Chapter 1: The Enclave

"Gordon can't be back, he died at Black Mesa." Cory had awoken to more rumors of a hero's return. He was quite frankly getting sick of it. He did hope that Gordon had in fact returned, but he thought to himself that the likelihood of that happening was very slim.

"Guys its getting old, please shut the hell up," said Cory. He would have attempted to go back to sleep, but he was already fully awake so it would be pointless. He climbed down from the top bunk of the bunk bed he shared with his close friend Leon. Leon was still asleep and Cory didn't want to wake him. It was too bad though because the leader of their enclave had just stormed into the sleeping quarters. "Wake up everyone, we got some good news!"

After everyone had been awoken, they were all gathered into the living quarters. Everyone sat on the floor waiting for the leader to make his announcement. He stood up firmly in front of everyone, he said, "it has just been confirmed, Gordon Freeman has in fact returned, he has been spotted trying to board a train to Nova Prospect in City-17."

This sparked several side conversations. This was indeed good news. Gordon had before stopped an entire race in its tracks single handedly, and now he has returned.

"Gordon has come to save us from the Combine reign as I have prophesized!" yelled a random fanatic in the crowd. "He can't save us, he's only one man, what can one man do against an entire Combine armada?" yelled another.

"Quiet down, I just thought I'd let you all know and put an end to the rumors. That is all, dismissed," said the leader, to which he left the room to his quarters.

"You know what this means, right?" whispered Cory to Leon.

"We're not going to City-17 Cory, that's the Combines hometown! And besides, all transportation to City-17 has stopped; no trains enter or leave anymore. Gordon is probably the reason for that!"

"So what? We'll walk it if we have to."

"Why are you so anxious to meet Gordon anyways?"

"He and I have a common enemy, and he's good at killing his enemies."

"Fine, if your going, then I'm going. Why don't you also ask Cindy to come along as well?"

"What are you talking about?"

"C'mon Cory, everyone knows you have a thing for her. That's why all the guys keep their distance from her. Ask her to come with us."

"She won't want to though."

"You don't know that, ask her."

"Fine, but she's probably going to say no."

After the meeting was done, everyone returned to his or her sleeping quarters to gossip about the return of Gordon Freeman. Cory followed Cindy to her quarters.

"Why are you following me?" asked Cindy.

"I wanted to ask you something," replied Cory.

"What is it?"

"Leon and I are going to City-17, and we were wondering if you'd want to come with."

"You mean YOU were wondering if I could come with right?"

"Actually Leon is the one who told me to ask you."

"Well he's a smart guy, he knows when someone likes someone else and should ask them about important stuff like this. How, may I ask, do you plan to get to City-17? All the transportation there has stopped."

"So I've heard, we're going to walk it"

"Do you realize how long it will take to get from City-15 to City-17? This, Gordon character, will probably have ended the fight against the Combine before you can even find him."

"How does everyone know that I want to meet Gordon?"

"Firstly, EVERYONE wants to meet him, and second, its obvious you idolize him, you bought yourself a crowbar just so you could be like him!"

"I just happen to think the crowbar is a stylish and effective weapon!"

"Well then you're going to have to take it with you if you're going to City-17 on foot, the railroads are infested with those, headcrab zombie things. I do assume you plan to take the railroads correct? Any other way is crawling with the Combine or the Mets, and personally I'd sooner take my chances with the zombies."

"Err, yea, of course we're taking the railroad, we're not stupid ya know."

"Did you even make ANY plans on how to get to City-17?"

"No, no we didn't."

"That's just like you Cory, always thinking of the end and never the means, there's no way you'll make it there without me."

"So you're coming with us?"

"That's what I just said dumbass. When are we leaving?"

"Um, tonight, I guess, well sneak out of the enclave tonight."

"Right, I'll meat you in the alley outside at midnight. See ya then!"

With that, Cory left Cindy's sleeping quarters and headed back to his own. Inside he saw Leon already waiting for him. Cory went and sat on the bottom bunk of his bunk bed. "She's coming with us," said Cory.

"I told you she'd come, when are we leaving?"

"We're sneaking out tonight and meeting her at the alley at midnight."

"Cool, in that case, we'd better get some sleep, its only a few hours until midnight, I get top bunk tonight."

Leon climbed into the top bunk and immediately fell asleep. It took Cory a little longer however. For the longest time he laid in bed just staring and thinking. He thought about that day 3 years ago when he was fifteen and lost his entire family to the Mets. He remembered seeing his dead parents lying in their room among all the wreckage that was left behind. He remembered seeing his dead sister lying next to the dumpster. Since that time, even though he's joined with the Resistance against the Combine, he's never had a chance to carry out a single act of revenge against the Combine or even the Mets. He wanted to kill them; he wanted to kill them bad. This was going to be his chance he thought. This adventure he was about to embark on would be his chance to carry out revenge on those who had taken his family from him. Only a few hours from now he'd be walking the streets, making his way to his personal hero, Gordon Freeman.

Cory closed his eyes and fell into an uneasy slumber. He dreamt of gouging out a Mets' eyes with his thumbs, letting the blood flow down his hands. The uneasiness was gone and comfort then set into place.