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Chapter 16 - Quench Thy Thirst

Later on, at the side of the Myrmidon, Margaret is leaning on the side of the train as Marcus approaches her.

Margaret: What?

Marcus: You did good....

Margaret: We did good....

Marcus: Saving those people....it's who we are....

Margaret: It's gonna take a while, Marcus....

Marcus: Saving people like that....maybe we'll both get some closure out of it.

Margaret sighs.

Margaret: Maybe....

Marcus: You know; I envy you.

Margaret: Why?

Marcus doesn't say anything for a while, but then looks out at the moon and then speaks.

Marcus: You got to say goodbye. You stayed with him til the end. I didn't get that with Vivian.....I wish I had....but you did. Joseph died happy....he didn't die in pain....he died knowing you loved him.

James looks at Savannah playing with Kayla, before he spots Cassandra looking out into the moon as she smiles. Suddenly, Rocky walks up next to James.

Rocky: Pondering the question, huh? Kids?

James looks to Rocky, startled.

James: Dude....give someone a fucking warning next time.

Rocky: Sorry...couldn't help, but notice that you've got the look of I want kids...then and your staring at your girl with a very pretty gold liner....So, I'm gonna make two assumptions; either A; you're looking at the moon ready to howl or B; you are ready to impregnate that woman.

James: When you put it like that, sure....

Rocky: Well....here's some advice to you, brother....

James: Oh, fuck me.

Rocky: Don't do it, my guy. Don't do it. Seriously. I wanted to marry Faith, but she bitched too much. Seriously, man. All she did was want me to pull out the question, but I'm just like "it's the apocalypse. We're gonna fucking die anyway. What's the point in getting married? Like, seriously? I'd just prefer the head, honestly".....and even she left me a suicide note that resulted in her saying that her sucking my dick was disappointing, that means that she enjoyed the rest of the sex. Then she complained about "why don't we have kids?" Well, I told her; this is the wasteland. It's all about the sex now. Also, fuck them kids. Once you got one, then two come in, then a litter. Trust me; when I was a kid, I once interrupted my parents doing the doggy style position and my Dad delivered a full black mama ass whooping.

James scratches his ear, uncomfortable.

James: Fuck me, man...do we have to talk about your parents sex life?

Rocky: I'm just saying, man. My parents made my sex life was glorious. Their teachings meant something.

James: I get it. No strings attached....but....that doesn't mean I need to be scared of marriage or kids. We've been together for a decade so, I think it's time.

Rocky: Yeah...well, it's your funeral, my guy....just good luck with the married life, my guy....and pray for you guys....make sure that you're sure.....Can I hug you?

James: No.

Rocky: Bring it in, dude.

James: Dude....I just said no.

Rocky awkwardly hugs James.

James: You can let go now.

Rocky continues hugging James.

James: Getting weird now, Rocky.

Rachel stares out at the sky, along with the moon and smiles, before Moses walks up to her.

Moses: Huh....that's something you don't see in a apocalypse.

Rachel: Yeah....big beautiful moons in a wasteland are uncommon things.

Moses smiles, then looks at the ground.

Moses: Did you....uh...ever have a boyfriend before you ended with these people?

Rachel laughs.

Rachel: Nah...never really had time for romance with all the shit around me going on?

Rachel turns to Moses.

Rachel: Why do you ask?

Moses: Uh....

Moses nervously chuckles.

Moses: Nothing really...just...uh....you know; you're a very pretty girl...and I...uh...see.....that....uh.....you aren't really pinged by anyone here...I mean...most of the dudes here are older....I mean, James has Cassandra. Kyle has Sarah....and you're the only girl my age besides Abigail, who's not really interested....So....uh...?

Rachel laughs.

Rachel: Nice speech....but I've only known you for a day....

Moses: So, is that a yes? If I stick with you guys?

Rachel: It's a maybe....if we survive.

Moses: All we gotta do is survive, right?

Rachel walks away, smirking at Moses, before Abigail walks by and nudges Moses' shoulder.

Abigail: Smooth one, Ravager. Real smooth.

Moses: What? I wasn't...

Abigail: Uh-huh....if it's any constellation, I think you're cute, too. Plus, so does Rachel. She's just evening the playing game right now.

Moses: What does that mean?

Abigail: It means give it time and eventually she'll come around....As someone who was with the wrong man, I'm slowly starting to gain a sixth sense through these things.

Out in the desert, the Ravagers well, Kyle and Shawn finally approach the well with caution.

Shawn: So, what?

Kyle: Well, we can't do a direct approach. Best move to play.....let's sneak up on these pricks through the caves would give us the advantage....

Shawn: Well, shit...an advantage is better than nothing.

Kyle and Shawn sneak in through the caves that are connected through the well. The two are fortunately forced to fight through infected down in the caves, but eventually reach the well, finding it inhabited by Ravagers.

Kyle: Well, at least Moses warned us about the well being occupied.

Shawn: At least....and occupied with teenage Ravagers...but should we let that stop us?

Kyle: No...it's up to these assholes if they want to start some shit....but we can at least spare these guys. Do this quietly.

Kyle and Shawn then use the lift with several buckets to get back up to the surface. Kyle and Shawn split up, having to knock out a few Ravagers. Eventually, Shawn manages to get into the water truck as Kyle opens the gate, alerting the Ravagers.

Ravager: Hey!

Ravager: What the fuck?!

Shawn: Sorry about this!

Kyle: At least we didn't kill y'all!

Shawn drives the water truck around the well settlement towards the gate, before Kyle jumps down onto on the roof of the water truck. Kyle rolls to the side of the water truck, barely hanging on.

Kyle: Fucking A, Shawn!

Shawn: You better hold on, man!

Shawn laughs as he swerves around the corner.

Kyle: Shit, Shawn! You trying to fucking kill me! Dude!

After some swerving, Kyle finally manages to climb into the passenger truck.

Kyle: Jesus Christ, Shawn! You trying to fucking turn me into goddamned roadkill?

Shawn: You should know I'm a wild fucking driver. Did you see the goddamn look on their faces when I started the truck?!

Shawn laughs.

Shawn: Fucking priceless.

Kyle: Well, at least you got the truck.

Shawn: Yeah....let's head back to the others.

Kyle: Yeah...there gonna be really happy to hear that we got water.

Suddenly, Ravagers on bikes, including Betty, are chasing Kyle and Shawn.

Kyle: Fuck!

Shawn: They're coming after us!

Kyle pokes his head out and shoots at Betty and the other Ravagers. Eventually, one of the Ravagers manages to shoot out a tire, causing the water truck to crash into a gas station. Kyle and Shawn quickly recover.

Shawn: Shit.....you alright?

Kyle: Yeah, you?

Shawn:Yeah.....

Suddenly, Betty and Ravagers park their bikes and open fire, causing Kyle and Shawn to take cover.

Ravager: Think you can fucking steal from us, motherfuckers?!

In the firefight, Betty and the Ravagers nearly overpower Kyle and Shawn.

Kyle: Goddammit! There's too many of em!

Suddenly just as things seem bleak, gunfire is heard from behind the Ravagers just as Caleb, Jenny and Moses sweep in and finish off the Ravagers. Betty is hit in the helmet and falls to the ground. Afterwards, Kyle and Shawn laugh.

Shawn: You three are a sight for sore eyes!

Caleb: Yeah, we were scrounging for some food when we heard the crash. Moses was leading us around.

Kyle turns to Moses, approaching him.

Kyle: You shot at them. Your people.

Moses: These aren't my people. I'd like for you all to be if possible.

Kyle nods, before Caleb shouts.

Caleb: Holy shit! Look at this!

Kyle, Shawn, Jenny and Moses turn their heads to see Caleb staring at the water truck.

Caleb: You guys found some goddamn water!

Shawn: Courtesy of the Ravagers.

Caleb climbs over and looks over the truck.

Caleb: Well, the good news is truck's not that fucked. We can salvage it. All it needs is just a repair....which should only take minutes. Shawn, you wanna give me a hand?

Shawn: Sure.

Shawn approaches the truck and helps Caleb start repairing it.

Kyle: Alright.

Jenny: Why don't we look around? See what we can scrounge up.

Kyle: Jenny, this gas station is a dump.

Jenny: Not necessarily. Siphon the gas from whatever's left in the depot. Plus, who knows? Maybe we can find some food in the gas station. Candy bars. Chips. Bread.

Shawn: Hey, babe. Can you see if you can find me a candy bar? Twix?

Jenny: Why Twix?

Shawn: I always had one with my lunch when I was Zeus Corps. Haven't had one in 13 years.

Jenny laughs.

Jenny: Sure thing. I'll even wrap it in a bow.

Jenny passionately kisses Shawn, before walking off. Kyle tilts his head, before nodding to Moses. Unknowing to the survivors, Betty removes her damaged helmet and then stands up, pulling out her pistol. Shawn and Caleb finally repair the engine.

Caleb: There it is. Go start it up.

Shawn: Got it.

Betty sneaks over to the gas station, before Shawn walks over and starts the engine, sitting in the drivers seat and starting the engine, hearing it roar. Shawn laughs. Betty sneaks into the gas station, getting a bead on Moses. In the clerks office, Jenny finds a safe and successfully breaks it open, finding some ammo and eventually a well in condition Twix bar.

Jenny: Score! Like mama said, don't give up til you try.

Betty aims her revolver at Moses but is seemingly hesitant. Jenny walks out of the office, smiling, but frowns upon immediately spotting Betty aiming her gun at Moses. Jenny does the same thing, before aiming her gun at Betty, but as she prepares to shoot, Jenny sees the confliction on Betty's face. After a few tense moments, Jenny lowers her gun and places in her holster, before she attempts to walk over to Betty, looking to talk to her, but Shawn calls to Jenny.

Shawn: Jenny?

Jenny turns her head as does Betty, who shoots immediately upon turning. The gunshot alerts Kyle, Shawn, Caleb and Moses. Jenny coughs up blood, then turns as she begins to bleed out, covering the gunshot in her heart. Betty gives a shocked look at what she has just done. Jenny falls to her knees, then drops dead. Moses gives a saddened look, before Kyle, Shawn and Caleb rush in and give a shocked look at Jenny's dead body, before Kyle aims his gun at Betty.

Kyle: Drop the fucking gun! Now!

Betty drops the gun, then raises her hands.

Betty: I didn't mean to. It was an accident. I'm so sorry.

Shawn, shuts his eyes, giving a saddened look, but then his grief turns into anger as he cocks his gun.

Betty: No! Wait!

Without hesitation, Shawn shoots Betty in the chest, knocking her against the wall, before she falls against the wall. Betty bleeds out and cries, before Shawn walks up and aims his rifle at Betty, who raises her hands.

Betty: Please.....please.

Without hesitation, Shawn executes Betty, before suddenly, Shawn begins to cry, then Caleb comes up to him, then touches his shoulder. Shawn lowers his rifle, then fully cries, before Kyle gives a saddened look. Moses stares at Betty's body in shock, before he shakes his head. After mourning, Kyle, Shawn, Caleb and Moses drive back to the train, before Kyle walks out of the truck. The rest of the survivors approach the water truck smiling, but then Kyle walks past. Suddenly, the rest of the survivors turn and then give shocked and saddened looks as Shawn carries Jenny's dead body in his arms. Rachel gives a shocked look and puts her hands on her mouth, before Kayla tearfully shields Savannah from the sight of Jenny's dead body. Shortly afterwards, the survivors hold a funeral for Jenny, with Shawn staying behind after everyone else has departed. At the Luxor Hotel, the teenage Ravagers report to Magna and Starr.

Magna: They stole our water? You let the train gang steal our fucking water?!

Ravager: Yes, ma'am....it...it was just....they stuck up on us....we had no idea that they were coming. They crashed into a gas station. Betty got one of them, but they still managed to kill our crew....including Betty. Ma'am's, we can still--

As the Ravager teenager starts to explain, Magna turns to Starr, who walks up to the teenager Ravager, equips a blade and slices the teenager Ravagers throat. The other Ravagers look in shock as the teenage Ravager bleeds out.

Starr: Fucking dumbass....

Magna: Now, y'all, we're gonna send a message to these train assholes! If you have to, capture one of those motherfuckers! This ends today!

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