Fading hope (Pt. 7)

As the sun climbed over the horizon marking a new day in this chaotic world, our “special task force” was enroute to the abandoned Radical base. There was no real rush getting there. Checking out the inside of the building during the day would surely get us all killed. The best thing for us was to case the building and surrounding area out while we have the light then wait till nightfall so the monsters could scurry out of their dens.

If the location was exactly how Rachel described a hoard of Infected should pour out of the building when night came. The sight of so many flocking to the streets can paralyze any man with fear. We don’t want to be anywhere near the ground or even in sight when they do. It’s almost comical how events play out for us humans. We caused the very problem we need to work around.

Back when Nova was fought over by four communities, Downtown was ruled by anarchists. They were cruel and preyed on everyone, even themselves. It was a cut throat society that caused their own downfall. At the height of their chaos, their enemy neighbors committed the most questionable act of Nova’s infant history. A plan was devised to weaponize the Infected.

I know, shocker.

The Radical group had become too unpredictable and all around untrustworthy. So, the leaders of Serenity, Fort. Dawn and Saints Villa ordered a mass attraction of the Infected. They directed their attention towards the Radical community. It happened just before dusk. Those who are willing to recall that night speak of the unending screams that filled the air. Flames burned as hot as the smoke was thick. That part of Nova glowed like a beacon in the night.

No one was spared in the destruction. Those who tried to flee were cut down by rampaging Alphas or hiding archers. There were some surviving Radicals, but their lot got tossed into the Rogue terminology. They are the group that don’t belong to any community. Usually thieves, murderers, and rapists who’ve escaped their penalties. Forced to survive alone if not lucky enough to band together.

With how skilled our group was, we crossed the distance from Fort. Dawn to the border of Downtown without a single error. We avoided the Stumblers below by sticking to the routes on the rooftops. Second Ranger Howard even shot down a few Freakers that would have caused a problem if they weren’t removed from our path. It was nice to see competent people in their element. As unnerving as it was to travel in a group, I found it rather enjoyable.

The lot of us kept conversation to a minimum as we crossed into Downton. Upon crossing the metaphysical border, I was leading the pack. Everyone’s senses were heightened knowing they were in Infected territory. I myself was calmer than they were. A single rustle had Howard pointing his crossbow in its direction with Sentinel Josh raising his gauntlets ready for a fight. Us Scavengers and Duane kept level headed.

Along the way, I considered utilizing the tool I left behind a few days ago. Mentioning the instrument to my teammates sparked enough of a response for a quick detour. The side trip took no less time than needed. Having the extra help to watch my back made its retrieval easier than if I had done so at night alone. I even got to explain my methods to my fellow Scavengers much to their intrigue. 

With Duane and Josh guarding the top of the staircase and the others outside, I retrieved my tool but had to leave the counter weight given how cumbersome it would be to carry it. I even offered some of the food I scavenged as a thank you. It took a bit of encouragement for them to actually partake in my stash. They were pretty respectful knowing whatever they ate would deduct my eventual payout. I didn’t care really. I convinced them when mentioning we all might not live to eat again.

Back on track to the target location ended the six of us staring at the charred skeletal remains of what was once called a Super Regional Center. Fancy old talk for a massive mall. 

The shopping complex was the gem of Downtown before Nova got its name. The mall itself wasn’t the only main source for consumers. It branched out into the surrounding buildings offering a wide variety of recreational pleasure. There were food courts, gyms, clothing stores, arcades, and plenty more. Conveniently, there was a massive parking garage next to the mall for all the shoppers unable to shop. The Radicals nested there given how rich in resources it was at the time. Now it was but a stark reminder to the modern Novians of what humans are still capable of.

Getting us there without any bumps in the road made me question the reason for my inclusion once again. Not like there was a reason to back out now that I’m so invested. Each of us split into our respective teams and agreed to regroup at the Scavenger’s Den located in a reinforced penthouse overlooking the shopping center.

The lord commander had given each Scavenger a small copy of the mall’s layout. The building was a maze just like Downtown, but it was better than nothing. With them in hand we made plans on how to handle the operation together. Each team had a role to play. Roles we took absolutely serious.

Riley and Howard chose to case out the best entrance into the mall. They were to scout the shattered windows and various sky bridges that connected the mall to the surrounding shopping centers. The holy duo took to the streets to survey the surrounding area for possible threats or inhibitors to our escape. They assured us of their expertise in stealth even as everyone stared at Josh wondering if that were true. Whilst the others looked inwards, Duane and I scrutinized every route leading away from the mall.

Given I had the best experience with the territory it was my duty to figure out the best path to safety. I had to remember the various Scavenger Dens and ways to get there if needed. The two of us proceeded to circle the mall marking every route on the map that could be beneficial or treacherous. As the entire shopping center had been ransacked by a hoard of the Infected with subsequent destruction from various factors, the damage to the surrounding area brought more cause for concern.

Escaping on the ground would definitely get us killed. Running from building to building could get us cornered. Even if we escaped the mall with proof of the deposit, we could be picked off on the rooftops. Everything had to be considered to ensure our success and ultimate survival. The six of us combined should be able to handle this sensitive task. Right?

Circling the complex, we stopped at a junction on the roof behind a large billboard. I was so caught up in my detailing and worries that I barely noticed the hand stroking the back of my neck. The touch startled me at first causing me to whip around. Duane’s cautious face stared back at me while I was ready to pounce.

“Calm down, Kit. Its just you and me here.” Duane laid a tentative hand on my shoulder and noticed how tense I was. “Are you all right?”

His shoulder touch was like a go-to move to calm me down. It felt like an anchor keeping me from drifting in my worries. Looking at him for a moment, I sighed heavily, “I’m just stressing about the escape routes. There are so many variables to consider this deep in Infected territory.”

Duane waited patiently with a smile on his face as I continued to ramble. “I can map out the safest paths in the day only to have them change at night. For all we know there are more Alphas out here than closer to the cities. Hell! There could be a mass of Banshees just waiting to screech our locations.” I dropped my hands feeling the weight of this assignment get to me. “I still don’t know if we’ll succeed let alone survive this. If theres a single mistake, then –”

Duane silenced me with his lips. He secured his reinforced half-hatchet hammer to his belt and wrapped both arms around me. I couldn’t help but fall into his embrace. Our kiss was deep and meaningful as our lips moved against one another. The distraction was definitely welcome, but I didn’t believe the tent in my pants should have been entertained. Duane, on the other hand, had a different idea.

The man had felt what was pressing into him between us and reached down to fiddle with the rim of my pants. Pulling back from him I said, “No, Duane, we don’t have time for that.”

He smiled devilishly at me, “Come on. One last orgasm before we put our lives on the line?”

I couldn’t help but agree with him. “Fuck, you know I can’t say no to you. We’ll have to make it quick. The others will be waiting for us soon.”

“Oh, I won’t take long.” Duane kissed me and got onto his knees. “It depends on how long you take.” 

My man had the rim of my pants down releasing my cock in seconds. Without wasting time he wrapped his lips around my head. His warm mouth felt so good causing goosebumps spread across my body. My free hand went to his head as he stroked the length of my cock with his lips. I felt one of his hands come around to lock onto one of my ass cheeks while he used the other to pump the base of my cock.

I felt like I was being milked up there on the roof with Duane. He worked my cock with clear intent on releasing my stress. The man didn’t even pleasure himself as I was his focus. I couldn’t help but buck my hips into his face cherishing the treatment he always spared for me.

His eyes locked with mine and I couldn’t help the smile that came to my lips. Duane smiled with my cock halfway in his mouth and bobbed his head with more vigor. Suction and slurping sounds filled the air as Duane stoked the climax building within me. He could probably tell I was getting close by how I was flexing my ass cheeks.

Signaling my orgasm, Duane swallowed my cock. I dumped my load down his throat as he expertly downed it all. The hand on his head gripped his short hair keeping him in place. As the final waves settled from me, Duane slipped off my cock and cleaned it for me. It was so charming seeing this masculine man cleaning up a cum slick dick. I just had to kiss his dirty lips.

With my cock back in my pants and relieved of a measure of stress, we proceeded to complete our end of the reconnaissance before heading meeting up with the others.