Author's Note: This was meant to be an Entry to the Twilight the Big Bang challenge, but like usual, the story was too massive for a simple 20,000 words. I couldn't complete it in time with the big move and school. So here it is, in honor of the challenge. The story will be split into 5-6 parts.
I'd like to give a big HUG to Yenny and my lovely TtBB beta Tori for putting up with my back and forth decisions on whether not I was able to complete the story.
Disclaimer goes as such: The characters aren't mine. There's man sex eventually. Some violence. Enjoy.
Summary: Three years after a world-wide war destroys industrialized countries of the planet, Edward functions as part of a family brigade protecting the last population left in Seattle. He's cold, isolated and just as desolate as the landscape of North America, but a newcomer changes everything.
Skeleton Skyline
Finally, the world reflected just who we were - empty, desolate and hopeless. Three years since Judgment Day and yet the streets were not silent.
Somehow, I could hear the world mourning what we had done to her.
"Is your radio on?" I cocked my head at the voice, digging in my pocket for the small, black device. I felt the hand over mine before it was taken, "Hulk on, Can I get a check-up on the water." There was a crackle before I heard the reply.
"10 Gallons. It came hard last night. We sent 4 brigades."
I felt him look at me, "That's Good." He spoke into the radio, before clicking the radio off.
"You haven't spoken to her all day." He muttered, handing the radio over. I kept my eyes trained on the city -noting the holes in the buildings, the blackened windows, the crumbling roofs "Edward!"
"I heard you," I turned to him. He looked nearly monstrous in his bulky gear. They took to calling him The Hulk on occasion. They still had their sense of humor.
"Then fucking answer me next time." He snapped, "Look, I know she's plain and a bit boring, but she's pussy." I cringed at the word, casting a glance at him. I didn't want to talk about it, "Don't give me that look, fucker."
"What do you want me to do about it?" I sneered.
"Talk to her, you asshole!" He adjusted his leather vest, fingering his machete. He was on duty, why the hell was he wasting time?
"You're not keeping an eye out for Banshees." I replied lamely.
"Whatever." He chuckled dryly "Mike will hit it if you don't." were his last words before he turned away.
We were the only troop left in Seattle. The rest had been either killed off by Banshees or found security with us. We had a Doctor, a soldier, a cook, a scientist and quite a few talented minds, Emmett being one of them. They had been my family before Judgment Day and we were lucky to have made it this far together, and to have gained more company and help.
Bella Swan came a year after J-Day. Her father, a sheriff in a small town a few hours away was pretty much the only family she had out here until the Banshees took him away as well. How they got their names, we never figured out, but it fit. They were loud, some said to be sick with radiation and the rest - stark raving mad. Fucking crazy people.
She didn't speak for a week. Alice tried, Emmett tried, damn near everyone had a go. And I merely offered her a cigarette - a rarity after J-Day - and she began to talk. It had been hard to shake her loose since, yet part of me never seriously tried. There was one thing we had in common - we were both alone no matter who was around. She got me a little better than everyone else. I switched the radio on, eyes still lost on the wounded horizon, "Masen on, can someone get Bella?"
xXx
"We just sent the brigade out to raid a supermarket down in Port Angeles. The place is still a war zone, so I'm sure there'll be a shit load of Banshees there," Alice paced the long office, glancing out the window only when she stopped speaking.
"Jasper went with them, didn't he?" I stood in the doorway, unsure whether I should leave her to her anxiety or comfort her. It was really hard understanding the bond they shared when the other could so easily be lost.
A waste of pain and time.
"He has to, Edward. It's the only way they'll survive."
"He didn't have to. Carlisle didn't order it."
She kept her back to me, "But I know you would have." There was a shared silence between us as I considered her words. It would have been what I wanted. Unlike my father, I thought with no emotional attachments involved- it's what kept us alive this long.
"You think you can help Esme with the farm?" She finally turned my way, a shadow under her eyes.
"Are you distracting me, Edward?"
"I'm putting you to use. Trust me, it'll help." Her small frame hunched as she crossed her arms over her chest. She looked like a small child and I couldn't help how that made me feel, "And take Bella with you. We have this area secured, but there's always a chance that..." I figured she could piece together the last of what I needed to say.
She held out her hand, and I dug in the small compartment of my vest, pulling out the keys to one of the dirt-bikes. The farm - the area where we kept the animals in the city - was a 2 mile drive. About a third of our team spent the day farming what they could on the small patch of land available with the few animals we had.
She took the keys from me, tucking them in the tight pocket of her leather pants. It was amazing what the end of the world could do to a chipper, young girl. Her once short, spiky hair now hit her shoulders in a low ponytail. These days, she had clearly forgotten she even had hair. Her only concern was Jasper and his occasional venturing out of the city's limits for weaponry, food and anything else we may need.
"After this, we'll be good for another month or two." I added, feeling foolish for trying to see a bit of her old self arise.
"I hope so," She said with little hope at all. At the angle she stood, I could see the scar on her neck. It was a rough reminder of how close we were to losing her and it also served as a reminder to what I owed Jasper for saving her life. That was our general introduction to him and he left quite an impression "I heard you spoke to Bella."
"I did." I answered, already tired of her company. There was no doubt that she was family, but it didn't mean I tolerated her for long periods of time.
"And what did you say?" As persistent as ever.
"She can tell you." I dismissed. She sucked her teeth in agitation and pushed pass me.
"Fuck you, Edward."
xXx
"Ask me that question again and I'll have your balls as a charm on my bracelet." Rosalie tossed her hair over her shoulders when she got off the rolling board. There was a smudge of grease on her cheek as she stood on her feet.
"You're in charge of it, that's why I ask."
"Yeah, well, we're bound to run out sooner or later, Masen." She hissed viscously, "Gas is a commodity, if you haven't been paying attention to the news before the world decided to end."
"Right… and all that." I said bitterly, "Stay away from trucks." I advised.
She rolled her eyes, "Aren't you the one that just had me soup up the bank van?" She asked. It was part of protocol. In order to raid successfully, we needed room and safety to transport whatever we could.
I sighed, fingering the roots of my hair, "There always needs to be a plan B, Rose." I dug in my pocket, pulling out yet another set of keys, tossing it her way. Without glancing up, she caught it, popping the hood of the car in the process. She was the team's mechanic, fixer upper and occasionally The Attitude. There was a rattling and a grunt from under the hood until she spoke again.
"So you're telling me there may be a chance we would need to leave?"
"I wouldn't want for it to happen. We've been completely fine this last year, but in an instant, things can change."
I wasn't exactly wrong.
xXx
The next morning brought unexpected guests. Walking out of the Executive Office Suite #002, I slid my arms into my fitted leather jacket, easing my elbows in before the heavy material rested on my shoulders. I popped the collar up, looking over the vacant secretary desk, noting a head of brown hair.
"Hey," I called, surprising the slim brunette at the desk, "What time is it?"
Bella let out a sigh of relief, before lifting up her wrist, "8:25." She said, shaking the sleeve of her jacket down, before turning to me, "What's up?"
"They should be back soon." I answered, adjusting the radio at my hip, before walking my way to the staircase at the end of the hall. Bella moved from behind the secretary's desk, catching up with me.
"Edward, wait!" She called after. I didn't want to but hell if I was going to get any lip from Alice or Emmett about how I treated her. I stopped, only turning my head to let her know she had my - if not full at least partial - attention "This thing, I'm sorry if it got out of hand. I just want everyone to forget it."
I repressed a shudder. She sounded so vulnerable and needy. It was pathetic, yet being mindful she had lost her father, I kept the annoyance out my tone, "I already have."
"Oh." My honesty seemed to still have cut a few exposed pieces of her accessible heart. This is why we wear armor, "Well, I never wanted to make you uncomfortable and Alice.."
"Never mind Alice." I dismissed, "They'll be expecting us." I didn't wait for an answer.
xXx
It was almost immediate. The arrival was on time, each of us geared, expecting the worse and in fact getting it.
"Get the bike." I ordered Emmett, but he was already jogging down the incline of the hill, leading into the belly of the garage. We all heard it. The wild screams and revving engines. Alice remained still as stone to my right, our other armed accompaniment held their breaths. Emmett was back, the roaring beast under his body. He cocked his head at me, suggesting I hop on.
"Take the van." I ordered the tail end of our group. There were curt nods and a few gritted jaws of preparation before Emmett kicked the bike into gear. We sped up the incline of the garage, through the fully opened door where Rosalie waited, a rifle in one hand and a pistol secured at her hip.
"Get my husband killed and I'll put one in your skull, Edward." She threatened. I wasn't surprised to hear the rumbling of a chuckle from Emmett in front of me.
"We both know the likelihood of Emmett getting killed is by his own hands." It wasn't a far cry from the truth. Emmett was a fearless beast and had some pretty bold maneuvers whenever we were faced with Banshees, but rarely ever did he come back with a mark on him. At that, Rosalie smirked, but said nothing. We were on our way, turning around deserted buildings, bypassing the rather effective wall and gates that blocked the entire street from unwanted visitors. We followed the noise coming from the freeway overpass.
"Get on!" I signaled to the freeway ramp. I was sure he couldn't hear me over the growling machine, but he nodded anyway, turning sharply. I followed the angle of the bike, knowing that otherwise it would have me as skid marks on the road - an idiotic way to go. When we were right in position, I threw a glance over my shoulder. Sure enough, one of the armored trucks was behind us along with a topless BMW. I grimaced, catching the sight of flurrying raven locks and had to bite back the bark for Alice to stay behind. She was going to break our typical procedure and if she died in the process, it'd rob me of killing her myself. Fuming, I turned, waiting for the sight of our dilemma.
It was a big one.
Two vehicles I recognized; our armored vans.
Two I didn't; a yellow school bus, and a bike, deserted in the middle of the freeway with no one on it.
The vehicles drove in loose circles, speeding off the freeway before driving back on, a stalling method to keep the Banshees from following them into the street that was under blockade. Farther down, there were a group of men – mostly Banshees – but I could make out the cowering bodies.
"Shit!" Emmett slowed the bike to a complete stop, "You think our boys are in there?"
"It doesn't matter." If these were Outsiders, chances were some of them would be help for us, whether by information or hands to man areas. At this rate, the more we had against the Banshees, the better we were.
As long as they weren't Thumpers, we'd be fine.
Thumpers were nearly as dangerous as Banshees. They were biblically motivated and deranged groups that fooled willing helpers, robbing them of all their sources and lives in the name of Redemption - a Holy Sacrifice. It was complete bullshit. The world was polluted and God was finished with it. No sacrifice was good enough.
"Get me closer." I jerked my head in the direction.
"What you have planned?"
"Nothing that will get you killed. Don't worry about it." He shrugged, muttering something under his breath along the lines of "It's your life, fucker."
With a closer look, it turned out to be 5 Banshees and two Outsiders, all missing firearms, but loaded with handheld tools and weapons. This was a desperate group. Emmett braked, pulling the bike in a sharp turn. I got off and with the ease of walking, pulled out my Gold Desert Eagle, locking my eye with my targets. There was a rush of movement, as the wild bunch came at me in unison. It was what I had planned.
Something happened over time. We figured it was the radiation, or the deteriorating brain cohesion causing plain insanity. Banshees were primal and reckless, which sometimes made them unpredictable, but in times like these, very predictable. Always go for the kill, and if not successful, go for incapacitation. The only mottos both our sides seem to follow. It was a motto they needed to change. It got them killed faster. I fired four rounds, taking all but one down, before I dug in my holster for my old colt revolver. In one click, I was ready, catching the brain dead fool right between the eyes when he was but a few feet away. I scowled, noticing the rot in his gritted teeth, the bloodshot red eyes and rough, leathery skin before he crumbled to his knees, falling flat on his back. Emmett circled the perimeter of where I stood, before pulling in front of me, "Drop me off at the bike." I hopped on, casting one glance to the two Outsiders. From a closer position, I could make out the blood stained shirt, a hand pressed against a wound. The smaller of the two lifted his head, meeting eyes with me, a silent pleading in his gaze. Emmett accelerated forward, without a word. I could make out the BMW and two armor vans now at head with the school bus about half a mile ahead. My best bet was the big, massive vehicle was somehow raided and those inside were fighting control for the steering wheel. Emmett was quick, dropping me off by the neglected bike. I hoped on and without a word, we were both heading back to the Outsiders.
The unharmed young boy was now on his feet, shirt displaying drops and designs of dark maroon. His hair touched the ends of his ears. He looked to be no older than 17.
"Please!" He shouted, right as both Emmett and I jumped off the bikes, "They cut him. They were holding him here to-"
"Let me see." I kneeled by the body, curled into the fetus position.
"He won't get up!" The boy nearly sobbed, "He says I should leave him."
I rolled the body on its back, taking in the soaked shirt. I lifted it high enough to see the wound. From what I knew, it didn't appear deep enough to be fatal, yet he was incapable of moving. I leaned in closer, moving his shoulder length hair aside and was surprised to feel a clench in my chest. He was unconscious, eyes still without movement, but his full lips moved in a silent prayer, whispering words I couldn't hear. There was a discoloring on the side of his face and it puffed as if he had something the size of a marshmallow in between his cheek and teeth.
"Emmett," I needed his assistance.
"I got him." It was a swift movement on his part, considering Emmett's strength and size. I motioned for him to follow me and he did, positioning the body behind me on the bike, warm arms limp around my waist, "Hold on a second." Emmett backed away, unbuckling the thick, long belt around his waist, before tucking the leather strip by the buckle, untangling it from its hoops. If there was something I enjoyed about teaming with Emmett, it was his ability to be useful and listen carefully. He was quick, wrapping the belt around both of our torsos before fastening it. The article of clothing had never been for keeping his pants fitted to his waist, but rather for situations like these.
When finished, I balanced both me and the unconscious boy behind on the bike. Emmett took this moment to turn to the younger of the two Outsiders.
"How good are you with bikes?"
The boy, wide eyed and apparently in shock, took a while to answer that question, "G-good, I guess. J-Jake taught me how to ride a few years ago." Gesturing to the boy secured to me.
"Okay, well we'll thank Jake later," Emmett tossed casually, "Hop on. You're driving." The young boy did just that. It was an awkward fitting. The teen seemed dwarfed by Emmett's massive body, but they were both capable of fitting on, "What's your name, kid?"
The boy blinked for a second, taking in the question, "Seth."
Emmett nodded as if in casual conversation, "Seth, good name." The boy appeared flabbergasted by Emmett's nonchalance, "What you're going to do, Seth is escort me to that big, yellow bus."
"Those crazy people are in there and they probably killed-" Seth protested, but quieted down when he noticed Emmett raise his hand to cut him off.
"Trust me." Was all he spoke before looking over his shoulder to wink at me, "Think Rose will be mad?" I shook my head in reply causing him to snicker. I knew exactly what he was going to do.
In no time, the bike sped off towards the yellow bus in the distance. Seth had good speed and direction, making sure to maneuver around the debris and phantom car shells between the lanes. They caught up to the swerving yellow blip on the freeway right as our two armored vans pulled to the shoulder of the traffic lane. It was all part of procedure; with back-up, we can expedite the solution.
I started the engine on the bike, satisfied with the healthy, roaring sound before following behind. I knew all I was would be needed for was clean-up. My eyes were steady on my target and allies as I continued to creep forward, maintaining balance with the dead weight on my back. As I predicted, Emmett had the young boy pull up to the dangerously swerving bus. He didn't hesitate, jumping forth and attaching himself to the opened window. If I hadn't known him all these years, I would have been in fear for his life, but through our lives before this, Emmett had always been a risk-taker and a terrible adrenaline junky. This was pretty much his day job.
With the grace of a wild cat, Emmett climbed up and onto the roof of the bus, rolling against the turns and swerves in an attempt to stay on. The bus couldn't have been going faster than 15 mph thankfully. Emmett kept low, using the edges of the roof to climb forward to the front windshield, before he boldly took the dive towards the driver's window, his fist causing a shattering hole in the glass. It took about a quarter of a mile before the bus came to a crashing halt. As I neared, I smelled the burning rubber and exhaust and was able to make out the brigade as they climbed out of the vans. One of our most efficient, Riley, approached me first.
"The bus belonged to some Outsiders, but was ambushed by Banshees," He seemed annoyed as he relayed the information, "We spotted the ambush about 30 miles outside the city. Jasper didn't want to risk leaving it if there were people alive inside." I felt my gut twist before dropping. It appeared both my sister and Jasper were incapable of following orders even if it meant their lives. At the thought of my younger sibling, I looked over the horizon in search for the car. She had swiftly pulled next to the bus, her small stature standing before it, a weapon evidently in her hand.
"Your task was successful then?" I asked, referring to what they were originally sent out for.
Riley nodded, "Yes."
I leaned my weight on one foot as I let the bike slant. It was hard keeping the body on the seat with me, so the rest couldn't be for long, "Alright, we take out all Banshees on the bus. Look for survivors, and get Emmett and Jasper out."
Riley nodded, "And the guy?" At my questioning look, he motioned to the man behind me, "Should we take him and put him in the van?"
I shook my head as a negative, "No. If there are any others on that bus, we'll need the room in the vans for them."
"We won't be taking the bust with us?"
He had a point. If there was anything to distract Rosalie and keep her productive, it was something as substantial in size as a yellow school bus, "We'll see." Riley took that as a dismissal and got back in the van. Now with the order, we were going in. I kept my pace slow while both vans rushed forward, catching up with an already enthusiastic Emmett, whom had pulled a Banshee into the light from inside the vehicle. With a rapid body rotation, Emmett revealed the derringer that I knew had been secured at his thigh and with an echoing pop, the Banshee fell back instantly, his skull of no resemblance to what it had been a second before.
There were 6 more Banshees inside the bus and by the time I was able to secure the perimeter of the area, all of them were brought out into the cloudy light. There were 4 males and 2 females, one of which appeared to be no older than 6. He stood before all 7 of my men with matted, brown hair and coal colored eyes that were wide in fear. I watched a few feet away as he was directed towards his people. Alice, approached from the rear, her gun aimed at the windows as she searched the small square spaces for the familiar blonde hair.
"Where is he?" She sounded pathetic with the crackling signs of tears at the back of her throat.
"Put the gun away, Alice." Emmett rolled his eyes, "All of them are right here. Jasper is inside."
"I-Is he-?" She looked between our group and theirs, desperate for some form of an answer. Emmett merely jerked his thumb towards the folded open door of the bus. I had no doubts that Jasper only remained inside to ease whoever experienced the violent showdown. My sister didn't hesitate to rush inside. I was incapable of expressing the rush of anger in the pit of my gut but I was sure to save it for our first moment alone. She wasn't supposed to be here, especially for the sake of Jasper.
The weight against my body shivered. There were probably injured men inside that needed medical attention. We had to head back as soon as possible.
"Let's deal with this." I ordered and like an army, my men lined up and raised their guns at the huddled, incapacitated Banshees.
"W-what are you doing?" I had forgotten the young boy Seth was present.
"It's cool, kid." Emmett shot him a quick glance, before facing the insane men.
"But that boy, he's-" Seth protested. The kid was brave enough to throw his hands out and drop the raised weapon in Emmett's hand, "You can't do this!"
Riley chuckled, "You seriously think these freaks have any idea what we're doing? They're fucking brain dead. Now back up before you get yourself hurt." But as he spoke, I watched the 6 huddled, dirty beings. They were once normal citizens who worked, went to school and perhaps had close families. After the initial shock wore in the first year, it had never entered my mind that they were as human as we were. They stood before us, eyes wild, but not moving. If they weren't aware of this genocide, they were surely knowledgeable of our threat to them.
It had been two years since I stared without consideration, since we all had. Looking over the minor again, I imagined him cleaner, with brighter eyes and the ability to communicate like we could. It was difficult seeing Seth's point after all I'd endured the last 37 months, but the kid was adamant enough to get himself hurt.
I gestured to Mike, who was eagerly waiting for the order to shoot, "Grab the child and move him aside." I nodded my head towards the little boy.
"You have got to be kidding me." Mike whined, lowering his weapon.
"I'm not asking you, Newton." Without another audible word –since he chose to mutter under his breath –Mike lowered his weapon and followed my command, walking the distance to the child. Everyone waited, their weapons at the ready, when Mike clasped a hand around the small boy's skinny arm before roughly pulling him from his group. To my surprise, the kid thrashed and screamed, creating that howl we all knew very well.
"Fuck, shut that kid up!" Riley snapped. Mike didn't hesitate, gun-butting the child before he went limp against his side. It didn't escape my notice that Seth turned his head away just then. It was clear he had been very sheltered these last three years. I was suddenly curious as to where exactly he and the bus riders hailed from.
I didn't have much time to wonder. Just as the child was out, the oldest of the females made an attempt to attack. Her lips were curled back and her shoulders rounded in a primal crouch. Without much cognitive process, I retrieved my Gold Desert Eagle and fired before she could strike. The pop startled Seth, Mike and the child. Emmett gave me a look as the Banshee woman fell back against the others. It was no news to the crew how quick I was, though occasionally the reminder struck them by surprise.
"Kill the rest." I ordered, no longer capable of keeping still with the weight against my back.
Afterwards, when the last of the Banshees were hoisted onto the pile on the shoulder of the freeway, Emmett approached me, a rare glum look on his face "So, what should we do with the child?"
"Drop him off somewhere outside of the city." I really didn't care where, "I'm sure some other Banshee coven will find him." Emmett didn't appear too sold on the idea, "You have a better idea?"
"Nah," He shook his head. Whether he had one or not, I knew he didn't agree with me, "That kid Seth reminds me of how Rose and Alice were before all this. I guess I kind of forgot what it's like to consider them."
"They'd kill you if they had the chance, Emmett." I sneered at the idea of consideration. It meant hesitation and to hesitate meant death, "Just get rid of it."
"You enjoy this too much." He scoffed, before walking towards Mike and the unconscious child.
Some of the men were already lighting a fire to the mound of bodies when Alice stepped out of the bus, her nose wrinkled in disgust at the sight of the blood, "Two are injured and one is dead inside. The rest are okay, but they're scared and they want to know who we are and if we're safe."
"I'm sure Jasper put them at ease." It was a snide remark. I couldn't help it, I was still pissed.
Alice scowled, "I know that was meant to be sarcasm, but he did, you asshole."
"Next time, let him do what he claims he's going to do. Don't rush out here to be a hero. Heroes die."
Alice huffed, marching over to where I sat on the bike, "You know, having a heart keeps us alive too. No one wants to be a zombie. No one wants to be like them!" She pointed to the burning pile, "Sometimes I wonder if you have more in common with a Banshee than us."
"I'll take it as a compliment."
She merely sneered, though that was quickly put away when she spotted the man secured behind me, "Is he conscious?"
"Barely."
"You should get him back. He could get an infection from an open wound or-"
"I'll get him there when I'm sure everything is handled here."
She stared at me for a long moment before disappointment ghosted her face, "Do you even have a conscience?"
"You should know by now."
Her eyes flickered to the man attached to my body and then back to me, "You're right. I do."
xXx
AN: Give me your 2 cents! Tell me what do you think so far. And don't forget to stop by at Twilight The Big Bang's Livejournal to check out the other stories posted up. The link is in my profile.
I shall have another update next week!