American Savages

The world is full of hidden marvels, and great wonders. Everyday it seems there is some new discovery; A whale who is the first of his species, a flower that was thought to be extinct, an atom that can be split and weaponized, an unidentified deadly bacteria discovered in a melting glacier. I was twenty-seven when I discovered my own hidden wonder of the world. Boogie Blue Darling, the dame that never looked down. Peculiar, I know. It sounds even a bit insane. How could one walk peering at the clouds through their oculars? How could someone like that survive in society? Boogie did, with grace even. Upon first glance one wouldn't be able to notice Boogie’s ornate posture. I was three beers into my night when Boogie sauntered through the Inn's shabby wooden doors. I watched as she walked right past the gawking eyes, head held high all the way to the bar. Small brunette tufts of hair peeked out from her beanie

“Your strongest whiskey, and make it a double.” she gestured at the barkeep. I could see the silvery sheen of scars running up the back of her hand. As she waited for her drink she stared straight ahead, eyes never moving even when I spoke to her.

“I'm Miz, how are you doing?” I noticed she tensed up as if waiting for a fight.

“I'm Boogie Blue Darling. You may call me Boogie” she finally replied, her voice felt like Autumn. The tone wrapped around me like my favorite flannel.

Ever since the Kroten pandemic the zeitgeist has definitely changed. People don't ask questions, masks are a thing, and everybody is out for themselves. It doesn't help that 70 percent of the world's population perished from the Kroten Virus. Now everybody are scavengers, scrambling to survive in the hopes of thriving in the process. Small towns were formed, protected by militias. Some neighborhoods became governed by their old neighborhood watches: Most offered safe sanctuary, trading with those of us wandering aimlessly. A few formed clans dedicated to raiding and pillaging like barbarians. I personally never had the gumption for fighting or violence in general. I think Boogie could sense this about me. As the night continued, Boogie and I stayed at the bar swapping stories from before society began to decay. It was well into the early morning hours before we exchanged our farewells. I stumbled into the small room I had rented, holding onto the wall for support, pondering if I would ever see such this Darling again. That night, the nightmares gripped me tight, drowning me in the sea of my memories. Before the world fell apart, my idea of a nightmare consisted of monsters and violent deaths. Now, it's the faces of my loved ones gone from this world; My grandparents and their golden faith, always sharing their wisdom; My mother was my ride or die, my comforting solace on any bad day; My friends and all of our seemingly endless adventures. I have found it’s the dreams of their smiles and laughter that terrifies me the most. A recurring dream, nightmare, terror. One in which an anchor wraps around my heart. I am dragged to the bottom of an ocean. Then, a starfish climbs into my mouth, down my throat and I begin to choke. My entire system is filled with the coldest cold. Just as the salty oceans spring from my eyes, I find myself awake and alone. Tonight however I did not dream of my past, instead I dreamt of my future unaware of the great tribulations in store. The crepuscular rays of early morning pulled me from my slumber. As I left my dreams behind, the rare feeling of refreshment lifted me from the raggedy inn bed. I was ready to embrace my daily “surviving the apocalypse” tasks. I flung open the room door only to find a very large, and angry man glaring at me. The feeling of dread snuffed every bit of refreshment from me. Of course, with my luck the very large man was holding a very large gun. He growled at me, spittle spewing from his lips. Little droplets glistened in his unkempt beard, reminiscent of dew drops on moss. The brute pushed me against the door, shoving the rusty gun barrel under my chin. The force pushed my head upwards to where I was staring at the ceiling, his growls became audible words.

“Where is she! Where is the Aion Ward?” His hot breath choked me, it reeked of carrion. A flash of white streaked from my peripherals, followed by a loud crack. There was a moment of silence, before I slowly opened my eyes unaware I had closed them. Boogie Blue Darling was standing in front me, the man laying in a disheveled clump at our feet.

“You’re going to want his gun, and to come with me. They are coming for me, and apparently now you.” Boogie pointed at the floor, her eyes never looking down. It took a few seconds to register what she was saying before I leapt into action, scooping up the gun as we ran out the Inn towards the Khanvay town entrance. As we passed through the iron gates, I looked over at Boogie. She was staring at the overgrown landscape, her eyes again peering upward. The sight was always overwhelming, empty abandoned cars lined the streets. Many were torn apart by scavengers long ago. Without much human contact the flora had grown in rapid abundance. Empty houses became overgrown, thickets of vines scaled the weathered walls. Beautiful, vibrant, and lush greenery overlaid the rusted, decaying, charred ruins. It was like the Earth’s subtle reminder that there is beauty in life after death. Boogie grabbed my hand pulling me from my thoughts.

“We need to go to Solitude, there are people there that can help us.” I could hear what I thought was uncertainty in her voice. I nodded gulping hard as I followed behind Boogie. We had walked for hours before I summoned the courage to ask Boogie what an Aion ward was.

“It’s what they call me. After the collapse, I was struggling to survive. I found a community run by men of science. They promised us food, clothes, and warm beds in exchange for our cooperation in their experiments. They said they were trying to find a cure for the Kroten virus. I found out they were trying to modify human genes for whatever reason. When they gave me the shot of their serum, instead of dying I became their first success story. Their ‘Aion Ward,’ until I escaped from their lab. That was three years ago. They have since mastered their serum. Injecting dead bodies, commanding them to bring me back to the lab. The man you got the gun from was one, and they all smell like death” she explained. I flash back to the man at the inn, remembering the smell of rotting meat on his breath. Sending a shudder down my spine.

“Who are we going to see in Solitude? How are they going to help us?” I inquired, my voice dry and raspy.

“We are going to see the King and he has found a solution to my problem, he has a large community and will protect us. Now, we must hurry.” Boogie retorted, speeding up her walk signaling to me she was done talking. We continued walking for two days, never stopping long. By the end of the second day we reached the base of a mountain. Nestled into the face of the mountain, much to my surprise was a castle.

Boogie was elated to be behind the massive stone walls. She was like a child giving a tour.

“ …and this is the keep, the King is waiting for us inside.” Boogie pointed with a large grin on her face. It was strange, considering since I had met her I had never seen so much as a grin. As we entered the halls of the keep, a deep boisterous laugh echoed along the walls. Boogie began sprinting down the corridor, falling to one knee at the end. I lumbered along the hall, nervous and sweaty. I had never met a King, not even a self proclaimed one. Much to my surprise, the King was not dressed in royal garments, he wasn't perched on a throne, nor did he wear a crown made of gold and jewels. Instead, I found myself staring at a man dressed in rags, posted upon a wooden rocking chair, with a crown of bone.

“Boogie Blue Darling, as I live and breathe.” The King exclaimed his husky voice was warm and welcoming. A sense of peace washed over me, almost knocking me to the floor. Gathering my composure, I noticed the King and Boogie peering at me.

“ Welcome to Solitude friend, I am king Krickett. You are welcome to stay, any friend of Boogie’s is a friend of Solitude,” king Krickett proclaimed. Turning his attention back to Boogie. I could see his eyes soften as he looked at her.

“The M.O.S have gathered forces in the east at the old satellite, and in the West at the old missile silo. We reclaimed the refuge in the North, where we discovered their serum blueprints. I believe we have found a way to stop them from making their Kroten serum.” king Krickett declared as he stood up, gesturing for us to follow him. Leading us out of the keep and into the castle courtyard. To my surprise it was much like an actual kingdom. Children, laughing and chasing chickens. Blacksmiths and merchants working hard. I was completely taken back by the community, distracted by the mundane activities. I soon realized Boogie and King were nowhere in sight. Panic ensued, I spun around repeatedly trying to locate the duo. Frantically looking this way and that way. I could not find them. Totally overwhelmed, I didn't notice the black flecks growing at the edges of my vision. Before I knew it, I found myself floating in a sea of black. I pondered how long I had been here, hoping Boogie would come back for me. After what felt like an eternity, like waking from a dream, my eyes fluttered open. Boogie was standing above me, her head tilted towards the sky. The great king Krickett knelt beside me, his eyes filled with concern.

“Miz? You have fainted. Can you speak or move?” I could feel his hands rubbing the top of head as he spoke to me. Disregarding his inquiry about my well being, I sat up rubbing the back of my head. Wincing at the tender knot swelling underneath my hair, I groaned at Boogie.

“Why don't you ever look at the ground?” Boogie and the royal Krickett responded with a wild bout of laughter.

“You mean she never told you? You followed some stranger with their head in the clouds, and you never thought to ask?” The king gasped between laughs. Wiping tears from his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief. King Krickett grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet. Dusting me off as Boogie explained.

“Aion Ward is also called a time ward, you know that is what the Men Of Science named me. Their first, and only success on a living subject. Their serum reanimates the dead, and kills every live subject. Except me…” Boogie paused, rubbing her temples.

“I didn’t gain super strength or speed, like their original goal. Instead I developed the ability to travel through tears in reality. I was unstable at first, confused about what was happening to me. I was constantly falling, always winding up in strange places. It took me a week before I realized looking down was a bad idea. Looking down was like standing on a trap door. I never knew what was waiting for me at the bottom. The M.O.S ran experiment after experiment looking for any way to weaponize my ability. I learned how to control it fast, within a few weeks even. I played dumb, eventually using my affliction to escape when they least expected. Now, we are going to use it to stop their horrendous experiments forever.” Boogie finished, rubbing the back of her neck. Suddenly she looked down, vanishing right before my eyes. I gasped, leaping back in shock.

“Give her a minute, she will be back. She is merely demonstrating for your pleasure.” king Krickett declared with a sing-song tone. A rapid tap on my shoulder spun me around, face to face with Boogie. My jaw agape, I tried to speak but no words came.

“Did you find it?” The kind king inquired, pointing at Boogie.

“I did, it was right where you said it would be.” Boogie replied, digging in her pocket pulling out a bag of black powder. Tossing it to the inquisitive king. A smile erupted across his wrinkled face, his skin reminding me of corrugated cardboard. king Krickett grabbed his bottom lip between his index finger and thumb. He stretched it out, somehow creating a stentorian whistle. A short bald man ran up, dropping to one knee in front of the king.

“This is my steward, Flour. Flour is going to get you some food, and a room so you can rest. Boogie and I will go deliver the M.O.S a gift. We are going to end these tyrants.” king Krickett proclaimed, pointing at the still kneeling Flour. Before I could even argue his majesty and Boogie had already walked away. Flour pulled me in the opposite direction, educating me on the history of Solitude along the way. Shambling through the castle streets, I prayed to the cosmos for the duo’s safe return. Flour took me to the canteen where I met the cook. She was an interesting lady, her voluptuous frame intimidated me at first. However, I found her bubbly charisma rather soothing. Her fire roasted muskrat and mushroom gravy was pretty tasty too. After, I ate Flour led me to my bedroom. Upon entering the room I spotted a claw-foot tub with steam wafting from it. I could feel my face light up, hot baths have been a rarity lately. I soaked for a long while, basking in the warmth. Once I was satisfied with my bath, I dressed myself. Patiently I waited for word of Boogie’s return. Daydreaming of our next adventure together, slowly drifting into a deep sleep. When I awoke, I was still alone in my room. I remembered Boogie and the king of Solitude leaving for their mission. I rushed out of the castle room, searching for Flour. I found Flour at the Canteen sitting with Boogie. Rushing over, I could sense something was off.

“What happened, where is the king? How long have I been asleep?” I blurted out. It was Flour who answered me, I could hear him fighting back tears.

“His majesty was injured while leaving the M.O.S. laboratory. There was an explosion and our king was struck in the head with debris. He has not woken up for two days.”

“What about the M.O.S, are they gone for good?” I questioned, it was Boogie who answered me this time. She turned towards me, pulling me into an embrace.

“For now they are gone. They were a vast group, with many camps and labs. We destroyed their main lab, the one where all of their Kroten serum was being manufactured. Cut the head off, and the body will wither. You are welcome to stay in Solitude if you wish, another able body against the M.O.S is always wanted here.” She released me from the embrace. Deep down my soul had already decided that Boogie was my Solitude, my new home. Boogie extended her hand to me, as I took it in mine she whispered to me.

“You’re going to want to hold on, and don’t let go.” A small smirk crept across Boogie’s face. She looked down, and together we plummeted through the cosmos. Zooming towards our next adventure.

To be continued...