Emily

The fading sunlight covers the city. Despite the presence of streetlights and fluorescent tubes, it still doesn't feel safer in the dark.

"Are there more survivors?" I ask Braska.

Even though she looks sad, the old lady's lips show a little smile.

"Yes, there are," she responds. "There's only a handful of us left."

I put my hand on my heart and ask, "How did you end up here?"

"You remember when the Freaks came after us?" she starts.

"Yes, it feels like yesterday."

She takes a moment. "When they rounded us up and put us on those transports, we thought we'd never see daylight again."

"Perhaps I should have stayed with my parents that day, but I wanted to draw the amusement park so bad," I say, as the words have a touch of regret in them.

Braska's voice turns solemn. "It was a massacre, my dear. Don't feel sorry."

"My parents... Are they here?" I ask, my heart rate racing.

Her smile grows wider. "I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Yes, they are."

I'm feeling all kinds of emotions - I want to laugh, scream, and jump with joy, but the loss is stopping me.

"I'll show you where they are," Braska says.

Oh, how I long for that moment. Where's Hero at? I wish he could see this.

While walking, the old lady asks, "So, how'd you end up here?"

"This guy is... He helped me to get here."

"Oh, what's his name?"

"Hero," I say, with a hint of affection.

"A fitting name for someone who saved free folks, along with many others."

I can't help but think of him, my heart filled with admiration and gratitude. "Hold on, you know him?"

"We heard about him here in Freedom Town. Flash talked about him once he got back from a daring rescue mission."

"Flash? A rescue mission?"

"Yes, many women and children have returned because of Hero's courageous actions. Flash and his men wouldn't have succeeded if it weren't for him."

It dawns on me in an instant. Doing something nice can have a domino effect, spreading positivity everywhere.

Oh, Hero, if I could only share this news with you.

I need to find him.

Is he still in Freedom Town, or has he left already?

He's got to be at Falcon, no doubt.

____

Hero

I'm strolling down the lit streets of Freedom Town, holding onto Antoine's handwritten directions-the air reeks of cigarette smoke.

The scent brings back memories of my dad, who got kicked out for his addiction. Mom wouldn't tolerate smoking in the house.

As I make my way through the neighbourhood, I see a camp set up in the distance. The lights in the tents make everything feel otherworldly, and the torches cast flickering shadows on the streets.

Antoine's instructions say to turn right and then left.

I reach a beat-up shack with a stack of tyres in the middle.

When I enter, there's a couple sitting on a bench behind a rickety desk. The man is sporting a nasty white cowboy hat, and the woman has her hair in a bun. Their wrinkly hands tell the story of a long and hard life while they also hold toothless smiles.

Grandma stands up, her voice shaking as she asks, "What's up, kiddo?"

"Ma'am, I need new tyres."

"Wow, what manners," she says, looking at her husband. "Hey, we got a guy here who needs new tyres."

"I heard you, dear. I hope I can find something amidst this mess," the grandpa replies, his voice shaky. What size?"

"R22."

"R22s? Wait right here," he says, disappearing through another exit next to the bench.

The grandma gestures for me to sit, her face etched with countless wrinkles.

I obey and settle into the designated chair.

Tags and crude drawings cover its surface, evidence of the Swifters' futile attempts to erase them. Seeing a scalped head accompanied by the word "Swifters" sickens me.

Those bastards!

The old woman's curiosity gets the better of her, and she asks, "What brings you to Freedom Town, son? You seem new here."

Her question interrupts my train of thought." Oh, I'm just passing through," I reply.

"Most people stay here, you know. Working towards a better future, trying to recapture the carefree old days of our ancestors."

"No, ma'am. It wouldn't be safe for you if I stayed."

Her brow furrows slightly, and she exchanges a glance with the empty doorway where her husband vanished. "Why's that?"

I tighten my hands on my lap. "I've made some enemies. The Freaks. They know me. If they find out I'm here, this town could be in danger."

Her eyes darken, and she nods slowly. "The Freaks... They've been a scourge on this land for too long."

"So, you know them well?"

"Oh yes, we know them all too well. My husband... he lost his brother to those monsters. We barely escaped with our lives. The Freaks don't care who they hurt or what they take. They'll burn a town to the ground just for the fun of it."

Looks like everyone has the same life stories.

Loss, death, little hope for a brighter future.

I swallow hard. "I'm sorry."

"It's in the past, son, but it's not over. They're still out there, and the Swifters do what they can, but even they can't be everywhere. If the Freaks know your name, you're in more danger than you realise."

I feel a chill run down my spine. "That's why I need to keep moving. But I'm not sure... It's just... I might not want to leave either. I..."

"Tell me, my dear boy. Perhaps the advice of a old woman could help you."

"My name is Hero... You might already know this, but I've liberated a camp, and both the Swifters and the Freaks know me. For your safety, I should head east. So everyone's safe. But..."

The woman gazes into my eyes, raising an eyebrow. "Your reasoning makes sense, yet you're holding something back."

"Please, tell me, ma'am. What's your take on what's best?"

"I can't decide for you," she says. "What I can do is offer you this advice: Whether in town or out there, it's always unsafe. People may claim it's safe here, but it's an illusion. Just look at our walls, the guards, and the weapons."

She's right, of course. Why would we call anything safe?

"So boy, leave if you must. Don't hesitate," she advises. "There are only a few reasons to stay, and from your story, none of them have reached my ears," she adds.

What does she mean?

"What reasons, if I may ask?"

"Family, friends, and above all, love," she responds with a knowing smile.

Emily!

My whole body tightens up, and I feel all warm.

"What's the matter, dear?" the woman asks.

"Nothing... I'm just-"

"There's someone... someone who's making you doubt. The one thing that's holding you back, isn't it?"

"Well... I couldn't find anything. Different sizes, but nothing in your specific size," the old man interrupts, returning just in time to save me from further conversation.

He groans with each step he takes.

"Do you mind if I join you?" I ask and walk to him. I'm glad he showed up.

"Take your time, young man. Mull it over, and remember, whatever decision you make, you can always revisit it. And sometimes it's not about safety. It's about what you're willing to fight for," the woman calls out to me.

The man, puzzled by our conversation, chimes in, "What's going on? Did I miss something?"

"Don't worry, dear. Just focus on finding his tyres."

He grumbles and motions for me to follow.

Fight for what's important... Her words hit me in the gut. Is it better to run or to fight? Run for safety, fight for safety... I'm so confused.

We're wandering around the tyre maze to find the ones that meet my needs. Unfortunately, luck's not on our side.

"Can't we put on a new set altogether?" Grandpa suggests.

"You mean tyres with rims included?"

"Yeah, that's right, boy."

Falcon, we might have to replace your original shoes, sorry.

"Yes, I'm okay with that," I respond.

Grandpa nods, and we halt in front of a massive, rusty hangar. It's reminiscent of the one back home.

My guide opens the enormous door, and inside, there are loads of rims, some with tyres and some without, all organised in the hangar.

Love them or hate them, you can't deny the Freaks' enthusiasm for vehicles.

"A different rim size also means a different tyre size. When choosing new tyres, you must consider the overall circumference, or else you'll have issues with the odometer," Grandpa explains.

I nod.

Together, we search for the perfect replacement.

"You're new around here, son?" he asks.

"Yes, I arrived today."

"Alone?"

"No, I came with my girl... my... um, a female friend," I stumble.

The man grins, his eyes fixated on the letters on the tyres.

"Ah, women," he says, spitting on the ground. "Beautiful creatures. Impossible to understand."

I nod.

"You can find plenty here in town, although these are strange times, son. These are dangerous times, full of dangers."

"It's peaceful here, isn't it?"

"Yeah, yeah... Remember, boy, nothing lasts forever. Today might be cool, but watch out for tomorrow-it could go up in smoke," he warns.

Once again, I nod in agreement.

"Why am I blabbering? Speaking to someone like me, an elderly man, won't be helpful," he ponders.

"No, it's okay... By the way, how old are you?" I ask, curious.

"Eighty-two," he replies.

"Wow," I exclaim.

"Surprising, huh?" he chuckles, and I study his face.

The lack of wrinkles on his skin catches the eye.

"No, you still look great," I say.

He grins in response.

But again, his teeth... Nowhere to be found.

"Ah, I found them," Grandpa announces, pointing at a particular rim. I read the tyre size etched onto it: 285/45 R23 113YXL.

"Is this size a little bigger?"

"Yeah, it is. These tyres belong to a Lambo Urus Hybrid-TAG X, an old Lamborghini SUV. Although the wheels are bigger, I believe it is possible to make them work with a few adjustments. Your car has 22-inch rims, and the tyre size is smaller. Just remember that you might consume more fuel or energy, kid. A larger circumference means more resistance."

Lambo... I've never heard of it before.

"Let's take all four," he suggests.

"What do I owe you? I have some old tech or food."

The man rubs his thumb and forefinger together. "Do you have any silver or gold?"

"No, I haven't."

The old man lets out a tired groan as he bends down, propping the wheel against his leg.

Wow, these rims look fantastic!

They have a design that reminds me of lightning bolts.

"Can you handle the other wheel?" he asks.

I give him a thumbs-up, eager to help.

Together, we roll the wheel through the quiet streets of Freedom Town. The town is peaceful, with only our footsteps breaking the silence.

"Do you have your car parked in the lot?" he asks.

"Yes, it's parked there."

As we pass by the Inn, we continue our journey through the city. The old man's got skills - he's moving those heavy wheels like it's nothing. In comparison, my skin's getting clammy, and my breath speeding up and becoming shallow. I'm sweating buckets.

I decide to break the silence by asking with a soft voice. "Your wife mentioned your brother. What happened to him?"

Grandpa slows his pace, letting out a deep sigh. His hands grip the tyre a little tighter, and for a moment, I think he won't answer. But then, in a quiet voice, he begins, "My brother, Jeb... he was a stubborn man. Always had to prove something, you know?"

I nod.

"We were part of a group, the 11s, a Swifters caravan. Jeb was a fighter. He couldn't stand the Freaks. Said they were scum, and he wasn't wrong. But it wasn't enough for him to defend our people. He wanted to hit back-hard."

The story sounds familiar, too familiar. "What happened?"

Grandpa stops walking and leans on his tyre.

"There was a raid. A big one. The Freaks ambushed us in the middle of the night and burned our camp to the ground. Jeb... he lost his wife that night. She didn't make it out. After that, something in him snapped. He didn't care about rebuilding or protecting anyone anymore. All he wanted was revenge."

I feel a chill run down my spine. The image of Blaze flashes through my mind. He was all about anger and revenge for the ones he lost.

"I know that feeling," I say quietly. "My mentor... Blaze. He was like that. He couldn't let go of what the Freaks did to his family. He taught me everything I know, but in the end, revenge killed him."

Grandpa shakes his head slowly, a sad smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Revenge..." He shakes his head. "Losing Jeb was hard, but what was harder was knowing it didn't have to be that way. If he'd just let go, maybe he'd still be here. But revenge... it eats you up inside. It makes you think you've got nothing left to lose, but the truth is, you've always got something left to lose."

Tears roll down my cheeks.

"Life is hard, isn't it, boy?"

"Yes. Every time I think I'm done with it, I remember what the Freaks have taken from me, from all of us. It's so unfair. It's killing me."

The old man comes to me and wraps his arms around me. "It's okay... it's okay."

I haven't felt this warm in a long time. I feel safe, and my pain is melting away.

We let go. I wipe my tears, and I look at him. Considering his age and all he's been through, I can't believe he's still standing.

"You're a good kid."

I nod. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course, what do you like to know?" Grandpa's eyes grow larger.

"How do you do it? How do you keep going after losing so much?"

"You learn to fight for something else. Something that's still here. You stop fighting for the ghosts of the past and start fighting for the people who are still alive. For the ones you care about. That's what keeps you going."

I've been running, fighting, and just trying to stay alive. But I can't escape the ghosts of those I've lost. I should start thinking about the people I still have, like Emily, the people in this town. But how could I help them?

"Thank you," I say.

"No problem."

We reach Falcon and place the wheels beside the car.

"Wow, what a beautiful car!" the man says, inhaling fresh air as he admires Falcon's appearance." The wheels should fit once I address the centring rings or adapters. I'll get them as soon as we drop off the wheels."

"You're sure about that?" I ask.

"I'm positive. Let's return and gather the rest," he suggests, his contagious excitement evident.

When we get back to the hangar, the streets look familiar. Knowing the quickest way to Falcon makes me feel confident and safe.

We put the new wheels on the car using the centring rings. After we're finished, I search every nook and cranny, hoping to find something to offer. Frustrated, I step out of the car.

"I have nothing at all. Is there anything we can work out?" I ask, hoping for a solution.

"May I?" he points to the car.

Falcon wouldn't mind a ride; it's the least I can do.

"Of course," I say.

"Are you serious?" he asks.

"Yeah," I reply with a smile.

We're heading towards the gate. Grandpa's stroking the steering wheel reminds me of when Emily first drove. The memory stings, and I shake my head, trying to push it away.

When we reach the gate, the watchman in silver armour raises his hand, signalling us to stop.

"Where are you off to?" the guard asks, his voice muffled by his mask.

"Not too far. We'll do a tour around town," the old man says.

"Okay, just don't stay away for too long," he warns.

Grandpa gives me a reassuring smile, and I smile back.

"I've got an old man and a young fellow. They'll be driving around town. Don't shoot. Over," he says into the radio.

The radio crackles, a distorted voice saying, "Understood. Over and out."

The old man wastes no time once the guard says go, and the city flies by on the left as we speed across the salt flats. The thrill of the ride and the beauty of our surroundings fill us with joy.

"I used to own an electric car, too," the old man remarks." An older model, just as beautiful. I see you've made some modifications."

"Yeah, my dad and I have done a lot of work on it. We installed these two solar-powered wings that can harness solar power and double as sails when they're on the roof," I explain.

"Your dad, you say? Where is he?" the man asks.

"My parents are no longer with us," I say.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Did the USR and the Freaks have something to do with it?"

"Yeah, they did. It's okay, though. It's been a while.".

"Hmmm.. How old are you? You seem quite young," he observes.

"Since I've been alone, I've lost track of time. It could be 17, 18, or 20. I'm not sure," I say, realising how much time has blurred together.

"How old were you when your parents passed away?"

"I could have been thirteen, maybe older. We didn't celebrate birthdays."

There's a moment of silence between us.

"May I?" the man asks, pointing to the button that controls the wings.

I glance at the anemometer, checking the wind conditions. It's perfect.

"Go ahead," I say, turning off the electric motor.

He presses the button, and the wings glide to the roof, catching the wind. Now, the sound of air rushing and tyres humming fills our ears.

I love it!

The new wheels and tyres fit. Falcon, you're as good as new. We did it, buddy.

The old man is also enjoying himself with a broad smile.

"Oh, I almost forgot," I say." Antoine says hi."

In response, I'm rewarded with a toothless grin.

I smile back, feeling a surge of warmth and gratitude.

I can't stop thinking about my dream paradise, but things are different now. I see all the people I've encountered on this trip. Emily, Antoine, Vikash, the kids, even the fatty, and this grandpa and his wife. Yeah, even that Flash dude and his crew. They're all there in my jungle.

I'll get there someday.

We return to the parking lot.

"Thank you. I had so much fun. This is more valuable than all gold and silver."

"You don't have to thank me. I owe you. When I'm in the area again, we'll go for another ride," I promise, meaning every word.

"I'll hold you to that. But now, it's time."

"You better go. I wouldn't want your wife to give you a hard time," I tease, a playful wink accompanying my words.

We both laugh, and the old man heads back, whistling a cheerful tune.

"Grandpa!" I call out, catching his attention.

He turns around.

"I might have some crow eggs for you," I say, a mischievous grin forming.

"Eggs?" he asks, puzzled.

"Yeah, crow eggs," I reply, suppressing my laughter.

"There's no need. Keep them for yourself. You'll need them more than I do," he says.

He's right.

"Thank you," I say.

"You're welcome, boy... you're welcome," he says before disappearing.

I get back in Falcon and go into sleep mode. Then, I snag a Miswak, start munching on it, and brush my teeth.

So here I am, in a city where I'm seen as a total legend. I'm not a superhero or anything, but I'm pretty close!

Tomorrow, I'll set off on my journey.

Closing my eyes, I let myself drift into a peaceful sleep, full of hope for the adventures ahead.