Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Trigon
by Red Hope
Chapter 28
Today was the twenty-first of October in the year 2014. A new Black Death virus plagued the Earth and was informally called the Timeless Virus or the T-virus. However, a safe haven truly existed within the confines of huge, thick concrete walls in cleansed lands simply known as Arcadia. Humans flourished within Arcadia and by daylight, they worked the fields and cattle beyond the walls under the safety of the walls' guards. Often parties left beyond the guards' view in search of unusual supplies that Arcadia could not produce.
Less than twenty-four hours ago, a small convoy ended its own timeless travel by knocking at Arcadia's gates. All untouched humans were welcomed to the safe haven, including Claire Redfield's convoy. Just after nine o'clock in the morning, Claire Redfield was briskly shaking hands with Luther West followed by Karena LesProux and Michael Ford. After several words of thanks, Claire separated from the group and quietly made her way upstairs to where the women's sleeping quarters were located. Once inside, Claire stood at the foot of K-Mart's bed and studied the resting teen. Her mind replayed this morning's meeting with Arcadia's two leaders and Michael Ford, who acted under Luther and Karena.
It was a done deal. Claire Redfield was no longer a leader of a mismatched group of survivors. What she'd sought to accomplish two years ago had come true, unbelievably. Somehow it still didn't seem real to her. If she woke up in the old yellow Hummer with K-Mart in the back then she wouldn't be surprised by any means. Yet that fragile worry was broken by the distinct footfall coming from the doorway.
Alice Abernathy lightened her boots' echo once she noted K-Mart's sleeping form in bed. She approached the footboard and stood on the other side from Claire. "She's still asleep."
"She'll sleep the day away if we let her," Claire softly mentioned.
Alice grinned and concluded, "She's not a morning person."
"Not until after ten o'clock," Claire joked. She and Alice traded a knowing grin. But it slipped, and she seriously asked, "Did you get it done?"
"Yes." Alice kept her eyes on K-Mart and searched for signs that the teen was waking up from their voices. So far, nothing seemed to bother her young lover. "It'll be ready this evening." She then shifted her attention to Claire. "How'd the meeting go?"
Claire bobbed her head a few times then finally she found the words that summed it up. She held Alice's eyes and whispered, "Et in Arcadia ego."
Alice revealed a slight grin, which faded quickly. "But for how long?"
Claire felt transparent and broke the eye contact. She stared at K-Mart again and seriously considered how long. There wasn't any answer other than it wasn't permanent or so she hoped so if K-Mart and Alice would follow her. Shaking her thoughts, Claire drifted forward and took a seat in the small space that K-Mart left open.
Alice folded her arms after receiving no verbal answer, which said a lot to her. She instead curiously watched Claire interact with K-Mart.
"Rise and shine, birthday girl." Claire gently nudged her lover.
K-Mart responded with a dramatic groan and turned on her side so that her back was to Claire. "Can't I sleep in just this one day?"
Claire smirked. "It's nine o'clock, K."
"You've slept in enough," Alice added in her husky voice.
K-Mart slowly processed the fact that it was somewhat late and also both her lovers were most likely staring at her, in amusement. She grumbled and made an attempt for the cover that could hide her face. But much to her jargon, Claire's weight locked the blanket in place.
"Luther West is waiting for us," Claire informed the teen. "We have that tour today."
K-Mart rolled onto her back and sleepily studied both her lovers. "Tour... right." She brushed the strands from her face then sat up finally. "Do I have much time?"
"An hour," Claire assured.
K-Mart bit back a yawn and ran her fingers through her hair.
"How'd you sleep last night?" Alice inquired from her silent spot. She then hesitantly added, "After..."
K-Mart faltered from Alice's question because she'd had another nightmare about Mikey. "Good." She offered her lovers a smile that didn't quite make the grade.
Claire cut into the discussion before it hampered K-Mart's mood. "Happy Birthday, K." She had a bright smile then leaned into her lover. Her fingertips under K-Mart's chin drew them together for a tender kiss. "Happy Eighteenth," she softly whispered after the kiss.
A warm flush spread over K-Mart's cheeks after such open affection from Claire that was in front of Alice. Her heartbeat further increased once Alice stepped closer on the other side of the bed.
"Yes," Alice agreed as she bent over. Her lips smoothed across warm ones then her fingers tangled in golden strands.
Claire swallowed hard after K-Mart's lips molded against Alice's. But for the first time, she didn't turn away and became acutely aware of the affection between the pair. It wasn't something she shared with Alice, yet it was obvious that Alice was capable of it. Claire's tense shoulders fell after the slow kiss ended.
"Happy Eighteenth Birthday, K-Mart." Alice ran her thumb across the crest of a dimpled cheek. She withdrew one step from the bed after she straightened up.
"Thank you... both," K-Mart shyly responded and looked between her lovers. She cleared her throat and wasn't sure what to do next.
Claire patted K-Mart's knee and suggested, "Get showered, and we'll meet you down in the dining hall."
"Alright." K-Mart brightened at the prospect of breakfast.
"I think they're still serving," Alice mentioned. Even if they weren't then Alice planned to make sure that K-Mart had a plate of food.
K-Mart nodded and started out of bed once Claire got up.
"See ya down there, K." Claire quietly left the quarters with Alice by her side. Once she was clear of the quarters, her thoughts jumped back to Luther West's earlier offer during the meeting today. "Residences are being assigned to the convoy members." She wound down the steps but still stole a glance or two at Alice while she spoke. "We're released from the intake ward."
"Yes... the gates were open," Alice mentioned. She was the only convoy member allowed to freely come and go through the locked fence around the intake ward. But now that wasn't the case anymore when she'd returned from her morning mission.
Claire was glad to hear it. But a certain seriousness remained within her eyes as she brought up what was on her mind. "Luther asked if I knew of your plans." She glanced at Alice's stern profile.
"He wants to know if I'll be staying this time," Alice softly concluded.
That was also Claire's assumption. She briefly bowed her head and murmured, "Do you?"
Alice paused in front of the closed door that would lead them to the dining hall in the neighboring building. She met the former convoy leader's curious eyes. "You tell me."
Claire was jarred by the response but easily recovered and weakly joked, "K-Mart is in charge." She moved past Alice and went outside.
Alice huffed and followed down the steps after closing the door behind herself. "She gets the reins now that she's eighteen?" She merely received a toothy smile in answer.
Claire stopped in front of the dining hall's door, effectively blocking it. She faced Alice and mentioned, "Luther was also offering quarters to me. I told him that K-Mart would be staying with me."
Alice folded her arms and raised an eyebrow at Claire's thin smirk under the hat's brim. "And...?" she prompted.
"And you too," Claire finished. Her green eyes filled with mischief.
Alice grinned, darkly.
"I hope you don't mind," Claire nonchalantly added. She turned the door's knob behind her back then slipped into the quiet building.
Alice pleasantly hummed and muttered, "Not at all." She lowered her arms and entered the facility after Claire. She noted that everything was being cleaned up from breakfast and that put Alice into action. She disappeared into the kitchen in search of a chef.
Claire decided to take a seat while they waited for K-Mart. Leaning back, she studied the nearly empty dining hall. There were two couples on the opposite side of the room. Two of them she recognized as former members of her convoy. But the other pair were from Arcadia and most likely were a part of the ward. Her thoughts about the convoy were cut short by Alice slipping into the seat across from her.
"Any luck?"
Alice dipped her head. "They're making pancakes and scrambled eggs for her."
Claire was glad to hear it. "Thanks for checking."
Alice responded with a thin smile. She relaxed in her seat but her mind wasn't calm. "How'd it go with Luther?"
"Good.. better than I expected."
"Everything seems better than you expected," Alice gently countered.
The former convoy leader folded her arms after the comment. "Too good to be true," she tempted.
Alice shook her head and reminded, "Only an antivirus is too good to be true."
Claire huffed because indeed Arcadia wasn't a cure. Instead the safe haven was simply a reality warp that could one day be bitten, badly. When that day came, Claire wanted to be miles away from the death trap that the safe haven would turn into that moment. Arcadia wasn't truly safe.
After a long silence, Alice decided to divert Claire's darker thoughts and prompted, "Can I ask you something?" Slowly green eyes focused on Alice.
"Sure," Claire hesitantly replied. Such opening requests didn't settle well, often.
Alice straightened up then canted her head. "You don't let K-Mart cuss... why?"
Claire sighed and glanced over at the entrance door. But K-Mart's entrance didn't save her from answering the question. She turned serious features onto Alice again. "All of us constantly swear like goddamn drunken sailors."
Alice was briefly amused, but her mind processed Claire's unspoken thoughts. Most likely Claire was doing her best to keep K-Mart from being anything like Claire.
"She can express herself without cussing." Claire shifted in the chair. "But the rare moments she does cuss..."
"It has a pretty strong impact," Alice finished. The reason why wasn't ridiculous and made sense to Alice now. She also respected what Claire was pushing K-Mart to do. For another moment, she held Claire's eyes until their topic of conversation opened the entrance door.
K-Mart shut the door and weaved through the tables until she made it to her lovers. She toyed with her hat's brim and grabbed an empty chair. "I guess they stopped serving." A blush crept over her cheeks. She'd slept in too late.
"Taken care of," Alice replied.
K-Mart gave an appreciative smile and relaxed in the chair. She curiously looked across to Claire. "How have the meetings been?"
Claire tilted her head, curious about K-Mart's interests in the affairs. "They've gone well." She crossed her legs under the table. "Each convoy member is being assigned permanent residence."
"Or semi-permanent," Alice quipped. She grinned once K-Mart slotted her eyes.
Claire ignored the remark.
"Any idea where?" K-Mart expected Claire to answer, but her attention was drawn away by Alice's voice.
"There's a few large apartment buildings." Alice folded her arms and tipped the chair back onto two legs. "Most likely everybody will be given housing there."
K-Mart considered this but assumed they'd see the apartment buildings today in their tour. She furrowed her brow after another thought. "What was Karena LesProux like?"
Claire ticked off a molar with her tongue then exchanged a glance with Alice. "Polite... enough."
K-Mart huffed but withheld any comment until she met the haven's leader. She sensed another presence arriving and was excited to see a hot meal being delivered along with a drink. She thanked the chef for staying late and immediately dove into her food. Towards the end of her meal, all her thoughts ended with one question. She peered past her hat's brim at the former convoy leader.
"So..." K-Mart felt green and blue eyes lock on her, tension built up. She set her fork down on the empty plate. "What now?" Only a long silence greeted her so she sighed and pressed, "Are we staying permanent?" K-Mart stared hard at Claire before looking at Alice and tempted, "Or semi-permanent?"
Alice bit her lower lip then grinned over at Claire. "Aye, captain... what be the verdict?" Her fake accent mimicked a dimwitted pirate.
"Funny," Claire muttered. She warned Alice with a glare then suddenly stood up and took K-Mart's plate. She finally answered, "It's up for discussion." She strolled off but softly added, "Later."
Alice brushed a loose strand behind her right ear and turned her grin on K-Mart. "Up for discussion," she echoed, knowingly.
"Later," K-Mart reminded. Yet, her shock was only just wearing off at the fact that Claire wished to discuss it further. It most likely meant all three of them would discuss it. An excited tingle sparked in her stomach for several seconds.
"Come on," Alice gently ordered. She and K-Mart met Claire by the exit and were on their way to meet Luther West. But this time they walked around the ward instead of through it. Once in the crumbling parking lot, Alice wasn't surprised to find Luther waiting on them.
"Good morning," Luther offered the women.
"Good morning too," Claire responded in kind.
Luther's charming smile was perfect today. "Hope you slept well." His words mostly fell on K-Mart and Alice since he hadn't seen them today.
"Yeah... actually," Alice replied.
Luther was pleased and took a side step. "We should get started. It'll take most of the day to show everything." He made the initial movement towards the open gate. "I hope none of you mind walking."
"We've got a truck, Luther." Alice's playful smirk flashed brightly.
Luther wagged a finger at Alice. "Don't be like that, Alice." He guided the women out of the ward's fenced in area. He knew that Claire and K-Mart had only seen tidbits of Arcadia from a distance. However, Alice had known Arcadia in the past, in its infancy. He looked forward to showing Alice the improvements.
"We'll start here on the north end then work ourselves clockwise around the city," Luther suggested. He was already headed towards the same gates that the convoy originally entered through yesterday. "We have two gates constructed... both with gatehouses." Luther approached the gatehouse but faced the women. "The wall will completely enclose the city."
"It's not complete," Alice concluded. She was admiring the wall and curiously watched the soldiers on the wall walkway, patrolling.
"The west side is not complete," Luther informed.
"Is there much left to do?" K-Mart looked from the soldiers to the leader.
Luther shook his head and answered, "There's about another four hundred yards left."
"A few football fields," Alice muttered.
"You expect to get it done before winter?" Claire finally spoke up.
"That's the plan," Luther agreed.
Claire's eyes traveled over the height of the wall. "Exactly how tall is it?"
Luther gazed upon the impressive wall and answered, "Twenty-five feet tall and about twelve feet wide."
Alice shook her head in amazement. However, despite the fact the wall was so significant, a persistent enough Tyrant could potentially get through it. That was under the assumption that Arcadia's soldiers did nothing but twiddle their thumbs.
"I noticed everybody carries melee weapons and early ranged weapons," K-Mart commented. She eyed the sword strapped across Luther's back.
The leader of Arcadia was already leading the tour through the streets. "Yes." He slowed so that he was closer to the women. "We can't produce ammunitions for guns." He glanced once at K-Mart then continued watching where they were headed. "We still have a decent inventory of guns, grenades, rifles, and other modern weapons."
"But use them sparingly," Claire summarized.
"The melee weapons and older ranged weapons go a long ways now," Luther added. He traded a glance with Alice, who had influenced such a decision in Arcadia at the beginning.
"Arrows are just as effective as bullets at killing undead," K-Mart muttered. She hadn't really considered this aspect. She fooled with her hat's brim.
"Along here..." Luther started and indicated the homes. "Soldiers are housed for safety. Civilians are housed centrally in the city." He took a side street and brought them out of the confines of the city into green pastors that also had a lake. "But every civilian is taught basic fighting and weaponry so they can protect themselves. They're required to take a weapon if they leave the city's walls."
"This is Lake Anne," Alice softly informed the group. "It resides on the east side of Reston."
"This was a golf course along here," Claire recalled from the maps. It made sense why it was so lush.
"Yes." Luther folded his arms after stopping. "It's since turned into a park." He rotated on his boot heels and nodded to the lands north of the lake. "We'll head this way." He started moving but paused after Claire spoke up.
"The wall goes exactly where?"
Luther pointed at the view of the wall just north of them. "You see it there, and it keeps snaking east. It goes past the north tip of Lake Anne for another half mile then cuts south along old Route 828."
"So it follows Route 606?" Claire asked.
"It was Route 606." Luther faced the former convoy leader. "We used the highways and roads to help build the wall. Those lands were already cleared so it made it faster and easier." He shrugged and argued, "Why reinvent the wheel?" He took the group north, around Lake Anne.
"Wow," K-Mart whispered. She admire the beautiful church as they drew near it. "Is it still in use?"
"Hell yes," Luther joked.
K-Mart smirked and liked the leader's humor.
Alice just rolled her eyes before studying the church. She noted that Claire disregarded the joke altogether. "What religion is the church?"
"Any... all of them," Luther answered. He looked at his old friend. "There's a priest, pastor, reverend, rabbi..." He shrugged and smiled. "They've all learned to share the church equally through the week."
"That's amazing," K-Mart murmured in awe.
Luther again shrugged but directed the women south, around Lake Anne. "Down in the southern sector, we have some of the different cattle and herds... livestock and such." He spotted the first small corral that contained a dozen cows. "There are more livestock outside the walls, but it's hard to watch them during the night."
"Problem with wolves?" Claire prompted. She wasn't surprised by Luther's nod. But most likely Arcadia tried to monitor the wolf activity with the guards on the walls.
"You don't seem to get many undead in this area," Alice commented. She was studying the cows that seemed to be content behind the fence.
"We've killed much of them," Luther agreed. "There's still plenty of them that wander out of DC and Baltimore." He guided the women west, towards more livestock such as sheep, pigs, and chickens. "For awhile, we didn't think they'd slow down."
"I can imagine," Alice murmured.
K-Mart was idly listening, like Claire. But then her attention was drawn in like a moth and flame. She stared in delight at the horses grazing in a corral. Quickly she looked at Luther. "You have horses."
Luther smiled at the teen and nodded. "A more realistic mode of transportation than automobiles these days."
"Wow," K-Mart breathed out. She shook her head and mentioned, "I'd love to learn how to ride."
Alice curiously listened, a smile crept across her face. "I can teach you, K."
K-Mart was thrilled and couldn't hide her bright smile. "I'd love it." She looked at Claire and prompted, "What about you?"
Claire's nose slightly crinkled. She pushed past the pair but argued, "I prefer an iron horse." She ignored the twisted knot in her stomach at the thought of horses.
Luther looked from Claire's retreating figure to Alice and K-Mart. "You're welcomed to ride them." He slipped his hands into his jacket. "I'll introduce you to the stable manager, Alice."
"That'd be great," Alice agreed. She and K-Mart followed Luther, which was in Claire's direction.
"Let's go this way," Luther directed. He brought the women to the entrance of the former Umbrella facility. "This part of the tour will take longer."
"More than just a penny tour," Claire concluded. She followed the group into the open, concrete doors of the facility that were guarded by two soldiers.
Luther West continued the tour and explained the ins and outs of the facility. Overall, the underground facility mimicked something similar to an upside down tree. There was the main trunk of the facility that had several branches that ended with leaf-like pods. It was nearly the same size as the Hive in Raccoon City. But it was a decade or two older than the Hive. It also lacked an artificial intelligence. Certain natural sources were directly produced in the facility such as clean water from wells and natural gas from the ground. Much of the facility's winter heat or summer cooling were naturally produced through geo-thermal means. What wasn't acquired through friendly means was the electricity thanks to a nuclear power source located at the top of the tree or rather the deepest point.
Claire hadn't asked much about the facility. Her skin was too busy crawling each time a former Umbrella logo on the wall caught her eye. Despite most logos were removed, some were too engrained and left a foul taste in Claire's mouth. She stole glances over at Alice, who seemed somewhat removed even though they were in the heart of a former Umbrella facility. She inwardly huffed and wondered how Alice could deal with it. But her thoughts were shattered by K-Mart's next of umpteenth questions.
Luther fielded yet another inquiry from the teen. He didn't seem to mind a bit either. He grinned and explained to the group what the original purpose of the facility had been before the revolt. After the outbreak, the facility's new mission had been focused on the discovery of a newer, more controllable virus beside the T-Virus. Its code name had been the Generation Virus or simply shortened to the G-Virus. The Umbrella scientists had hoped the mutation properties of the G-Virus would take humans into the next generation. However, the results proved even more volatile than the Timeless Virus. Just before the facility received its new marching orders after the G-Virus failure, the revolt had already been set in motion by Karena LesProux.
The facility itself took nearly seven days to go from Umbrella's hands to Karena's and the resistance. Over two hundred Umbrella soldiers died along with a heavy handful of scientists and civilians. But Karena's plan to use the facility's nerve gas against itself had been perfect. After taking control, Karena released the prisoners that Umbrella had been using for experiments with the G-Virus. A hundred eighty-three civilians were released from cells and helped build Arcadia into what it was today.
"Nerve gas," K-Mart murmured as she stepped out of the elevator and followed towards the exit. Daylight was bright at the other end. For some reason that rang a bell in K-Mart's memory. She peered over at Alice on her right. "That sounds original," she muttered.
A sly smile tried pulling at Alice's lips. She clearly heard her lover but decided to ignore the curious stare. She instead zipped her jacket once they came outside.
K-Mart was positive that Alice had a hand in it. She decided not to say anything further about it, for now.
"We'll continue north west," Luther suggested. "Then end at the apartment housing." He figured by the time they finished up that the women would be fairly worn. "On the west side of the city is where the market area is setup."
"There's a currency?" Claire checked.
Luther shook his head and slowed until he was next to Claire. "There's no currency but..." He made a left down an old paved street. "There is some trade that happens.... whether it's a trade for goods or labor." He tucked his hands into his coat's pockets. "Arcadians are allotted a certain amount of necessities like food, clothing, weapons, and so on."
"What about entertainment?" K-Mart tempted.
Luther smiled at the teen. "We do have events that happen... festivals, dances, story-telling, games, and other things." He made a right at the next street intersection. "There's also a few restaurants near the market."
"There's been a lot of development," Alice realized aloud.
"Yes," Luther agreed. He was pleased by Alice observation. Somehow it felt like a pat on the back. Perhaps it would encourage Alice to stay this time. "Arcadia has some normalcy that we've all been missing since the outbreak."
"Normalcy is a dangerous thing," Claire debated.
"Too much can be," Luther agreed. "We haven't forgotten what's beyond our walls."
Claire held her silence because she wasn't the leader of this safe haven. She'd seen this before in other, smaller safe havens spotted around the broken country. But the difference here in Arcadia was that they were more prepared for reality to bite back. Claire hoped that it was enough.
The tour continued into the market where Luther pointed out the few shops that carried clothing, housewares, and other necessities of life. Other items like food and weapons were centrally located in the market. All goods were meticulously tracked and inventoried by the vendors, who had to report their inventories to Arcadia's officials. Weapons were especially heavily monitored and residences were periodically required to disclose what weapons they owned. If what was assigned by the vendors to the residents did not match then an investigation started. Such an issue was rare, according to Luther.
"And this is the city's hospital," Luther pointed out. He admired the tall structure that was fifteen stores high. "It's not fully renovated, but the first five floors are completely functional as a hospital."
"How many doctors?" Claire inquired. She was studying the former office building as they walked past it.
"Currently there's eighteen... but with Doctor Green, it'll be one more." Luther was excited to add the former convoy's doctor to the mix. He suspected Doctor Green's prior employment with Umbrella would benefit the citizens. But that was only after Doctor Green went through three months of probation.
"Can the hospital keep up with the city's demands?"
Luther had a thin smile thanks to Alice's renewed voice. He nodded and explained, "We're able to keep up fairly easily. But as the city grows... I'm not sure how well it'll go." He tried not worrying too much about it since the future was fickle. "Our last stop is just ahead."
K-Mart suspected it was the tall towers a couple of blocks in front of them. She recalled that they were apartments centrally located in the city. She considered how many floors there were, but decided she'd have a better idea soon. Hopefully there were working elevators rather than just steps to go up and down.
Luther led the group to the front of the nearest sky rise apartment building and went through the glass doors. He took them to the elevator lobby, but he already knew which one worked out of the four. There was a short wait while they talked about the city.
Alice entered the elevator last, slightly uneasy about it. But she held her silence and instead prompted a new conversation. "Do you suggest one restaurant over another, Luther?"
For a moment, Luther ran through his mental lists of pluses and minuses about each restaurant. He then smiled at Alice and told her why one was better over the other. He could tell the information helped Alice make the choice for tonight's meal.
The elevator reached the ninth floor and hitched slowly. The doors drew open and its guests filed out one by one. The safe haven's leader took the front and guided the three women down the hall that was lined with apartment doors. He fished out a key in his jean pockets and came upon Room 933. Easily the key worked the lock and allowed the heavy black door to swing open.
"This is your assigned quarters," Luther revealed to the women. "I hope it'll be..." He searched for the right word and sensed Alice's inquisitive glance. "Comfortable enough." He gave a flashy smile, especially when Claire glanced at him.
But the former convoy leader ignored whatever suggestive idea may be in his head. She entered into the living room further and noted the leather couches on her right. Their larger size was welcoming and would most likely appeal to K-Mart more than anybody. Continuing forward, Claire entered the kitchen, which divided from the living room with a high top counter.
"Nice," K-Mart commented. She withdrew from a smaller bedroom but left the door open for the others. She went to the next door on the left and grew wide eye at the size of the master suite.
Alice came up behind her teenaged lover and gently pushed K-Mart into the room. She stood near the foot of the bed and visually scanned over the sleeping area.
K-Mart, however, drifted into the master bathroom after first passing the walk in closet on her right. She flicked on the overhead light, which took a moment to warm up. But soon a modern take on a claw foot bathtub greeted her along with two sinks and a toilet. "Wow," she whispered in awe.
Claire snuck in behind K-Mart and let out a low sigh at the nice accomadations. She didn't say anything she slipped back into the master bedroom.
K-Mart turned halfway and studied Claire's receding figure. She frowned at her friend's displeasure. Tugging on her hat's brim, K-Mart followed in Claire's wake while she considered what troubled the former convoy leader. And that was just it, K-Mart realized. Claire was indeed a former leader of a convoy that survived on the edge. Now they were guests in the lap of luxury that was unrealistic to what was beyond the walls.
Passing the kitchen, K-Mart approached an open door where she heard the others chatting a little. She stepped out onto a balcony and was instantly reminded of reality as the city's huge wall grinned back at her. She sighed and looked over at Luther chatting with Alice. That made K-Mart drift over to Claire, who leaned against the rail on the opposite end of the balcony.
Claire sensed her lover first then noted K-Mart leaning against the rail next to her. Her lips were tightly pursed now.
K-Mart canted her head, studying Claire's profile briefly. She trailed her gaze over to the city. "We're pretty safe here." She let out a relieved sigh and softly added, "A chance to take a break."
Claire faintly relaxed and muttered, "But then what?" A frown caressed her lips, turning her emotions down.
K-Mart bumped her shoulder against Claire's and received a glance for it. "Whatever you want to do," she replied, nonchalantly.
Claire huffed but slowly realized that K-Mart was being serious. She held her tongue after she saw Luther and Alice joining them.
K-Mart bowed her head and stared at the ground far below them.
"I think I'm going to leave you ladies here," Luther mentioned. "Dinner will be served in a couple of hours." He folded his thick arms across his padded chest. "I'm sure a rest after the walking will be good."
Claire straightened up and faced Luther.
K-Mart did the same and quickly mentioned, "Thank you for the tour."
"Yes," Claire agreed, "We really enjoyed it."
Luther smiled and lowered his arms. "I enjoy it too." He shifted to the open door and knew the women were following him to the apartment's hallway door.
"Perhaps we'll see you at dinner?" Alice prompted.
Luther shook his head and glanced over at Alice. "I'm afraid I'm swamped with meetings tonight. But thank you." He opened the door yet hesitated and reached into his pocket. "Almost forgot." He extracted two more keys and handed them to Alice. "I'm sure I'll see you all tomorrow."
"Yes," Alice promised. She mirrored his smile.
Luther exchanged a goodbye then left the apartment. He heard the door click behind him, and he sighed, tiredly. It was a long but good day. He rubbed the back of his smooth head during the stroll down to the elevator. He couldn't quite figure out the relationship between Alice, Claire, and K-Mart. He thought perhaps Alice and Claire were close while K-Mart was the tag-along, kid sister. But then K-Mart's interactions with Claire and Alice were anything but a little sister. Luther could tell that K-Mart held her own balance between all three. In his opinion, K-Mart was a woman in her thirties falsely portrayed as a teenager. Indeed, looks were very deceiving and perhaps later Luther would get a better picture.