When the Clock strikes 12

Chapter 5 - Day 5 - The Mystery Man

Warning: This chapter contains scenes of violence that may be disturbing to some readers

Devan woke up to the cool autumn breeze drifting across his pale face, "Wow, that was the best sleep of my life. What time is it?" he glanced at his watch, "8 O'clock!? Wow, I must've been exhausted.". Devan put on his jacket and stepped out into the Wastes, "Hey Devan!". "Hey Kathryn, what's that you're making? It smells delicious!" Devan gestured to the platter of food that she had been preparing, "This is a cheese omelette, it's my family's recipe, and I was taught it before the outbreak." "Sounds delicious, is there some for me?" "Of course.".

Devan picked up the plate of food and sat down on one of the chairs that the two had set up, and took a bite of the cheese omelette that Kathryn had prepared for him, "Wow! This is delicious!" "Thanks, glad to know I can still make it after all this time.". Devan happily ate the rest of the omelette...

C. and proceeded to pack up his and Kathryn's tent. Kathryn took the hint and packed the portable barbeque and chairs into the back of their van.

A or B. "Do you wanna drive around for a bit?" he asked, licking the seasoning off of his fingers, "Sure, I'll get the car started.".

Once Devan and Kathryn had finished packing their belongings into their van, they began their journey around their city. "Have you ever thought about what it would feel like to be someone else?" Kathryn asked, "Yeah, at one point I even wish I was someone else." "Me too! It's crazy to think that your perception of reality could be completely different from mine, and I would never know." "I've never really thought of it that way, but it's cool to think about." "Yeah.".

While the two were driving around the wastes, Xavier sat alone, in the crippling silence, "What did I do to get to this point in my life? Sitting down in the middle of nowhere. I lost the strength to walk, and even if I could, where would I go?". There wasn't much that he could do. He didn't starve to death because of the meagre amount of nutrients that the virus supplied, yet it caused the same excruciating pain. Tears started welling up in his eyes, and right there, resting upon a building, Xavier cried. He cried for all the opportunities he missed. For the people he mistreated. For all the times he let them down. And for all the time he should've spent with his loved ones. Then Xavier's eyes grew tired as he fell asleep, a painful memory forming in his subconscious.

Warning; The next scene contains graphic descriptions of abuse.

"N-no! Stop it!" Xavier scurried back, it was a memory of years past when Xavier was just a little boy, and it was his most traumatizing one. Xavier's brother was standing over him, a belt in hand, "This is why you don't talk back!". The belt swung down, and the hard metal buckle struck his forearm, making a dreadful crack and drawing blood. Young Xavier wailed in pain, "Now look what you've done! Mom and Dad are gonna hear.". Xavier looked down at his appendage, suppressing the urge to vomit. His bone was now visible, and several veins and arteries were visible, his arm torn halfway through. Blood was pouring out like a waterfall. Xavier then let out one final cry before collapsing, losing consciousness due to blood loss.

"Devan? Earth to Devaaaaaan." Kathryn waved her hand in front of Devan's face, "Huh, what?" he said with a jump, "You had me worried for a second there!" "Uh, sorry?" "It's fine. Hey, look there's the village!" Devan looked into the distance and immediately recognized the crude wooden walls and spikes, "Yeah, that's definitely it.".