Memories Lost

Raindrops fell upon the city streets. It was a downpour cut through by a lone figure who was running, Caleb had Orderlies on his tail. The tall gaunt figures were following the young man, their black robes soaked by the deluge of rain. Reaching for his jacket pocket, Caleb retrieved a small handgun. He wouldn’t be able to aim in his current state of escape or with the trinket he clutched tightly in his right hand but just having it handy made him feel safer. He could hear their footsteps against the wet concrete and asphalt behind him as he quickly took a left turn down an alley. He was headed for Old Town. While it wasn’t safe due to the nests of Night Prowlers It would keep the Orderlies at bay at least for a short time. The concrete below him became more weathered and broken, Cracks filling with the rainwater. Every step now made a splash. Caleb went to take a right turn but as his foot came down it landed on a loose piece of asphalt which came loose causing him to trip. He curled up and tumbled into the alley crashing into an old garbage can.

“What was that, where’d the citizen go?” A deep voice boomed from the alley.

“Forget about it. We’ll call in a heavy for retrieval, better safe than sorry.” Another echoed behind the first.

“Heavy has been dispatched to return lost citizen to quarters. New orders are to return to Delta Block and continue curfew posiegures.” A third voice had responded to the others followed by the sounds of heavy boots walking away.

Caleb sat up after the orderlies left. He immediately checked the trinket he clutched. The gold of the locket still looked good compared to the flaking paint of the chain. He opened the locket and looked at the pictures within.

“I won’t forget.” He repeated to himself over and over before closing and kissing the locket before placing it in his pocket, Caleb also retrieved a small red pill from the same pocket and swallowed it.

He struggled a little to get back to his feet. The trip had given him a limp even so he picked up his handgun and limped through the alley. Aside from the rain it was quiet now, a Night Prowler could be anywhere here. Caleb had to make it to the outer wall and he’ll be safe for sure. As he came to the alley's end he stopped. There was a crater in his path, a borehole. He looked right down the wrecked block. The holes were everywhere. This must’ve been how the Prowlers got inside years ago. Caleb carefully maneuvered around the edge of the hole, the asphalt chipping under his heels. He held onto the corner of the building to keep himself steady while edging onto the street. He limped past the other boreholes which were catching the rain. At the end of the street Caleb came upon a long abandoned Tank which was now rusty and chipping paint. He laid a hand on the old tool of war and pushed off of it to make a left turn down another block. Just as a bolt of lightning flashed in the sky he saw a shape illuminated for a split second a short way down the street, to him it looked like a prowler. Caleb in a panic backed towards the tank and raised his handgun. He didn’t want to take a chance with whatever was out there. From behind him he heard loud metal clangs before he could turn his head. Whatever was behind him began to speak.

“Greetings citizen, Let us return you to your quarters. This location is dangerous and polluted by disease.”

Caleb felt a large cold hand grab onto his shoulder and soon lost the feeling of ground under his shoes. He was lifted into the air and brought to the large chestplate of the Heavy Orderly. Built like a tank at eight feet they could carry a fully grown person with a single hand and carry a large autogun in the other.

“All is safe now, citizens, let's get you home.” The Orderly spoke again a little more softly as Caleb struggled to get out of it’s grip.

In the struggle his gun dropped to the street and the shock of the hit made it fire. A growl came from the darkness behind them. A large Night Prowler rushed down the Orderly jumping onto it’s back and gripping on with its front paws.

“Hide Citizen, we will handle the vermin.” the Orderly said calmly before releasing Caleb who began to crawl underneath the abandoned tank. In one swift motion the Orderly tossed the canine over its shoulder.

The Night Prowler landed on it’s paws and growled running at the Orderly again which readied it’s autorifle to fire. Loud bangs rang out in the night as the Orderly shot at the animal which danced around the heavy calibre bullets. When the Orderly needed to reload the black furred beast ran at it and bit down hard on the Orderly Left arm and tore it from the shoulder. A yellow fluid dripped from both the severed arm and the Orderly’s armor. The Orderly groaned and went to punch the creature with it’s remaining fist, which was retaliated by the prowler pouncing onto it. The walking tank was knocked onto its back as the Night Prowler went for it’s neck and in a swift motion more yellow gunk flew as it was ripped open by the Prowlers jaws. Caleb watched as the behemoth was torn into and consumed by the Night Prowler they were meant to kill. He was in shock at how quick the fight was over and inched himself from under the tank. The Prowler looked directly at him with blank white eyes before turning to pick up the severed arm and walked away. For a second Caleb thought he was as good as dead and gripped onto the locket but counted his blessing before trying to limp away. As he went on however he got the feeling that he wasn’t alone. Things were moving in the dark around him. Rooftops clattered. Lost bricks fell and shattered. Splashes in the street surrounded him. There was a bolt of lightning and the prowlers were upon him both big and small, all looking at him hungry.

His cries were overshadowed by the sounds of the storm, his locket was cast aside and the mechanism opened. Neither of the pictures inside resembled him.