After the Bombs

The sun was beaming through the broken, haphazard blinds, high in the sky by the time I woke up. The bed beside me was empty but still warm. I listened to the running shower as I stared at the ceiling, trying to remember if I'd ever slept as well as I did last night with Ren curled protectively around me.

The shower spluttered to a stop and a moment later Ren stepped out of the bathroom a towel around his waist, "Morning sleepy head. It's almost midday."

I stretched, smiling while drinking in the view of his round shoulders and pecs. Water droplets clung to his chest and stomach hair. "I- I slept so well."

He padded over to me, sitting on the edge of the bed, "Me too. Which is crazy, with everything going on." He leant forward and kissed me gently.

My mind span from that single kiss. And I knew in that moment, that I couldn't let him disappear into the Grey-Wastes without me, leaving me here forever wondering what had happened. "Ren?" he raised an eyebrow in answer, "I want to come with you. I am coming with you."

Smiling, he ran his fingers through my hair, "I know."

"How would you know? I've only just decided."

"Noah, I was never leaving you alone here. I have this, I don't know, need. Need to keep you safe."

A grin split my face, "Well that's nice. I know it probably doesn't look like it, but I can look after myself."

"I don't doubt it," he answered, "But now, you'll have twice the protection."

"I better start packing," I said swinging my legs over the bed, can I actually only bring a single bag?" I asked.

"I just said that so you'd pack the most important things to you, I can carry another two bags for you. Also," he hesitated, "I noticed you had a black boiler suit in your wardrobe, any chance I can, have it?"

I laughed, "I guess so, you fucking snoop."

He shrugged, adding with a cheeky smile, "You were out all day. I got bored."

I rolled my eyes, "Give me my towel you thief, I need a shower too."

I stripped off and closed the bathroom door, stepping into the shower. I gathered soap and washed my body, lathering it beneath my armpits and between my legs, the bubbles quickly washing down the drain. I brought a finger to my mouth gathering saliva, then reaching between my cheeks, pushed a finger in my hole. I closed my eyes and groaned quietly, gathered more saliva before adding a second finger, stretching myself, preparing myself for what I really wanted: Ren inside me. I rinsed off well, ensuring any soap was gone and quickly drying myself. I wiped my hand over the bathroom mirror, clearing the mist. My messy brown hair parted down the middle; I swept it from my face. I'd need to cut it again soon. I stared at my reflection, telling myself to be brazen. I took a deep breath and stepped back into my bedroom.

Ren relaxed on the bed, one arm stretched out behind his head and his legs spread slightly. We both grinned, admiring each other's naked bodies. He started to sit up, but I closed the distance between us and pressed my hand against his chest, pushing him back against the pillows. Then, I dropped down to my knees in front of him, running my tongue over his hairy balls, taking one into my mouth at a time and savouring the taste. As I worked, I watched his erection grow harder until it was pointing towards the ceiling. With a firm grasp, I angled his thick dick towards my mouth and eagerly took it in as deep as I could.

Ren's hands guided my head, urging me to take him into my throat as he moved in gentle thrusts. After a few minutes, he pulled me close as we shared a deep, passionate kiss. Our tongues danced together, causing me moan into his mouth. His stubble grazed my face and neck as he kissed his way down. I leaned back, giving him full access to explore. "What do you want from me, Noah?" he asked between kisses.

I squeezed his member and replied breathlessly, "This. Inside of me."

His hands wrapped themselves between my legs and he lifted me easily, flipping us over, so that I was beneath him. He pressed a hand to my chest, encouraging me to lay back, and then lifted my legs into the air, exposing my pink hole. "Fuck. You're so smooth."

My face flushed as he leaned in closer and placed a kiss right at the entrance of my body. His kisses quickly turned into teasing licks, his tongue swirling around the edges. My moans urged him on as he continued to explore. He made his tongue firm and pushed it inside me, sloppy kisses dotting my hole. His fingertips dug into my cheeks, holding me open. I squirmed underneath him, lifting my legs up high. He sucked on his finger before pushing it back inside me, adding more saliva to lubricate the way for a second finger.

He withdrew his fingers and quickly positioned himself behind me. His lips met mine once more as he guided the head of his thick dick to my hole. With an intake of breath, I felt him slowly push his length inside of me. Just as I thought I couldn't take any more, his large balls settled against me. I protested, as he pulled out completely, only to spit into my loosened opening and thrust back in again.

He fucked me with long, slow thrusts. He stared into my eyes as I writhed in pleasure beneath him. I kept my legs splayed open and reached out my hands to explore his muscular chest, running my fingertips through the hair to pinch a nipple.

I wasn't used to looking at the person fucking me, but I could look at Ren for hours. His muscles rippled and strained as he pounded into me, his body slick with sweat and exertion. I could feel the tension building in my core as he wrapped his hand around my hardness, matching his rhythm to mine. Our bodies pushing and pulling until we were both on the edge. With a loud groan and one last thrust, he held himself still as he released inside of me.

I couldn't hold back any longer and released myself onto my chest and stomach, feeling completely spent and satisfied by our intense connection

"Guess I need another shower." I laughed.

He withdrew his cock and slapped my arse, "I'll come with you."

I spent the next hour packing and unpacking my bags, I chose three of my fifteen medical books, one of them was handwritten by my Mum. Hers was by far the most helpful, with drawings and notes explain how to deal with everything from a broken bone to a gunshot wound.

"Can we go over the plan one more time?" I asked, looking at Ren.

He nodded. "I'll sneak out as soon as the sun sets. Find two different derelict, uninhabited buildings and set fire to them. I'm confident I can choose buildings that won't spread the fire to neighbouring ones. We'll have our distraction without harming anyone. I'm still concerned Grant might turn up and I won't be here though." he added concerned.

I shook my head. "I'm sure. He'll be too busy to visit. I'm not worried about that he usually turns up gone midnight."

"Okay. If you're sure."

"Alright," I said, taking a deep breath. "I'll continue my day as normal to avoid suspicion."

Ren gave me a reassuring smile. "Sounds good. Just make sure you're ready."

The infirmary, as always, was full of people with various ailments, almost all caused by drink, drugs or fights, so I was kept busy for several hours. Before leaving, I headed to the supply cupboard and restocked my bag with bandages, antiseptic, and painkillers. I also threw in a few other bits I thought might come in useful. As I was leaving the cupboard, I bumped into another medic named Jerry.

"You're already restocking?" he asked, confused.

"Yeah, you know Grant. I have another injured man on my doorstep daily," I laughed, waving him off to avoid follow-up questions.

Jerry raised an eyebrow. "Another one? What's going on?"

I shrugged, trying to appear casual, "Just the usual chaos. You know how it is."

"I get that. Well, see ya."

I was tempted to head back towards the cell to check on Akeem, Aria, and Elijah, but I didn't want my regular visits to create chatter, so I decided it was best to head back and check in with Ren.

I opened the door to the apartment and saw Ren adjusting my--now his--boiler suit. It had full-length trousers and short sleeves he'd rolled up over his biceps. Half of the front buttons were open, and beneath it, I could see he was still wearing the vest I'd given him. His chest hair was curling up over the vest, and he smiled at me as he buckled a belt around his waist to cinch the fabric in.

"How badass is this?" he asked.

It took me a moment to answer. The all-black look, down to his hair and eyes, paired with his pale skin, was striking.

"You look so fucking hot," I said, looking down at my tattered jeans and yellowing t-shirt. "Now I need a sexy break-out outfit." I laughed.

"Well, as luck would have it, I've actually curated that very thing for you," he said, pointing to an outfit laid out on the bed. "I've just showered; you might want to do the same. It's at least three days in the greywastes before we get to New Hope."

After showering, I dried myself and put on the 'escape-outfits' as Ren called them.

Mine consisted of a black vest and a pair of black cargo trousers and then a dark green denim shirt to go over the top. Ren smiled at me, "Now you look bad ass too."

...

The sun had just set as Ren pulled on his boots; the only things on his body that hadn't once belonged to me.

He leaned in to kiss me, "Remember, get to them by ten and then to me by half ten latest, or I'll come looking for you. Be careful out there. It'll be crazy." He kissed me again, hauled a backpack over each shoulder and then left, leaving me alone in my room with over an hour before I had to leave. Ren had already back two large bottles of water in his bag, but I filled another.

I'd spent over thirty minutes in tense unease, twenty minutes after Ren had left, I heard people shouting about a fire. I peered through my blinds and saw a small, distant structure being engulfed by flames. I stayed crouched by the window, my heart pounding in my chest as I scanned the streets beyond. Minutes felt like hours as I waited, knowing I had to wait for the second fire before I could move. I knew it'd be one of the far buildings. Ren was going to choose two on the furthest side of town, away from the inhabited area, a few people were running towards the fires to help, but most were running away from it. They'd nearly managed to put the first fire out. I assumed by using hoses connected to the wastewater pipes.

My mind was spiralling, the second building should be ablaze by now. I pressed my face to the window, my breath fogging up the glass. Just as finally, the second building burst into flames. Relief washed over me as I snatched up my stuff and headed toward the door. When it suddenly burst open, sending me skidding onto the ground, the contents of bag emptying onto the ground.

Grant stormed in, his eyes blazing with suspicion. He had figured it out.

"You little cunt!" He screamed spitting with rage, "Where is he!?"

My feet slipped as I tried in vain to scramble away from him, "He's gone. You're too late." He reared back kicking my hard in the stomach. My arms gave out as I collapsed winded. Grant's eyes darted across the floor taking in my dropped belongings and a sneer curled his top lip as I gasped for breath.

"Looks like he'll be expecting you. Hopefully when you don't show, he'll come looking for you, and then, you'll watch when as I put a bullet between his eyes." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a gun.

Panic surged through me, as I lay wheezing on my stomach. His grip on the gun tightened, turning his knuckles white. "Get on the chair. Keep your hands where I can see them." I hauled myself into the chair, if I took shallow breaths the pain in my stomach lessened.

I needed to figure out a way to warn Ren before he entered the room, I felt sure he would when I didn't show. It was already quarter to 9, I should be leaving for the cell by now. Fifteen minutes passed as Grant continued to spit insults at me, he sat on the bed so that he could angle the gun at me and towards the door, "Pour me a drink. Now!" He demanded. I stood and my hands shook as I poured some of the yellowing vodka into a glass, I noticed a small vegetable knife sat on the counter, hidden from Grant's view by my own body. "You know," said Grant. "You might have gotten away if you'd not been stupid enough to steal from the infirmary. You always have been thick. Just like your mother."

Rage flooded through me as I replied through gritted teeth, "My mother was a hero." I heard him stand and take slow steps towards me growling, "Your mother was a whore. Just like you." I wrapped my hand around the handle of the knife, my knuckles turning white. "Look at me while I'm talking to you!" he screamed, grabbing my shoulder and spinning me around. Grant roared in anger, swinging his fist at me. I ducked, feeling the rush of and without thinking, I brought the knife up and sank it into his thick neck.

His face shifted from one of anger, then shock and finally to confusion, as he dropped the gun. He staggered back, grabbing and pulling the knife out, before he dropped to his knees clutching in vain at his throat to stem the flow of blood. His eyes were wide as the realisation that he was dying hit him.

I watched in shock for a few moments, then snapped into action, I needed to get out of here and fast! Quickly I started scratching around on the floor throwing the dropped things back into my bag, avoiding looking at Grant and the growing pool of blood. I shoved the gun into my pocket, grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder, and bolted for the door. Taking the stairs two at a time, I burst into the darkness of the night, my heart pounding in my ears.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my lungs burning as I pushed through the crowds of people, it had gone 9:15 and If Ren came looking for me, we might miss each other. I held the gun tightly in my hand, ready to take down anyone in my path, this was my one shot to get away from Salvation and no one was going to stop me.

I burst into the cell, making everyone jump. Before the unknown guard could reach for his gun, I aimed mine and fired. The bullet tore a chunk of wood from the table, and the man dove backward, covering his head.

"Unless you want the next one in your head, open the door!" I shouted.

He rushed forward, trying to unlock the door, but his hands were shaking uncontrollably. Elijah took the keys from him and quickly unlocked the door. As we exited the cell, Elijah grabbed the man's gun and pushed him inside and locked the door.

"Noah, are you hurt? Is that your blood?" Aria asked, rushing towards me as the others grabbed their weapons. Akeem pulled my bah from my back, throwing it over his shoulder.

"I'm fine. We need to go now!" I replied, spinning on my heel and running back into the street, assuming they were following.

Ren had been right about the distractions. No one seemed to notice the four of us running through the crowds, armed with various weapons. I ran into the garage, lifting my gun, ready to shoot any guard inside. But there were none. I heard the others behind me, panting from the effort. I ignored the searing pain in my lungs, pushing through as I sprinted.

"Ren? Are you here?" I whispered into the large room.

"Thank fuck," I heard him shout before the engine hummed to life, flooding the room with light. The jeep pulled up alongside us. Aria climbed into the front seat, and Elijah jumped into the bed behind the cab. He bent down, throwing an arm out to me. I took it as Akeem lifted me up to meet Elijah, who steadied me by grabbing my shoulders, before I fell onto the bed of the truck wheezing for breath.

"Is he bleeding?" Came Ren's alarmed voice.

"It's not his. Now go!" shouted Elijah just as Akeem landed beside me. The jeep lurched forward, sending them onto my knees. It was only about 50 meters to the front gate from the warehouse. We could do this. I heard screams and shouts as people dived out of the way of the speeding jeep.

"Elijah, Akeem, shoot the control panels, not the gate!" I yelled over the noise.

They leant over of the jeep; their guns aimed at the gate's control panel. The air was filled with the deafening sound of gunfire as they unleashed a barrage of bullets. Sparks flew as the bullets struck the metal and wiring, causing small explosions. The control panel emitted a series of loud pops and hisses before bursting into flames. The gate's mechanisms groaned and creaked under the strain, and then, with a final, resounding crash, the doors swung down onto the floor like a drawbridge, revealing the darkness of the greywastes ahead of us. We sped out into it.