And I suggest you fuck off before I finish this. I’m in a good mood right now and all the more better for you to be eating those creepy ass birds instead of my kind so-“ I sniffed and casually spoke whilst maintaining eye contact, making it hesitate again but still it really wanted to give it a go. The truth of the matter was I shot out a shard past its head that pierced through a tree truck and melted any brush it passed through, creating a spark of embers as the foliage was incinerated.
That effect was immediate.
The ugly fucker wiped the stupid grin off it’s face and visibly gulped before tucking its head down and scuttling away.
“MAKE SURE YOUR DIET STAYS AVIARY!” I waited a few more moments before nodding satisfactorily, and zipped myself back up and jogged back to the caravan.
“Finished your monthly tinkle eh?” Rant chuckled as he fiddled with the back of the caravan entrance, opening it fully up to let Immo hop out with Siya on her back.
“Mhmm…Huh? Monthly?” I paused at the sight of Immo hopping down but dashed him a puzzled look as his words sunk in.
“Ye man..you know, the higher your Defence-" assume that's the shield "-and Sorcery-" and that's the glyph "-attributes, the more efficient your body becomes in energy usage and body functions right?” He scratched his reddish beard.
“Oh. Yeah I kinda knew that-" Well, I DIDN'T..but it makes sense "-but a whole month?!” I was indeed somewhat aware of the phenomena but not going to the toilet for a whole month seemed unlikely. Where does the waste go? Where is all the excess pee stored?..In the BALLS-
“Har! Ye, well, I mean, not for everyone, but I think Rocky–our main meat shield–has put all his points into his defence stats. So he can drink like a fish and yet the bugger doesn’t need to visit any facilities for weeks!” He frowned and put his hand to his mouth deep in thought. “..unless the sneaky bastard is stealth pissing his pants..wouldn’t put it past ol’ Rocko..”
I nodded and pursed my lips, impatiently loosing interest at where this conversation arc was going and becoming increasingly conscious that I had more pressing things to do rather than discuss the toiletry habits of fellow survivors.
Rant saw my face and barked a laugh. "Yer yer anyways, bugger all this guff, you’ve got places to be and we’re going to here for a bit, reducing the numbers and size of the vans so best you be off.” He grinned and held out a hand. “Godu bud, it's been an absolute pleasure. Good luck going forward and remember, we're heading to Silchester but we need ta take a bit of a long route through old basing and bramley first, so if you ever find yourself looking for a place to go..come find us. We'd come with ya, but we really can't afford to stick around. I heard the area’s gone ta shit, ya know, because of the new residents." He chuckled as I gave a grim smile and shook his hand.
“Ha, you could say that mate..cheers for the ride and drinks, it’s been the best few hours I’ve had in a long time. And you can be sure I’ll come find you guys once things settle down regardless. Safe travels mate.” I nodded to Rant a final goodbye and then turned around and walked up the exit ramp with Immo.
…
..
.