The scattered sounds of raindrops splashing into the puddles of glowing water they had created filled the emptiness of the town. The streets filled with laughter as they danced. Suddenly, the world wasn't so cold and empty making them feel whole. The world was less overwhelming at this moment for the first time in a long time they felt free. Behind them, the sound of hooves galloping swiftly through the wet stream flowing in between the cracks of the broken road bounced off of the buildings around them.
As they turned around they saw Miles sitting comfortably on Thicket's back with Amanda controlling his antlers.
"Having fun!?" Miles called out, smiling largely. The rest of the group smiled and ran toward the large buck. Miles and Amanda slid off the side of Thicket's large body and greeted them on the ground.
"We were getting worried for a second," Ace said, smiling at Miles.
"C'mon you know me, I'll always find a way back, what the hell happened to your face?" He replied, gesturing to his face.
"Long story," he uttered
"Any sign of Abel?" Amanda asked, hopefully. The six of them got quiet for a moment, and that was the only answer Amanda needed. Beck pushed her way through the other members and made her way to Miles.
"I'm glad you're back," She said, hugging him tightly.
"Me too," He replied, kissing the top of her wet head.
"I'm sorry about Abel," She said, softly.
"He's out there, he'll be here," He said optimistically. A loud noise roared over the hills above them, they all fixed their eyes toward the peak, and even Scott rose from his lonely position. Again the noise sounded this time closer. The fun of the rain quickly dissipated as each of them gripped a weapon in their hand. Silence washed over them as their eyes darted all along the hilltop above. They waited in anticipation waiting for the next deadmoose or giant spider to leap down and attack. The silence grew louder than the raindrops splashing onto the ground and before long, all seven of them waited weapons in hand and ready for a fight.
Then above their heads, a giant beast covered in fur with large paws flew over their heads and landed behind them. They turned quickly and gripped their sweaty palms around the hilts of their weapons even tighter. Then a head popped above the beast's back. A blonde-haired girl stared down at the group confused.
"A...Ari?" Ace called out, dropping his blade to the ground,
"Tracey?" Ari called back, leaping from Hyde's back and sprinting into his arms. As they collided he wrapped his arms around her small waist and hoisted her into the air.
"I thought I lost you," He whispered crying silently.
"I'll always find you, remember," She said, gripping him tighter.
"What the hell is this thing?" He asked, looking up at Hyde.
"This is Hyde. He's been our loyal friend for our surprisingly long journey," She said, smiling up at the clueless dog.
"Our?" Miles asked, from behind her.
"Oh, c'mon down, guys!" She called out, cupping her hands beside her lips. From behind the large spines on Hyde's back, Art poked his head out first and climbed his way down to the ground.
"He smells bad when he gets wet," He said, plugging his nose.
"Hey, I'm Artemis, but y'all can call me Art," He said, waving kindly.
"You don't smell much better you know!" A familiar voice shouted from behind another spine. Miles and Amanda perked up and stared up at the voice they knew too well.
"A...Abel?" Amanda asked as the silhouette of someone became visible.
"In the flesh," He said, climbing down slowly. He patted Hyde on the side before turning around. The moonlight illuminated his deformed face and Amanda and Miles stumbled backward.
"W...What happened?" Miles asked, gripping his brother's arm and pulling him in for a hug.
"I have had a long few days," he said, trying his best to seem strong.
"M...Mom's de-"
"I know, it's okay," Miles said, placing his hand on the back of his head. Abel got silent before nestling into his brother's chest and sobbing.
"I almost died," He whispered.
"I fought a fucking bear, I have a pet mutant dog and the rain glows...Why the fuck does the rain glow?" He asked, everything rushing through his head all at once.
"We're going to find out. Tonight," Miles said, squeezing him tighter.
"What do you mean?" He asked, pulling away from his brother's chest.
"I found a note from Dad, he knew this was going to happen. We need to get to the base he worked on just north of here and find anything that'll tell us what is going on," He replied, solemnly.
"I have something for you," He continued, reaching into his bag and retrieving Abel's leather journal.
"My journal," Abel said excitedly, grabbing the book from his brother.
"What do you mean he knew?" Scott asked, bitterly, projecting his voice over the subtle conversations.
"He worked on the base as a nuclear physicist, his research was leaked to other governments and Russia was able to use his schematics to produce a new nuclear warhead," He replied.
"Wait, your dad is the reason this happened?" Scott snarled as silence fell amongst the group.
"No, he worked on the research he didn't give it to Russia," Amanda said, attempting to avoid a conflict between the two.
"He designed this, he knew what it did and he knew that it was released and did nothing. He is just as much responsible as Russia," Scott exclaimed.
"Look, nobody resents him more than me, but this is the only source of information we have right now. We can sit here and fight over who did what or we can go get the fucking answers we need," Miles said stoically. The group paused for a moment looking at each other for suggestions and opinions.
"Miles is right, regardless of mistakes made, we need to know what this bomb is doing," Selena said, stepping forward.
"I'm with him too," Eden followed.
"Fighting doesn't solve anything. I'm in," Boulder said.
"Fuck it, what else are we going to do," Ashure shrugged.
"I'm with you Miles," Abel said, placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Forever," Amanda proclaimed, placing her hand on his other shoulder.
"Let's do it," Beck said, smiling slightly.
"That's the majority, if you choose to stay here be my guest, but we're going to the base," Miles said, climbing back onto Thicket. Amanda, Boulder, Ashure, Eden, and Selena followed behind them. Abel, Beck, Art, Ari, and Ace climbed onto Hyde.
"Fuck all of you," Scott uttered, climbing onto Hyde's back. Miles sat at the front of Thicket's back gripping his antlers steadily in both hands and stared down the crumbling road. Next to him, Abel rode Hyde looking over at Miles in adoration.
"Don't fall off," He said, smirking.
"If you can ride a giant dog, I think I can handle a giant buck," Miles replied smiling back. Abel turned his attention to the road ahead. His mind raced with thoughts and confusion. Would this be the final stretch of his grueling journey? Or was this yet another meaningless task leading nowhere? He wondered what life beyond this would look like, but he knew as long as he had his family he would be okay.
"Hiyah!" He shouted, digging the heels of his feet into Hyde's side. Hyde trotted on, as the inexperienced passengers gripped tightly onto anything they could. Miles chuckled softly and followed closely behind his brother.