Want to support CHYOA?
Disable your Ad Blocker! Thanks :)

Chapter 13 by carnivorous cow carnivorous cow

Does Druuna go into the settlement?

Yes

Druuna decided that she would need food soon, and she didn’t think the settlement looked too dangerous. She quickly readjusted her belt to offer a bit of covering for her lower body and began walking into the settlement slowly, making sure she was very visible, so as not to make anyone think she was trying to sneak up on them. The area seemed deserted at first, and Druuna was beginning to think that all the inhabitants had moved away or had all died when she felt something cold press against the back of her neck.

A gruff voice coughed and said “Don’t be making any sudden movements now. Wouldn’t want to blast your pretty little head to smithereens.”
Druuna, scared for her life and knowing she couldn’t do anything at the moment, answered “Y-Yes. Al-alright.”
“Good. Now here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to take off all of your clothes and that belt so I can check you for weapons. Once I’ve decided whether you’re a threat or not, I’ll give you the clothes back. Understood?” the voice said, poking her in the back with the gun for emphasis.
Druuna nodded and removed her belt, placing it gently on the ground next to her. Then she removed her top and whatever else was left of her clothes and stood with her hands above her head.

Druuna could hear the man behind her searching through her things, paying special attention to the pouches in her belt. Eventually Druuna felt the pressure from the gun be removed, and the man told her she could relax. Sighing in relief, Druuna turned around to face a bald man with his gun holstered, holding her items out to her. He smiled as she took the clothes back and said “Sorry about that miss, it’s the only way to keep us safe. You a traveler?”

Druuna finished putting on her belt and nodded “Yes I am. I was hoping I could purchase some goods from your settlement.”
The man nodded and held out his hand. Druuna shook it, an old custom whose roots had long been lost. He grinned and said “That’d be just fine. Reginald Smitty runs the trade post out over on the North side of the building. My name is Marcus, it’s a pleasure to meet you, miss.”

After chatting with Marcus and asking about the settlement for awhile, Druuna went over to the old gas station. The building itself wasn’t very large, but a number of aluminum sheets had been welded onto the north and east sides to build a number of makeshift shelters. On the north side Druuna found a large aluminum shelter with various goods lying on top of makeshift shelves. The proprietor, a scrawny old man with greasy looking hair, sat on a small wooden stool and ogled her as she browsed the stores goods. Eventually she selected a bit of food, some extra gauze, a rusty Swiss army knife and a pair of ratty old shorts from the shelves and brought them upfront. Druuna opened one of her pouches and found that she barely had enough bottle caps for her purchase. If she bought those items, she’d be pretty much without currency. Druuna bit her lip, unsure of what to do. Eventually she walked over to the shopkeeper and said “Um, sir? I don’t have much money to spare. Would it be possible for me to barter for some of these items?” The lanky old man chuckled, revealing his crooked yellow teeth, and said “Oh sweaty, I think I know a way you could get them objects for free.” He then laid one of his bony hands on Druuna’s hips for added emphasis and winked at her.

Does Druuna pay for the items, or agree to the old mans "Deal"?

Want to support CHYOA?
Disable your Ad Blocker! Thanks :)