Memory (sequel to robots)

Chapter 5

The place they landed, as promised, was an empty wasteland. There was even a light dusting of snow on everything.
"I'm afraid you two are on your own! We can't risk communication while you're there! Good luck!" Matthias yelled over the sound of the helicopter. He looked over at Alex, who already seemed totally prepared for this. Was he the only one who wasn't? "All I can tell you right now is head straight north! The signal came from there!" Matthias handed Mark a compass. Reluctantly, Mark stepped out of the helicopter, running out from under the blades. Alex was right behind him with the oil in hand. He began walking, not caring about the taking off helicopter.
"Wait, what exactly is the plan here?" Alex asked, catching up to Mark who had already set a pace.
"Walk. See a building, go. There's not much else" Mark stepped over a rock.
"You're not concerned of what might be in the building? I mean-"
"Yes. I got it under control, Alex." It felt like hours before any type of land Mark was visible. A very tall rock stood. To Mark, it was just another thing to look at, his way of seeing how far they've walked. The sun had gone down long ago before Alex said something.
"Man I'm tired, could we stop please?" She whined. Mark rolled his eyes.
"Alright" Mark huffed, sitting on a rock. Alex plopped herself down.
"This is crazy isn't it?" Alex scooted herself closer to Mark.
"I guess you could say that" Mark grumbled.
"Well I can't really say anything, I mean, you have been through a lot of shit" she was right next to Mark now. He smiled nervously, trying to make it non obvious that he was trying to get away from her.
"Uh huh" he squeaked. Alex had her hand on his lap. He was about to say something before Alex pushed herself towards Mark's lips. He didn't take long to react, shoving her off. "What the hell Alex!?" He yelled.
"Oh I'm sorry, did I do it wrong?" She was still leaning towards Mark.
"No! Stop it Alex. I don't feel that way about you! I'm married" Mark stood up. Alex followed.
"Sean's most likely dead, dumbass! So you might as well look for something better than that piece of Irish crap! I'm better than him!" She started yelling.
"Don't say that! You don't know that" Mark felt the black ooze start dripping.
"Oh don't I? If he's all the way out here I bet some person dumped him! He's gone!" Mark shrunk away from her words. He dodged her again. He grabbed her tightly, and being a great deal stronger than her, managed to pull her cord out. She fell lifeless. Mark tossed her to the ground, picking up the oil. He was still crying as he walked away. It was hard to walk in the dark, even with his light. He wiped his tears off his cheek as he continued his way over rocks and over holes. He was sure that Alex was far behind him. One last step sent him flying to the ground. Mark had tripped over a rock. Even with all his hope and determination pushing him to go on, he couldn't find the will to. As an alternative, he curled up, crying and waiting for sleep to rush over him.
The next morning he woke up in the early hours. The sun was just coming up. He looked to the north, seeing nothing. He pushed himself up, feeling stiff. He looked at the ground to see a puddle of black ooze. A strange way of Matthias to make them lose the stuff. Well maybe it was better than other ways. He took the jug of oil, sucking it down before he kept walking. He wondered if Sean ever had to drink the oil, but then again, he never saw him cry.
He hated the walking. It was torturous. Looking at the horizon for any sign of a building or a body. He expected a body. Nothing of such appeared until late in the afternoon when a building rose from the land in front of him. He dropped the oil jug without thinking, running as fast as the terrain would allow.
"Sean!" He yelled out. He didn't care for a sneak attack. It took him for what felt like ages to finally meet up with the building. What he saw in front of it was more surprising. A red hood.
"Ah! Mark! Please! Come in!"