15 Years Later: Wasteland by Nick S. Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

flank. He managed to take some of the power out of the blows by dipping his elbows into the strike, but it still hurt. He reached around the back of the man's head with his other hand and sharply snapped his head.
    His neck was broken, and he instantly went limp. He let go, and the body slumped down beside him. He looked down at the damage he had done. All he could think was how he had killed six people in two days.
    When will it ever stop? Why can't they just leave me be?
    In one corner was a large coiled up rope. He tied it off against one of the supports, threw it over the edge, and looked around for any last signs of life before climbing down. As his feet touched the ground, he instantly felt better and took in a breath of air. It was far fresher than the stagnant filth inside Jaytown.
    Which way? What was it the old man said? Go West. Why? I have no reason to go anywhere else, so why not?
    He began to walk out into the night. He still felt lost, but at least he was free.

Chapter 6
     
    The sun was rising on the horizon, and the first light and the heat it brought was a welcome feeling on Zed's skin. He sat atop a rock and watched and waited. Far into the distance was Jaytown. He was waiting for the inevitable response of its inhabitants as they stirred and witnessed what he had done. He looked back to the West, the way he had been heading. He could see nothing but mountains.
    Why West?
    He'd love to know more, just another minute to ask that man questions. There was plenty of open ground between him and those mountains. He couldn't risk it in daylight.
    Thirty minutes passed. The first thing he heard was the echo of the huge bell ringing out for miles around. They had awoken all right. It brought a smile to his face. He didn't like having to kill, but it brought him some satisfaction after what they had made him endure. He took the time to relax and enjoy his freedom, the fresh air, and the warmth of the sun. He opened his bag and found his flask had been filled with water. By who, it didn't matter. He didn't have anything to eat, but at least with water he could survive a while.
    It wasn't long before the roar of engines echoed across the plains. He hunkered down low to be safe and watched as twelve vehicles tore out from the gates of the town and separated into threes to go in all directions. He nodded in appreciation of the fact they clearly had no idea where he had gone. He watched for a full five minutes until he was satisfied he was safe before ducking down behind some rocks to be well hidden. He took one more sip and then rested back to look at the photos he had retrieved.
    The picture of the woman and child were the ones he stared at.
    Are they mine?
    He felt such a deep personal connection to them both but still couldn't tell exactly why. He could only guess. As he noticed a necklace around the woman's neck, he remembered the chain and ring that had been around his. He reached up to feel them, but they were already gone. It felt like a part of him was missing, and his heart skipped a few beats.
    A few rocks being thrown loose nearby brought him back to reality. He dropped the photos and snatched up his rifle. Without any idea if it were even loaded or operational, he stood up and lifted it to his shoulder. The sights came into line, and he found himself before the crazy woman who had tried to kill him. Her hands were empty, and he could not help but feel satisfied that their roles were now reversed. He looked around for others from Jaytown. A few steps each side allowed him to get a good view of the area.
    There was still one vehicle racing across the sands in the distance, but nothing close by. She was carrying a pack on her back, and her hatchet thrust into a belt as if she had been travelling for a while.
    "What do you want?" he demanded.
    There was no time for niceties. They clearly meant nothing to these people, and despite her act of kindness in letting him escape; he couldn't help but feel the desire to