The sun was now rising on the desert, but it was still darker than a normal day would have been before the war since grey, bushy clouds, mostly composed of dust and ashes, were covering the sky. The temperature was also lower.

Yet, it wasn't cold enough for the occupants of the black Dodge Charger, which was now speeding on a road going through the desert. Allison sat right next to Carter who was driving. Sam was on the rear, along with some equipments.

They kept silent for a moment, then Carter spoke. "I was thinking… Would you like to hear some music ?" Allison's eyes widened. "Music ?"

"Yeah. The reader still works and I got a few CDs. Would you like it ?" She slowly processed the information, then flashed a smile before answering. "Yes."

Nodding, he turned the reader on, then inserted a CD. "It's electronic music. What kind exactly… Well I can't tell, I don't have much culture about music…" He sneered. "… and it's not exactly optimistic music. Yet, I like it. It's British. The group's called Depeche Mode. You know it ?

"No. Doesn't ring bells. But it's okay."

Smiling, he pressed the Play button. Allison almost jumped when hearing the strange sound introducing the song. It sounded like a horn. A few seconds passed, then a voice began to sing in a slow rhythm.

I'm not sure what I'm looking for, anymore

I just know that I'm harder to console

I don't see who I'm trying to be instead of me

But the key is a question of control…

Can you say what you're tryin' to play, anyway

I just pay while you're breaking all the rules

All the signs that find have been underlined

Devils thrive on the drive that is fuelled…

All this running around

Well it's getting me down,

Just give me a pain that I'm used to

I don't need to believe

All the dreams you conceive

You just need to achieve something that rings true…

There's a hole in your soul, like an animal

With no conscience, repentance unknown

Close your eyes, pay the price for your paradise

Devils feed on the seeds that are sown…

Can't conceal what I feel, what I know is real

No mistaking the faking I care

With a prayer in the air, I will leave it there

On a note full of hope, not despair…

All this running around

Well it's getting me down,

Just give me a pain that I'm used to

I don't need to believe

All the dreams you conceive

You just need to achieve something that rings true.

All this running around

Well it's getting me down

Just give me a pain that I'm used to

I don't need to believe

All the dreams you conceive

You just need to achieve something that rings true…

Carter was right, Allison thought. It's not exactly optimistic… Though, she had never heard music since the war began. Never. It was the kind of thing that wasn't useful, either to survive or to fight against the machines. It was kind of a luxury. But still, she felt like if everything was back to normal again, like if this war never happened, thanks to this singer she didn't know. It brought her on the verge of tears. Yet they were not tears of sadness.

04

Well, this chapter may suck, if that's the case I'm sorry, but it was too tempting. That's one of my favourite songs from this group, which is one of my favourites too, and I had this idea since a few days.