Romano was alone. Completely alone, in an almost silent world. The only sounds that accompanied him were his footsteps on the dead, barren ground and the occasional whispers of the wind. Completely alone to his thoughts- which were pulsating in his head, egging on the headache he already had. Why? Why him? He knew the conflict had been going on for a long time, he thought it was over by now. It had been weeks since an explosion was reported, and now this… Romano shook his head, and tried to make sense of what happened.
We had been at a neighborhood gathering, then… The blaring siren. It came, and everyone was in a panic. Dust kicked up everywhere. I tried yelling for them… "Feliciano! Nonno!"... The only responses I got were hysteric crying. People ran everywhere. I couldn't see. Someone grabbed me. A bright, blinding light… and then darkness. I woke up… Hours? Days after the explosion?… Not far from where I stand. No clue how far I am from my town. Regardless, I need to get back. I need to find my family.
Romano continued to walk. It didn't matter if he knew where his home was in relation to where he was. No matter which direction he was walking, he'd happen upon a town sooner or later. And in a town there are maps, and people. Both would be able to help him.
Romano walked until he could no longer walk. He was tired, starving, and dehydrated. Unfortunately, he had no food or water on him, but he could take care of the other problem. Romano lay down, and let the nothingness of sleep consume him.
He didn't know how long he had been out before he felt something poking his side. Repeatedly. Romano grunted in annoyance, and kicked out his leg. Surprisingly, it hit something solid.
"Ow! See, I told you he was alive!"
The voice came from right above Romano. His eyes flew open, and he looked up in surprise. Standing above him was a tanned man, with about the messiest hair one could imagine.
"Hi! Sorry for waking you from your nap, but it's really not safe to be sleeping out in the open like this!"
Before Romano could even open his mouth to respond, another voice spoke up, coming from another man who was running towards them, who was fairly out of breath.
"A-Antonio! Please w-wait up next time…!" The owner of the voice stopped in front of them, panting.
"Sorry, I just saw him laying down from the distance, and wanted to see if he was alright", said the man who Romano assumed was Antonio. "Anyway, where are Heracles and Kiki?"
The other guy pointed behind himself. "Somewhere behind me."
Seemingly on que, two figures approached. They were too far away for Romano to get a good look at them, especially in the disoriented condition he was in.
The other man spoke up again. "Who is he? Did you ever get his name?"
"Oh, no. You interrupted him before he could say anything." Antonio turned back toward Romano. "So, what is your name?"
Words formed in Romano's mind, but once again he could not get them out in time. He was interrupted- not by another person, but by a blaring migraine. Romano couldn't make sense of things yet again, but heard worried voices that all blended together. He swore he felt something rapidly approach him, but he couldn't be sure. Suddenly, he felt something touch his lips, and a liquid drip down his chin. Water! He opened his mouth, letting the cool liquid run down his throat, rejuvenating him. He drank until no more water flowed. The object was removed from his lips. When his senses finally returned, there was a girl holding a canteen kneeling in front of him. She had bad burns visible on her face, along with a look of concern.
"...Better?" Her voice was soft, barely louder than the whispering wind. Romano had to run it by a few times in his head, just to make sure it was her actually speaking, and not just his imagination.
"Much. Thank you." Romano quickly said.
The girl nodded, and got up, resuming her place next to the other figure, who looked to be half asleep.
Antonio flashed a smile at her, before turning his attention back toward me. "Now that you're feeling better, can you tell us your name, and maybe what you're doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"
Romano hesitated. In conditions like this, you really couldn't trust anyone. A kind stranger could turn into a vicious thief within seconds. But, that girl had just helped him… And beside, he had absolutely nothing of value on him. Besides, he was looking for people before, and these were in fact people. People who could possibly help him get home…
"...Romano. I was separated from my family in the latest nuclear blast, and i'm trying to get back to Ridgeton, where I live. Do any of you happen to know where that is?"
The head of the half asleep guy lifted a bit. "Ridgeton? That's near Kenosha, isn't it? We'll take you there."
Romano's eyes lit up, and went back and forth to the other member of the group, who were nodding in agreement.
"T-thank you!"
"It's no problem, the more company the better!" Antonio chirped in. "Oh, we know your name, but you don't know our names, do you?" He pointed to himself, "I'm Antonio." , and then to everyone else in the group, each giving a wave or a nod of affirmation as their name was said. "The blonde guy is Tino, the girl who helped you is Kiki, and Heracles is the guy who knows where Kenosha is."
Antonio put a hand out in front of Romano, which Romano took, and was helped to his feet.
"Welcome to the team, Romano."