The Longest Journey
Prologue: Broken Promises
Rain fell from the sky in buckets as the wind whipped the giant oak trees. A lone figure with a backpack partially unzipped, trudged through the storm. Travis bent his head as he spoke to the sleeping pink bundle within the backpack. The paved road he walked grew slick with mud.
"It's okay Saoirse," he grunted, half-dragging his left leg as he walked. From the ankle down on the left leg was completely swollen. "We're going to make it, I promise."
Travis' head looked up when he heard a familiar gurgling sound behind him. His heart sped up in his chest, as he clutched the backpack tighter against his chest. He didn't bother standing still, as he didn't want whatever it was to catch up with him. His ears strained to pinpoint the exact location of the gurgling, but it disappeared just as quickly.
He bent his head again as he walked beneath more hanging oak trees. If he'd read the map on his Pip-Boy correctly, Miami wasn't too far. He just had to push a little further.
Lightning and thunder added to the mix, one bringing light to the otherwise black night. It was at that moment, the baby's eyes opened, and she began to cry.
"Shhh, it's okay Saoirse," Travis whispered. "Everything's all right. I'm here, I'm right here."
Aria should be the one doing this, Travis thought as he reached a fork in the right. The dual rings on his left hand felt heavier now. He bounced baby Saoirse gently as he looked up at the signs pointing to different settlements. When he saw the one for Miami, he looked beyond to see the bright neon lights and slogged again.
As he continued down the path, the gurgling sound returned even louder this time. He glanced behind him to see ghouls following him. Travis gritted his teeth and half-dragged his left leg as fast as he could.