Chapter 5
Renton and Eureka were on their way out of town. They took one last glimpse at the city. They noticed that there were craters all around and some buildings were smashed to bits. "Looks like something hit the city." Renton told Eureka who in turn nodded. Opening up the map in his hands, Renton studied the map closely. "Let's see… If we follow this road, the next town will be 10 miles… Hmm… If we cut through this forest… we only have to walk 4 miles!" They walked for ten minutes and arrived at the edge of the forest. "Let's go." Renton said while holding hands with Eureka as they entered the forest.
They walked for a few minutes, curving and strafing around the underbrush and plants. "Do you know which way to go?" Eureka asked Renton. "Of cour-" Renton was cut short by a low lying tree branch that smacked across his face. Eureka couldn't help laughing, "Are you OK, Renton?" His hands were clasped on his nose. "Yeah, no problem, it didn't hurt at all." Eureka extended her right hand, "Come, get up…" Something had caught her attention. Ahead was a forest of huge gray pillars. Renton got up and looked over. "Oh, those are pile bunkers. They supposedly reduce tectonic movement." Eureka continued walking out into the open. "Wait up, Eureka!" Renton said as he stumbled after her. He caught up and gasped at what caught Eureka's attention. In the middle of all the tall gray towers was a gigantic crater. Around it was piles of debris and fallen pillars. Renton placed his hand on Eureka's shoulder, "Let's go, Eureka."
They navigated around mess, making sure not to step onto unstable ground. After passing all the rubble, they came upon a grass field. The field had wild green grass that reached up to their waist. In the distance was a small house with puffs of smoke coming out. "Huh… This place seems familiar..." Renton said aloud, "Let's go check it out." They began to trudge through the long grass when Renton heard a familiar voice. "Hey! Don't step on my strawberry plants!" A man with a fair face, blond hair, and gray eyes came out of the house. He was dressed like a farmer and wore light brown trousers with a dark gray shirt. "Don't move!" He called and began hopping back and forth through the grass. Renton instantly recognized who he was from the way he jumped. "Oh! Renton! You sure have grown! Oh and who is this? You must be the person that is important to Renton! Oops, how rude of me!" He stuck out his right hand to Eureka, "Nice to meet you! I am William B. Baxter. Call me Will. Sorry, I talk a lot don't I?" Eureka shook his hand, wide-eyed and a bit baffled by his personality. "Oh… I'm Eureka…"
"Come in! I'll have some soup prepared very soon unless you have somewhere to go." Will said aloud. Renton looked at Eureka; she looked back at him and nodded. "Follow my steps!" Will called and hoped back to the house. It took a while for both Renton and Eureka to get through though. Poor Will had a few of his strawberry plants trampled. "Sorry, about stepping on your crop." Renton apologized when they reached the porch. "No problem!" Will cheerfully replied. He went to the kitchen and started rapidly chopping up vegetables. They looked around the room. Everything was in pairs and on the chair was Will's wife, Martha. Renton walked up to her and thought that she still had Despair Sickness. Her head turned, her eyes meeting his. Renton stumbled back and knocked a few pans and pots over. "So-Sorry!"