#trish dailey

The first rays of sunlight creep over the horizon and into my eyes, slowly rousing me from a fitful sleep. I groan in irritation before letting out a tired yawn and stretching. Sleep was a rare commodity for me ever since the Blast back in Empire City; so being awoken in any way other than by myself always puts me in a bad mood. I slowly sit up, feeling my body protesting. I know I can fall asleep pretty much anywhere in any position; but that doesn’t mean I won’t feel it the next day and I was definitely feeling it. My muscles aching and throbbing from the awkward position I had fallen asleep in.

I reach over to grab my toes, the stretching loosening the taut muscles in my back and relieving some of the soreness. Many things in my life had changed but one thing I kept to was a morning routine to ready my body for the day and whatever challenges it may bring. It did my sanity some good as it was something I had control over for the most part. I turn my head to stretch my neck muscles as well as to survey the area. The fire I had set the night before was now no more than a weak flicker and glowing embers. It wasn’t much, but with a little bit of dry tinder and some coaxing, I should be able to get the fire back enough to warm some water.

Slowly standing up, I grunt as I can feel the muscles in my body continue to ache; at this point I was no stranger to waking up with cricks and kinks. Sleeping on the ground or on hard surfaces more often than not tends to normalize these pains. Once I’m on my feet, I go through my routine of morning warm-up stretches; joints pop, muscles stretch and I groan. The sleep leaves my body. Nothing like a hard sleep to remind me of the passage of time.

With a final back stretch; a satisfied sigh leaves my lips. Now my body won’t be causing any more fuss as I get ready.

I take off my shirt and examine it, clicking my tongue at the state it was in before I give it a hard and vigorous shaking. Flapping it about like I was knocking the dust off of a throw-rug. I know sooner or later I’m going to have to find new clothes. Not the first time I’ve had to do it, but it’s still annoying nonetheless. There’s only so much that can be done to stretch the longevity of clothing, especially with living on the lam. After a few more flaps, I put my shirt back on. It’s no replacement for a good washing, but it will have to do until I can find some place to properly wash up.

I grab my backpack and dust it off, having used it as a make-shift pillow the night before. I smile a bit seeing how even though I have had this backpack for a couple of years, it’s still holding up. Opening it up, I check inside to see what I have, frowning at what I see; While I still have enough rations and water to hold me over for some time, it’s clear I will need to find a place to resupply sooner than later. At the very least to restock on water and food. 

I pull out a thermos and set it to the side as I tend to the fire, making a small divot in the coals to set the thermos in. Once I get the water on to warm, I pull out a breakfast bar from my backpack and begin to eat it. My face curls into a grimace as I feel the dry and scratchy texture in my mouth as I chew; the taste chalky and unpleasant. As much as I didn’t like it; food was food and I was in no position to be picky. Not like I hadn’t been in a similar situation before; I guess the quarantine in Empire City was a warm-up, though I never thought I would be surviving completely on my own in the middle of the Great Plains.

A sigh leaves my nose as I think back. It has only been about 2 years since the Ray Sphere blast changed my life forever and yet it feels like it was a lifetime ago… And I guess in a way, it was. Hell, I could dare say I had gone through several lifetimes in such a short span. I’ll admit, there are times where I miss the creature comforts I once had; times where I miss Zeke and Trish. The only two people in the world that actually gave a damn about me, even if it was conditional. Hell, there are times where I just miss being around people in general; but such is Human nature. Humans are social creatures and while I myself ain’t the most sociable of people, I still do want to have somebody around.

God, how long has it been since I’ve actually talked to a person? I have seen people over the horizon, both Human and Conduit alike: traveling, raiding, looting, battling… But I have yet to go up to interact with any of them. I was enjoying the quiet that dropping off the radar is affording me; still… It had been… What, a month? God-damn… My notebook and audio recorder really are the only things keeping me from losing my marbles completely.

Using the stick I pull the thermos out of the coals and set it aside and open it to let it cool down enough so I don’t burn my hands and scald my throat; but with how the chalky taste of that ration coated my mouth, I’m half-tempted to drink it right now just to get rid of it. Once the water is down to a more comfortable temperature, I grab it and take sips from it; letting out a sigh as the warmth of the liquid runs down my throat and spreads through my body. Nothing like a warm drink to start the day.

I watch the sun rise as I sip; even though I have seen this many times, it never gets old. How the dark colors of the night sky give way to warm hues of the morning; the deep cool purples and blues brighten into the familiar sky blue. There were clouds drifting lazily in the sky, adding shadows and bright spots to this picturesque scene. A faint smile ghosts over my features as I take the last sip of my warmed drink.

After putting the now cooled thermos back in my backpack, I use my foot to scuff dirt onto the embers of the fire and smother it, marking the end of my stay at this particular spot. With my body now fully awake and daylight now peeking down onto the ground, I sling my pack onto my back and begin wandering once more.

I made my way to where I noted seeing activity a few nights before. From where I was, it looked like a camp was attacked and both sides were Conduits. I felt the energy from their fighting from miles away. I figured that place might have some supplies I could scavenge, extend my time before I had to find an actual settlement or rest stop for a little while longer. God do I dread having to go into the cities and towns for amenities, many people don’t take kindly to the Beast strolling up into neighborhoods. Can’t say I don’t blame them, heh. Especially since I was a terror before becoming the Beast and I only got stronger and meaner after that. Still; it is a pain in the ass with a reputation as infamous as mine. Can’t even go into a 7-Eleven to get a damn candy bar without people losing their ever-loving minds. It was funny at first, especially if I was feeling particularly sadistic that day, but over time it gets really old, really fast. So the longer I can stay away from where the regular folk are, the better.

As I get closer to the camp, a tingling sensation itches at my mind, starting at the center of my forehead and spreading out. I place two fingers on my right temple and focus on the sensation. A low frequency pulses out from my body and what I find is something interesting.

Glimpses of a scene play out before my eyes as outlines and shadows play their parts. Darkened figures traveled in many directions: figures of Humans, Conduits and even caravans of vehicles. All rushing around as spectral imprints of the past; the faded marks of those who walked these areas before. However, the freshest imprints didn’t take the form of faint shadows dancing behind a sheet, but of glowing outlines. Vague in detail, but stood out all the same. The green outlines walked slowly, but with purpose, and they were walking to the same location I was heading towards.

The remains of the camp.

I continue on, now almost following the echoes to the location as shadows flickered and ran around me. Even though I knew I was alone, the energy from these trails were still very fresh. Fresh enough to feel present. It is almost like I’m actively with this group. Walking with them, stalking with them. A pang of yearning pricks my heart, but I shake it off and keep going.

I stop before crossing the threshold of the camp to look at the sight before me. My eyes see the ruined remains; yet an outline showed me what the camp originally looked like. Five tents all set up around a fire with people going about their days the best they can. I walk closer and explore the abandoned site as the apparitions of the people continue on, paying me no mind as if the roles were reversed and I was the phantom walking among them.

Two couples and three individuals, all tending to their tasks: be it cooking, repairing, or keeping watch. Whether this group was a family unit or not, I can’t tell; regardless, I could feel the comradery between them all. As I examine the broken cooking pot, I spot the outlines that I traveled with not too long ago slow into a stalking crawl before bursting out. An ambush.

Mouths opened in silent screams and war-cries, but I feel them all the same as the battle begins. The bright flashes of Ray Field Energy lashing out as the two groups of Conduits clash. Every lash, every strike, opens up wound-like imprints within the energy as I watch the fight around me. It was vicious, a fight for survival. Both sides fighting to live. A scene as old as life itself.

As the echoes fall, their outlines fade to nothingness as their life drains away, leaving nothing but a shadow on the ground. Powers and fists collide like claws and teeth, blood spills in vibrant hues as they spatter onto the ground where they currently stain the dirt. It was a vicious battle. The bodies drop and the Raiders steal the precious items held in the camp.

Yet…

Among the fallen shadows, a small outline remained. A Conduit who’s will to survive was stronger than the rest. They were still alive, but barely. The figure held still as the bandits looted what they could; he was playing dead. Clever man, he was. Most people don’t check to see if their quarry is dead. I walk around and check to see if there is anything left of use, but find nothing. Damn it all. Looks like I’m going to have to find some sort of civilization soon after all.

My eyes drift over to the echo playing possum and I can feel my curiosity getting the better of me. My memories flash back to Empire City; if the body was fresh enough, I could essentially view the last memories of the poor son of a bitch before they were killed. It had been quite the handy little trick. Sometimes it would lead me to a person of interest; other times it led me to other goodies. I couldn’t help but to wonder: with my abilities enhanced by the Beast powers, could I read the memories of these echoes? Only one way to find out…

I walk over to the figure before kneeling down, reaching my hand out to where the head is. When my fingers made “contact” with the head of the outline, images flashed in my mind. Scattered and fragmented, but present. Faint memories of a settlement; patchworked and cobbled together from whatever scrap that was found or brought in. Built upon the bones of a long abandoned ghost-town. Flickers of people… No… Flickers of Conduits, walking around without fear. Finally a name: Fracture.

I pull my hand away and shake my head as I refocus on the figure. The raiders leave the camp and the specter slowly stands. The outline of the man looks towards a direction, a path of shadows and memories seeming to flow that way like a river, with the shades joining and leaving. The man staggered to the “dying fire” and absorbed the heat from it before walking towards the river of echoes.

I stand there in the middle of the camp, watching as the outline joins before fading away into the shadows. I’m still not keen on heading towards any civilization, but I would be lying to myself if I say that I’m not slightly hopeful about this prospect. After all, it’s a better option than being among the regular Humans, and a safe haven for Conduits? Surely they may be at the very least more tolerant of my presence there. At least enough so I didn’t have to hide away and I can get shit without being harrassed. Perhaps maybe I could look around a bit as well? There’s only one way for me to find out.

I pull out a water bottle from my backpack and take a sip before putting it back inside; starting my trek towards the now fading stream of shadows and echoes. I do not know how long this trip will take me, but it matters not.

I journey on towards Fracture, cautious and curious. Being part of the parade of shades. Not sure what I will find, but ready for whatever it may be.