It's hard to grasp the idea that we actually managed to get all the pieces leading us to go off to face the big bad already. It feels like a dream, but it isn’t. Well, it’s more like a waking nightmare. I’m already regretting going on this trip, even from the second we started the car. This trip wouldn’t be as simple as I had expected, although, from what the jester said, this felt pre-planned.

From here to our destination was at least a three-day trip (which, to me, was shorter than I would have expected). She wanted to take the wheel but stated we would switch depending on the number of hours we spent driving.

“So, I guess you're driving for a longer period of time.”

“Heh, I think you're mistaken. Obviously, you would be the one doing longer hours since I’m the one who worked the hardest,” Melody said sarcastically.

“Pretty sure we would just have a heated debate over who does more, so I guess I’ll take the wheel for the longer hours.”

“Looks like I’ve won this time,” Melody said with a smug smirk.

Melody can be quite cunning at times. She always has a way of achieving something, even something as mundane as deciding who gets to drive more. It’s something I’m a little envious of, maybe because I want to feel that confidence in whatever discussion I take part in. However, now that I think about it, all it would do is give me an inflated ego.

“So, the machine says we’ll be nearing an abandoned city off the coast.”

“A city abandoned that quickly?”

“Eh, it’s not that crazy, considering our area was one of the luckier ones. I think those major cities out east had several evacuation attempts last I heard—mainly because I saw some news broadcasts of the event before it took place in our area.”

"It's still kinda crazy to truly think about, although I guess not fully. There will probably be some people over there with tents and fires.”

“Hopefully, we don’t encounter anyone. People become quite deranged in post-apocalyptic times, and in situations like this, you can’t really trust anyone. Well, at least in those movies and books. It’ll probably be the same, unfortunately.”

“Is it really post-apocalyptic, though?”

“It sure doesn’t feel like it in the grand scheme of things. Sure, houses and buildings may not be crumbling, but you can’t deny how empty everything looks.”

“Guess that’s true. Everything looks like it has been drained of all life, leaving only a husk of what was once a populated and organized area.”

“But man, this would make for such a sick photoshoot. I only wish we had the internet over here so some people could see my pics. Although, thinking about it, people probably already had an opportunity.”

“You had the same idea?”

“Yeah, me t—” she suddenly stopped speaking and yelled, “Ah, fuck—”

She swerved the car, almost making it topple over before slamming on the brakes.

“What the hell just happened?”

“I saw something being thrown near the car, and I panicked.”

We both got out of the car to see what it was. As soon as we stepped onto the ground, something that sounded like clanking came close. Our eyes widened at the sight of this creature.

It was a ceramic teapot with a shade of yellow tint that looked like actual gold all around the exterior. On top of the lid was a long top hat, similar to the Mad Hatter’s in Alice in Wonderland. Below the teapot were long, spindly legs with pairs of playing cards as their design.

“A damn teapot? What the hell kind of designs are they making anyway?”

Before we could hurry back to our car, the teapot started to rattle rapidly, then sprung up, letting out a crackling, screeching sound. It sounded almost like the snapping of someone’s neck.

The creature revealed a skeletal structure resembling a human spine, filled with red veins that seemed to store blood. The thing kept jittering and spazzing violently without stopping. The veins kept pumping blood into the lid, and it was boiling inside the spout. The lid began to fidget rapidly from side to side.

It pointed its spout in our direction and knelt down, ready to aim.

It shot out a steamy chunk of boiling blood at us, hitting us directly.

“Ah, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Shit, this burns!” Melody let out, shaking and pressing her hands against her face.

“Shit, we gotta get out of here.”

I was still inflicted with burns from the blast, but I managed to get back into the car and helped Melody in safely. I slammed the door shut and pressed on the gas as quickly as I could.

Some time had passed. The drive was a bit easier to handle, and our burns didn’t hurt anymore—well, as long as we didn’t touch them, at least.

“God, what a mess. And we’ve only been driving for three hours.”

“Heh, don’t need to tell me twice.”

I was surprised that Melody could act so calmly after something as deadly as that. It had only been fifteen minutes since our last encounter. I was calm too, but my whole body was still shaking.

“You need to calm down. I can see it through your motions.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re always so calm and smug in these situations. It takes quite a while for me because of all the shit I endured back then. I can’t think rationally or act calm at all. It’s so stressful, so damn stressful.”

Melody didn’t say anything back, but her expression showed that she at least understood what I meant.

We were about to hit a roadspot that led to an abandoned city. I could tell Melody was more worried about it than I was. Something about other people bothered her. I remembered when we were driving, she told me about the weirdos and insane people she had helped when she was making tools. I wished she had told me earlier so I could have helped with that because it was clear that it made her very uncomfortable.

Melody pointed to Skip. “Our destination is only seven minutes away. Just… be prepared.”

“Alright,” I responded in a worried tone.

I noticed that she started grabbing one of the firearms and loading it with ammo. I didn’t want to say anything about it and put more pressure on her, but I couldn’t help worrying that this might be worse than I could imagine.

“Pull over. We’re here.”

I did as she told me and parked near an abandoned building. Everything around us was as barren as could be. The once lively streets were now filled with emptiness. The buildings, which were once packed, looked almost damaged beyond repair. I couldn’t call this a full apocalypse yet, though. There was still time to set things right.

“You know, you’re right. This whole city is kinda cool if you think about it.” Melody looked around in amazement at the sight of everything.

“That’s what I’ve been saying! I really gotta get a good picture when I can.”

Melody gently tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Before we set up our tents, we should do some exploring to see what else we can find around here.”

“Good idea.”

We headed out to search for whatever we could find. It felt a little ominous walking around in the chilly, empty streets. It felt like anything—or anyone—could jump out at any given time.

One thing I noticed while walking down each block was that there were no streetlamps—only candles placed around different areas.

“I’ve noticed that all the streetlamps are missing, and candles have been placed everywhere,” I said.

“Yeah, I noticed that too. Seems to me like people are already here.”

She was searching for something, but I couldn’t tell what.

“What are you looking for, Melody?”

“Shh, I hear something.”

I started to hear it too. It was coming from inside one of the local shops—the hair salon. We eagerly peeped inside to find the source of the noise.

Before we could explore any further, I heard a low, ominous growling sound. And I knew exactly what that was.

“Keep your heads down!”

A loud blast rang out, sounding like a shotgun. I turned around and saw the apple creature topple to the ground.

“You guys alright?” said a woman’s voice.

“Y–yeah, we’re alright now.”

“No problem. Name’s Rochelle. Never seen you guys here before. Guessing you’re here to camp?”

Melody chimed in, “Yeah, we just got here by car, actually. We were looking for the source of that noise.”

“Well, the source of the noise just so happens to be the thing lying dead, face-first, on the ground.”

I should have figured that it was a trap, but that didn’t matter at the moment.

“So, what are your names?”

“Name’s Melody, and his name is—”

“Not important.”

“Okay? Uh, well, you guys look about the same age as me. I know my clothes make me look older, but I’m eighteen, by the way.”

“We just so happen to be eighteen years old as well.”

“At least we’re on equal terms. I’ll show you around the area. Oh, almost forgot to mention—my name’s Rochelle.”

“Sorry if I come off as rude, but what’s the deal with that costume you’re wearing?”

“I just wear it for warmth, and I’m afraid in certain public situations. And, you know… my hair is super long. I haven’t cut it in a while, so I’d feel pretty embarrassed.”

“Well, that’s something I never thought I’d hear. Doesn’t really bother me, though.”

She guided us like a semi-tour guide, leading us to different locations around the city, a bit of a distance from our car. Shops were being used as trading areas for weapons and other supplies.

There wasn’t anyone in the shops that we could find. My guess was that it was probably because it was late. The few people we did encounter were surprisingly friendly and welcoming (hopefully, that could stay that way).

Currency was similar to normal currency, but the main difference was the trading system—materials could earn you a lot of dough, which could then be used to stock up on other supplies. In theory, it sounded like a fair and balanced system, especially with the way it was explained and how well-liked it seemed to be.

“I hadn’t mentioned this earlier, but we can’t stay too long since we’re on the move,” I said.

“What’s the hurry?”

“We’re trying to find and kill this mastermind. Have you heard of such a thing?”