Chapter 2: Harsh Prey
The stranger continued his path down the road. The storm did not slow in the slightest. He followed the road in the direction that the woman pointed. He wandered with doubt. Nothing he can do but continue going this way. The road at least told him he was going away from Springvale.
He considered just turning around; leaving this whole situation. This isn't his responsibility. Why does he even care? He wondered. Pausing, he listened. Nothing besides the rustling of the excessive wind. He didn't know the direction. What was forward, and what was backward? He did not incline what direction he was going in. It mattered little. He could hear some kind of scuffle off in the distance, in front of him.
The shuffling of multiple steps and the grunts of a woman became more and more apparent as he drew close to the scuffle. He could barely make the mysterious figures out; under the silhouette of the storm. It was one raider who escaped the dog attack and the would-be woman slave! They were having a violent physical dispute in the ruins of some old, small house. It offered no walls or protection. Just ruins and debris of what once was.
This raider seemed relatively unharmed by the events that transpired on that road. Their prey got away and now the survivors are scrambled, separated. Aside from some apparent dirt and grime, he looked fine. Minus the grasp, he had upon the poor woman's neck.
The hooded figure decided to no longer watch from the seclusion of the storm. He snuck his way around the back of the broken house. The last thing he wanted to do was lose the element of surprise. Any other potential lurking creature in this storm would feast on the dogs by now! The opportunity was perfect… to do the right thing.
He had many thoughts as he went around. Taking a wide berth, the woman would be fine, if not just a little bruised by the time he made his move. Why does he care? He could just keep moving. He would just keep moving. The chance is there. He's already involved.
Ultimately, deciding that he was going to shake up the course of nature. He grabbed the raider from behind, from beyond the dilapidated building. The stranger took advantage of his reach. The woman didn't even see a glimpse of what grabbed him. She freaked pretty hard, not even bothering to delve any further. She kept herself alert.
She stumbled forward, almost tripping on a long buried chunk of wood from the house. She looked around in a panic. Was she next?
The unfortunate raider, however, didn't even have time to scream. His own rage was his downfall. When the stranger grabbed him, he flipped the raider around. Shoving his face into the dirt and slitting his throat, all in the same action. The dirt and storm muffled any sort of gurgle and blood flow.
The stranger stood himself up with an annoyed sigh. Flicking his wrist free of all the traces of blood that he could manage. Would that be enough to just walk away now? Some unsuspecting force in the storm killed a raider. It doesn't need an explanation! Far more strange things have happened in this Wasteland before.
He walked away. The sound of a faint sobbing stopped him in his tracks coming from the woman. He grumbled and looked back in the sound's direction. What is the point of saving one if he doesn't get them both? Assuming the man is even still alive. Springvale Elementary was his destination. He has to at least try. What else was he doing, really? Self-preservation? He lost that a long time ago. She sounded so helpless and weak. It's not her fault. Raiders are scum! He should help her on that alone.
His sympathy for her was overwhelmed with more and more anger as he thought. Not for her, no. For the raiders that put her in this circumstance! Nature would not take its course, not this time!
He stomped his way back in her direction. Narrowly avoiding trampling the raider's body that he previously slew. He peered over the broken building and didn't see the women. Great. Just walk away, no need to put so much effort into strangers!
As far as he knew, they were innocent. Just an average Wastelander trying to survive. He scanned the ground for footsteps. The only blessing this storm had given upon anyone. Her direction seemed purposeful. He followed it. No nervous pacing from her.
With great haste, he trotted the steps. It didn't take long at all to see her, wandering; looking around nervously. She wouldn't ever see him approaching in this disaster. How can he make himself known without her panicking?
What's the worst she can do to him? "Ma'am, hello! I don't mean to-"
She screeched and raised a chuck of wood from her side, ready to strike! Her eyes were wide, panicking. She didn't say a word.
He continued, drawing closer. "Please, I know it's difficult to believe but, I am not here to hurt you! I have been watching your plight! It was me who saved you from that raider back there. I'm not with them!"
She shakingly said, "Ye-yeah right, prove it! This is just a trick!"
"Not a trick, ma'am! I saved you! He was choking your life out, do you not see? I am going to help find your man."
She, still skeptical, lowered her chunk of wood. Just a little. "I don't like this! Yo-you want to help me? I know where they took him! It isn't far. We need to act now! I don't have time to trust you or not. They will kill him!"
He nodded, despite her not seeing. He took a step forward, revealing himself from beyond the storm, saying. "Well, maybe an introduction would help? I am John. I am here to help you."
End Chapter 2: