Terminal Velocity [Currently Editing]

Dedicated to the hostess of a Sci-Fi poetry competition, which i came second in =D
 

Chapter 2: Welcome Home

Wesley’s pickup truck rolled up to the gates of Waterton. Mia was astonished by the huge steel gate that guarded the town. But she was wrong, this was no gate. It was one half a draw bridges that would be lowered to allow people across the deep canyon that lay below. Next to the bridge half stood a tall watch tower, made from mismatching metal and wood. Mia couldn’t see the finer details of the guard inside, he was but a silhouette. He shouted something down to Wes, and he shouted something up about a game of chess. Mia heard a chuckle from the both of them before the draw bridge began to lower. It creaked and groaned but yet it still held together. Eventually she could see the one on the other side. They lowered until they were level, resting on a few steel supports below. Wes gave a wave to the man in the tower before slowly throttling his truck forward. It creaked across the cracked but sturdy bridge until they came to the gates. The same height of the walls they had to be at least twenty feet high. Over the top Mia could see the tops of a few buildings, and beyond that the blue sky. Casually walking atop the walls was the odd guard carrying his or her rifle. The gates slid open as they were mounted on tracks, it took a while as they were big and heavy, and the motor was old. A group of men and women left the safety of the gates and ventured forth into the wasteland. “Impressive huh?” asked Wesley. Mia was too awe struck to answer. Her eyes darted about her skull as they passed through the front gate. The streets were lined with open shops selling goods. Not like back home, not like the rest of the wasteland where they were either boarded up or half destroyed. There were soldiers, not like in the north where they would march the sick and wounded up and down the street or beat any one they felt like. No, in Waterton they talked and laughed with the people they were protecting. They were helping them carry their belonging to and fro. Mia let a tear out; she had never seen kindness like this. Back home someone was shot nearly every day for something silly. Here everybody was friends, all helping each other to survive, not gain or enslave. Wesley slowed the truck and stopped it outside a large building. There was a sign outside that said ‘Infirmary’, Mia’s brother had taught her to read during the nights. Beside her freedom she felt it was one of the best things that he did for her, among many others. “Alright, just gotta make a quick stop here. I’m afraid the Doctor needs to check you out. Its protocol” he smiled. He stepped out of the truck, taking the keys with him. Mia did the same and joined him round back. There he opened the door and pulled out a large duffle bag. “C’mon then, this way” he spoke cheerily as he marched off into the Infirmary.


Inside it was decorated with bright white walls and floors. Mia had never seen such a clean place. The Infirmary was small; it had been an old converted warehouse. But when the first people of Waterton moved in and built the drawbridge and walls they made it into two floors and created a whole load of treating rooms. Wesley and Mia walked up to one of the nurses sitting on what used to be a park bench in the waiting room. She had a sandwich in one hand and after taking a sip of water took a bite. “Shelia, where’s Doctor Renae?” he asked her. Shelia looked at him with annoyance, and pointed down the corridor. Wesley smiled and nodded, then waved a hand for Mia to follow. He marched down the corridor with his duffel bag over his shoulder; Mia noticed a slight spring in his step. They came to a large oak door with ‘Doctor Skylar Renae’ written on the front in paint.  Wesley knocked with a smile on his face and waited for a reply. A quick come in and he pushed the door open.

“Oh god not you” was the first thing Mia herd. As she followed in behind she saw the owner of the voice. She was beautiful in every way. Her skin was perfect; her dark black hair curled and tumbled down her shoulders and back. Her figure was slender and her eyes were deep with a light blue colour. She had a cute button nose and long beautiful eyelashes. Mia lusted after her beauty in every way. Mia felt ugly being in the same room as her. Mia was bone skinny, her hair was wild and split. And her