The Day of Reckoning (Prototype)

Chapter 33: Search and Rescue

"...But we're on it!" I say through the radio. Ramil puts it away and goes to get more supplies. I'm beginning to worry about Ken. He sounded frantic, and it's not like he isn't human. He can only run for so long. I hope he's held onto those Blindsights. Ramil returns with more items and says "This should be good." He spreads out the items. It's a mess of large glass shards, a couple of wooden boards, a net, and a rope.

"Where did you get all this stuff?" I ask him. He shrugs and says "I grab anything I deem useful. Now listen, here's what we'll do."

He explains the trap. It's pretty complex, but not impossible. I get to work, but I can't stop thinking of Ken. I mean, it's not like he's helpless. He can hold his own in a fight, but there were just about 13 of them! That'll be hard to deal with. Not to say I'd fare better, but it sounded like he was getting tired of running. "Ramil, we need to move faster." I say, picking up the pace. "The faster we move, the quicker Kenny gets back."

"Hey, it's alright." He assures me. "Ken is wild, but he's resilient. I'm sure he's crafty enough to keep himself alive." Those words aren't all too reassuring. Ramil hasn't even known Kenny that long, so it's not like he would know for sure. But I'll trust him. We're on our last trap, so I need focus. I drill, tie, and screw things in until Ramil finally says "Alright! It's done!" I sit up and wipe the sweat from my head. Ramil sets it up near the back door, and we go into the treehouse.

"Alright, Ken. Come on back." He says into the radio. We wait a few seconds, but he doesn't respond. "Kenny?" He says into the radio. Nothing. Beads of sweat drip from my forehead as my mind starts thinking of the worst case scenarios. Has he been eaten? Is he lost?? Did his radio break???

Static shoots through the radio, and my head whips around so fast I'm surprised I didn't get whiplash! "Oi, I'd be on my way but these things won't buzzer off! I need a little help!" He shouts.

"Where are you!? Can you see an address???" I ask quickly.

"Uuhh.." He trails off before saying "988 Rigton Trace! Look for that house-- Shit!!" He shouts before turning off his radio. Well, I guess my worrying has been justified. I go to grab my backpack, but Ramil stops me and says "Don't take that. just take two of your satchels and bombs and stuff." He says. I should probably start doing that. Maybe I was moving so slow all the time because I'd been carrying seven different bags. I fill one of my haversacks with Blindsights, and the other with Fairy Dusts.

"Aren't you gonna get ready?" I ask Ramil.

He shrugs. "I am. This is all I need." All he's got is his haversack and spear. "Are you sure?" I ask, crossing my bag straps over my chest.

"I never take my backpack unless I'm gathering resources. Makes it easier to run." He says, walking out the treehouse. I follow and we climb down the rope ladder and hop the fence. We jog through the neighborhood and keep a close eye on the numbers on the mailboxes. We would just look at the street signs, but they've all been knocked over by cars or monsters. 678, 679, jeez, this place is endless! "How long will this take?" I ask Ramil, my anxiety growing.

"I don't know." He says. "I didn't realize this place was so big when I moved here." A few minutes go by before I finally see 700. "Maybe we should cut through the backyards?" I suggest.

"What's the wor-- nope, lemme stop myself." He says. "Let's go." We run through the backyards, jumping over bodies, fence boards, and the sort. When we emerge back onto the sidewalk, I spot a mailbox with 954. "That worked? I didn't think that'd work!" I say. Ramil calls "Come on!" and I catch up with him, looking for 988. 957, 958, 959, this is taking too long! "We need to move faster. He could be in danger!" I say. I feel rushed, like there'll be a punishment if we don't make it.

Before Ramil can respond, a monster jumps from between apartment 968! Ramil stops himself and pulls his spear out. The monster attacks again, but we move out the way and Ramil counters. This thing seems tougher than usual, but Ken sounded like he got attacked. I want to try to find him, but Ramil is having a hard time! Uugh, what do I do??!

"Chris!" Ramil calls out. I look up at him as he tosses me a citrus bomb of his. "Go! I'll meet you there!" He whacks the monster in the face as I debate what to do. Eventually, I decide to run. "See you soon!!" I shout. I put the citrus bomb in the sack with my Fairy Dusts as I count the numbers on the mailboxes. 970, 971, 972, 973. It feels like I'll never get to the house. Growls begin to come from all around. No, no! I will myself to push my legs to the limit, the sound of my feet pounding the road echoing throughout the apartments.

About 7 monsters jump from between houses. I jump and just barely avoid getting my back torn open! My legs begin getting tired, and I slip up and trip over my own feet! "Oof!!" I exclaim, landing on the pavement. I turn onto my back and watch as they get closer. I reach for a Fairy Dust and twist the top of the can just once. It ticks for about 3 seconds before exploding, throwing them all off. I get to my feet and something wraps around my arm. "AAAHH!!" I yell, paralyzed.

But it's not sharp, like teeth. It's a hand! Whoever it is pulls me along as they run. I look up and see bright blue hair. "Ken??" I question. He looks over his shoulder and smiles. "The one and only!" His smile is so warm and playful. I don't know how he does it! It's almost like everything's so much fun for him. It's strange, but comforting in a way. He pulls us into a house and closes the door. We get on the sofa as the monsters outside growl and try to sniff us out, but don't. After awhile, they leave.

My heart's about to burst through my chest and I breathe quickly. "You okay?" Ken asks. I nod, a little too much.

"Yeah, I think so." I say. I look at him. "What about you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

He shakes his head. "My legs ache a bit, but besides that I'm good. Where's Ramil, mate?"

"He got caught up with another monster. He told me to run ahead." I say. Ken pulls his radio from his belt and turns it on. "Oi, you there?" He asks.

"Yeah! Is Chris with you?" He asks.

"I'm right here!" I say.

"Good. You two are at 988 right?" He asks.

"Yup! You on the way?" Ken asks.

"Yeah. Stay where you are." Ramil answers, and he turns his radio off. "Alright, all we gotta do is wait!" Ken says. I let go of a breath I didn't even realize I was holding, and Ken throws his arm over my shoulder. He pulls me into him and says "Thanks for coming to help!" He smiles again.

"I-its no problem!" I say. "We're friends, right?"

"Of course!" He says. He pulls me in a little more. My shoulder pushes into his chest a bit. Does he feel that? Is he okay with it? Should I move? I should move.

I move over a bit. "Oh, sorry if you were uncomfy." Ken says. Maybe I shouldn't have moved!

"Its alright!" I fake scratch my shoulder. "I just had to scratch my arm!" He chuckles. Was the lie obvious?? The door opens with Ramil on the other side. "Hey, you two! You guys okay?" AAH! YES! A tension breaker!

"Yep! Phew, that chase sequence was stressful!" Ken answers jokingly.

"Well, its over." Ramil says. "Let's head back to the treehouse."