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Chapter 12 - The Birthday Girl

After stopping, Kyle, Sarah and Rachel exit the train with the other survivors standing about.

Kyle: We'll be back...

Shawn: Alright, I'll take a group to scavenge while you're gone....

Sarah: Cool.

James: Might be some shit worth collecting around here....

Joseph: Yeah, Margaret and I will come with you...

Kyle, Sarah and Rachel walk along the trails while James and Cassandra make their way to the creek. Shawn kisses Jenny, before he, Marcus, Margaret and Joseph towards the lodges. Later on, Kyle, Sarah and Rachel walk along the trails with Kyle following a map with mark on its page.

Rachel: I'm going to start guessing.

Kyle: You wanna spoil your surprise?

Rachel: I think I do.

Sarah shakes her head.

Rachel: Is it a bunny?

Kyle scoffs.

Kyle: Would you quit trying to guess?

Sarah: Cause we're not telling you.

Rachel: Is it a giraffe?

Sarah: No.

Rachel: Is it a wholly mammoth? Is it a dragon?

Kyle grumbles as Sarah smiles.

Rachel: Is it a sports car?

Kyle: You're not gonna guess.

Sarah: Nor are you old enough to drive.

Rachel: Does that matter in a apocalypse?

Sarah sighs.

Rachel: Is it a puppy? Is it a shitload of kittens?

Sarah: You mean a litter?

Rachel: What's a litter?

Kyle: A bunch of kittens.

Rachel: Then why don't you call a bunch of kittens instead?

Kyle: We don't know. It's called a litter.

The three come up to this ledge and Kyle pushes a branch back for Rachel to shimmy her way through.

Sarah: Mind your step.

Rachel walks up and past Kyle and Sarah.

Rachel: I got it.

Rachel starts to walk past when Kyle gets behind her and pushes her.

Kyle: Oh, dearie me.

Rachel lets out a surprised yell and falls into the water.

Sarah: Kyle!

Kyle and Sarah start to laugh as Rachel resurfaces.

Rachel: What the hell is wrong with you?

Kyle: The look on your face right now.

Rachel: What if I had drowned?!

Sarah: You're not gonna drown. Don't worry, sweetie.

Kyle and Sarah laugh.

Rachel: Yeah, keep laughing, you two.

Kyle points up ahead.

Kyle: This way.

Rachel: You guys suck!

Rachel starts to swim.

Kyle: You really conquered your fear of deep water.

Rachel: Yeah....I think I really am. I mean, you guys have really taught me how to not be afraid of that.

Sarah: You can thank Cassandra for that.

Rachel meets up with a ledge and gets out of the water while Kyle and Sarah walk ahead of her. The three come up to a ledge and sees a deer off in the distance.

Kyle: Rachel, c'mere. Take a look at this. You see that deer over there?

Rachel walks in between Kyle and Sarah.

Rachel: Where?

Sarah points it out across the lake.

Sarah: See it?

Kyle: Yeah, just through there, look.

Rachel bends down to look.

Rachel: Yeah, I see it. Looks like it's about to go for a swim!

Rachel shoves Kyle down into the water. Sarah snorts out a laugh and covers her mouth as he resurfaces.

Sarah: Rachel....

Rachel: How's that feel?

Kyle: Refreshing....

Sarah shakes her head.

Rachel: Doesn't feel too good getting pushed in, huh?

Kyle: How come you didn't push her?

Rachel: Huh....good point.

Rachel shoves Sarah into the water.

Sarah: Hey!

Rachel laughs. Sarah resurfaces as Kyle laughs.

Sarah: Ha-ha, jerk off.

Kyle: You look cute when you're wet.

Kyle's mouth hangs open.

Kyle: Quote. Unquote. Actually...I think we need to swim through this part anyway.

Rachel: I got you back. You're not happy. You're wet and angry.

Kyle: I'm very not happy, wet and angry. Now c'mon.

Rachel scoffs before she jumps into the water.

Sarah: Hey, don't get to upset, Rachel. You at least get to swim for a bit.

Kyle, Sarah and Rachel get out of the water and continue walking.

Rachel: Is it...my 8th grade math teacher wanting to apologize for being a massive cockface?

Sarah: I beg your pardon?

Kyle: What's a cockface?

Kyle and Sarah turn to Rachel.

Rachel: My friend and I would argue whenever he called the Takers murderers. We got a shit ton of detention.

Kyle: You should really stop letting people make you angry.

Rachel: It's hard when they're cockfaces.

Sarah: Point still stands, sweetheart.

The three continue on.

Rachel: Is it....a new pair of boots?

Sarah: Don't you have another pair?

Rachel: No.

The three walk deeper into the woods.

Rachel: Okay. Fuck it. I'm done guessing.

Kyle: Thank god.

Rachel: But like...is it a massive magazine collection...no, wait...a pile of old DVD's? Music CD's?

Kyle sighs.

Kyle: Jesus Christ....Yes.

Rachel looks at Kyle and Sarah, confused.

Rachel: Which one is it?

Kyle: Just...yes.

Rachel: How about laser blades? I heard that's something Zeus Corps built.

Kyle: No, they never built those....although, that would've been badass.

Rachel: Right.

Sarah: Why don't you find out for yourself?

Sarah points towards a trail next to them as Rachel looks at the two, confused, then starts to walk along it. Sarah points towards a trail next to them as Rachel looks at the two, confused, then starts to walk along it. Meanwhile, James and Cassandra are walking through the woods.

Cassandra: What are you smiling about so much, James?

James: Nothing....it's just....walking through the woods....in this sunlight....I'm just always blessed of being reminded of how fucking beautiful you are.

Cassandra: Aw....flatterer....

The two come up to the sound of water.

Cassandra: Whoa...whoa...do you hear that?

James listens and it sounds like the sound of running water.

James: Yeah....loud running water. Think we're near another plant?

Cassandra: I don't think so.....

The two continue walking and find a giant waterfall.

Cassandra: Wow....

James: Holy shit.....

Cassandra: Yeah....look at the water....it's crystal clear. Not irradiated. 

James: Yeah...it is...

James walks away, but Cassandra walks to the waterfall.

James: Cassandra....where are you going?

Cassandra coughs.

Cassandra: What?

James: The supplies aren't down there.

Cassandra: I know, but Shawn and his crew are handling supplies. We're not.

James sighs.

Cassandra: Come on. Don't be a fucker.

Cassandra: Alright....

James follows Cassandra as they reach the river below the waterfall.

Cassandra: This is nice.

James: Yeah...it is...anyway, we don't have fishing rods and plus, this river looks like it doesn't have that many—

Cassandra: I know it doesn't....but we're not here to fish.

James: Then what are we--?

Cassandra begins undressing.

James: Uh...babe?

Cassandra: Yeah....

James: What are you doing?

Cassandra: What?

James: Why are you getting naked?

Cassandra: First of all....

Cassandra coughs.

Cassandra: I'm not getting naked. I'm getting to my bra and underwear. Second; I'm going for a swim....and you're coming with me.

James: Cassandra....

Cassandra: James William Burton.....

James: Okay, really? You gotta say my full name?

Cassandra: When's the last time you swam in a clear river like this? With your wife to add?

James sighs, then tilts his head.

James: Fuck it.....

Cassandra: James...

James: Sorry.....it's just...how do we know it's safe?

Cassandra turns and looks around.

Cassandra: Well, I doubt it....no infected or Skinners....

James: That doesn't mean there's not hunters or—

Cassandra: James!

Cassandra grabs James's hand.

Cassandra: Can you just enjoy this moment with your wife?

James looks at Cassandra for a long time, then smiles.

James: Yes....

Cassandra beams, before James undresses to his boxers.

James: Surprised you're not taking the risk of getting fully naked.

Cassandra: I'm not that risky. Now come on!

Jamesand Cassandra then enter the river and swim around, playing. Kyle and Sarah share a smile before they follow her until they see the giant statue of the Dragon.

Rachel: Holy shit, guys!

Kyle: We're here.

Rachel: Holy god! It is a dragon!

Rachel's hands on her head.

Sarah: Yes, it is.

Rachel's face is lit up with shock and happiness.

Kyle: Surprise.

Rachel: Holy shit! It's a motherfucking dragon!

Rachel walks up to the statue. Sarah smiles then she looks towards the statue and sees Rachel on top of it, and Sarah starts to panic.

Sarah: Rachel! What are you doing?!

Kyle looks up as well.

Kyle: What the hell are you doing?!

Rachel: I'm climbing a dragon!

Rachel gets to the head.

Kyle: Yeah, we can see that. Just don't fall off of it. Please.

Rachel gets to the head and stands up.

Rachel: Look at me! I'm on a motherfucking dragon, bitches! I am queen!

Sarah: Rachel! Don't jump! Just climb down the same way you-

Rachel lets out a roar and jumps off, Sarah's heart stops at this moment.

Kyle: Hey, hey, hey!

Sarah: Rachel!

Rachel falls and splashes into the water, then resurfaces and starts to laugh.

Rachel: Did you guys see that?

Kyle: Yeah, we saw it.

Sarah lets out a breath as she holds it in, her heart returning back to normal.

Rachel: That was cool!

Sarah: Cool you didn't break your fucking neck.

The three head towards the old museum building. The three walk up to the entrance and Kyle holds the door as Sarah and Rachel walk in. Rachel goes up to the old book holder and pulls out a book.

Rachel: What's this?

Rachel picks up the pamphlet.

Kyle: Uh...it's a book?

Rachel looks up at Kyle and Sarah.

Rachel: It's a Knight and Dragons book.

Rachel walks over to the shelf and finds a knight helmet.

Rachel: No way!

Rachel takes the helmet and turns to Kyle.

Rachel: Hey, Kyle. You wanna try it on?

Kyle: I do not.

Rachel: This helmet is almost as big as your head.

Rachel shrugs.

Kyle: My head is not that big.

Sarah: You do have a big head, though.

Kyle: Hey!

Rachel puts on the helmet.

Rachel: Neat! It's so dusty in here!

Rachel lifts up the eye piece of the helmet.

Rachel: Fair maiden! Where art thou Romeo!

Kyle: You do know that Juliet didn't ask for Romeo's hand? It was Romeo that asked for Juliet's hand.

Rachel: Whoa! Look at all this armor!

Rachel stares at one of the knight armors.

Kyle: Medieval armor.

Kyle and Sarah walk up next to Rachel as she holds out a book.

Rachel: Hmm....the red cross knight.

Sarah: A strong knight who once killed a dragon.....from stories my Dad told me when I was a kid.

Rachel hums the heads to the office behind the main desk, picking up the phone, speaking in a fancy british accent.

Rachel: Oh, hello, the old king and queen are busy right now.

The three walk over to the door to see Rachel sitting in the desk, holding the phone to her ear.

Sarah: What are you doing?

Rachel looks up at Kyle and Sarah.

Rachel: Oh, wait...the old king and queen are here.

Rachel pulls the phone away from her ear.

Rachel: Kyle...Sarah...it's for you.

Kyle: Very funny.

Rachel chuckles.

Rachel: It's pretty funny.

Rachel laughs.

Rachel: Get it? Cause you two are old as fuck!

Sarah: We are not! We're in our thirties....

Rachel: Your hair's starting to grey...especially Kyle's beard.

Kyle: Wha....it is not....is it?

Sarah: You do have a little bit of grey in your beard....

Kyle: What?!

Sarah: I'm kidding....obviously.

Rachel laughs.

Kyle: Yeah, keep laughing, kid. You're gonna get old someday, too.

Kyle stops and places his hands over his face.

Kyle: Oh, Jesus Christ....

Sarah: What?

Kyle chuckles.

Kyle: Nothing. It's just....I just sounded like Jake right there.

Kyle shakes his head.

Sarah gives a sympathetic look, but Kyle gives a small smile towards her before they continued on. Rachel looks around at all the knight armors and dragons until she starts putting her knight helmet on one of them.

Rachel: Guys, look!

Sarah: That is a knight helmet on a dragon.

Rachel: It's called a knigon.

Kyle: a "knigon"?

Rachel: You know, a knight and a dragon combined? Knigon!

Sarah rolls her eyes at Rachel while she takes her knight helmet back, then she puts her helmet on another dragon.

Kyle: Is this a new thing?

Rachel chuckles as she takes her knight helmet back then comes up to Kyle.

Rachel: Oh, Kyle.

Kyle: Rachel.

Too late, Rachel puts the knight helmet on Kyle's head and he groans.

Rachel: Don't you dare take it off. My birthday, my rules.

Sarah chuckles.

Sarah: Looking good, honey.

Kyle: Ha-ha.

Rachel: Now, we just need to find you a helmet, Sarah. Small enough for you head.

Sarah: Uh, no thank you.

Rachel: Oh, now I'm definitely gonna find you one.

Rachel starts looking around. Kyle and Sarah follow her to another section of the museum, where Rachel points out a large thick skull of another dragon.

Rachel: Look how thick that one's skull is!

Kyle: Kinda looks like James' thick skull.

Rachel and Sarah snorts at this.

Rachel: I'm gonna tell him you said that.

Kyle: Please don't.

Sarah looks at the skull.

Sarah: You might actually be on to something, Kyle. Just catch in the right mood, bam, James.

Rachel chuckles as she runs to the side then gasps.

Rachel: Yes!

Rachel comes back with a helmet, similar to Kyle's wearing only this is silver.

Sara: Oh, fuck me.

Rachel puts it on Sarah's head.

Rachel: See? Now you two match. You're completed.

Rachel laughs and Sarah rolls her eyes then the three make their way to the stairs. Rachel begins running up the stairs.

Rachel: Were you guys old enough to go to museums?

Kyle: Fortunately not....though, when I was in Zeus Corps, we did missions that lead us to museums.

The three come up to a red dragon, which its head was facing them.

Rachel: Looks like a giraffe...a scary pissed off giraffe with sharp teeth.

Sarah: It does, doesn't it?

Kyle takes off his helmet and places it on the skull of the dragon. Kyle chuckles then turns to Rachel.

Kyle: I see the satisfaction.

Rachel chuckles.

Rachel: Told ya.

Sarah: Hey, let's go this way!

Rachel leads them towards another section of the museum. Sarah smiles at this then takes Kyle's hand as he takes off her helmet, tosses it aside.

Kyle: There you are, fair maiden.

Sarah smiles, before Kyle leans and kisses Sarah. The two pull back and smile at each other then follow Sarah to what is the space section. Rachel makes it around the corner and gasps when she sees it.

Rachel: You guys know this wasn't here?!

Kyle: You hate it. Guess we gotta head back.

Rachel laughs.

Rachel: Shut up!

Rachel walks over this device and uses the crank to turn it, making the planets above them move.

Rachel: This is so cool!

Rachel stops spinning the crank then goes to the look at the spaceship replicas.

Rachel: This is literally one of the best days of my life.....you have no idea how much I love space....

Sarah: Oh, yeah?

Rachel: I kid you not....at night, when I was a kid, I would always be on my rooftop.

Kyle: Oh, so you're a stargazer, huh?

Rachel: In a way.....why the interest?

Kyle looks over and sees a section that leads to a planetarium screening.

Kyle: Follow us....

Kyle and Sarah lead Rachel to a planetarium screening, where Rachel looks around.

Rachel: They showed movie theatres here?

Kyle: Not movies....but Kronos outposts, at least the one I was stationed at, had these.

Kyle tinkers with the settings and activates the showing as several stars appear over the three. Rachel looks in shock and amazement.

Rachel: Wow....this is so amazing!

Rachel sits down in one of the seats as Kyle and Sarah sit down with her. The three enjoy themselves as Kyle takes Sarah's hand and she leans her head on Kyle's shoulder.

Sarah: Happy birthday, kid....

Rachel laughs and smiles, before she begins to cry, happily.

Kyle: What? Why are you crying? Did you really not like it?

Rachel: No....it's just...last time I celebrated my birthday was when my mom was alive.....when I was with the Takers...with my Dad.....everyone was so busy trying to survive that no one took time recognize my birthday.....no one has ever done anything like this for me, before....and...it's just good to be noticed.

Rachel looks back at Kyle and Sarah.

Rachel: Thank you....Both of you.

Kyle: You're welcome, kid.

The three sit there, basking in the happy moment. Meanwhile, Shawn, James, Marcus, Joseph, and Margaret scope out an apparently empty hotel with Marcus using the binoculars. 

Marcus: Looks empty.

Shawn: Yeah, don't they always, though?

Marcus looks back.

Marcus: Shawn, it looks clear. Should we go in?

Margaret: Your call, boys.

Shawn turns to Marcus, James and Joseph.

Shawn: Come on. Let's go.

Margaret: Alright. I'll stay out here and provide sniper support.

James: Here we go.

While Margaret provides sniper cover, Shawn, Marcus and Joseph walk towards the motel as the two enter the lobby with caution, guns drawn.

Marcus: Yes, receptionist, I would like a room. Some alcohol. Water bed. Jacuzzi.

James: You gonna rent some porn, too?

Marcus: Course not. I'll put it on Rocky's tab. Thank God that Savannah is deaf.

Shawn laughs.

Joseph: Lord help us....I'm gonna need to repent for forgiveness.

Rocky and Marcus laugh.

Shawn: Let's split up. Search around.

The four men split up and search the hotel, thoroughly to make sure it is clear. Joseph enters a hallway and draws his weapon, he turns the hotel doors to make sure they're unlocked. He notices one unlocked and opens the door, using his flashlight to search the room, unaware that another door is opening. Suddenly, an infected attacks Joseph, causing him to crash into the room. The two struggle as Joseph keeps the infected from biting him. Joseph eventually reaches his knife and stabs the infected in the leg, causing it to kneel. Joseph then stabs the infected in the head, before stepping back and sitting on the bed, exhausted. In front of him, a female infected stands up, preparing to attack. Joseph looks up and grabs his gun immediately, shooting the infected, but it is revealed to be a mirror reflection and the female infected is right behind him.

Joseph: Shit!

Joseph turns around as the female infected pounces on him. The two struggle as Joseph falls on other side of the bed. Marcus arrives just as Joseph grabs the female infected by the throat, allowing Marcus to shoot the female infected in the head as she falls over dead. Joseph sits up and looks around, seeing Marcus in the doorway.

Marcus: You good?!

Joseph: Yeah....

Marcus: You bitten?

Joseph shakes his head.

Joseph: No....no, I'm fine....I'm fine.

Shawn and James arrive on the scene.

James: What happened?!

Joseph: Infected. Just two.

Marcus turns to Shawn and James.

Marcus: You guys search the place?

Shawn: We did. I think this place is clear.

Kyle, Sarah and Rachel arrive back at the Myrmidon with Rachel smiling along the way. She then taps their shoulders.

Rachel: Hey, guys....thanks for this again. This really is one of the best birthday's I've had in all my life.

Kyle: Well, enjoy it, kid. You're only fifteen once.

Rachel: Hey, you know what I'd like since I'll be sixteen next year....a sports car! Maybe a blue one! Or a red one!

Sarah laughs.

Sarah: Lord help us....

At the hotel, Margaret arrives to check on Joseph's head wound.

Margaret: Shit, Joseph. What the hell happened to you?

Joseph: Oh, it's nothing to worry about.

Margaret: I'm sure it's not, but just to be sure...

Margaret begins cleaning Joseph's wound.

Margaret: You like playing rough, huh?

Joseph: It could've been worse.

Margaret: It could've....

Joseph: At least you're playing gentle with me, Margaret.

Marcus rolls his eyes.

Marcus: Jesus Christ....

Margaret: What?

Marcus: You two are all flirty with each other while you're cleaning his wound. If you two want a quickie, there's an empty hotel room.

Margaret: Marcus!

Joseph: Dude!

Marcus: Just saying....I'll be outside waiting for y'all to help deliver the food back to the train.

Margaret cleans Joseph's wound.

Margaret: There. All new.

Joseph: Thanks, Margaret.

Margaret smiles and kisses Joseph.

Margaret: Since we just got a whole lot of food, what do you say we have a little date night?

Joseph gives a small smile.

Margaret: Hey...you okay?

Joseph looks up and nods.

Joseph: Yeah....I'm fine....sure thing about the date night.

Margaret smiles and leaves as Joseph looks up and sighs.

Joseph: Fuck....

Shawn, James, Cassandra, Margaret, Marcus and Joseph wheel the food back to the Myrmidon. Shawn and James have a conversation as they wheel the food.

Shawn: I meant to ask; why do you wear those almost all the time?

James: What?

Shawn: Your goggles, dude. Don't they leave marks on your forehead?

James: They do, but....it's a memoir of what the apocalypse gives me....plus, with me being the brains of the group, I figured it fits the description of a genius. You should've seen me, man. I was in Cratersville always picking fights because I was digging into someone's trash can, just trying to build something out of scrap.....Uncle Colin always had my back, though...I miss Uncle Colin....I miss Maya....I miss a lot of the people we lost...but I don't miss digging into someone's trash for scraps.

The group returns to the Myrmidon with the food. Later at night, the survivors are having dinner in the lounge, chatting and eating. James stands up, holding a glass.

James: Well, guys. I would like to propose a toast to us! I look around....and I see great people...survivors....all of us...all of us have earned that title.

James raises his glass.

James: To the survivors!

Survivors: To survivors!

The survivors raise a toast and clink glasses.

James: That's not all we have to be, though....we could be more, though. Right now, we're living in a cycle that causes us to survive day to day. We got strength and skill, but how long? When we get to this restoration community, it'll be worth the trip. 

Cassandra suppresses a cough.

James: Food, fuel, refuge....other people....good people like us. A fresh start. However this plays out, however long it'll take, we'll be safe there. Safer than we've ever felt.

James takes Cassandra's hand.

James: Safe for every couple here.

James stares at Savannah, Rachel and Abigail.

James: Safe for these kids. Safe for all of us. All the people who've got nothing left to survive.

The survivors stare around at each other.

Shawn: My shit-sniffer brother, y'all. The philosopher.

Jenny swats Shawn's arm.

Jenny: Shawn!

The survivors laugh.

James: If it's any constellation to you, Caleb, Rocky, there will be a chance of single women.

Rocky: Why am I being singled out here?

Shawn: Cause we found zero magazines in that hotel.

The survivors laugh.

Sarah: Guys, guys! We have kids with us.

Rachel: What? I'm fifteen....I know the stuff y'all are talking about.

Cassandra is eating while Abigail sits and hands her a can.

Cassandra: Thanks.....

Abigail: Don't mention it....um....Cassandra, I'm sorry....for being with the Reapers....I should've been said that, but....I just couldn't....I didn't know what Lynn was capable of...It's just...every time I look down at my ink, I'm always reminded of.....I'm sorry.

After suppressing another cough, Cassandra looks down, unsure of what to think. After some time, Cassandra looks at Abigail and smiles.

Cassandra: It's okay, Abigail. You're...you're one of us now.

In his own quarters, Joseph is reading a bible just as Margaret enters.

Margaret: You okay?

Joseph: Yeah....just...doing some....late prayers.

Margaret sits in the bed next to Joseph, who sets his bible down.

Margaret: Thinks are really starting to look up, huh?

Joseph: Yeah...but we had fun in this wasteland while it lasts, though?

Margaret: Fun? You call scrounging around for food every day for fun?

Joseph: Yeah, but there's also the bearing heat and sun bearing down on you....there's....just a lot....nature....there's a lot to take in....

Joseph sighs.

Joseph: So you see? It's not too bad....

Margaret nods as Joseph twists his lips.

Margaret: Hey....are you okay?

Joseph: Yeah....why?

Margaret: You've just been a little off since you got back from the hotel....

Joseph: I'm fine, Margaret. Just fine....

Margaret takes in the answer.

Margaret: Okay....

Joseph takes Margaret's hand.

Joseph: I....I love you. Know that, okay?

Margaret nods in understanding.

Margaret: I love you, too.

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