Chapter 3

Shit just got real

Sarah walked beside Ryan, down the alley. "Still got a couple of hours before curfew." She muttered. "Better hurry."

When they reached the street, a military vehicle drove by and an announcer started speaking.

Attention. Citizens are required to carry a current ID at all times. Compliance with all city personnel is mandatory.

The city looked terrible. Soldiers patrolled on top of buildings, and graffiti was positioned on every sign, and wall.

"Ration line isn't open." Ryan pointed out. "Guess they're runnin' low."

They both walk past it and turn the corner. A group of people get pushed onto their knees by some officers. One gets hit with the butt of their gun.

Sarah squeezes her eyes shut. /Ignore it. Ignore it./ She told herself over and over again. Ryan grabs her hand, she looks up in surprise, and he smiles reassuringly.

Sarah pulls her hand away forcefully, and looks away from him to hide her blush. It was promptly wiped off her face though, by a loud gunshot. She spun, her hair fanning out around her. "Oh no." She breathed. She felt tears threaten to overflow, but quickly steeled her expression. She spun and briskly walked toward their destination.

Ryan watched after her sadly for a moment then hurried to catch up.

When they reached Checkpoint 5, Ryan handed her their IDs.

"Let me see your IDs."

Sarah passed them to the guard.

"What's your business here?" He asked her.

"Got the day off. Visiting a friend." She replied indifferently.

The guard glanced at the IDs one more time then passed them back

"Alright, move on through." The guard moved so there was enough room for Sarah and Ryan to pass through the gate individually.

"Thanks." Sarah moved to walk though when unexpectedly a truck exploded. The sound was earsplitting. A piece of the vehicle flew off and cut her arm. The gate closed and the soldiers turned and started shooting.

"It's the fireflies!" They yelled.

Ryan grabbed her uninjured arm. "Let's get outta here."

The announcer began to speak again.

Attention. Checkpoint 5 is now closed until further notice. All civilians must clear the surrounding area immediately.

Sarah and Ryan ran back the way they had come before.

Attention. Checkpoint 5 is now closed until further notice. All civilians must clear the surrounding area immediately.

Instead of going back to their apartment though, they turned into a large brick building. "Damn, so much for the easy route. Here." Ryan handed Sarah some bandages. "Patch yourself up."

She grabbed it and murmured her gratitude. Sarah wrapped her arm tightly and smiled sadly at Ryan. "First 20 minutes I'm wearing it and it's already ruined. I really did like it, and uh thanks."

Ryan cocked his head at her and smiled. A real, genuine smile. "Anything for you beautiful. Come on." He strode down the hallway. "They're going to close all of the checkpoints, so we're going to have to go around the outside."

"Outside the wall?"

"Yeah." Ryan glanced at Sarah over his shoulder cynically. "What you don't want to get this bastard?"

"Of course not. I followed you all the way here, just to let you know that I wasn't in the mood to teach that asshole a lesson."

Ryan laughs and the beautiful sound brings a small smile to Sarah's face.

They continue walking down the hallway, turning here and there. Until they approach a man sitting down who quickly stands up and joins them. "Yo Ryan. Did you see that shit?"

Ryan looked indifferent to the question and it showed in his voice. "Yeah man. I was there. How's the east tunnel looking?"

"It's clear. I just used it. No patrols. Where are you off to?"

Sarah trailed after them slowly, not given a chance to intervene, which gave her a chance to focus and memorize their little path.

"Paying Robert a visit."

The man sounded surprised. "You too?"

"Who else is looking for him?"

"Uh, Marlene. She's been asking around, trying to find him."

"Marlene? What do the Fireflies need with Robert?" Ryan's voice lost the uncaring edge to it.

"You think she'd tell me?"

"Well, what did you tell her?"

"The truth. I've got no idea where he's hiding."

Ryan smiled. "Stay out of trouble okay? Military's going to be out in full force soon." They walked past a man sleeping in a chair, next to some sort of caged animal. Maybe bunnies. Sarah couldn't really tell.

"Yeah. See you around." The man stopped at a door and leaned against the wall next to it.

Ryan and Sarah turn at a corner and out of anyones view (and hopefully, not like it really matters though, their hearing).

"Why do you think Marlene would be looking for Robert?"

Sarah frowns. "I don't know, but we better find him before the Fireflies do."

The couple neared the end of the hallway. One room on their left had only the frame of a door and they walked into it. "This is it."

It was pretty well lit. There was one room to her right, but Sarah only focused on the main room in front of her. Two couches sat in the middle of the hardwood floor. An ugly, puke colored rug connected them. A man sat on one end of the couch that faced the door. A chimney sat opposite the other. Behind that couch a bookshelf/tv stand leaned against the wall.

Sarah mentally cursed herself for not being as sociable with the people here than Ryan was. She couldn't even think of their names.

"Hey, guys. How's it going?"

"Shit's happening, but when doesn't it." Ryan shrugged. "What's going on here?"

"Ah, it's been quiet. No signs of military or infected."

"Sweet." Ryan walks over to the bookshelf/tv stand and positions himself to push it. "Little help, Sarah?"

Sarah grabbed the other side of it and did what he asked. When they stopped a large (secret) hole in the wall was revealed. The man gave them a short farewell, then Ryan jumped into the hole, with Sarah hot on his heels.

It was pitch black and Sarah blindly followed Ryan's voice as he went to turn on the lights. "It smells disgusting in here. They need to watch what they throw down here."

The light flicks on. Sarah doesn't pay any special attention to her surroundings her eyes glued to Ryan's back.

"Hope our gear's still here." He scales a small wall. They walk into a room with one 'L' shaped desk. Two backpacks lied there. Some of their contents next to them.

"What do you know. They are."

Sarah unloaded her gun. Then reloaded it. "Not much ammo." She muttered.

"Mm, how about one shot each target?" Ryan teased.

Sarah felt her cheeks burn at the mention of her previous ventures outside the wall. "I need a little more practice with headshots.."

She shoved her gas mask inside her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. Then she pulled her hair into a high bun. "I feel like it's been forever since I've gotten some action." She sighed.

Ryan raised his eyebrows. "Awe, beautiful. I offered back at the house. I mean," he looked at his surroundings. "I'm sure we could do a quick-"

"Shuddap and give me a boost." Sarah gestured towards the wall in front of her impatiently.

Um.. I guess this would be the Authors Note: I just assumed that Sarah had never been in that house before or that if she had, she rarely spoke to them, because I mean Noel didn't really say anything except to Tess. So I created my own reason. Tell me what you think.

I'm glad if you're enjoying this. Also it's summer and I've got shit to do so I'll be updating ASAP. Laters.