Member
Lucas
Contested Town - Wastelands
Death would not be a release, not yet. Making his way out of Erubesco, the city he once called home and cradle, Miles had strode towards the embrace of Liberty. It promised freedom, equality, and solidarity. The city promised everything Erubesco loathed, what it despised. Having fought the armies of Liberty on the side of that monstrosity seemed all the more revolting now. Defecting from their abhorrent ranks couldn't have been done soon, enough. With a cough, Miles slowly opened his eyes, the pain aching through his body forcing him down to the spot. Though disoriented, the soldier knew enough to draw the surroundings a dry spot. There was no rain, and he was inside. Had there been a voice speaking to him, before? Had someone moved him? Slowly regaining his sense of movement, Miles attempted to drag his bloodied fingers towards the strap of his vest. With a soft moan, he clenched his teeth and undid the confines, his bloodied and battered vest falling to the ground with a thud. It was refreshing to lose the weight, especially now.
Looking down at his scrawny frame, he noticed how the bleeding had stabilized, somewhat. Soldiers were taught basic first aid. Enough to tell a deadly wound, from a stabilized one. Shifting his gaze upwards, Miles tiredly searched the vacant home for the presence which had come to his aid. Unarmed, and at death's door, the soldier was at this mysterious person's mercy. An attempt to gather his bearings allowed Miles to slowly pull himself up towards the wall where, with a heavy breath, he remained sitting. The thunderous storm continued to ravage, outside. The sound of rain crashing down against the now silent battlefield.
“Woah, there,” Lucas said as the young soldier sat up straight. “It might not be very smart to be moving around like that.” There was a bizarrely light tone in his voice. He looked over at the creature laying on the ground to their side before turning back to the wounded young man in front of him. “How’re you feeling after that? Anything need patching up?” His eyes glowed with glee as he spoke rapidly, clearly excited. “If you want, I could get you out of the rain. Maybe that’ll help. It’s up to you really.”
Attempting a deep breath only lead to more pain aching through his lungs, causing the young soldier to flinch. “I’ll...” He tried, swallowing the hoarse words before attempting once more. “J-just need to add pressure...” He managed, carefully slipping out of his shirt, which left him in a rather torn tank top. Slipping the shirt behind his frame, he used the sleeves to make a tight grip around his torso to prevent further bleeding. Some bandages, and probably some stitches were more than likely a requirement, but Miles couldn’t be picky, right now. Once again, he tried to breathe deeper. It hurt, but he managed through the sandpapery sensation dragging itself across the length of his lungs. Finding a stable state to speak from, Miles raised his tired eyes towards the beast lying dead outside the house. “Feels like...I got hit by a truck...” He began, his light voice raspy and silent. “...with an attitude.”
Lucas looked over at the monster, following Miles’ eyes. “What is that thing, anyway? Wait, no, don’t speak too much,” he said quickly. He got up to his feet and glanced around. He glanced around, looking to see if there are any vehicles nearby.
“When…” Miles began, against his better judgement. Speaking wasn’t the best possible thing he could have chosen to do, but life had not left him quite to the extent of paralysis just yet. “When I was in the Erubescan army…” The young soldier continued, taking a breath. “There were rumors of experiments conducted on some of the soldiers…” Miles finished, moving ever so slightly so that he sat in a more comfortable position. “Guess it was true…” He concluded, frowning softly at the abomination outside.
“Well, at least it’s dead now,” Lucas responded. He turned back to Miles before continuing. “How did you get here? Do you have something you can drive? I mean, you can’t stay here forever, and you don’t look like you’re going to be walking anywhere soon…”
“There...there’s a truck, close by…” Miles was never tasked to drive the vehicles, and as such, wasn’t an impressive driver. He could however manage his way from point A to point B without much of an issue. “It should be just around the corner of that building, over there…” The boy motioned towards the ruined house opposite the home they had currently occupied. Either way, he would have to move. Attempting the feat, Miles was quickly reminded of his limitations, and slid back to the floor with a soft groan. “Damn…” He clenched his teeth. “Look, just get me a gun, and save yourself. Don’t think I’m going to be moving, anytime soon…”
Lucas quickly jogged over to the window looking at the house Miles had gestured to. He turned back to the young soldier with a smile. “I can help you there. You’ll be in that truck before you even know it,” he said. He approached the young soldier once again and kneeled. “Maybe I should drive. We don’t want you doing anything reckless, now do we? I’d just need some guidance. Ready to go? Of course you are!” Without waiting, he grabbed onto his arm, and the two disappeared, leaving no trace but the blood Miles had shed in their wake.
