Chapter Five: The Dying World
Gohan climbed into the backseat of the red convertible. It had been so long since he was last in a car. It seemed quite outlandish. He even had some trouble with the seatbelt. Feeling slightly foolish as Bulma reached over and untwisted the straps for him, Gohan went bright red.
"It's no problem, Goten. It's been a long time since anyone has been in a car. I'm surprised that the androids haven't gotten ours yet," Bulma snickered as Gohan shoved the seatbelt into the wrong holder, frustrated when it wouldn't lock.
Trunks said nothing. Apparently, he had other things on his mind. Gohan watched him skeptically. He seemed so much like his father even though Gohan was sure that the Trunks in this timeline had never met the headstrong man.
The engine kicked to life and they were off down the long road. Gohan had a faint idea to where they were headed. They were going someplace called Sheila city for food and supplies. Gohan guessed that was actually Satan city in his time. It was funny. Gohan could almost picture Hercule running for his life from the androids. But timelines could be different…
There was a long silence in the car as they drove. No one had the nerve to say anything afraid that it might lead to the discussion of androids. Finally Trunks spoke up,
"What are we going to tell his family?"
Goten looked slightly dumbfounded. He looked to Bulma for a answer but there came none for several minutes, "The same thing we told Chichi."
Gohan could feel the color drain out of his cheeks. Somehow he knew they were talking about him, but what were the refereeing to? His family? Wasn't Chichi all he had? Or did he have something else? A wife perhaps? Maybe a-
Bulma gave out a violent shutter and hit the exhilarator. Gohan looked out the window to see why but then he wished he didn't. Hundreds upon thousands of dead corpses lay about the town. Some hanging out of window, some laying beneath cars. All of them seemed to be trying to be taking over. Most of them were as black as soot. Smoldered lifeless by no doubt the androids. Gohan cringed and shoved his face into his hands. Tears slipped from his eyes. It was awful to look at. He had never seen something so gruesome in his life.
Gohan looked up timidly to see Trunks gazing almost lazily out the window. Did he not see the pain about him at all? Or had he grown accustomed to the throbbing this dying world brought each day? Gohan took a closer look as saw the far away look in Trunks' eyes. Past the refection of the dead outside the tinted glass and into his broken soul. It was a look of someone who had lost his chance at childhood. It reminded Gohan painfully of himself. Having to grow up so quickly to help his family overcome Cell. But Trunks had it worse. He never even tasted the sweetness that childhood brought. He was too busy running and hiding.
"I never thought they were this bad," Gohan said to himself.
"They're worse," Trunks muttered not looking at him.
Gohan and Trunks fell into step behind Bulma as they walked into the broken down house. It seemed it was turned into some kind of refuge for those who had lost their homes. There was only a couple of people in here right now. Gohan had got a faint impression that that might be all the people left. Bulma walked up to the counter to a old and dimple faced man.
"Well, hello Mrs. Briefs!" The man grinned clasping his hand together happy to see his old friend. "The usual?"
"Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. Tamagotchi. Your kindness is overflowing this whole building."
"Tis dark times, Bulma," Mr. T said dismally. "One does as he must to protect the innocent. Not to put those poor men who have fought down but I find fighting futile. So I just try to concentrate on saving the living."
"See Trunks! You could learn a lesson or too from Mr. T," Bulma smiled jabbing Trunks playfully in the ribs.
Trunks did not smile. He was gazing lazily about the shop not really even there.
"And who might you be?" Mr. T smiled greeting Gohan.
"Goten, sir," Gohan smiled clasping Mr. T hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Ah! A fighting type I see. Nice strong grasp you have. You might want to look into the career. Who knows! You might even beat the androids for us." Mr. T laughed. "That is of course if Trunks beat you to it. Aint that right, Trunks?"
"Aye," Trunks muttered with no feeling whatsoever.
"Heaven forbid that," Bulma said sternly. "Now don't you going and getting any ideas, Goten. I don't want you to get yourself killed."
Gohan blushed thinking on how he could turn the androids into tin cans in probably three seconds.
"So what is little Goten doing here anyway?"
"Well, he saved Trunks life the other night," Bulma smiled her voice dulling out to a whisper.
She was probably didn't want Trunks to feel bad or Gohan to get embarrassed. But it must have slipped her mind that Sayians have sensitive hearing. There was no way Trunks couldn't hear Bulma. And of course, Gohan could hear her as well. Neither seemed to care very much. Gohan stared at Trunks with his uncanny brown eyes. Trunks winced a bit and turned his eyes to met Gohan's. Trunks was angry. For a reason Gohan didn't understand yet. But one thing was for sure, Trunks didn't enjoy 'Goten's' company.
Bulma let them both pick something out of the stash of food and clothes. Gohan found a box full of chocolate teddy grams that he desired, and Trunks found a nice wrist watch. They said good bye to Mr. T and went on there way. It was only a few miles up the road that they heard a strong explosion. Gohan spun about in his seat trying to find the source to the explosion. There was no mistake of who had gotten the blast. Trunks and Bulma did nothing at all. Bulma pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. Trunks turned to Gohan who went deadly pale. It was perhaps the first time Trunk had ever looked upon him with pity.
Trunks' eyes filled with angry tears as he muttered in a dark tone, "And another one bites the dust."
To Be Continued…
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