I moved the makeshift flamethrower in a back and forth motion along the crowd of bugs, and one by one their disgusting, oily bodies were scorched by the fire.
The bastards tried to skitter off in all directions, but it was no use. They were already engulfed in flames, and it was only a matter of time before they keeled over and died.
Natalie pulled herself back to her feet as we both watched the flaming bugs dart off into the forest. The blonde woman had a few bruises on her cheeks, and her hair was now a filthy, matted mess. Her jacket was also covered with blood, guts, and an unidentifiable clear goo, but she appeared to be fine.
“You okay?” I asked as I ran my hands up and down her shoulders.
“You… You saved me,” Natalie noted in disbelief. “I was about to become bug food, but you saved me.”
“Of course, I saved you.” I shrugged. “We’re partners, remember?”
Natalie bit her lip as if she were trying to hold back her emotions, but I could see right through her facade.
“That was the closest to death I’ve ever come,” she admitted. “Even on all my missions against the Rubberfaces, the situation has never been quite so dire. If it wasn’t for you—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I reassured the Scavenger with a smile. “I’m a Pest Control Technician. Killing bugs is my specialty.”
The corner of Natalie’s mouth stretched up into a small grin, and then she raised her head to look at me fully.
“Thank you.” She nodded. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“Just help me finish this mission,” I offered, “that’ll be all the payment I could ever want.”
Hunter? Karla grumbled. Are you still alive, or am I talking to a giant roach right now?
“Very funny,” I snorted. “I’m fine. We’re fine. All the bugs are either dead, or we scared them away. Turns out, they really don’t like fire.”
I wouldn’t get very comfortable, the voice in my head continued. You of all people should know insects like that have short memories. They might be gone now, but they’ll eventually come back to investigate.
Karla had a point.
“What’s the voice in your head saying now?” Natalie questioned.
“She’s saying the bugs will be back,” I explained. “That our victory is only temporary… I’m guessing she wants us to keep moving forward?”
That is precisely what I’m suggesting, Karla sighed. If you keep pushing forward, you can be at the power plant long before sunrise.
“We can’t push forward,” Natalie stated matter-of-factly. “Look at us. There’s no way we can handle wandering through these woods for much longer.”
“So, you’re suggesting we, what, make camp?” I asked. “We’d need to build a shelter and a fire, but I think I’ve got all the proper tools in my bag here.”
I pulled the backpack off my shoulder, tossed the lighter and bug spray back inside, and then produced the rope I’d snagged.
However, Natalie simply shook her head.
“We can’t camp out here,” she explained. “We’d be sitting ducks if any more of those creatures showed up.”
“Where can we go, then?”
“The beach.” The Scavenger nodded. “Or, at least, what passes for a beach in the Forest of Fallout. There will be clean water there, and we will be far enough away from the insects’ territory that they might just leave us alone. Though that’s an uneducated guess.”
Hey, I’d take an uneducated guess at this point.
“Let’s go, then,” I agreed as I put the tools back into my bag. “The beach it is.”
“Round up any of the fallen weapons and supplies we can find.” Natalie instructed. “We’re going to recharge for the night, and then we’ll head out to the power plant first thing in the morning.”
As I watched Natalie pick up her backpack and the shotgun from the battlefield, I knew Karla wasn’t going to be too happy with this development.
Then again, she didn’t seem to be happy about any new development that didn’t fit into her father’s algorithm.
I folded up the E-Tool but didn’t put it away.
There was still a short journey to our campsite, and I really didn’t want to let my guard down.
Who knew what else was lurking out there in the Forest of Fallout?
Chapter 12
What is going on? Karla’s voice demanded as Natalie and I stomped through the Forest of Fallout. Why are you heading west? The nuclear plant is north.
I considered just not answering Miss Nash. No matter what I told her, she was going to be pissed we weren’t following her plan to a tee. However, I then remembered she had a microchip implanted in my head.
For all I knew, she might make this thing self-destruct if she thought I was dead.
“We’re not going to the plant,” I explained as I cringed and prepared for the verbal assault. “Not tonight, anyways. We’re going to set up camp near the lake and then head out first thing in the morning.”
That is a terrible idea, Hunter… Karla sighed. You already encountered giant bugs. Do you have any idea what else could be out there, just waiting for you to lower your guard?
“I’m not an idiot,” I reminded the woman on the other line. “We’re going to have a fire to scare away any potential predators, and we’re going to be taking turns on watch while the other one sleeps. I may not have ever done anything like this before, but Natalie certainly has. And I’d trust this woman with my life.”
Even though she didn’t say anything, I could see the blonde woman was flattered by my compliment. Her posture straightened up tensely, and she suddenly had a bit of a swagger in her gait.
Ugh, Karla grumbled. If I was there—
“You’re not,” I interjected. “Natalie knows this area better than either of us, and she’s the one who’s been living in this dimension her entire life. If she says we should camp out for the night, then we should camp out for the night. Also, have you checked my vitals lately? I don’t know how it looks on your end, but my whole body is killing me.”
Your vitals are fine, the voice in my head explained. Your adrenaline, however, is still through the roof. You’ll be fine with just a little bit of rest.
“Exactly!” I grumbled. “That’s why we’re making camp for the night. I don’t know what to expect when we get to the plant, and I think it’d be wise to go in there completely refreshed and healed up.”
It doesn’t matter what I say, Karla sighed. The worst I can do is nag you until you go crazy and try to cut the microchip out of your brain.
“Is—Is that something I should be worried about?” I chuckled, though I was dead serious.
I’m messing with you, Hunter, the voice reassured me. That’d be kind of counterproductive, no? You’re our Wayfarer, and we need you alive for as long as possible.
“As long as possible?” I raised my eyebrows. “That doesn’t inspire much confidence.”
You know what I mean, she snarked. If you need my father or me, we’ll still be here, watching over your vitals.
“When the hell do you guys sleep?” I questioned. “Are you seriously going to watch me for twenty-four hours straight?”
Obviously, sleep isn’t something my father needs, Karla explained. As for me? Well… once you’re safely back in Dimension One, I can snooze for days on end.