Awaken Into a New World

Chapter 2: Journey Begins

"I can help you gather supplies if you are in need," said Evie, heading down the ash hill before her.

Alecia trailed behind it while keeping eyes on her surroundings. Clouds of dust formed underneath her white boots with each step she took, making it dirty.

A soft, ricocheting sound rippled through a narrow alleyway. She walked close enough to examine where it came from and found a plastic sheet manipulated by a gentle breeze.

"Alecia," Evie called from behind her. She turned her attention to her companion. "These supplies will put your strength back to normal."

-

Alecia and Evie were on the first floor of a dilapidated building. Sitting cross-legged on a wooden floor, she stared through the crack on the wall and viewed the city down below, a gust of contaminated air blowing on her silver hair.

"I didn't realize I was so hungry," Alecia said with a chuckle. Her smile quickly faded as her eyes narrowed at the two men walking side-by-side in the distance, pulse quickening at the sight of potential danger.

"Who are they?"

"Scavengers," replied Evie as a weapon with a sharp edge materialized from its hand, aiming it at them. "My analyses confirmed it."

"You have a weapon?" Alecia said, taking a look at it.

"A medic-bot utilizes a means of defense as well." Evie locked on the movement of the two hostiles.

"When looking at how the world is now," Alecia started. "I thought there was no one else who would still be alive."

"Some survived; only a few million are still living."

"What happened?" Alecia asked as she noticed the two hostiles go out of view.

"I don't have enough data to answer your question." Evie pushed a few buttons, and the weapon clanged back into its hand. "Hundred percent."

"So can you take me to Doctor Godwin?"

"I will do all I can to help you out, Alecia. Doctor Yards programmed me to be your aid as much as you need."

"If there were others, I still can't truly understand why he chose me," she asked, not exactly waiting for a reply. She fixed her gaze below, where the ash dune reached the floor she sat upon.

Alecia stood and dusted herself. "Should we go then?"

"Anything you say."

Alecia took a step on the edge of the floor and carefully skipped down the ash dune with Evie following her from behind.

They traveled in a broad path covered in a thick trail of dirt; the walls directing the path was a road split apart in two, standing high above them with ramps of ash that reached the edges. For hours they walked, with Alecia looking around with wonder.

"You are silent," said Evie after a beat, catching up to her. "What is troubling you?"

"Huh?" Alecia broke away from her own thoughts and turned to Evie. "I was just thinking."

Alecia looked straight ahead once more. "How was this place before all this happened?"

"In my records, Doctor Yards said you would know," said Evie.

"Well, with no memory of it, it's impossible to know." Alecia stared at the ground as she watched her own steps.

"I doubt Doctor Yards predicted that you would have amnesia."

"It makes sense since I've been in that room for that long," Alecia said as she rubbed her throat. "I'm thirsty."

"We can try and find a source of water." Evie headed in front of her as she slowed her pace and turned her gaze from one side of the path to the other. Evie stopped and turned to her direction.

"You stopped?" Evie inquired as it trailed towards her.

"I feel like," Alecia started, looking at a caved-in building that showed nothing but darkness. "I feel like someone's watching us."

"My tracking system isn't functioning at the moment." Evie looked around, trying to find the source of her worry.

"Let's just go."

The day had gone into the evening so fast she almost failed to catch up to it. Evie projected light from its eyes as it guided Alecia. Her legs wobbled, feeling heavy, and her feet ached with each step she took.

"Can we rest?"

"As you wish."

Evie searched for a spot and found a small building which was still intact, only the red paint being worn-out over the years. No door nor a glass for the building's window.

"There seems to be a safe place to rest." Evie pointed at the edifice's direction. "Follow me."

They both entered through the entrance. The inside had the floor covered with clattered debris and scrap, the walls gray and cracked.

"Well, it's not the best place." Alecia walked around the room, inspecting every corner. "I think I'll sit down over here."

"Will you be comfortable?" asked Evie, gliding towards the darkened corner where she sat.

"It is relaxing," she replied as she closed her eyes, arms holding her knees and back leaning against the side of the wall.

She opened her eyes. "Evie?"

"Yes?"

"Your light is a bit too bright," said Alecia with a slight smile.

"My apologies." Evie lowered its brightness.

Long after, she drifted off into a deep sleep. Evie looked at the floor and trailed off to the doorway.

-

In her sleep, there was a place she recognized far too well. She could feel the suffocating heat of the air, how the fire licked, fed upon everything it touched, and burned the place of destruction. Everywhere she walked, people screamed. It was the children's cries, pleading for help, that she couldn't stand any longer, the sounds as vivid as the flaming ashes that fell on her palm.

How could anyone do this?

Ahead of her was a silhouette of a man, kneeling near an unconscious person on the ground.

"Please hang on!" the man cried out.

"She didn't deserve this!" He looked at her with glowing red eyes that sent absolute dread, sorrow, and contempt.

"You monster!" he cried out.

Did he just call her a monster?

She whirled behind only to see another silhouetted figure.

"I thought you could understand," the figure said in a muffled voice which she could barely hear.

"Understand what?" she asked, unable to fight the fear she felt towards him. The figure brought his hand forward, making her flinch. In a flicker of motion, she saw a bright light.

-

Alecia woke up in fright, sweat beading on her forehead, wide-eyed and trying to catch her breath.

"That dream," Alecia mumbled, putting her hands over her face, "seems so familiar."

A chill caused her to fidget as she took her hands away from her tired eyes.