Generation: Border
Date: 14. September. 2019
Features: Patton, Roman (names not mentioned: Logan, Virgil)
Word Count: 1436
AU: Human; Alternate Reality; semi-post apocalyptic
WARNINGS: Tiny fight scene, momentary freak out(s), written sporadically across three days (so if there's inconsistencies please forgive me)

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Patton was a victim to his own curiosity more often than not- at least, that's what his friends said. He couldn't help it though, how was he supposed to resist the temptation to explore the border at the edge of the city? It was the situation into which he was born that led to him living on the edge of the city, the fencing that made up the walls of the city a mere three minute walk away from his home.

Glancing around, Patton made his way up to the fence, the small plot of trees and shrubbery the only thing blocking anyone's view of him as he snuck up to the fencing and lifted up the damaged metal, sliding underneath on his stomach; before turning around and urging the fence back into place. Taking a deep breath he glanced around before heading away from the city in the direction of the nearest town.

Rumors and legends of a time before his city had fenced itself in said that they used to have a relationship with the neighboring town. He knew that the people of the town supposedly turned their back on his hometown during a time of great need, but Patton didn't think it was something that could never be forgiven. After all, who is to say that the neighboring town wasn't also experiencing a period of great turmoil?

He lost track of time as he trudged down what seemed to be a small path through the trees. As he entered a clearing, Patton decided now would be as good a time as any to take a quick break. Taking a seat be let out a soft sigh, relaxing slightly as he let the tranquility of the nature around him. He wasn't sure why this was the day that he let his curiosity gain the better of him, but he can't say he really regretted coming this far.

Moments after he began relaxing, he heard the snap of a twig. Jumping up, he looked around, his hand instantly pulling out the pocket knife he kept on his person as a matter of protection back home.

"Hello? Who's there?" Patton called out, eyes darting around the clearing; hoping he could hear something else to indicate who or what was out there.

The woods suddenly seemed too quiet, as though the abundant life that had been so prevalent previously all fled the scene, and it had Patton on edge. He was torn, he didn't know if he should stand his ground, or run away- his fight or flight was not the most trustworthy instinct, and as a result it had him rooted in fear.

Then, all too quickly, things shifted. A body jettisoned from its hiding place and knocked Patton off his feet, the two tumbled for a few seconds until the newcomer landed above Patton. Instinctively, Patton raised the hand holding his pocket knife to the other man's throat- and a good thing too, as the other held a hunting knife in a similar position against his own neck.

After a few moments of heavy breathing the new face spoke up, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I am Patton, and... I guess you could say I've run away."

"Then why do you have a knife?"

"Protection." Patton was amazed he was able to calmly respond despite the cool metal that seemed to be wavering from its spot against his skin. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

"I..." The other male hesitated, his eyes darting to the side before he let out a soft exhale, "I am Roman. I came out hunting for food."

"Well, Roman, it is... interesting to make your acquaintance, but can we continue in a more civilized manner?" Patton paused and gave a half smile, "And if your friends so desire, they are free to come out of hiding as well."

Roman was quick to jump up and help Patton up as well while fumbling over words, the final question becoming a disbelieving, "How did you know?"

"You glanced to the side. You may be a hunter, but encountering me was... unexpected. So, as all people when you don't know what to do, you looked for reassurance." Patton delivered a small, lopsided smile, "I've seen it enough to know, kiddo; but I promise, I wont do anything to harm you, if you promise the same." Then, to prove his point, Patton returned to the stump he had previously sat upon and dug his blade into the surface- while muttering an almost inaudible apology to the wood.

Tossing another glance in the direction of the woods Roman made a half hearted gesture for his friends to come out- it was an invitation, but one he left for his friends to translate as they saw fit. Making his way over to the stump himself, he followed Patton's example and buried a his knife into the surface, "I promise not to harm you, so long as you make no attempts to hurt us."

It was a light compromise, but one Patton was willing to accept. "Are you guys from Everton?" He asked after a few moments, two figures slowly making their way to the stump beside him and burying their weapons into the wood as he spoke.

"Yes, we are... where are you from?" Roman spoke again, his body angling slightly to become a form of defensive line between Patton and his friends, his defenses still not down enough to trust the new man just yet.

"Oh, it's just a small city you've probably never heard of before!" Patton was quick to try and dismiss with a slight wave of his hand as his eyes darted to the side- he didn't like the idea of lying.

"That was a lie." One of the guys Patton hadn't been introduced to spoke up, "Not only that, but I have memorized all of the maps for this area over the last hundred years- even if it were not to be on a current map, I would know of its existence. So, as my friends would say, try me."

"Transmere." Came the soft reply, Patton's head tilting down, as he allowed his hair to fall on front of his face. Just muttering the name of his hometown felt disgusting. The stories they told were always so fanciful, but in reality, Transmere was a stain on the history of mankind. Patton was well aware of this- had been groomed to survive in it- but he found himself hating it. He had so little, he struggled to simply survive from one day to the next; so who could blame him if this little adventure was a half-arsed attempt of an escape plan?

As Patton's thoughts began to overwhelm him, he didn't hear the reactions from the other three boys before the one who had yet to spoke made his way to Roman's side, within moments they had shared information, and Roman was stepping up to Patton. Roman glanced back at his friend, and with an encouraging nod, he gently placed a hand on Patton's shoulder, "I guess you have a story to tell then, huh?"

"I... guess?"

"Well, my friends and I just so happen to need a roommate, would you like to come live in Everton with us?"

Patton could feel a sense of hope filling him and it was almost scary, he hadn't felt this hopeful in so long. He almost questioned it too, until the quiet guy spoke again, "I just have one condition." He stated, before pointing at the wristband that had been placed on Patton at birth- his status symbol. A black band with gray running through the center, the band the symbolized he was allowed a place to lay his head at night, but not allowed to own anything but a few articles of clothing. "You have to leave the Transmere trash behind."

It didn't take Patton long to come to a decision, within seconds he had pulled his pocket knife from the stump and placed it under the band. Looking up at the other three boys, he took a deep breath before pulling it through the rubber-like material and watching as it fluttered to the ground. Placing his foot over it, he looked to the boy again, "Will that suffice?"

Roman gave a bright smile before nodding for his friend, "I would say it more than does... that."

Patton knew that the 'Transmere trash' would one day disintegrate away, but he also had hope that now he might stand a chance- a chance at a happy life, in Everton.