Chapter 11: Factory Town

CHAPTER 11: Factory Town.

"Ok, so they got us out." I said, completely enjoying the annoyed face Jepp is showing.

"Just, shut the fuck up man." Muttered Jepp and if one is sensible enough you can feel the seething anger carried with it.

"Ok, ok...." I complied, though in my mind I replied differently 'Sure I'll let both your ears rest... For now...'

"We need help." Said Aimee, ending the quiet atmosphere.

"Damn right, we do." Said Jepp. "And I know who to call." He added. Which made me raise my eyebrow.

"You got connections?" I skeptically questioned as I looked at him through the back window. Yes, we switched after Aimee insisted.

Jepp just glanced at me and ignored me right after, which made my heart ache.

Aimee chuckling. "You gotta think of something new, you know?"It's getting old."

I rolled my eyes and slumped back down. now looking behind us. Well for me, it's in front, but whatever, who's asking?

"Hey... Aimee, Jepp you ever experienced camping?" I asked them as I looked at the enormous tress that surrounds us.

"I did when I was a scout." Aimee answered.

"Girls scout, huh..." I whispered then asked once more. "Jepp? What about you?"

"I did too, with my Pa, he taught me how to survive in the wild." Jepp said, "How about you? Skull-boy." He chuckled at the end.

I widened my eyes and replied. "Hey! It's not my fault! The Last Men picked that name, and I just went with it!" Then the vehicle came into an abrupt stop.

"What? Why are we stopping?" I asked genuinely confused.

"Just look behind you." Aimee sofly said. And when I did, my eyes locked on to herds of... something.

"What's that?" I asked. "Looks like bisons or something."

"And here I thought you're smart." Jepp teasingly said. "I'll get them out of the way." And before Jepp exit the truck Aimee spoke. "No, it's theirs now."

"Let's wait for them to pass."

"Ok." I agreed without a second thought and slumped back down.

"Anyway, back to the connections. Who are they?" I asked as my eyes are focused on the scenery.

When Jepp started speaking, our truck did so as well. "They're the Hickey and Garcias."

"I've heard about those guys years ago." I said to him as we passed by the horde of bisons or whatever they are.

"So am I the only one that didn't?" Asked Aimee, feeling leftout on our conversation.

"Well, you were busy taking care of them, so..." I trailed off, and Jepp agreed with a laugh.

"Yes, yes, I know." Aimee replied.

Then the conversation ended.

We drove straight as Jepp instructed. Though I have a hunch in where we're going. It's best to keep quiet in these silent times. I might ruin the peaceful atmosphere if I did.

Soon boredom struck.

"Hey, got any songs?" I asked, my voice strained, my head trinkling with sweat as I take the fool blown heat of the sun.

"Are you okay?" Aimee voiced in concern.

"Yeah, I can manage. Anyway, you got any song on that radio?" I said to her as I heard the loud snore of Jepp.

"Sure, though I have never used it in years. Because you know, it might attract attention."

Aimee turned it on and a familiar rhythm blasted from it. Which made Jepp wake up.

"IS THAT THE ALPHABET SONG!?" Jepp exclaimed.

"Now! Sing with me!~"

"A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,~"

"It helps me with the kids." Aimee explained.

"I, J, K, L, M,~"

"Is it just nursery songs?" I whispered in horror.

"N, O, P, Q, R, S,~"

"Oh, God no." Jepp said, horrified and started to try and turn off the radio. but alas, it seems like the devil is having fun. "Why won't it turn off!" Screamed Jepp now agitated.

"T, U, V, W, X, Y, And Z!~"

"Welp, I wont have to speak this time to piss him off." I shrugged and accepted our fate.

"Now I know my A, B, C,~~"

"JUST CALM DOWN JEPPERD!" Aimee said with a loud voice.

"Oh Fuck no!" Jepp said still trying to turn it off.

"Next time won't you sing with me?~"

"..."

"Oh, thank God it's done." Jepp spoke with a sigh. But it seems like God has allied with the Devil.

"Now! Let's sing Ba-Ba-Black Sheep!"

"NOOOOO!" Jepp screamed hysterically while Aimee and I sighed loudly realizing it will be a long agonizing ride.

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Now I'm sitting beside Aimee as Jepp wanted us to switch places, wonder why...

Aimee then spoke. "So, where are these guys of yours?" She asked Jepp who just muttered. "Factory town..."

Hearing the name, I tensed up and asked, "We're gonna ride a boat?"

Jepp, hearing this knowingly smirked, "What? Don't tell me you get nausea."

I gritted and replied, "It's not that kind.."

"Trauma?" Asked Aimee.

"Something like that."

Then, the two of them contemplated reasons as to why I'm terrified of getting on a boat.

Seeing them not answer, I decided to do it myself. "I'm afraid of deep waters." I said my voice barely above whisper yet they still heard me.

Jepp then broke the silence. "BWAHAHAHAH, the Skeleton of Winter is afraid of the unknown?" He said while smiling, finding it ridiculous.

Aimee frowned and spoke. "Hey, that's not nice. Also he's called Wraight of Winter, not Skeleton of Winter" She smiled while looking at me and said,"That's good sweetie sharing your weaknesses to us means you trust us."

I smiled in return, appreciating her compliment.

"Thank you..." I said and unknowingly my tense shoulder loosens.

Jepp's laughter faded into a grumble as the silence resumed, but the nursery songs was still booming, much to Jepp' dismay and the tension was noticeably lighter. The truck bounced over the uneven terrain.

"We should be reaching Factory Town soon," Jepp said, his tone more subdued. "Just hang tight and try not to worry too much. Deep water is not as bad as it sounds."

Aimee patted my shoulder reassuringly her eyes still focused on the road. "Yeah, it's just a big town with a lot of people. They have a way of dealing with things. And hey, boats are just boats. It's the people and the mission that matter."

Aimee took a deep breath and turned to me. "So, any final thoughts before we get there? Anything you want to share?"

I shook my head. "Just hoping we can get through this without any more... unexpected events."

Jepp chuckled, "Well, considering our track record, expect the unexpected."

The truck rumbled, finally reaching a dock where a small fleet of boats bobbed on the dark murky water. The contrast between the tall striking trees and dark serene water was striking, but I realized that the boat ride is an unavoidable part in our journey.

Aimee pulled the truck into a halt betwwen where the road and the dock is. We neared the boat and it looked sturdy enough, but it's evident that it has aged by seeing the chipped paint and the rusting hull.

"Here we are," Jepp announced, sounding both relieved and apprehensive. "Time to get on board."

As Jepp conversed with the boat operators, Aimee and I exchanged glances and she gave a a reassuring smile though it did no help as my anxiety about about deep water resurfaced.

"Everything's set," a woman said. "We just need to step right up and we'll be at Factory Town in no time."

I hesitated at the edge of the dock, staring at the bobbing boat. The idea of being surrounded by water, with no land in sight, was almost unbearable. Aimee noticed my hesitation and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, you've got this. It's just a short ride. We'll be on solid ground before you know it."

I took a deep breath, trying to focus on her words rather than my rising panic. "Yeah, I know. Just need a moment."

Jepp, who was busy conversing with the operators, looked over and noticed my unease. "Don't worry too much. It's not as bad as it seems. Once we're out on the water, it'll be smooth sailing."

I nodded, trying to muster some confidence. We climbed aboard, and the boat creaked under our weight. The sound of the engine starting up was a jarring reminder of what lay ahead.

As the boat pulled away from the dock, I clung to the railing, trying to steady my breathing. The water around us was a dark, opaque expanse, The noise of the engines and the splash of the water were the only sounds as we left the soothing noise of the forest behind.

Jepp and Aimee settled into the seats, their faces set with determination. I took a seat at the back, trying to keep my mind occupied with thoughts of the task ahead rather than the vast emptiness surrounding us.

As the boat ride ended we stepped out and greeted by a lady. "Pinkies please." She politely said as we reached out our pinkies to her and after checking she gave us a nod and so we continued our walk.

While Jepp is focused straight ahead, Aimee is looking around. I took a moment to look back at the receding boat, reflecting on how the journey across the water had been both a literal and metaphorical transition. The calmness of the dock was a stark contrast to the turbulent waters of my anxiety. Then, he returned to Jepp and Aimee, where they stopped in front of a woman.

Jepp said to the woman, maintaining a boat. "Excuse us, but where are the Garcias?" The woman stopped and looked at us seemingly perplexed, "The garcias?" She said her face, forming a small smile. "Sure, just head on straight there. You can't miss 'em."

I then leaned to Aimee and whispered, "Something smells fishy in here." And she whispered back."Probably because we're at a port where they do fishing for a living." I snickered, and we both followed Jepp as we headed to where the lady pointed, and it seems like the situation is very unexpected.

Now we stand there motionless as we watch an old man clean a tomb. He then looked at us and said. "You know 'em Garcias? My condolences. They caught the sick a few while back." And returned to cleaning.

I looked at Aimee, and then she looked at Jepp, so I looked at him. He heavily sighed and said, "I need a drink."

[---------------------------]

And here we are waiting at the canteen for our supposed drink. Both of them ordered alcohol I want some too, but they said no. But I still ordered them when I'm out of earshot.

As we consumed our drink, though, one can sense the change in the air surrounding Jepp Aimee broke the silence and said to him. "Wanna talk about it?"

"I wanna drink about it." Said Jepp as he rejected her proposal and continued to drink his whiskey.

Sensing Aimee wanting to talk to him, I stood up and said, "I'm gonna go and explore." I received a positive response as I went out, still holding my drink and heading to the market. Hoping to see if I can buy some .50 for my Sniper.

TO BE CONTINUED!

Author: While at school I farted which i thought it was but it was too late. Pretty sure I'm an outcast now. ANYWAY! Hope you enjoyed this one! I had help with A.I in some of it BUT IT WAS MOSTLY ME AS WHAT ITS GIVING ME DOES NOT CONNECT SO I MODIFIED SOME OF IT. Just comment whether you found errors or you simply dislike something that happened here and I'll look into it. Of course you have to explain it. Stones?