3 Chapter 3: The Enemy Within (1/2)

The two men approached the car cautiously, suspicious of the open door and the stains of blood. Eyeing with caution, the claw marks that marred the roof of the vehicle with deep gouges. ”Oh damn Pat, it reeks like somebody died over there. I don't think this is a good idea. Let's leave it alone and just piss off.” Said Dale, his eyes fixated on the car as Pat nodded his agreement.

Hearing the two men so close to him, Luca tried to move, even as his body groaned and protested in pain. He wanted to make noise and draw their attention towards him. But the process only exhausted him further. The sounds of movement startled the two skittish would-be rescuers. Before they ran away out of earshot, Luca screamed as loud as he could muster. ”Please, it's my dad; he's been killed. I'm trapped in here with him.”

Luca heard a sharp intake of breath as the two men drew in close. ”Jesus Christ, there's a kid under all that? Fuck man. That's all you, Pat, this one is on you. If this goes south, it's your ass. Fuck it. Just get the kid out of there.” Responded Dale, his voice a combination of pity and disgust.

Within seconds, Luca heard the sound of a hand pressing against the car's frame as the man named Pat looked into the car. Upon seeing Lucas, Pat gave him a weak and pitying smile. ”I'm here, kid; I got you.” Large male hands grabbed onto the shredded hem of his father's pants, dragging the decomposing body off of Luca. Pat tossed the body to the side, and it landed unceremoniously on the ground splitting open. The sudden movement scaring the buzzing flies dispersing them before settling back on Paul's body. From behind Pat, Luca could hear Dale suddenly hurl.

The body out of the way, Pat was able to get a good look at Luca. Frowning when he saw the kid's clothes were ruined, stained from blood and filth. ”Sorry, you went through all that kid. What's your name anyway? I'm Pat, and my companion over there is Dale.” Pat said, his voice sympathetic as he tried to comfort Luca.

With Luca's voice cracked and damaged as it was from thirst, disuse, and sudden screaming. The boy croaked out a barely audible ”Luca.”

”Alright, Luca, I'm going to pull you out nice and easy. Don't be scared, ok?” Said Pat trying to reassure the boy as he reached into the car and began pulling Luca out. Picking him up as soon as he was able.

As soon as Luca was finally free, the emaciated crippled boy leaned into the chest of his rescuer, hugging him tightly and sobbed. The two men looked at each other in embarrassment, and Pat was unsure how to respond, doing the only thing he could think of and hugged back. ”It's ok kid. Your safe.”

Dale looked on in disapproval, trying to make eyes as if to say, Leave him. Both men knew the boy was a liability having realized it as soon they figured out the overturned wheelchair on the road belonged to the boy. Seeing the disapproving looks, Pat spoke up. ”I'm going to take him with us. He'll die if we leave him here. Besides, he's light, barely anything more than the skin his bones. I'll carry him if I have to, you know those things lay low when they've fed, and with his blessing, we should be fine.”

Hearing the two men talking about him, Luca stirred. ”Where are you taking me?” He asked with a hoarse voice, barely more than murmuring. Feeling desperate, Luca struggled in Pat's arms, trying to point to his wheelchair.

Pat responded to Luca's flailing about by tightening his hold on the kid, trying to avoid either of them getting hurt. Pat was completely prepared to put the kid to sleep if needed. As Pat felt kid settle down, he lessened his grip on the boy. Looking down at the load he was carrying, the dying body of a boy who didn't need to die alone. Pat had an expression of regret and sadness on his face. ”Don't worry about it, kid. It's easier if I carry you. We're heading to the only place that's really safe even more. Ground Zero, the entrance to what they are calling the World Dungeon.”

Luca nodded in confused understanding, knowing at least the destination was safety. An escape for the nightmares of the last few nights. Before taking off, Dale walked over and whipped out his canteen, helping Luca to have a drink. Luca tried to not seem disappointed when food didn't follow the water. However, Dale still saw the look of disappointment, responding with an explanation, ”I don't carry food on me, kid, sorry about that. Those animals can smell it.”

. The road was eerily quiet except for the buzzing of flies and the caws of the carrion birds. Dale walked ahead, scouting for survivors and salvageable gear, making sure the path was clear as Pat walked behind, carrying Luca cradled in his arms. Dale raised his hand, giving the single to halt in place. A trail of fresh blood leading away from a broken windshield.

Pat placed Luca on the ground and raised a finger to his mouth in a command to be quiet as both of the men pulled out long bowie knives they were carrying on their person. With a nod to each other, they followed the bloody trail, each coming in from a different direction. Returning seconds later, after finding some manner grisly discovery that neither disclosed. Without a word, Pat put the knife away and picked Luca back up. Noting that the boy had passed out in the short time of his absence, ignoring Dale's pleas to abandon the kid.