There’s Beauty Everywhere
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhrVJrBkVl
“Ez, how much farther are we going?” Aqil looked around as he asked. They weren’t in the nicest part of the quarantine zone, and it was past curfew.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQRdwZIT3Z
“Stop being such a scardey cat.” Ezra looked back at him with a smile.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwesV2aui5
“If dad finds out, we’re both dead meat.” He was visibly nervous as he followed after her.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnEgdrn96o
Ezra stopped in front of the warehouse, unlocking the door and letting Aqil inside. She closed the door behind them and walked over to pull the grate open.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5BLFNdGNc
“Ez…where are we going?” Aqil watched as Ezra jumped down into the trench.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrmXyzjFTZ
“Outside the wall.” She answered simply. “I wanna show you something.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjFogk8b0G
“Don’t just skip over that like you didn’t just say we’re going outside the walls!” He stopped at the edge of the divot. “Ez.” He spoke up again when she didn’t respond, walking into the tunnel. “Ezra.” He called out another time, not getting a response. He was forced to jump down and follow after her.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxRflWKEwl
“I propped the door open last time I came through here.” Ezra finally spoke after Aqil caught up. “So I could bring you along.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR25UbcSfQT
“Ezra, this is a really bad idea. Who knows what’s out there?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV68C4DfNiR
Ezra pushed open the door she had left slightly ajar. She walked over to a workbench and picked up a backpack that Cohen had set up for her. She also took a pistol and held it up for Aqil to see. “I know what’s out there, which is why I’m bringing this.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpR8mOE8Al
Ezra had brought Aqil to an amusement park not far outside of the zone. They didn’t even have to break in, as there was a hole large enough for the both of them to squeeze in. Ezra had taken Aqil to the Ferris wheel, where she started to climb.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSsdVFuq7a
“Okay, this is an even worse idea, Ez.” Aqil sighed, tired of yelling at her. He was thankful they hadn’t run into any of the ‘infected’ Ezra talked about but didn’t want to push it.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJPjBbC3PP
“Come on, Aqil. The view will be worth it.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1VI4Qx0Pu
Aqil sighed deeply before reluctantly following after her.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF0lo6ZyLS
“Have you heard about the infection in the zone?” Ezra called back to him, a good bit ahead of him in the climb.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT3gScgFpD
“In our zone?” He looked up at her in surprise. “You--you mean infected like zombies like you said there are out here?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccTn5bwUUV
“Yeah.” She stopped, looking back at him. “They’ve been killing people to keep the rest of us from turning.” She stated matter-of-factly.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCde1z1ZSw4
“How do you know all of this, Ez? Are you sure it’s even true?” They both hung at their spots a moment.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuFMFXa178
Ezra began climbing again, looking ahead of her for handholds. “Cohen told me. He knows a lot of what’s going on in the city. We have to leave soon, he says.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJepqucSq9t
“I think you’re putting too much faith in this Cohen guy, Ezra. He sounds like he’s bad news.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fHCCgjXCO
“He’s not a bad guy. He’s very helpful. He gets me things from out of the zone whenever I do jobs for him.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fa5iwDtQz
“You work for him?!” Aqil practically yelled out.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHOkLf094H
“Hush.” She shushed him. “And yes. He has me smuggle things for him. Usually from one side of the zone to the other.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pXWXoYnKF
“That’s a really bad idea, Ezra. What if you get caught?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkztmCSkSd
“I won’t.” She stated confidently, taking the last step to pull herself into one of the carriages. She held her hand out to Aqil and helped him in as well.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31oPtXaqzm
“Thanks.” He dusted himself off before taking a seat.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcviNRhjVK
“Hellva view.” Ezra, still standing, looked out over the horizon.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXe9Oqji15
“Don’t just forget our conversation.” Aqil warned, watching her as she softly looked out over the skyline. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Please just stay safe, okay?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8UVCJdq9v
“I will.” She looked back at him with a smile. “I promise.” She pulled a candy bar out of her pocket, handing it over to Aqil. “just one of the many perks I get.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD6Na8xgcP
“What the hell? How did he get this?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBjUxaOvbV
“He has people outside the zone who scavenge what the military hasn’t.” She shrugged, sitting down across from it. “Gimme half.” She held her hand out to him.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4MS7hCVAw
He split half the bar and handed it to her before taking a bite out of his own half. He moaned, leaning back in the cart. “So good. I missed chocolate.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFD2Wpep15
“See? Not so bad.” Ezra laughed.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZFbVFvDPG
“I suppose this is nice.” Aqil looked out over the view, the lights of the zone lighting up in the distance. “I guess there’s beauty everywhere. Even the apocalypse.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQsYM3RYKY
A Baby Shower of Sorts
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVVNVox4Hs
Ezra was playing with Asuka in the fenced-in yard. Aqil pulled into the open gate, waving at her with a smile. He jumped out and waved her over. Ezra picked Asuka up and walked over to him to see what he had in the back of the truck.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCd6TaxDiS
“I got some things for the baby.” He patted the edge of the truck’s bed.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxT2H5fQXE
Ezra handed him the baby tiger and climbed up the tire to look in the bed. From there, she could see a handful of things. A crib, a high chair, and a colorful plastic playhouse.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cizPi6Xa7
“I also got us a baby seat for the truck and some clothes.” He beamed as he spoke.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo4MB7FXBe
Ezra jumped down before touching Aqil’s face, leaning in to gently kiss him. Aqil’s goofy smile stayed on his face as she pulled back. She patted his cheek gently.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eVabL7PeH
“Let’s move the stuff inside.” Ezra walked around to pull the tailgate down. They began bringing to stuff Aqil had gotten inside, finding what little space they had for everything.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuZGZJIhYf
“Guess I’ve got no choice but to keep the kid now.” Ezra joked as she sat down on the couch once they had finished moving furniture around.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85HuWHVyLr
“Guess so.” Aqil laughed. “Cohen told me he has a job for us tomorrow. He wanted us to head over there.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyurrgbrpym
Ezra nodded. “Alright. Any clue what is it?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnvZJKyWZo
“No idea.” Aqil shrugged, finishing setting up the hanging mobile. He walked over to sit down next to Ezra.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HHoNnK6Hs
“You know, Asuka will be a great guard dog for this place, especially when she gets bigger.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt46IQvRzN
“For sure.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zqc4NkMyK
Decade Old Tears
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9xALXqSoO
Ezra and Aqil were sharing the bed. Aqil was cuddled against her back, sharing warmth. Ezra is crying quietly, thinking about her own parents now that she’s going to be one. She silently promises her kid she’s going to be everything her parents weren't. She’ll never abandon them the way they did her.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ZMY6XNAX
Aqil wakes up to her sobs, asking her what’s wrong. She lies, saying it’s nothing and it’s just because of her pregnancy hormones. He asks her to roll over. She does. He cuddles her against him, allowing her to cry into his chest.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL5xSyyzon
Porcelain Doll Syndrome
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeeqWijSFA
“Biotech.” Cohen placed his hands on the table. “They want you two again.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDiPGHRue6
“Really?” Ezra looked at him, surprised. “We must’ve really made an impression.” She looked over at Aqil.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9k1RhcR4i
“No kidding.” He smiled. “Well, what’d they say, Cohen?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1123bEScm
“I’ll give you the correspondence.” He pulled some papers out of his bag and handed them to Aqil.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8alFkblWei
“Cohen…” Ezra took a deep breath. “We have something to tell you.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCubOVoosaa
“Hm?” He looked back over at Ezra.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWTmqCHtuk
She stood up from the table before placing her hand on her growing stomach.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGQs3pkrX6
“You’re…pregnant?” Cohen looked at her with wide eyes. “Who’s the father?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbTceEpz4s
Ezra shrugged. “No clue.” She sat back down at the table. “But yeah. We’re having a baby.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTRIc4ARWJ
“We? Finally gave the boy a chance, huh?” Cohen laughed heartily. “Good for you two.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mVLfzLjjz
“Will you try to convince her that she shouldn’t do jobs now?” Aqil asked Cohen seriously.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAcebK9ayI
“I’m not fragile.” She crossed her arms, shaking her head. “And I’m not letting you go without me.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcZmjkm206
“She’ll be fine. She’s tough.” Cohen took Ezra’s side, causing Aqil to slump down.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGWFsrgj8B
Survival of the Richest
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mhra41UVE
The Humvee pulled to a stop in front of the compound. The large compound was surrounded by concrete and barbed wire walls and fronted by a large gate.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjEywun2c6
“Alright,” Mack spoke up over to headset, “everyone ready to roll out?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zTdjq36SY
“Are you sure we were invited?” Ezra asked, eyeing the guys with guns at the entrance.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgduRDUcHc
“Positive. Biotech has a deal to make with him. You two are just bodyguards, for now. Only shoot if shot at, roger that?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uqj2rP6xd
“Roger.” Ezra and Aqil nodded, though Ezra more surely than him.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm8wgz2ZG3
The Humvee pulled into the gateway after it was opened and started down the main path. Ezra watched out the window as they drove by. Every guard they passed had a gun and a collar, but not everyone seemed to have a collar, interestingly.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU8RQiD2Cf
“What is there to know about this guy?” Ezra asked.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpSWmtTsBB
“He’s started some sort of religion.” Shaheen responded. “His followers go to colonies to convert, enslave, or murder those who live there.” He spat the words out, obviously not supporting them. “They also take all their supplies.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsRC3EvrAk
“Why the fuck is Biotech making a deal with them then?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsebmVkUc2
“Because they have power.” Mack answered simply.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JVveeshUy
“I’d say I expected better from them, but I’d be lying.” Ezra crossed her arms over her chest, frowning.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4vDZ9tyE9
Eventually, they arrived at the main building of the compound, an old church. They exited the Humvee, Mack eyeing Ezra’s stomach once more. He no doubt knew she was pregnant but wasn’t going to bring it up now.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Hgxn0iON
The conversation was boring, leading Ezra to zone out and not listen to the leader’s ramblings, but she perked up as soon as there was gunfire outside. She grabbed out her gun and looked over at Aqil, who did the same.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawyOSyd9sv
“Mack?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31TLOc9A0L
“I heard it.” He glanced over at him.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5qSCPJoOs
“Must be those damn raiders again.” The leader cursed under his breath. “Kill them and our deal is complete.” The leader stood up from his makeshift throne.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LTkaDn8JJ
“Aqil.” Ezra whispered to him as they got into position behind the pews, watching the door of the church. “What if those ‘raiders’ are just people from one of the colonies they attacked?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4YImJBZD2
“What if they’re not?” He shrugged uncertainly. “Raiders aren’t uncommon out here.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkLFZcWrk6
“Let’s go.” She grabbed his arm, pulling him along as she moved to the side door.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpAijpNvWN
“Fall back.” Mack spoke over the comms.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V4OcEdJbA
“I’m not being paid well enough to sit around and help some rich asshole help another rich asshole.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCIl6OI108
“Ezra, come on.” Mack tried.” I don’t like it more than you do, but we have a job. You know that.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dmqFQhy7x
Ezra stood up fully and pointed her gun at the leader. He quickly put his hands up and cowered in fear. “Get up.” She stomped over to him, putting her gun to his head. “Where are your valuables?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98nP8VG0Yc
“You can’t just let her do this!” The man pleaded to the Biotech soldiers. “You need me.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIK5gic9fP
“No, we don’t.” Mack shook his head, speaking after a while of silence. “Listen to the lady.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZLc2jX2gP
The man looked up at Ezra in fear, scrambling out of his chair. Ezra picked him up by the collar and pulled him to his feet. “Take us. Now.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybFONwtRY
The man lead the group to a office, moving a painting out of the way to reveal a safe. He began unlocking it, begging for his life. Ezra waited for him to open it, before smearing his brains all over the wall.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDpH8EAsiA
“Ezra!” Mack yelled out.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N7VRbmFTy
“Take his loot and let this place sort out itself.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4SBBYlyZ8
“Biotech isn’t going to be happy with you two after this.” Mack ran his fingers through his hair.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0UMonpy13
“I’m not in the mood to play their sick games, fucking more people over.” Ezra shook her head.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkTnqJnmYZ
“How long you’ve been pregnant for?” Felix quietly asked, more interested in that.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmphh0EEmn
“I-” Ezra looked at them in surprise. “Few months now.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bMl37Fqfz
“I know Sebastian will be mad,” Felix looked over at Mack, “but what if we blame it on the raiders? Say we got there afterwards.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9C7a9DpYb
Mack nodded slowly. “Shaheen?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPRmZn2zLv
“You know I am no fan of that man. I think Ezra did the right thing.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhq2APvW3O
“I’m kinda in agreement.” Felix shrugged weakly.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLg9as0Roj
Mack took a deep breath. “No one tells him different, squad.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5hZQ8oXnG
“Roger that!” The two echoed each other.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclMfnVWkPh
Air-Tight Life
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhILmWkyhVB
“Ez!” Aqil called out as she pulled into the driveway, jumping out of the truck as soon as he stopped. He jogged into the house, a package in his arms. “Ez!” He smiled as he saw her laying down on the couch, a bowl of food resting on her large stomach.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkqKyVi4g5
“What? What?” She attempted to sit up, looking confused by his excitement.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXJYsjJYP4
“I got something for you. I traded a few things for it, and I thought you’d like it.” He set the package down on the coffee table.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4pDig5AWB
She moved, so she was sitting normally to hover over the package. She peeked inside, seeing a glass globe with plant life inside. “Damn, that’s cool.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgtwakneq9
“It’s been sealed for twenty years, and after all that time, life flourishes inside.” He paused for a moment. “There’s always beauty; sometimes you’ve just got to look for it.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58GCbOfRek
There’s Beauty Here
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG4lIcwBqx
“Aqil, Aqil.” Ezra shook him awake.
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwnKsfUYzb
He shot up in the bed. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzQ5p0z51w
“Yes, everything is fine.” She smiled, trying to reassure him. “Just give me your hand.” He held his hand out to her. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach, where the baby was kicking. She smiled over at him, teary-eyed. “You’re right, Aqil. There is beauty in this shitty world.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9qphbmL3E
Aqil moved over to kiss her, running her fingers through her hair. “There is.”
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjBk0F0w6s
105Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ8akbFhKN
