Code Rogue

ONE

I held the pistol tightly in my right hand as my breath came in short pants. My heart threatening to jump out of my rib cage as I heard the footsteps of the unknown person draw nearer and nearer. I placed my free hand over my mouth in an attempt to quiet myself. I could feel myself panicking; I had gotten hit. However, the wound was not serious for it was a mere bullet graze on my left thigh.

I knew I could take this guy, he just caught me off guard in an area that was supposed to be abandoned. He was an amateur and just desperate to save himself. He stood no chance against someone who was as experienced as I was.

“I need that gun.” He was saying, “I have to collect as much ammunition as i can so i can get out of this God-forsaken island.”

His voice was close. I knew that if I turned the he would be just a few wide steps away from me. This gun was a Beretta- a Px4 Storm to be exact. I had waited almost five years to get a hold of it. There was no way in hell I was going to let it be easily taken by this punk.

Papa didn’t raise a coward.

I crouched low even lower than I already was and peered around the counter wall not surprised to see the man’s back facing me as he looked in the closet taking my chance, I sprang up and raised the gun still being held tightly in my hand. I placed my finger aimed and pressed.

He was dead before the gunshot reached my ears.

The gunshot cracked into the air as loud as thunder but without the raw power of a storm.

Gunshots once made me jump, made me pay attention, not anymore. Gunshots in movies and video games had a knack of increasing the viewer’s adrenaline. Now in real life the gunshots weren’t simply loud but they crack through the air and echo around the hills, magnifying the feeling of vulnerability. When was younger I used to feel something maybe remorse, guilt, compassion when i pulled the trigger. Not anymore. This was a war zone, it was either kill or be killed.

Relieved, I slumped down, feeling the adrenaline slowly bringing me back from its high. I took a moment to gather myself then I stood up again, placing the gun in my thigh holster. I glanced at the other thigh and cursed when I saw that the wound was still bleeding. Upon closer inspection I realized that it was deep and might require at least four stitches.

I grimaced and began moving towards the body, walking with a slight limp so don’t apply much pressure to my leg. The man had face planted on the shop’s hard wooden floor, the bullet buried in his head. I picked up his gun, mildly impressed to see that it was a vintage pistol that had an extended clip and a suppressor.

“Thanks mate,” I chuckled sticking the gun in my shoulder holster this time. I searched his pockets and found about 4 cartridges of rounds in them. I placed them on the ground next to him and looked around the store.

It was one of the recently abandoned gas stations stores.The electricity was still running and everything was normal, except it smelt like death; freshly dead and old stench dead. When I had first stepped into the store I had gotten a disturbing glimpse of what looked to be a female employee decomposing in the corner of the entrance. I had quickly moved on to the snack aisle and was about to open a tin of pringles when a bullet hit me on the thigh causing me to fall over in pain and scramble behind the nearest counter...you know what happened after that.

Again I made my way to the aisles, this time heading to the alcohol section. Like most shops the alcohol was locked in glass cabinets. I put my palm against the glass and realized that it wasn’t thick at all so then raised my elbow and rammed into the glass causing it to shatter. I laughed thinking about how much trouble I would have been in if this were the previous week when everything was normal.

I opened the bottle and took a quick swing, shivering at the burning liquid going down my throat. I didn’t want to get drunk but I needed that swing to let go of memories I rather forget.

Moving to the next aisle I found some tissue paper, gauze and medical tape. I was lucky, most places don’t carry medical tape. Quickly, I went back to the counter this time hopping onto it and cracking the rum bottle open. I took another swing before promptly pouring some on my wound. A fresh wave of pain surged through me and I gritted my teeth. I knew I needed to keep the wound clean and not risk infection. But was I doing this right? I had read this in a book that I kept.

Deciding to go with my gut instinct, I wiped the wound and wrapped it up tightly in some gauze and medical tape. I made my way to the aisle again, walking with a slight limp so don’t apply much pressure to my leg. I grabbed a few cans of tuna, some crackers, some snacks and a few water bottles. My hands were full when I finally made it outside.

It was no surprise to see that it was still cloudy. It had been cloudy since shit hit the fan a week ago. Not a sound could be heard, it was something I was still getting used to. The roads were clear as well, but that was something I was used to seeing as the island was always kind of vacant.

I glanced at the car that wasn’t there before and pondered. It obviously belonged to the man I’d shot inside. It was some kind of jeep, probably a Wrangler. It would be a little more useful than my dirt bike. I’d probably hurt my leg further on the bike, but the bike helped me stay off the road and have shelter in the tree. Then again I could sleep in the car and have room for more provisions.

The man I’d shot was the first person I’d seen alive in two days. I suspected that everyone who was left had already escaped the island on the boat that only visited every three month and went to the mainland.

But I hadn’t seen any police or helicopters and that was not a good sign.

I made the quick decision to take the car instead of my bike and headed back inside. Unfortunately I wasn’t one of those genius people who could immediately hot wire a car. I needed the keys and they were probably on the man somewhere.

I found the man’s body and began searching him...again. I chuckled, damn I was funny. I found his wallet though, and I pocketed it. I found the keys in his jacket and went to the aisles again but grabbing a basket and taking some more water and things to eat. I mounted the bike on the car top. I really liked that bike, it was the first thing I had really stolen in my life.

The Jeep smelt like smoke on the inside but was thankfully full of gas. I dumped my stuff in the back seat satisfied I wouldn’t have to make many stops again for a while. I could reach my destination much faster but at a more higher risk attracting desperate people like the man inside.

I had four guns and a good amount of ammo maybe I was set or maybe I was doomed. All I know I needed to keep moving forward.

Head South, until you reach the end of the road.

I nodded to myself and started the car. The radio was one but it was only static, I looked around for any music and found a CD labelled ‘ALT ROCK 2007-’. I shrugged and put it in pleasantly surprised when Linkin Park started playing in the background.

It changed my gloomy mood to a more less gloomy one.

I didn’t know how I felt about this whole thing to be honest. I was just going with the flow, I hadn’t really processed the events that took place just a few days ago. The island was always quiet but there was always the occasional sound of tires rolling on the gravel roads. It was actually a surprise I found that gas station this far out. Thinking about it made me a little concerned.

See, why was it located there?

The island was estimated to be populated with at least three to four hundred people. Most of the islanders lived close together, we had four towns: Uria, Valix, Walem and Xerus. I was from Xerus, it was the village furthest away from the Port Uria. Each village had one gas station and convenience store. We only had one hospital and that was located in the borders of Valix and Walem, Xerus did have a clinic however.

You must be wondering why the island had so little people and why I kept calling it the island but we’ll get to that later.

One thing was certain, this island was a treasure box of secrets and I was the person on the hunt to find this treasure and uncover its secrets.

Unsurprisingly the rain began falling. First it was a light drizzle then it turned into wet thuds as the icy water raced to meet the ground. Longing filled me. I loved the rain since I was a child. Sometimes it was like gentle kisses of ice that run down your jaw , Other times, it fell with a vengeance, stinging and harsh on the skin.

I turned off the radio and listened the the sounds of the windscreen wipers swoosh, the hiss of car tires on glistening roads. The rain was beating against the roof almost rhythmically as if it were playing some song that made the trees dance to.

I wish I had time to stop and enjoy the rain and the feeling of the numbness it gave me. The way it fell without a care about who was getting wet. I loved how it looked like silver curtains of water…

I sucked in the feeling and continued down the street, glancing at the time on the dashboard. It was past five o’clock. I should be looking to stop for the day. I knew my limits, by time six came around I would be feeling tired. I didn’t trust the roads however. I would be an easy target if I pulled up to the side of the road and slept. This car wasn’t shatter proof or bullet proof. It was just regular. Looking for a track would be impossible in this rain.

Through the heavy rain fall I could see I was approaching something that was bright pink. I narrowed my eyes trying to focus on it, not believing I was seeing right. It looked like an umbrella. The closer I got, I could see two yellow jackets trying to huddle under the umbrella. Through it had been a while since I had seen other people, I wasn’t going to stop for the pair. I couldn’t trust anyone. It was every man to themselves these days. The man at the gas station earlier proved that point.

They noticed my lights a few feet away from them. They both turned and start waving their arms around like they were have seizures. I noticed immediately that one of them was nothing but a child. They were much shorter than the other one. The taller one looked weird too, there was a lump his or her’s back.

..Don’t tell me it was a person?!

I couldn’t ignore the fact that these were kids. What were they doing there?!

I drove past them hurriedly, something in me screamed to turn back but the logical part of my brain warned me against such thoughts. I was told not to trust anyone but did kids count?

God damn it.

I pushed the accelerator down slightly and shifted the gears in the neutral, quickly I turned the wheel and began pulling the emergency brake. When the car was turned I shifted back to drive and made my way back to the strangers.

I hoped I wouldn’t regret this.

I stopped the car a few feet away from them and quickly got my gun. I cleared the back seat and threw most of my things in front seat. I got out, not caring that I was getting wet and approached them.

I stood in front them and raised my gun, “Who are you?”

To my utter surprise, the taller one raised their hands and held a gun to me as well. “Who’s asking?”

“The name’s Lilith,” I said “Where are you headed?”

“South.” Said the little one, “To the end of the road.”

I almost gasped. She answered vaguely, like she wasn’t sure what South held...just like me. They were heading the same place I was.

Maybe I could finally have company.

I lowered my gun. “So am I, hop in.”

“You’re not going to kill us are you?” asked the tall one.

I smirked. “Please, If I wanted you dead I would have run you both over when I saw that ridiculously bright umbrella. It’s like a signal for any enemy lurking in the area.”

“It was all we had.” they tried explaining.

“Getting wet is nothing compared to staying alive.” I scolded and turned on my heel. “I also recommend you don’t shoot me. I promise you I’ll kill you before you get a chance, plus we’re both heading to the same place. I have questions, I’m sure you do too.”

They followed.

And this was how my journey really started.

✦THIS STORY IS COMING SOON✦