Chapter 3: Alex

Breakfast today was Viper meat, my favorite. It scarfed it down, debating on following Rose, but I decided against it. Whatever, or whoever, she was dealing with wasn't my business. I could always ask later, but she wouldn't tell me anyway.

My first stop was Old Lady Smokey, who was busy tinkering with a gun. Her shop was a covered square with a workbench. It was a well-worn table and a wall full of tools and crafting supplies. Piles of boxes littered around with scrap and parts. Despite her age, she had a hell of swing and skilled enough to fix anything.

"Hey, Smokes, Rose sent me to get something for her.

She lifted her magnifying glasses, and her face lit up. "Ah, Alex. It's been a while since you've stopped by. Still honing your skills, I hope."

I nodded. "Yes ma'am, still practicing when I can."

Smokes taught me some of her skills when I was younger and helped in the market. Lately, I've been heading out more and more with Rose, so I practice when I can, rather than every day like before.

"Let me see. I have it in a box somewhere."

A man popped out from behind the wall and nodded to me. I nodded back.

"Sup Alex. You good?"

"I'm good."

He nodded again and disappeared. Smokes had mercenaries on hand in case someone got rough with her. He was for show though, since she shot anyone who wasn't happy with a sale.

Smokes laid out two Uzi's, each with a leather strap, and two full clips. The guns were well oiled and shined with a renewed life.

"Good as new. Tell Rose those parts are hard to find, and if she needs them repaired again, it's double."

"Sure thing. Take care of yourself, Smokes."

She smiled, "You too. Don't be a stranger. I have plenty of work if you need some coin."

I strapped the guns on and pocketed the clips. "I'll keep that in mind. Later Gomez."

"Later."

Sammy Supplier was the official general store. She was one of the town's founders, but since her trailer was larger than most, she had to pay rent for two spots. With how busy Sam was, there were no objections. If she wanted to, she could slap a few wheels on it and grab a dozen Furies to pull her across the wasteland. She would make a killing with the number of items she had.

I never knew how she kept the rust off her place. It was almost pristine and had a strange chemical cleanness to it. The trailer had various outfits lining the walls. In the center was a massive table full of different armor pieces. Guns sat across her counter space with shining beauty where she waved from.

"How's it going, Alex?" She paused and gave me a concerned look. "You going to war or something?"

"Nah, just running errands for Rose. I'm supposed to pick up something from you."

"Oh yeah. Let me go grab it."

Sammy was a few years older than me but looked far younger. She had long black hair and kept it in a braid that almost touched the ground. Someone started a rumor about Sam killing someone with it. I didn't believe in it, but the way it slams into things as she moves makes me think there's a truth to the rumor.

She disappeared into the other half of her trailer, which she called the storage room. I saw it once when I helped her, and it gave me nightmares. Everything lay tossed around like a tornado ripped through. Somehow she knew exactly where everything was, though.

Glancing around, I found some knives she had displayed on the other end of the trailer. A black steel machete, a few hunting knives, and a couple of combat knives shined in the fluorescent light.

She dropped something on the ground, and I jumped. "Here, ya go. Two backpacks with rations and supplies. Rose already paid so no damage to your wallet." She noticed me eyeing her stuff and switched her tune. Her silver tongue came from growing up around traders, and no one was immune to its power.

"Hey, are you looking at something new for your arsenal. I got some new stuff fresh off the caravan."

S**t. I can't leave now.

"No, I just- "

"Aw come on. It is a special day today. I'll give ya a discount too since I like you so much."

"I'm good, Sam, thanks."

I spent a few minutes getting the whole story of the black machete and how durable and sharp it was. Sam even sliced some fruit she had to show me, and holding it made me want to buy it. It was lightweight and felt natural in my hands. I gave it a few swings and felt confident. I left with the backpacks and a new machete, while my wallet left with a piece of lint and a bobby pin.

I felt like a pack mule dragging myself through the market and to the main gate. Rose was inside the inn at tower two, and tower one, on the opposite side, had a line of upset people. Leo's assistant was trying to keep them calm as the line wrapped along the wall.

Lost in thought, I didn't hear anyone approach, and a voice broke me away. "You going to kill someone or what?" Roger held his bandaged hand out, and I handed him one of the sand-colored backpacks.

"You jealous?"

He slipped it on his shoulder and chuckled. "Hell no. I've been in the wasteland for too long. I'll take a boring patrol route any day."

Roger did his usual pound hug, and I awkwardly messed it up. He didn't hesitate and went along, making up for me. Being three years older than me, he looked like he fought in a war and came back. His arms were always bandaged under his guard uniform. When I asked, he always changed the subject, but it was a goal of mine to find out one day. He had a long scar on his head, leaving baldness in his short, black hair. The strangest thing was the reddish tint in his eyes. Sometimes, they looked maroon, but other times they shined almost bloodred. It was another thing he liked to avoid talking about.

"So, five years of training with Rose. You're what, twenty now?"

"Yeah. Suppose to be an initiation thing Rose wants to do. After that, I'm no longer her pupil."

"Cool. Well, you guys should be careful out there. Patrols said a pack of Howlers is roaming around nearby. Be a shame if I have to your a*s on a special day."

"Like you wouldn't cherish the thought," I said.

He turned red and slipped the backpack on my shoulder.

"Whatever. Where's your sensei anyway?"

I was about to look around when Rose came over in a hurry.

"Let's go; we don't have a lot of time," she said, grabbing the bag.

Roger watched her as she strapped her guns on.

"You okay, Rose? You seem-"

He glanced over to the inn and gasped. His head spun between the inn and her.

"Whatever you think it's not true. Shut up and get to your post."

I tried to figure out what they were up to, but Roger kept staring at something happening at the inn.

"Now. Roger."

He had deep worry-filled hate in his eyes as he walked away. Rose began taking off ahead of him, and I lingered between them. I wasn't sure what he said, but I thought I heard Roger whisper something about someone should be dead.

Author's Note

1st draft so it is not perfect. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.