Chapter 2: Another Day, Another Hangover

As Dawn woke up, she saw the bright sunshine come into her bedroom. She had her long blonde hair again. Dawn walked towards the window and looked out at the beautiful view. There was no war ravage, no toxic waste, and no ruined buildings. There was no Combine, savages, or alien zombies to fight through. It was all perfect.

And of course, Dawn woke up from her dream and entered back into her nightmare. She lay in bed with her whiskey bottle, which was almost empty. She didn't want to get up. So there she was in bed, another day, another hangover, and still wearing the same clothes she had on last night. Dawn suddenly opened her eyes. She had no clue what happened last night. She slowly got up and out of bed and fell to the ground. When she picked herself up, she showered, and changed her clothes. She sat on ruined sofa and brushed her short hair back. Then, she rubbed her eyes and slouched back on the sofa. The view outside was not the glamourous view she envisioned in her dream. Welcome back to reality she thought to herself. Then, there was a knock at the door. Dawn took out her .357 and opened the door. No one was there. She saw a knife stuck in her door. It was the same knife the vagrant had last night.

The young woman was watching her from across the building. She was now wearing a white t-shirt black spandex pants and combat boots. She had the same face paint scheme as the night before and her blonde hair was tied in pigtails. She saw Dawn enter back into her apartment holding the knife. She smiled. Dawn was now on her way outside. The young woman was going to follow her every move. As Dawn walked outside and headed down the street, the young woman made her hands into binoculars and smiled. As Dawn turned down another street, the young woman quickly jumped down on to a staircase and with lighting fast speed, and ran across the street without anyone seeing her and climbed up the other staircase on the adjacent building. Just like that she was back on the rooftop, watching Dawn. The young woman stalked her until Dawn entered the restaurant. She took out her knife and made a slicing motion across Dawn's neck.

Dawn had already ordered her drink and was looking at the knife that was stuck on her door. In the past, Dawn would have investigated. But that was then. She had a feeling this person would be back. Dawn paid her tab and exited the restaurant. Right in front of her was a City Enforcement van. Barney Calhoun was leaning against it with his arms folded, staring right at Dawn.

"Dawn Crenshaw is it?" He asked. "I need to talk to you about an incident last night."

Dawn knew what he was asking about.

"Why did you run off after the three men attacked you?"

"I don't know okay," she said. "How do you know my name?"

"Witnesses described a thin woman with short blonde hair, and a pissed off attitude. I asked around and you're name came up. Now I got a face to go with a name."

"So what am I in trouble for?"

"Nothing. Why were you over on that side last night?"

"Just looking for something to drink."

"Drinks, huh. You should avoid that area. Just because the Combine is gone, that don't mean every place is safe. You should know better than anybody."

Barney unfolded his arms and opened the door to the van.

"If you want something to drink, I can help you out," he said. "Let's go down the station."

Despite his friendly face and demeanor, Dawn did not trust him. But it was hard for her to resist the offer of a drink. She also realized she had nothing to worry about, she could defend herself. Dawn walked over to the van and got in. He started the van and began driving toward the City Enforcement station.

"You know something, the Civil Protection would never do something like this," Barney said.

"Well I'm glad they're gone," Dawn said.

"Me too. I'm also glad the Combine is history. What a world, huh? I'm just glad everything will be back to normal soon."

"We got a long way to go."

"Dangerous world. You need to watch yourself."

"I know how to take care of myself."

"Of course you do. You're one of the reasons the Combine is no more. No one would be stupid enough to mess with you. Well, some people are."

"I just miss the way things used to be. We as a society will never be the same. And it was all because of a war. A war we lost and then a war we won. For the past few years people have had to live in this hellhole."

"Give it time. Society will shape up. It will be like it never happened. Do you notice the grass is greener, trees are growing, and the air is breathable? Soon you'll be back with your friends hanging out at the mall and having slumber parties."

Barney laughed but Dawn didn't.

"I'm sorry. But you are right. The main reason we lost the war: Liberals. When those bastards took office, everything went to shit. Those aliens came from who knows were and beat us because we had no plan, barely any weapons, and shoddy leadership. That's why we lost."

Maybe he had a point or maybe he did not. Either way, Dawn could care less.

"That's America for you," he continued.

Dawn was not interested in what Barney thought. She continued to look out the window at the mixture of rundown buildings and rebuilt ones. The van approached the City Enforcement station. There were other CE members outside. The building was near the wasted river. As she got out, she stared across to the city on the other side.

"That place is called Ashgate," Barney proudly stated. "The worst of the worst are in there now."

As Barney and Dawn walked toward the entrance, Dawn could almost hear the eerie sounds coming from Ashgate. Then, the young woman was watching them from behind the van with an evil grin.

Dawn was sitting at Barney's desk. She looked around at newspaper clippings and photos. She saw pictures of the day Earth surrendered to the Combine as well as the day the Rebellion defeated the Combine. She saw a newspaper clipping of the Black Mesa Massacre fourteen years earlier. Another one had a picture of Gordon Freeman with the headline "KILLED." She also saw an old picture of Barney wearing a helmet, black vest, and a blue shirt. She recognized the logo on his vest. It was from the Black Mesa Research Facility. Then she saw Adrian Shepard's face on one and stared at it. She began having flashbacks of her time there. Adrian Shepard holding her throat and stroking her hair came right into her mind. Then, Barney entered holding a folder. He sat down across from her.

"I got a proposition for you," he said. "How would you like to do some work for us?"

"What kind of work?"

"I've been looking for some people. Criminals, thugs, whatever you want to call them. We've been too busy here to search for them ourselves. That's where someone like you comes in."

"What's in it for me? Cause I have enough money."

"You sure do, but you would benefit nicely if you accepted the offer."

He took out a key and placed it in front of her.

"The building with 1000 on it right near here. All the alcohol you want. Anytime you want. Not only that you can be free to do anything you wish. How's that sound?"

This proposition was something she did not need to think about.

"Whatever it is, I'll do it," she said.

"Good. The first person on the list calls himself Dalton. He's been raiding everyone he seems a threat to him. He's paranoid and insane. The only things I call tell you about him are he's north of here and near the abandoned sheet metal factory. He's with a gang of other thugs just like him. I think he's trying to start a revolution against us and the rest of the citizens."

"I'll go after him, right now."

"We can't. We have to wait until the sun starts going down. Meet us by the restaurant at six. Until then, help yourself."

Dawn was now back at her place. For the first time in months, her refrigerator was full of liquor, whiskey, and beer. Not a bad form of payment. She sat on her couch, drinking until the time came to meet with Barney. What has she got herself into? She was not worried about the dangers that lay ahead. She had want she wanted. The time eventually came for her to head out. She got dressed in her old gear; tactical vest, combat boots, camo pants, and a black long sleeve shirt. She grabbed her guns, knives, and brass knuckles. She also carried a new item, a flask with the best tasting liquor she ever had. It was not for liquid courage, it was for pleasure. Dawn headed outside as the sun began to descend. Barney had given her a City Enforcement pick-up truck. She hated it but it was better than walking.

There he was, Barney Calhoun, standing on the side of his van along with two CE members. He waved to her as she drove near them. She got out of the truck and walked towards them.

"Gentlemen, this is Dawn Crenshaw," Barney stated, "The most badass, ruthless warrior in this wasted hellhole."

He made it sound like Dawn was a Queen and he was his lowly servant. She was not looking for any heroic introductions, but Barney continued anyway.

"This young woman right here helped eradicate the Combine from its merciless existence. I wouldn't cross her unless you wanted to know what it is like to be in hell."

It seemed as if Barney enjoyed being in the presence of Dawn. It was someone meeting his idol.

"Anyway, I'd like you to meet my fellow soldiers. This is Lieutenant Malcolm. He's quite the badass as well. And this here is Sergeant Franklin. He's a tough kid too."

She shook hands with them. Lt. Malcolm had dark skin, was a tall, bald, and not the type for smiling. Sgt. Franklin was the one who looked like Adrian Shepard. Shaking his hand and looking into his blue eyes reminded her of times she would like to forget. There was something abnormal about him from the way he smiled at her. It was as if they met before.

"I look forward working with you," Sgt. Franklin said.

Dawn just stared at him.

"Okay gentlemen and lady, let's move out," Barney commanded.

Dawn walked towards the van.

"What's her problem?" Sgt. Franklin asked Lt. Malcolm.

"She's mean as hell apparently," Lt. Malcolm answered. "I guess she's the type with a lot of problems.

They were driving down a long road with nothing but mountains in the background as the sun was going down. Barney was driving, Dawn was riding shotgun, and Lt. Malcolm and Sgt. Franklin were in the back. Dawn sworn she remembered trees in this area. It was now a desolate land with no evidence of life nearby. They passed by a broken down Combine vehicle.

"That brings back memories," Lt. Malcolm said, "Battling our way through City 17, day in and day out, kicking the Combine's ass, blowin' shit up, what a way to live."

"Yeah, fun times, am I right?" Sgt. Franklin said.

The two sounded as if they enjoyed being in the warzone. As much as a hypothetical war monger Barney made her out to be, she hated war with a passion and now it appeared as if she was about to enter another one, all to feed her alcoholic addiction.

"I hope we don't have another war like that again," Barney said, "War is Hell."

"If there is another one, me and Franklin will fight it, you can sit back in your cubby hole," Lt. Malcolm joked.

"What makes you think you'll survive this time?" Barney asked.

"That's what makes war fun," Sgt. Franklin said, laughing.

"That's all you two are, a minster of death, praying for war!" Barney proudly stated.

The abandoned sheet metal factory Barney mentioned earlier was near. They drove alongside a large hill until they met up with another City Enforcement group who were ready and armed. Barney waved to them as he continued to drive by.

"Okay Dawn, this is where you come in," Barney said, "You know how to deal with people like this so I want you to lead the charge. If any miscreants pose a threat, don't hesitate to shoot. Remember, the leader's name is Dalton."

He pulled out a picture of him. He had long scraggy gray hair, a full beard, and a tribal tattoo design around his left eye. Barney stopped the van. They got out with their assault rifles ready and jogged towards the warehouse. There was not much cover around so they had no choice but to hit this place straightforward.

"Let's get this asshole," Barney said.

Barney did not make it clear to Dawn if he wanted Dalton shot on sight or captured. She knew what she was going to do and that Barney and his crew of muscle headed soldiers would have to deal with it. The sun seemed like it was stuck halfway into the earth. She thought to herself this might be a good thing because of the extra light. It would only be under an hour before the earth completely swallowed it and she knew it. As they continued down the deserted path, Dawn remembered watching the sunset every day before and after the invasion alongside Kurt. She thought about Kurt and wondered if he was watching the same thing. She tried not to let her emotions get the better of her in this situation. Now this is how it ended up; watching the sunset on the rooftops to hunting down some lowlife during the sunset all for a bottomless pit of alcohol that was promised to her by some cheerful faced man she hardly knew.