Jackpot

We move silently, ducking in and around the rubble as we move trying to stay out of sight. I keep a keen eye on the wooded area to our right, always on the lookout for any odd movements or glimpses of potential dangers. My ankle throbbed in pain but it was holding up. I was certainly slowing us down, but not by too much.

We spoke little as Gabriela lead us to where she had seen a weapon. Generally just short whispered updates as we stopped before open areas to check things out before advancing. I had to admit that I was impressed with my little companion. She'd learned some skills in her time alone. Her lithe body and good fitness gave her a natural advantage when sneaking, and her size meant she could tuck herself away in little spaces I couldn't hope to fit into.

As we moved I was able to get a better look at the towering overpass that we still moved in the shadow of. Even after a lifetime in the ruins of the previous civilization I still marveled at what they were able to construct in the old world. What wonders they could construct. The airborne scavengers that I could see were down to the last few stragglers. Between the rats, birds, and bugs there would be little left up there but gnawed bones at this point. Out at the ramp leading up to that area would be a nightmare right now as the swarms of the larger non-flying carrion eaters would be coming back down after picking every last bit of flesh from the bodies up above. I am once more thankful not to be among the skeletal remains up top.

We had traveled maybe a shade over half a mile, the last part along a cracked asphalt road, when I notice Gabby slowing down and becoming even more cautious. Bringing my bar up into both hands I switch it from a cane to a spear. With the possibility of battle so close at hand I can feel myself slip naturally into what I liked to think of as my combat mode. My movements are careful and economical, always settling into a battle ready stance after every step. My eyes dark quickly around, taking in the important details of the space I would be fighting in. My large pointed outer ears actually flex outward and forward slightly as I concentrate on a cone of sounds in front of me. My mind is calm, empty. Thinking only about what it needed to...

“It's up ahead.” Gabby whispers, breaking the silence abruptly. Her voice had been ever so quiet, yet it felt like a shout thanks to the unexpectedness of it.

My battle tranquil mind hits a snag as I hear Gabby speak. Suddenly new thoughts forcefully invade my once still consciousness. Worries about Gabriela overwhelm everything else. Her physical safety, her emotional experience coming back to the site she'd been wounded, her lack of combat awareness and skills. Gah! These were things I was not used to. I had never gone into a situation like this with someone so **** and whom I actually cared about. She had the knife section of her multi-tool out but that would be good for a last ditch defense at best. Reaching out I take her by the shoulder. Leaning down I whisper into her ear. “Be safe.”

She looks to me and nods. “You too.” Pointing ahead she indicates our destination. A huge slab of concrete had violently embedded itself into the side of a small hill, jutting up at a roughly 45 degree angle out of earth. Below it was a tight sheltered area. I could see the scattered remains of what I assumed had been a raider in this area. The white and red bones freshly picked over tells me the person had perished there not that long ago. I didn't recognize the shredded clothes, likely a member of whoever the hell bushwhacked us up top. The old me felt a small glimmer of satisfaction knowing we'd at least gotten one of them. I wasn't sure how this one had made it so far away from the battle but if I had to guess I'd say he had fled from battle injured then crawled under there and succumbed to his wounds. Or perhaps he'd been killed by the same rat that had bitten Gabby when he stopped for a rest. Among the remains were weapons, my eyes also spy a good set of boots that were about my size. Just in front of this area was a wrapped bundle of cans and still sealed old world food. Obviously this had been Gabby's dropped scavenge from the day before.

Gabriela then slowly shifts her pointing hand across to a collapsed and crumpled truck trailer sitting at the side of the road, not even twenty yards from the remains. A hole about three foot in diameter torn out from the corner of it is where she was pointing. Squinting I look closer. I now notice huge rat droppings here and there along with smaller pellets as well. This was the home of the giant gore rat.

My eyes scan across. The whole gave the rat a perfect sight line and beeline on the area I needed to get to. I was happy to realize the wind was with us, we were down wind so it couldn't smell us. We had approached quietly. I was confident we had the element of surprise.

I start to formulate a plan. The smaller rats could be a problem in groups but I wasn't too concerned about them, it was all about the big one. I knew what I wanted to do...but I hesitate. I didn't want to put Gabby in harm's way. And yet...Gah! She made everything so much more difficult!

I look at her as she looks at me. She is waiting, ready to follow my lead. Trusting that I knew what to do. That trust weighed on me yet somehow also bolstered me.

I did know what to do. Looking at my mousey little companion I remember how she had healed that brutal wound on her shoulder without even a scar left behind. She looked fragile but she really wasn't. I realize that if we were going to survive I couldn't second guess myself like this. She had to be my partner, not my dependent.

In my concern for her, without realizing it, I had reached out stroked her head. My face must have given away my worries because she smiles up at me and silently mouths the words. “I'm okay.”

I smile back and nod. Pointing at her I indicate that I want her to move out toward the area she'd been attacked the day before. I point at myself and make a finger walk motion to show I was going to approach the trailer. I point back at her and give her the stop motion. Through my non-verbal communication I get across to her that she is to wait until I give the signal. She gives me a thumbs up. I could tell she was nervous, but I trusted that she'd play her role.

Going extra slow I creep up on the opening to the giant gore rat's nest. My senses on full alert. The dark asphalt was warm on my bare soles. I could smell the oily fur and scat of the nest. I hear the skittering of small feet tap, tap, tap across metal inside the trailer. The smaller rats were moving about. I fervently hoped I could get in position before getting into place. I hear the shifting of a much larger creature, then a scuffling movement. Shit. I hurry stealthily the last few steps and come up right beside the hole, my spear held high and at the ready. Knowing time was short before I'd be sensed I immediately give Gabby the signal.

She nods, takes a big deep breath, and walks boldly out toward where she'd dropped her stuff the day before. Her knife was at the ready but I hoped she wouldn't have to use it. She begins humming a bit and rustling some of the crinkly cellophane wrap with her foot. Perfect! In an instant I hear hurried movement inside the trailer, a number of the smaller rats stream out of the opening first but my focus is on the sounds of the larger one as it rushes along the other side of the trailer's thin wall.

Anticlimactically it is over in an instant. The huge hunched shoulders of the grey-brown gore rat had barely exited the hole when my spear came down right through the brain of the thing with a crunchy splat. It's filthy yellow rimmed crimson eyes bulge as its body bucks and quivers in its **** throes. It's bulbous slick furred midsection fills the hole as it had only gotten half way through before its end. I keep the spear firmly embedded until the thrashing stops. I then retract it with a sickening squelch.

The smaller rats were going mad, nipping at my bare feet, before the smell of their larger brethren's blood and brains hits the air. At that moment the smaller rodents turn en masse and proceed to swarm and begin to devour their giant former nestmate. I back away with my spear ready to squish any of the creatures that approached, but they were far too busy now to bother with something that could put up a fight. Finding a bit rotted cardboard I wipe the gore from my spear as best I could then return to my companion.

She was smiling from ear to ear. “Wow! You did that so easy!” She marvels.

I shrug. “Just rat.”

She shakes her head. “Just rat?” She scoffs. “Just rat almost ate me yesterday. I can see having you around will be very handy.” We share a brief laugh. She plants her fists on her hips and looks down at her haul from yesterday. “Well, we've got supper now. Thank goodness those things only eat meat.”

As she gathers up the goods I walk over to the remains and give them a good look over what was there.

Fucking jackpot!

Lying there at the back, against the slope of the hill, was a 9mm H&K MP5 submachine gun. An extra clip lay among the shredded clothing the raider had worn. There was also a 9mm Glock, a sturdy combat knife, and of course the boots. There was some bite marks around the upper edges but the tough leather had held up. I suspect the smaller rats simply crawled inside and pulled the feet out bit by bit. I shake them out and a few bloody bones hit the ground. I'd give them a quick wash before I wore them. I tie the laces together and hang them around my neck.

I give the weapons a quick but thorough once over. Mostly full clips and in good working order. The overhang of cement had even shielded them from the direct rain of the storm. There was some red tape wrapped round the butt and the clip of the submachine gun but these seemed to be more for aesthetics than actual repair. I could actually feel a small bit of tension that I'd been carrying and hadn't noticed until now slowly release as I feel the weight of the MP5 in my hands. This changed everything. I would have preferred a longer ranged and more powerful weapon, an **** rifle ideally, but this would do just fine. I tuck the sheathed knife into the waist of my shorts.

Walking over to Gabriela I hold out the Glock, offering it to her. She nods, without a word she takes it by the grip and looks it over. She makes sure the safety is on and pockets it. She handles it comfortably. I was fairly certain her battle experience was limited but she knew her way around a pistol. I had heard everyone in the colonies received some weapons training. It was a whole lot different out here than on a firing range, but it was good she knew how to use it.

She picks up the repackaged bundle and says in a chipper tone. “Not even noon and look at us! Food, weapons, and I'll get some more water once we get back. We're sitting pretty, at least for a little.”

I grimace and try to **** a smile. As I began to relax, as my mind accepts that it was mission accomplished, I feel my injuries reassert themselves. I feel as my body begins to succumb once more. I'd pushed myself hard, I had to get back and rest.

“Let's go.” I grunt. I pick up my cane once more and hold the gun in my other hand.

She turns to me and gives me a smile that illuminates my tired soul. “Let's go home.” She says. Her bundle held close to her in both arms Gabby once more leads the way as we retrace our steps back.