That sound. Unmistakably she can't remember hearing it before.
Human voices.
"Alright everybody back up, she's comin around!" an unrecognized voice shouted.
She gasped a rasping breath through her stinging throat. Air has never tasted so sweet, nor so painful.
When her vision returned she saw for the first time a person that was not herself reflected in a portal. He had short brown hair, a stocky build and spoke in a funny accent. It was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.
"You alright there miss? Darn Zombine had nearly gone and done and choked you to death. Hate what the dang head humpers have done to people. But just another gift from our benefactors, right?"
He had said the last bit in a mocking tone, as if he was mimicking someone else. Chell just sat there and stared in wonder at the miracle before her that was another person. A real speaking, smiling person.
The 'Zombine' was now laying off to one side, with a hole in its head. She noticed the revolver in Barney's hand was loaded, but could see one spent shell in the magazine.
"You'll have time to flirt later Barnicle, my congregation gathers! We have to leave Ravenholm now!"
An older man with a double barreled shotgun was standing unnoticed behind Barney. Indeed, there were a couple of people standing around looking uneasy.
"Calm down father Grigori, I'm just making sure she's alright. Lets get to the transport."
Barney held out a hand to Chell.
"Can you walk miss?" he asked.
Chell nodded.
"City 17, or what remains of it, isn't safe. We're escorting survivors to white forest." Barney pointed to a snow-capped mountain in the distance.
"Chell. Is that what they call you?" Barney asked pointing to the writing on her orange jumpsuit.
Chell nodded.
Barney regarded her for a moment, then spoke.
"Well Chell, put on this rider's jacket and follow me."
He must have noticed how cold she was because the moment she put on the leather jacket she felt instantly warmer. The Aperture jumpsuit didn't do much for insulation. She set off after Barney.
"Lucky for us the antlions aren't active here anymore, a week ago Gordon Freeman fought and killed two guardians on the other side of the mines."
Despite her silence Barney chatted on as if she were the most interesting thing on the face of the planet. Half the time she didn't even know what he was talking about. She envied his confident manner, and his knowledge. She didn't even know who she was. She only knew her name was Chell, and that only because it was written on her jacket.
"...yeah I think you'll enjoy Doctor Freeman's company, you two seem to have a lot in common." Barney said and raised an eyebrow at her.
She did not know who this Gordon was, but she managed a weak smile.
- λ³ -
They stopped for a quick meal in the cover of a derailed train. The small group of survivors ate apples and dry biscuits, and some ale was passed around. The apples were bruised and the ale looked home made, but Chell had never had a better meal in all her life.
The sun had long since set, but a strange twinkle had remained in the night sky.
"The Northern lights have been visible every day since the closing of the combine portal." a voice said behind her.
She jumped. Father Gregory was standing behind her, his shotgun slung over one shoulder. The man had a hard demeanor, but his eyes weren't cold. Something told her this man's soul ran immeasurably deep with experiences of a long and hard life.
"I once met another like you. I helped him cross the cursed land known as Ravenholm, the remains of which you experienced first hand when we met. They called him the one free man..."
Father Grigori remained silent for some time.
"Then the combine came. I was taken to Nova Prospekt to be questioned concerning the whereabouts of the one free man. I hated my captors for taking me away from my home, even though it was what it was. But the Lord works in mysterious ways..."
He rubbed the golden crucifix around his neck, deep in thought.
"Had I not been taken I would surely have perished in the blast when the citadel went nuclear."
The survivors spent the night sleeping in the burnt out shell of the cargo train. Chell awoke to the shaking hand of Barney.
"Change of plans, you and I are taking Gordon's ride to white forest." Barney said with a smile.
