Inside Storage Room
Maria shuffled through the duffle bag. Inside, the equipment was neatly stacked: bracers on top and a chest plate at the bottom.
She picked the bracers.
Wow, they're so light," she thought, wondering if they were as strong.
Thwack!
She slammed the bracers against a wooden beam, only to find a small dent.
"Wow! That's surprisingly sturdy." She exclaimed, "I wonder what it's made of?"
The bracers were surprisingly comfortable despite their unadorned appearance, secured by a couple of laces.
She tied the bracers and moved on to the next piece of equipment: the breastplate. It was lightweight and sturdy like bracers. A closer look revealed the materials used: a metal, likely steel, on top of leather and some cushioning material.
"It's tight." She exclaimed. "Maybe, I should have given measurements." Despite the leather and cushioning materials, it was still an uncomfortable feeling to wear.
Next, a pair of gauntlets and greaves.
"It's not bad." She thought, her body clad in armor.
Creak!
The storage room's door opened, and Maria stepped out.
"Sister, it suits you," Aden commented, clad in similar armor. Both their equipment had golden brown paint to match the surroundings; it gave them a matching look.
"I could say the same about you," She replied.
***
They stepped out of the clinic.
"You both look good," Ethan commented. Despite the shabby appearance of the equipment, an imposing aura radiated from it.
"You think so?" Maria asked.
"Of course," Ethan commented. "You look ready for the trip."
"Here!" Ethan tossed the key to Aden. "You do know how to drive, right, kid?"
"Of course, I do," Aden replied. "Brother, did you already forget who taught me to drive in the first place?" He asked.
Shush!
He tried to silence Aden; it could be a problem if Maria found out he was responsible, especially since it happened when Aden was just a teenager.
"I've stored most of the essentials on the cargo bed. And the tank is full." He replied, trying to steer the conversation away.
"Aden, is it true?"
Suddenly, a voice rang amidst the crowd, a figure weaving through the crowd.
Aden recognized the familiar voice instantly. "Tom," he mumbled.
"Are you going?" Tom's figure popped out of the crowd, anxiety visible on his face.
"Yes, I have to. They might be out there somewhere." He replied.
Tom remained silent. He knew how much the trip meant to Aden. Growing up, Aden brought up his parents countless times, and one of his goals was to search for them.
Sigh!
"I hope you succeed and return." It was all he could utter.
Chatter! Chatter!
"Is Maria going with Aden? Where are they going? Isn't it dangerous with only two people?"
The crowd turned lively, whispers, chatters, and murmurs filled the atmosphere.
***
The atmosphere was getting out of control, so Maria stepped up. "I'm sure everyone's here because of the rumors."
"Yes, the rumors are true. I'm going on a trip with Aden for a while." She added.
Chatter! Chatter!
The atmosphere turned even more lively.
"However, you don't have to worry about the treatment." She commented. "Sara and Amber will operate the clinic as usual. If you have doubts about their capability, Franz and I can vouch for them."
Murmur! Murmur!
"Do you really have to go? I heard it's dangerous out there." A man amongst the crowd asked.
"Yeah. Why?" The crow had a similar sentiment.
"Yes, I have to." She replied. "I've been working forever. I think it's about time I took a break. As for danger, we'll be mindful of it, and if push comes to shove, we'll retreat."
Murmur! Murmur!
"Thank you, Maria. Were it not for your help, my daughter wouldn't be here." A woman and a child approached her from the crowd.
"You don't have to thank me, this is my settlement too, and I must take care of my people." She replied, her previous stiff expression replaced by a tenderness.
"Thank you, Aunt Maria," the child said, her small voice clear.
"You're welcome." She patted her head.
Suddenly, another male approached them. "Thank you, Maria. I owe you my life."
"Maria, we are grateful for your help." More and more people expressed their gratitude. It was truly a harmonious sight.
Maria stood there, overwhelmed; her previous anxiousness washed away by everyone's gratitude. All the years of hardship she endured felt like they paid off, seeing everyone so united and happy. Her usual stern and resilient expression cracked; tears almost escaped her eyes.
"Alright, everyone. Maria appreciates your well wishes, but they have preparations to make. Let's give them some space." Ethan spoke.
Shortly, people left one by one, leaving only people close to the duo standing.
"I didn't think so many people would be here." She said, bewilderment still visible in her expression.
"It makes sense. You helped them all in some way. I think they were here to express gratitude and support you." Ethan commented.
"Let's pack things up, Aden." She said, brimming with confidence.
"You guys get ready, I'll load up food and other supplies from the town hall," Ethan replied, and stepped inside the pickup. "Meet me in the town hall."
Vroom!
The pickup left, leaving only Tom and Maria's brother-sister duo.
"I'll get going too. See you at the town hall." Tom left the clinic.
***
Inside the clinic, Aden packed his clothes and the essentials for the mission. Meanwhile, Maria grabbed the vital medicines, herbs, medical tools, and a bottle of alcohol.
"The stocks are in the storage room in case the medicines run out. Keep track of the daily stock, and don't forget to revise your lessons. Don't ….." Maria gave them last advice before the journey.
"Yes, sister. You don't have to worry about it. Please be careful out there!" Sara and Amber commented, concern written all over their face.
"I will. Sorry for making you girls worry." She patted their head.
"Sister, I'm done." Aden stepped out of the storage room with two bags in his hands.
"Wow! Looks like you have packed for two of us." She joked. "Okay, let's go."
"I'll leave the settlement on your hands," Maria commented, and handed a spare storage room key to both Amber and Sara.
"Take care, Sister Sara and Sister Amber," Aden spoke, and left the clinic.
"You too. Take care of Sister Maria." He heard them yell as he quickened his steps toward the town hall.
***
They came across a lot of people on the way, sharing the mutual feelings of gratitude and concern for them.
Moments later, they reached the town hall.
"It can only last them for a week?" A voice roared from inside.
"Let's go." Maria grabbed Aden and hurried inside.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Who is it?" A stern voice came from inside.
"It's Maria." She replied.
"Oh, Maria. It's you. Please come." Franz responded.
Thuck!
The door opened.
Inside, only three people were present: Ethan, Riku, and Franz, each had a flustered expression on them.
"Did I miss something?" Maria asked.
"It's nothing much. The captain is being stingy." Ethan replied.
"Me? Stingy?" Franz retorted. "It's you who's being stupid. Why carry a water supply for more than a week when they can just get it from the river?"
"That's a fair point, but how can you guarantee that the water is safe to drink?" Ethan asked.
Sigh!
"Where do you think our water comes from?" Franz commented.
Ethan thought for a second. "Now that you mentioned, we get the water from the same river."
"Yeah, no Scheiße." Franz yelled.
"My bad for getting worked up." Ethan apologized in embarrassment and left with a wooden crate.
"Here, Maria." Franz handed a large map.
"But, we already have one." She pulled a map from her side bag.
"This one is way better." He replied. "Why not unfold and have a look?"
Once unfurled, it revealed a detailed map of Nevada. Various locations were marked on the map with details such as shelter locations, hidden bases, armories, and more.
"Indeed, this map is excellent." She commented. "This will make our trip easier and safer."
"Well, that's all I have," Franz said. "I've issued rations to last for a month, some arms and ammunition, and 15 liters of fuel. You already know about the water."
"Thanks for the help, Franz." She replied. "I pray that we don't have to use all the supplies."
"It should be fine," Franz said. "Be mindful about fuel. It should be enough for a trip back from Boulder City. Any further, you'll be on your own."
"We'll keep that in mind," Aden said.
"Kid, keep your sister safe," Franz said.
"You don't have to worry about her," Aden commented and left the room.
***
Once outside, they encountered a similar scene to before: people crowding around the pickup.
"I've loaded everything," Ethan explained.
"Thank you, Ethan." Maria thanked him. Meanwhile, Aden hugged his giant stature.
"Aden, you have to return to the settlement." Tom roared amidst the crowd.
"You bet!" Aden roared back.
Thuck! Thuck!
Both stepped inside the vehicle.
Vroom!
The engines came to life.
"Remember, you have us here." Everyone gathered and yelled in unison.
Whoosh!
The pickup left with Maria's head out of the window, looking back, and Aden watching the side mirror as the settlement got further away.