Finally caught up ! Sorry for the fast updates. Thanks very much you guys that have reviewed, I honestly get really excited when I see them :)
I know there isn't that much interest in this story compared to some of my others but I really do like writing this one and I'm excited about where it is going.
October 23 2077
Charon
We are running as fast we can to get to the Museum of History. The west coast has already been bombarded and we lost contact with them a while ago. In the chaos that followed we lost General Nale to personnel and trying to find him delayed our escape. We are passing the Potomac and the streets are fairly busy for what is occurring. The sirens blare out warning people to get to their vaults, many think it is false and continue to go about their morning business. I want to stop and tell them about the west coast but I do not how much time we have until it is our time to be burned.
"Sergeant !" I hear a shout behind me and find that out of all of my soldiers who I told to follow me Patchwork was the only one. I do not blame them those that did not think I was exaggerating were to ill to move from the plague. Hopefully they are protected in their base.
The general, his wife and now Patchwork run along beside me and we practically throw ourself through the heavy doors. The outside is busy due to those who believe the alarm trying to get into a shelter by the door. It is not sturdy enough, I checked.
We walk to the furthest end of the museum and sit right. We do not talk and we ignore stares that we are given as people walk past, here to view the exhibition.
It is deadly silent, I hear nothing. No radio, no footsteps, no breathing. Then the dreaded sound comes a muted thud and then the frantic footsteps as those who saw the distant mushroom crowd try to fight their way in.
Patchwork takes a large swig from his hidden canister, offers me some, then covers his ears tightly.
The thuds become more frequent and more louder, almost deafening. The sound of wind whistling makes it way through the halls with the smell of burned sand. The screams are the worst. Blood curdling high shouts of agony and fear. The building shakes frantically and one of the other exhibitions collapses. There is mayhem and I stand in front of them. Protecting them from the crowd. The thuds continue on some distant some so close my ears ring for a long time afterwards. The walls begin to crack and Mrs Nale gasps as the Geiger counter begins to dance.
This continues for over an hour and the museum continues to stand and then comes the silence. Many are covered in dust and blood. Some clutch wounds, others scream trying to get their eyes to stop burning. I am the only one standing as everyone huddles together. I walk and make my way out to the balcony to view the scene.
A young woman is crying on the steps and another walks up tenderly to comfort her. I hear whispers of 'my father' and look away. A small movement in the for corner of my eye makes me look right and I am disgusted by who I see there. The hospital manager, that overheard us, has followed us and I give him an intimidating sneer. There are some hospital staff, which will be considerably helpful, on the floor. Museum mechanics and random civilians cover the spaces and the door to the Underworld exhibition has been barricaded shut.
I suppose that is what we find ourselves in now, some kind of Underworld.
October 25th 2077
Charon
There is howling and screaming outside. Survivors have turned into animals and the sounds that echo into the museum are ungodly. Many cover their heads trying to ignore the rabid sounds. Our food stash that we have stored is being used to help those around us. One tin a day helps people get by and it is all we can make do with, queues form and those that try to bypass these or cause panic or trouble are quickly met by the barrel of my shotgun. I have not had to physically shoot anyone yet but I know the day is coming when the food gets so scarce that more panic will ensue.
October 27th 2077
General Nale has radiation sickness as do many others in the museum. They have strange marks across their body and they cough as if they can hardly breathe. Mrs Nale sits and strokes his head lovingly and gives him small sips of water to get by. There is no storage of rad x or rad away big enough to cure radiation sickness from a bomb, they were designed for small doses for those that built cars and machinery and wee exposed to radiation each day. He grows weaker each time I look and I know this is how we lose him.
October 28th 2077
Those with the sickness did not make the night. We have lost about 50% of the survivors. Mrs Nale does not cry her face simply hardens and she gets on with her day handing out food and making sure no one panics. I rest my hand on her shoulder.
"Ma'am you should rest."
"I'm fine honestly."
She waves away my concern but I know when a person is close to breaking.
"Mrs Nale..."
She laughs slightly.
"It seems silly to call me that now. Call me my name."
I do not know it. In my time of servitude to her family I have known her simply as her former title and I know that she has dropped the title as it is a reminder of her now passed away husband. She looks at me sadly.
"It's Willow. My name is Willow."
October 29th 2077
My contract is missing. I assume either the General left in a secure location, which leaves me in trouble, or Willow has taken it from his body. I go with the last option to stop my body going into training mode and I assume to be correct as Willow continues to give me orders.
October 30th 2077
We have gathered at the front doors, the strongest and healthiest, to move the dead bodies of the radiation victims out of the building. We move as quickly as we can so that we can get back into the security of the museum. I am not blown away or stunned by the destruction of DC simply because I cannot see it. Smoke is everywhere from fires that still rage and I can hardly see the entrance to the metro station by the door.
We move the bodies quickly with as much dignity as we can manage in this situation. Willow moves her husband and places him gently on the ground as she runs her hand through his hair. She stops to look at her hand suddenly as black liquid drips down it. I realise that the black drops are on me too.
It has begun to rain but this is a rain unlike no other. It is thick and black and not cool in the slightest. I know that it brings more radiation with it so we move quicker until each body is gone and we can barricade the doors once more. I look at the people who have chosen to go outside. We are covered in the black slime and I wonder how much damage it will do to our bodies.
November 5th 2077
Charon
I do not feel sick nor do I have the marks on my body like the others did but I feel strange. There is a tingling that reaches down to my fingertips but I push the feeling away as I continue to get on with work. I am on my way to the ,luckily working, showers when I hear it. My name is called with a hint of uncertainty but a lot of malice.
"Charon ?"
I am greeted by the greasy looking hotel manager.
"Can I help you ?" I growl.
There is something about him that makes my skin crawl, he does not show distress after the bombs. He sits in his corner almost with a smile.
He slowly walks towards me and I tense. If he tries anything I can easily take him down. He reaches my shoulder and it looks as if he has never done a hard days work in his life.
"I can't help but think you look a little lost."
I don't answer, I don't have time to amuse him with his game.
"Are you looking for something ?" A sneer spreads on his face "looking for this ?"
My heart begins to hammer when I see what he holds in his hand. A bit of paper. My bit of paper.
"I couldn't help but over hear your little conversation about a 'contract' and I was very very interested. It was lucky it just so happened to ...fall into my hands."
I am yet to answer, my hands are shaking and rage rises up in me. I wish to attack this man. To rip the paper from him and leave his eyes unseeing.
"Charon get on your knees."
I sink down to the floor,I recognise buzzing in my ears that comes with a duty, a order.
"My, my this is very persuasive."
He claps quickly with a disgusting laugh. I can fight my contract, I don't have to do this.
"Take your gun."
I pull my shotgun from my back.
"Cock it."
My hand does the familiar action followed by the distinct sound of the gun loading.
"Put it to your head."
Almost as if I am detached from my body my hands move and I am staring down the barrel of my own gun. I have had shitty orders but this is the worst so far. The worst kind of order is one i do not want to follow. I feel helpless.
The man stands in front of me with a grin. "I am your new master ! Say it !"
"You are my new master."
November 6th 2077
Willow
I am looking for Charon. The queues are getting out of hand and I could really use the help. I have not seen him overnight and I leave my post to search around the museum.
I find him in another room, standing against the wall.
"What are you standing around for ?! I need your help !"
He doesn't answer. He doesn't even look at me. He stares at the wall ahead his motions are someone of indifference but his eyes are screaming for help.
"What's wrong ? What's happened ?"
I stand in front of him but I am still ignored. I wave a hand in front of his face.
"Hello ! Earth to Charon ! You're needed out there."
I begin to get agitated and give him a slight shove. He doesn't even budge or pass me a glance. 'Get out' he mouths it and I nearly gasp in surprise. It is not out of viciousness he does it but protection and I know something is wrong.
"What happened to you ?"
Finally he replies.
"Talk to Azrukhal."
