The End

Chapter 5

The trip was long. We were in the wagon for at least five hours. The sun was setting over the horizon as we arrived.

Nock was a huge city. It seemed familiar. Quebec. I grew up here. Storked then disowned. I hated this place, now it could be my chance for redemption.

We jumped off the wagon and Gren motioned for me to follow her. We went farther into the city.

The city is not at all like I remember it. Gigantic buildings collapsed, foliage growing everywhere, fires burning in the distance. This isn't the city I once lived in. This is hell.

As we walked deeper into the city the fog grew heavy. I could hardly see 20 feet in front of me.

I couldn't help myself to think if my former parents were alive and well, or if my old house was here. I need to know if they made it out alive.

Just then I felt a tight grip on my arm. I snapped back to reality. Gren pulled me close. My heart pounded, but I had no idea why. I guess I got lost in my thoughts for a second.

"Snap out of it, Nathan," She told me almost angrily. "We're here for a reason. Focus." Could she hear my thoughts? My heart dropped to my stomach. Then, she released me and my heart went back into place. "Let's get going."

We walked for a bit longer. My feet hurt like hell, I just wanted to lay down. There was a gigantic building near the center of town. It was half collapsed and made of steel. On the front of the building there was paint that read INN.

I walked in. There was a mohogany desk that seemed perfectly perseved. Behind the desk was a man his skin was dark, he had short, red hair, and looked old as hell. But, he didn't seem old in the eyes.

"Oh," he said in a deep Scottish accent. "What can I do ya for, laddie?"

"Uh," I tried to answer. I can't believe I actually forgot why we're here.

Gren stepped in front of me. "We need a room," she said, answering for me. "This kid's fighting Break tomorrow."

"Alrighty then," He said, filling out a paper. "I though you both we're 'onna..." His voice trailed off. What was he talking about?

"Stop," Gren said, almost angrily. "Can we get going already."

"Alright. Alright," he sheepishly. He was clearly fearful of Gren. "Let's get going then."

He walked out behind the desk with a limp. That's what was wrong. I nearly vomited.

"Gren," I got her attention nervously. "Why does he have three legs?"

The Innkeeper had a third leg growing out of what I think is his tailbone. It was full grown and he was walking fine. He also had some pretty cool custom pants as well.

"You know I can hear ye' right, Laddie?" He asked me.

"What," I said. "How'd you hear that?"

"Follow me to your room and I'll tell ye'." He told us, motioning to follow him.

I looked at Gren. She pushed me forward. We followed.

He walked almost with a trot, bending and kicking his back leg. It seemed almost effortless, like the way I walk. What could've done this to him?

"Staren' at my leg 'eh," He said as we walked down the hall. "Mutation. The virus did it to me. Gave me good 'earing, too. Ain't so bad. The only thing that hurt like hell was when I was growin' the leg."

"The virus caused that," I asked. "I thought Fen only killed people, not mutatied them."

"For most that'd be true," He replied. "But, there are people like me. We were forced into hiding by the government. Guess people be calmer if they're dead n' not hideous. Look who's thriving now."

"Yeah," I said, still a bit confused. "If there are people who mutated, are there people who are immune, too?"

"Yep," he said, sounding winded. "A special few. You're actually standin' right next to one."

My eyes widened. I looked over to Gren, who waved nervously.

"Anyways," He told us, stopping at room 37. "This is your room. Quite nice one actually, ordered by the boss man himself."

We steped into the room.

"I should probably get goin'," He said to the both of us. "Ring for me if ya need anything. The name's Josh by the by. Josh Rosenberg." He reached out for a handshake.

I shook his hand. He closed the door and walloped back down the hall. I closed the door and walked further into the room. I guess this whole fight was a pretty huge event because that leader guy paid for this room.

It was reasonably big room. It was made out of an old office. The glass windows showing us the rest of the office space were painted over and covered. There were two beds in the pretty obviously mismatched, I suppose they used bed frames and sheets that they found in apartments around the city. There was a nice looking plant in the corner of the room closest to the door. A painting of the ocean loomed over the two beds.

I had never actually seen the ocean. I've always wanted to though, but not in a busy area. If I were to see the ocean, I'd want it to be at a place where it could just be me and the sea.

Gren shocked me out of my thoughts," Nathan," she said. "Hurry up and unpack. I actually want to get some sleep tonight."

"What do I even have to unpack," I replied. "What I'm wearing is all I have."

"At least take off the damn sword." She told me seeming slightly annoyed.

I had completely forgotten that I had 20 pound sword holstered on my back. What I'm really surprised at though is how the leather holster has stayed intact thus far, I made it for spears, not heavy chunks of metal.

I drew my blade and set it down on a tabletop near my bed. Gren had already claimed the nicer bed, but honestly I didn't care at this point, I just wanted to sleep. I took off my holster as well. Air flooded into the sweat-spots on my back that it couldn't previously reach. It felt nice, as if someone was dumping cold water onto my back.

The wound on my back from when Gren pushed me against the tree has scabbed. It still pains me a bit to bend over, but now it's a bit more bearable.

It was past dark already outside. I layed down and closed my eyes. Tomorrow is the day that decides my fate.