Triple X

Chapter One

After I'd climbed out my bedroom window and into the outside world for the first time, I could hardly believe my eyes. I'd had a vague idea of the carnage that laid outside the walls of the manor, but I didn't expect what I came to see. This was what I'd been shielded from all these years, and if I'd known, I probably wouldn't have resented my mother so strongly for what she'd hidden me away from.

I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Rouge Boucher, and until now, I had never set foot outside of my home. I know it sounds crazy, but there's a good reason for that. Before I was born, Napoleon Boucher, my dad, had gone on a personal quest of his with a friend. His mission: destroy the nation's government and free us from its shackles. What I'm seeing now are the consequences of the mission. My mother was looking out for me when she kept me inside, but I was resistant. Now I see why I shouldn't have left my home.

The air was thick with smog and the sky was dyed a dark red. Active fires blazing all around, sparing not a centimeter of land from its destruction. The clouds in the sky were dark grey and covered up some of the red spots like a blanket. I can spot several telephone poles knocked over with cars dented and smashed into their sides. It seemed like some sort of horrific nightmare or something out of a movie, but I do know there have to be survivors. Even if not sane, any survivors are enough for me.

Things didn't improve the further away I'd wandered from my former shelter. The city seemed completely torn apart and deserted. My foot hit something, making me trip slightly. I looked down to see body with a full head of hair, spots that were clearly ripped out. It was clad in a torn shirt and dirty pants, a shoe off and an arm completely missing. This was a human body, not an animal. I got down on my knees and nervously turned it over, and when I saw the face I could feel my stomach turn with it. Who could be responsible for this? Has everyone gone savage? I jumped back from the body and kicked it back on its stomach in horror.

I looked behind me back to my family's mansion. Too late to go back now, I have to grit my teeth and walk through the flames. I don't care if it hurts or if I don't like it, I am not going to let her have the last laugh on this one. The first thing I learned in life is you do not admit defeat if you haven't been defeated yet. I'm better than her, better than my family, better than this world, and I'm going to prove it!