Were Apocalypse

Chapter Five: Pip

Faolan, Bebe, and Pip walked along the road for most of the day without saying much of anything. The horror and tragedy of the night still haunted their minds. Occasionally, they would speak to each other, but these were short and never more than a few words. At length, they halted and found a little space in the woods to make camp for the night.

“I’ll go gather some firewood,” Pip said as he walked deeper into the woods. The air about the deer hung heavily, and Faolan understood. He felt that same loss a few days ago. Although to him it felt like years had passed since that happened.

“We should probably find some food. I know I’m hungry,” Faolan said as Bebe chirped.

“Not to worry Faolan. I detect several edible organic foods within walking distance of this camp. The closest one is due south, approximately a mile,” BEBE said as Faolan smiled.

“All right, we should let Pip know where we’re going,” Faolan said as BEBE spun.

“I’ll let you do that. I can tell he needs the company of a warm-blooded creature,” BEBE chirped as Faolan tilted his head in confusion.

“Now what did she mean by that,” Faolan thought as BEBE zoomed out of sight. Faolan shook his head and trailed after Pip.

Faolan walked through the forest littered with remnants of an old city long forgotten by the world. Some of the buildings still stood, but many more fell into decay and neglect. Faolan wondered what life was like back then, and if it was better or worse. He did not know, but a great tragedy happened that literally changed humanity’s fate.

Soon, Faolan heard a light humming on the wind and instantly knew it was Pip. The tune was unfamiliar to Faolan, but Pip had a rich baritone voice that softly carried the tune. Something sad from long ago, when music was widespread, many people gathered for miles to listen to the musician play their songs. As Faolan approached, he heard the distinct sound of water flowing nearby. He saw a wide river rushing southward to places unknown to him. There, on the bank, sat Pip with a bundle of firewood next to him and knees drawn up to his chest.

Faolan slowly sat down beside him, not saying anything because he understood too well the pain that Pip experienced. It was the kind of pain that words could not heal. Only time could heal such wounds, and even then, it may not fully mend.

“I wanted to blame you for what happened, but it’s not your fault either,” Pip said as Faolan listened quietly. “The truth is, I wanted revenge, but as angry as I am, I can’t simply take another’s life needlessly. It is against everything I was ever taught.”

“It sounds like your father was a wise person,” Faolan said, looking at the river before them.

Pip smiled warmly, catching Faolan off guard, and that awakening feeling grew a little brighter. “Yes, my father was wise, though sometimes not. He, like many of my kind, had a mistrust of predators like people.”

“That’s… understandable. Many hunters fail to distinguish between sentient and non-sentient beings. To them, prey is prey, no matter what form it takes,” Faolan said, trying to sound comforting, but he felt his words fumble.

Pip leaned towards Faolan a little, almost touching when BEBE came zooming through the trees, “Demon! I found a more suitable place for us to camp, and it has food!”

“Wait! Who is Demon?” Pip asked, his face creasing into a slight smile.

“Oh, that is the wolf’s name. I recorded it in my memory banks when we first met,” BEBE chirped.

“No, my name is not Demon. Don’t call me that,” Faolan sighed in frustration.

“Noted. Now come on!” BEBE said as they arose together and followed the excited robot.

“Okay, you have to tell me why she calls you demon,” Pip said as Faolan sighed again.

“Because when I first met her, my uncle had just been taken by a machine and at that time, I assumed all machines were demons,” Faolan said as BEBE cut him off.

“Yep, he called me Demon when we first met. He is a silly wolfy. My designation is B52, but you can call me BEBE,” BEBE chirped.

“Isn’t B52 a type of plane?” Pip asked as Faolan shrugged.

“It is! It’s also the name of an archaic music group if I’m not too mistaken,” BEBE said as they neared a large facility. The sun dipped below the horizon, and night was upon them.

“Who would want to name themselves after a plane?” Pip asked as Faolan just shook his head. He knew very little about the world beyond what Lyall had told him.

Faolan looked up at the old, broken-down sign on the building. The passage of time had not been kind, as some of the letters faded, but it was just enough for Faolan to see. “What is a Twinkie?”

Pip shrugged as Faolan approached the sign and slowly placed his hand on the image. A distant memory came flooding back to him as tears formed at the corner of his eyes.

“Hey, pup, you want one?” said Dr. Rhoan, who was eating something that Faolan did not know, but it smelled divine. Dr. Rhoan broke off a piece and gave it to the pup. The flavor burst on the wolf’s tongue, very sweet with the sponge-like texture that was light and airy. It was a delight like he had never had before or had again.

Suddenly, Faolan came crashing back to the present, landing on his knees. The tears streamed down the sides of his face and expressed a sadness he did not understand nor feel was his.

“Faolan, are you okay?” Pip asked, sounding concerned. He lowered down to Faolan’s side, hands almost touching.

“I’m… alright. Another memory from long ago. I got my answer to what a twinkie is or was. This place is so old, I’d doubt that any are left, but BEBE said there was food,” Faolan said as BEBE chirped.

“That I did, but I don’t think they’re twinkies,” BEBE said as she spun in midair.

Faolan rose to his feet; the warmth of Pip did not go unnoticed, and it was a strength that Faolan did not understand consciously, but his body knew.

“Okay, lead the way,” Faolan said to BEBE.

BEBE chirped loudly as she zoomed off. Faolan and Pip ran closely behind her, trying to keep track of her in the dark. Soon, they arrived at a door on the south side of the building that stood open. Faolan hesitated for a moment, and Pip noticed.

“What? What is it?” Pip said as he looked and saw the same scratch marks on this door as on the house with the pink mustang.

Faolan sniffed the air a few times, but nothing seemed out of place except for a weird, pungent smell of sugar. He listened to the surrounding area, but again, nothing came to his ears.

“Maybe… Maybe it’s nothing,” Faolan said as he slowly entered the doorway.

The air inside was extremely warm. Almost stifling Faolan as he slowly followed the distant light from BEBE’s lens. Even with his night vision, Faolan had trouble seeing in the total darkness as he and Pip crept along together.

“Why does the air smell so sweet in here? It’s almost toxic,” Pip said in a loud whisper, but in the silence, it might as well have been a yell. The darkness seemed to press down upon them like a great weight, dampening their mood to the point of near exhaustion.

“It’s the sugar they used to make the twinkies,” BEBE said some way off down the hall.

Finally, they found BEBE hovering in a smaller room. From the small light, Faolan looked around and saw boxes upon boxes of non-perishable food and other supplies, such as medicine, guns of different shapes and sizes, and gear that looked in fair condition, all sitting on shelves lining the outer walls. Instead of being relieved, Faolan’s uneasiness grew even more, as if something or someone was watching them from the darkness.

“I don’t think we should be here,” Faolan said as he quickly sniffed the air again. The overwhelming scent of sugar came back along with something foul that lingered underneath. Faolan froze with fear as his ears turned in each direction and picked up subtle patters on the floor outside the door.

“Faolan, do you hear that,” Pip asked as BEBE lens suddenly turned red.

“I’m detecting several creatures approaching from outside this room,” BEBE said as she switched her lens back to normal.

Faolan looked around the room and noticed they were trapped. There was no other exit except for the one they entered. “Everyone, move back!” Faolan said as he lifted a spear and readied himself.

Suddenly, a massive bug the size of a horse crashed through the wall. Faolan threw the spear hard, and it bounced off the insect’s hard exoskeleton. Pip ran forward and sliced off one of the insect’s legs as it hissed and clicked with anger.

“What are these things?” Faolan said.

“Roaches!” Pip said with disgust.

Faolan jumped high over a roach that charged at him. The roach crashed into the wall, sending supplies everywhere. Before Faolan could react, two more roaches were on him. He pulled out his machete and sliced at the bugs, but he was overpowered. They sent him flying into the wall as the shelf came crashing down on top of him.

“Faolan!” Pip and BEBE cried together.

Suddenly, a spark grew in the deerman’s eye. The edges of his body started to glow slightly as he poised himself in a stance as if he were about to dance. Then, as Faolan poked out from under the wreckage, he saw Pip move with a strange, almost after-image effect as the blade sliced down, roaches right and left. The speed at which this happened was far beyond what Faolan knew was possible. What amazed Faolan the most was the trail of rainbow color that seemed to follow Pip like an aura that clung to his body. Once again, not a single motion was wasted as the deer completed his dance and roaches lay dead at his feet.

Faolan slowly crawled out from under the wreckage, escaping with minor bruises. He slowly walked up to Pip with amazement, wonder, and a hint of fear at the sheer immense power he had displayed only seconds ago. “What… was that?” Faolan asked as the first word hung heavily in the air.

“That was amazing! Pip is a graceful dancer!” BEBE said as Pip smiled.

“It is a secret technique unique to my clan specifically. Every werebeast has at least one powerful… well we call it a dance but… ability would describe it, too,” Pip said as the smile warmed Faolan’s heart.

“I agree with BEBE. That was amazing. But you said every werebeast has at least one. Is it supernatural?” Faolan asked, but before Pip could answer, BEBE cut in.

“No, Faolan. It seems supernatural, but Papa told me once that the traits that Pip and all werebeast exhibit are a natural course of evolution. It is biologically tied to their life energy,” BEBE said.

Faolan suddenly looked horrified and said, “So if anyone overuses that ability, it could kill them?”

“Well, yes… and no—” Pip began, but was cut off by a sudden noise in the facility.

“We must leave! Gather what supplies you can and put them in these backpacks over here,” BEBE said as Pip and Faolan scrambled for any food and medicine they could find.

The pattering of feet returned just as they exited the room. Soon, they ran across the vast space in the dark, BEBE providing the only light source. Faolan followed closely after BEBE; his vision extended past the light, and his blood ran cold at the multitude of roaches that swarmed the factory. He instinctively grabbed Pip’s hand without realizing it and picked up speed.

“Faolan, stop. You’re squeezing too hard. What’s wrong…” Pip’s voice was cut off as they all halted, surrounded once again by the onslaught of roaches. The smell was horrid to Faolan, and he now understood why the sugar had a toxicity mixed in with it.

The roaches slowly moved in closer and closer to their prey, clicking their pincers and whispering something that Faolan could hear but did not understand. The roaches inched forward, savoring their delight at fresh meat.

Then, suddenly, they heard a shout. “Everyone, cover your eyes!”

Faolan and Pip quickly covered their eyes. Suddenly, as if the sun had appeared in the middle of the room, a bright white ball flashed and exploded with the force of a bomb. The roaches instantly scattered in fear, trampling over each other to escape the blinding light. Their shrieks of horror were audible to everyone present as Faolan detected the faint sounds of curses being thrown their way.

Finally, the light dimmed to a soft glow, just enough to illuminate their path out of the facility. A figure stood in the doorway and said, “Quickly, before the roaches regain their courage. Come!”

As they all exited the building, Faolan reluctantly let go of Pip’s hand as the figure threw two objects into the building and said, “RUN!”

They all ran a few feet before the hold facility went up in one massive explosion, knocking Faolan, Pip, and the figure off their feet. They landed several feet away on the ground and looked back. The sound of the roaches’ scream could be heard at this distance, and it was a horrifying and eerie thing to hear from Faolan’s perspective.

Slowly, they got back up and looked at the figure, who had his head covered by a hood and a face mask with goggles over his eyes. Faolan stepped forward and said, “Whoever you are, thank you.”

Suddenly, the figure knocked Faolan off his feet and held a katana to Faolan’s neck. BEBE and Pip were made to move, but the figure held up a hand.

“If you really wish to thank me? Be more careful about the places you enter, Faolan,” The figure said.

“You seem to know my name. Who are you?” Faolan asked, teeth bared.

The figure took off his hood and mask. The first thing Faolan noticed was the crimson fur and the pointed ears on his head. “A fox?” Faolan thought as the fox looked down at him with striking blue eyes.

“I am a friend. I am Atlas,” Atlas said as he shook, and a long, red, furry tail sprang free from inside his trenchcoat. The fox offers Faolan a hand, who reluctantly takes it and is surprised by Atlas’s strength. Faolan found himself on his feet again.

“What was all that about?” Pip asked.

Atlas turned to him and said, “You are of the deer tribe north of here, or… what’s left of it. To answer your question, you better than anyone should know better than entering random buildings, especially at night. Where do you think the roaches hide during the day?”

“We were looking for a place to make camp and we needed food,” Faolan said as Atlas turned back to him.

“So, you go where the roaches are? I should’ve believed Lyall taught you better than that. Wolves, you are all the same. Handsome as hell but dumber than a box of rocks,” Atlas said as Faolan huffed at this comment, but did not miss the compliment or the fact that this fox knows Lyall.

“I like rocks! I collect them,” BEBE said as the fox smiled warmly at her.

“Wait, how do you know Lyall?” Faolan asked as the fox looked at him.

“I knew your entire clan before Bog wiped a good portion of them out. But some remain,” Atlas said as his face softened. “You look so much like your father.”

The fox looks at Pip and back at Faolan. “By the gods, now I’ve seen everything.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that?” Pip said as the fox looked at BEBE.

“You can see it too, yes?” Atlas said as BEBE floated over to the fox’s side and looked at Pip and Faolan.

“Oh, wow. I never noticed that before. That’s too cute,” BEBE said as both Faolan and Pip looked utterly confused.

“Hmm, you’re right. They do seem cute and still blossoming. Into what, time will only tell,” Atlas said with a look that made Faolan feel like the fox was seeing through him.

“I’m not sure what you mean, fox,” Pip said, sounding annoyed.

Atlas just waved him off, “Don’t trouble your mind over it right now. It’s really Faolan’s fault and even he’s not aware of what’s happening.”

“Wait, what are you talking about…” Faolan started, but an explosion from the nearby factory interrupted him.

“We must move quickly. I’ve been tracking you for days since I heard about the large explosion in the northern boundaries of what used to be Tennessee. That explosion rocked the entire region and was heard for miles around,” Atlas said, gathering up his gear and walking off down the trail.

Faolan shook his head and let the other matter die and said, “The massive building exploding was partially my fault. I tried to get Lyall back and…” Tears welled up in Faolan’s eyes. “I tried. I almost succeeded, but…”

Atlas turned back to him and hugged him. Faolan froze; he’d never been hugged like this before, and it was both foreign and yet comforting. Faolan slowly wrapped his arms around the fox, who said, “I know. You were brave, my lad. But sometimes things happen beyond our control. Don’t worry. We will get Lyall back.”

“That’s what I told him!” BEBE said as she chirped.

“You should listen to your robot friend. She is a smart one,” Atlas said as BEBE cooed again.

Pip looked a little flustered when Atlas hugged Faolan, but let the matter rest. However, unlike Faolan, Pip understood some of the feelings he had towards Faolan. He cherished it when Faolan took his hand and dreaded it when he let go.

“How much food and supplies did you manage to grab before leaving the small room?” Atlas asked as both Faolan and Pip checked their packs.

Faolan found his bag full of canned food along with several med packs. He even managed to find a long, military-grade hunting knife and a canteen. Pip had similar contents in his bag plus a fire starter kit.

“It seems very odd we found these in there. Unless there were people living in that small room before the roaches invaded,” Faolan said as he looked over their supplies.

“Now that’s the first smart thing you’ve said this entire time,” Atlas said as he playfully punched Faolan’s shoulder.

“Ow, stop,” Faolan said as Atlas laughed.

“You are correct. Someone did live there at one point, until the roaches ate them,” Atlas said as he looked at the contents. “Not bad for almost getting yourselves killed.”

After that, they packed everything up again and traveled down the road once more. The ruins of the city lay far behind them as the vegetation overtook many parts of the scenery as they walked underneath the stars. Finally, at sunup, they found a quiet place inside a roach-free building to camp and sleep. Faolan was so tired he forgot to eat and slipped into an uneasy sleep.

Author's Note:
Revisiting this chapter reminded me how far I’ve come as a storyteller. For the first time, I didn’t just read the scene, I felt it. The emotions, the tension, the growth… it all landed in a way I never expected when I first began this journey.

I hope you experience that same connection as you read, and that this chapter shows you why I love writing this world so much. Thank you for being here to witness it.