The next stop was at some old warehouse made into a bar or tavern where survivors of the apocalypse could talk to each other and all. I hated these places. They had people and I for one was antisocial. I had no choice but to go along, considering we had no gas, and we could probably get a new car in this place. Or steal one. Same difference nowadays.
"Don't you go wanderin' off again." Roberta told us, but I felt as if her words were aimed towards me.
We all got out of the car, and I glanced around the unfamiliar surroundings. There was a building that said 'Alcohol!' and outside there were multiple signs, one particular one hanging off the side of the alcohol building said 'Trade!'. There were various other places like gun shows and all, but I didn't care much about it.
"Last time we were at a place like this, things didn't go so well." Doc whispered to me. I turned to look at him, before pulling my guitar case out of the car, holding onto it. I was the first one to walk away from the group. I went straight for alcohol building, planning on heading to the back and hide somewhere. Hopefully I'll be able to hide somewhere quiet.
I walked into the building, stopping to find a handful of drunk people messing around, playing with guns and showing off weapons. I kept a straight face, taking another step. Before I could continue walking, I felt someone grab my arm. On instinct, I took the arm and twisted it around, flipping the person over my shoulder and slamming him onto the ground. With my free hand around his neck and one foot on his chest, I found I was holding down some strange guy looking for a girl to mess with.
"Phoenix!" I heard Roberta yell at me. I glanced up, finding nearly everyone in the building had their guns aimed and pointed at me, I released the guy, taking a step away from him.
"What the hell!" The man yelled.
"Didn't I tell you not to wander off?" Roberta scolded, obviously pissed off. The rest of the group stood behind her, their guns pointed at various other people. The room was tense, and the man I assaulted ran the other way, to a different table.
"I wanted to be alone." I told her.
"Don't you know when a young, unarmed girl like you comes along, everybody will try to take the first bait?" The bartender asked. "Haven't you been in a bar before?"
I was silent, staring at the bartender. I hated the attention. "I was never allowed to." I told them. Considering I was fourteen when the apocalypse hit, the most I did was run around the streets fighting crime. It was amusing watching my fourteen year old self kick ass and make people feel safe on the news.
Roberta grabbed me by the arm, and I flinched, keeping my eyes shut, before looking at the ground. A flash of old memories I tried so hard to suppress surfaced, and I let out a deep, shaky sigh.
"What am I gonna do with you?" Roberta mumbled.
"Is there something you folks want? Why are ya'll still here?" One man called out. Obviously they didn't want us here. More like me here.
"We need gas. Or a car." Doc answered. There was a rumble of laughter coming from one man, and everyone else pitched in.
"Honey, if you're gonna want a car, you'll need to trade for something." The bartender said.
"Or someone!" Another man called out, eyeing both Cassandra and I.
"And considering you've already made a mess the moment you walked in here, you'll need to make up for that or we're gonna have to start charging ya." The guy I assaulted called out.
"How the hell are we supposed to do that?" Cassandra mumbled.
The bartender thought for a moment, before gesturing to my guitar. "How about a little entertainment? A couple bullets, some pills for medical purposes, if you know what I mean. We haven't gotten no music since the apocalypse. If you're any good, I'll consider giving you some of our extra cars I fixed up in the back."
"Now there's no way in hell-" I cut doc off.
"I'll do it." I agreed, walking up to the bartender.
"What?" Roberta asked.
"You said we needed a car." I reasoned.
"Right over here, young lady." The bartender said, pulling out a stool. I followed him, taking a seat on the stool and opening my guitar case. I pulled out my treasured guitar, setting my capo on the first fret. I didn't have any guitar picks, so I just shaped my fingers and used that instead. I plucked each string, making sure it was in tune. Starting off with an E minor chord, I cleared my throat as the room was dead silent. For the first time in a while, I showed a bit of emotion. I began playing the first song that came to mind. 'Misery Business' by Paramore. I always wondered if that band survived the apocalypse. I took a deep breath and starting singing.
"I'm in the business of misery, let's take it from the top
She's got a body like an hourglass that's ticking like a clock
It's a matter of time before we all run out
But when I thought he was mine she caught him by the mouth
I waited eight long months, she finally set him free
I told him I couldn't lie, he was the only one for me
Two weeks, we caught on fire
She's got it out for me but I wear the biggest smile
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change
Once a whore, you're nothing more, I'm sorry, that'll never change
And about forgiveness we're both supposed to have exchanged
I'm sorry honey but I passed it up, now look this way
Well there's a million other girls who do it just like you
Looking as innocent as possible to get to who they want
And what they like, it's easy if you do it right
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him right now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good
I watched his wildest dreams come true
And not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, I never meant to brag
But I got him where I want him now
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now
But God, does it feel so good
'Cause I got him where I want him now
And if you could then you know you would
'Cause God, it just feels so
It just feels so good!"
I stopped the guitar from ringing at the end to add to the effect, and I gulped. Despite how I acted towards them, I was still nervous. I haven't performed...ever. But apparently everyone seemed impressed. I usually sang alone whenever I could, which was when I wasn't eating, sleeping, or killing zombies. It was the only thing I did the past three years. The room erupted in clapping and hollering, and heat rose to my cheeks. Out of embarrassment, I glanced down to the ground quickly, causing a few chuckles in the room. My face went bright red, and seeing as I hated the attention I hopped off the stool and packed up.
Avoiding the stares, I walked up to the bartender, gesturing the the group I traveled with.
"I did what you asked. Are we good?" I asked.
"That was pretty damn impressive, kid. Why don't you stay and perform for us? We'll feed you and all, and you'll attract more of them traders." The bartender said.
"The more I play music, don't you think there's a better chance of attracting zombies?" I asked. "Besides, I'm not some doll you can control."
"Well maybe I'll rethink our deal." The bartender hummed. I clenched my jaw, and Roberta jumped in before I murdered the guy.
"We made a deal. Don't you go against your word or I'll personally slice your throat." She threatened.
"Shoot, Hun, I've got more guys then your crew. We can shoot ya right now." He laughed as everyone in the room aimed their guns at us.
"Don't test me." Roberta challenged, pulling out a knife.
"You don't scare me." He argued. "Deal's off. Ain't no way I'm gonna give you my cars for free! It's the apocalypse honey! I wasn't gonna give it to you the first place!" He snorted.
Roberta growled, slamming the knife on the table, puncturing his hand. "You don't know our group" Roberta hissed. He yelped in surprise and everyone began shooting. I picked up two chairs and threw hurled it towards the group I traveled with. The chair acted as a quick shield, picking up the bullets that were being shot at them. I ducked, dodging my bullets. I know it was risky, and I couldn't dodge so many bullets at once. I may be fast, but I wasn't the Flash, or Superman. I'm not as fast as a speeding bullet nor can I stop them.
I slid underneath a table, pushing myself to kick a couple guys. They fell to the ground with a thud, and while the others that tried shooting at me missed, they shot them instead. They turned into zombies and instant, and attacked those around them.
an injured Cassandra picked up her hand gun, shooting in defense. 10k made clean shots, and I had to admit, he was pretty good. Doc picked up a chair leg and whacked a zombie in the head, defending himself. I stood up on the bar table, running across it and then leaping onto another guy. I did my signature move, using my legs to hold down his neck while I sat on his shoulders. Only this time, I didn't do a flip off him to kill. Instead, I firmly held his head in place, before snapping it clean, dropping the body and grabbing a broken piece of glass and stabbing his head before he turned into a zombie. I picked up another chair and threw it at more people, knocking them out. I reached into a dead guy's pocket, pulling out his keys from his front pockets. I threw them at 10k, and they all ran out.
Roberta followed in after us, and 10k struggled to find which car matched the keys I took. People were out after us, shooting at us. All the gunfire and noises attracted more zombies nearby, and I did not want to deal with that. Finally, we heard a beep, and found fairly large truck loaded with guns and ammo in the back. 10k tossed the keys to Roberta, and she started the engines. Everyone hurried inside the moving car, but I was held back. Someone grabbed me by the hair, stabbing my leg, and I yelped in surprise.
"Phoenix!" Doc called out from his window as the car heading out. "Hurry! We have to go!"
10k, who sat in the very back of the track due to the fact he had to help Cassandra get inside the truck and shut the doors, took out a rifle and shot the man from behind me. I limped forward, before being tackled by a zombie. It tried to go for my leg that was bleeding, and it dragged me back. I kicked away at it, trying to flip up. In that moment, I lost control of myself and old memories resurfaced. In total fear and panic, I grabbed the zombies face. Sure it almost bit me, but before it could, my eyes glowed gold for a moment. From a distance, my phoenix cried as it felt my emotional distress. The zombies face began to sizzle and melt in a blink of an eye, killing it in that instant. My ears were ringing, and I could hardly hear what was around me. When I could, I realized it was the group calling after me.
"Phoenix!" Roberta called out, snapping me out of my state. I panted, before standing up, grabbing my guitar case (which somehow survived through all that) and ran after the truck. I threw the case over and into the back of the truck with 10k, grabbing onto the back. I nearly slipped off, still shaken up. My injured leg didn't help much. This was why I avoided other human beings. 10k managed to grab a hold of my arm before I did, and helped pull me up and into the car. Now safe as Roberta drove away as fast as she could, I heaved a heavy sigh. I closed my eyes, my heart pounding against my chest.
"You're hot." 10k pointed out. "I mean, boiling." He added quickly, pointing to his own forehead. "I mean- when I touched you, you felt hot."
I was silent for a moment, turning back to look at the zombie it's face melted off. I did that. I wasn't careful. What if someone saw me.
I turned to look at Roberta who had her eyes on the road. Doc was going through the drugs he found in the car. They didn't seem to notice. Then I glanced at Cassandra. She stared at me, her eyes wide for a moment, then squinting at me, as if thinking. She now had a knowing look on her face, and my heart skipped a beat in fear. I glanced back up at the sky, staring at my phoenix. Someone did see me. It seemed like wherever this group went, trouble followed.
