Michio smiled, “I see that you remember me. I like that.”
“I try not to forget people,” Darren said.
“Have you considered my previous offer?” Michio asked.
“We have, and we won’t join you,” Darren said.
“Thats is a pity,” Michio said.
Darren had his handgun out and aimed at Michio.
“He’s got a gun.” Michio said, “Fancy that. Do you know how to use it.”
A color gang member leaned into Michio.
“That’s the one that we chased in the wastes a couple days ago.” The gang member said.
“The monster that shot Gigi?” Michio asked.
“Yes.” The gang member said, “He’s the Dark Rider.”
“I see that I have a reputation,” Darren said.
“Gigi died cause of you,” Michio said.
“He shouldn’t have attacked us.” Darren said, “Then I wouldn’t have had to do that.”
Michio glared down the barrel of the handgun.
“Get going.” Michio said, “Don’t let me run into you again.”
Darren and Yuki rode away from the color gang.
The route that Yuki lead Darren down wasn’t straight. The way was more of a zigzag. Multiple times, the street came to an end, and they had to turn. Numerous times they came across roadblocks, both man-made with guards behind them and unintentional ones made by falling rubble.
After a couple hours of riding, and a few miles down the road, Darren checked his watch. His watch said that it was eight in the morning.
They had ridden past many bodies scattered along the streets. The burned out cars, and buildings were everywhere. Darren felt eyes watching him as he rode past.
“We should stop and find shelter soon,” Darren said.
Yuki looked at the ruined landmarks.
“I know of a place,” Yuki said.
“What place?” Darren asked.
“The Katana Club,” Yuki said.
“Katana club?”
“Yes. Its close by, in a small industrial area.”
“Its partly hidden from view and has no window.” Yuki said, “If we can get there, we can be safe for a few hours. Dry out.”
Clouds of ash threatened to block out the sun. Darren and Yuki pulled into the mostly empty parking lot that the Katana Club was based out of. Darren could see piles of ash that coated places where the rain didn’t wash it away. He wondered if it was still falling from the sky or if the eruptions had stopped.
“Why isn’t the club in a high school?” Darren asked.
“Cause the high school said we already have a sword fighting club. Denied the club. So we pooled money together and rented this place.” Yuki said.
“Are we going to find anyone here?” Darren asked.
“I don’t know.” Yuki said, “I doubt it.”
The two of them pulled up to a simple metal door. No lettering was on or around the door.
“I’ll go in and check it out,” Darren said.
“I should,” Yuki said.
Darren turned to look at Yuki. She glanced nervously at Darren.
“Cause if there’s a member of the Katana Club in there,” Yuki said, “then they’ll recognize me, while they’ll see you as an invading Gaijin and probably attack first. Ask questions later.”
Chapter 27
Yuki walked up to the door and stood beside it. She took a key from her pocket and unlocked the door.
“Hello.” Yuki said, “Anyone there? It’s Yuki.”
She stepped into the small Katana Club. Darren watched her shine her flashlight around the club.
“Its clear,” Yuki said,
Darren followed her into the club with their bikes.
The Katana club was a small twelve foot wide by fifty foot long space. Inside the club was a large area where floor mats were laid down on the floor. Couches and other comfortable places to sit lined the walls. A big screen was up against the other wall.
All over the place, Darren saw signs that people had been living here recently. Sleeping bags and blankets were strewn across the floor. Discarded clothes and food wrappers were all over the place.
“It looks like they’ve been here,” Yuki said as she walked around the place.
“Looks like recently,” Darren said.
“It also looks like they’re out of most supplies.” Yuki said, “There’s nothing left here.”
“No water, food.” Darren said, “Or even medicine. Its all scraps.”
Yuki turned to Darren.
“What’s the plan?” Yuki asked.
“We sleep in shifts.” Darren said, “We leave after dark.”
“And if someone from the Katana Club comes back?” Yuki asked.
“We give them some food, thanks and be on our way,” Darren said.
“Why not have them join us?” Yuki asked.
Darren was nervous at the thought. Was it cause he didn’t want to risk what he had with Yuki or was it that he didn’t want to share the food.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Darren said, “More mouths to feed means our supplies will run out faster.”
“I understand that,” Yuki said.
“I also don’t know what type of animals they’ve become.” Darren said, “Remember those color gang kids.”
“You have a point.” Yuki said, “Let’s get some sleep.”
Darren took the first shift. Yuki quickly fell asleep.
After only an hour had passed, Darren heard the distinct sound of a key in the door. Darren moved into a shadow for when the door opened up.
Yuki was up too. She looked over at Darren. She nodded and took a deep breath.
Two young skinny boys walked in the door. They were both Japanese, and both looked to be about Darren’s age. If you accounted for the fact that they both looked like they hadn’t eaten very well in the last two weeks.
“Who’s there?” the first boy yelled and held a baseball bat threatening.
“Intruders show yourself.” The second yelled.
Darren had his handgun pointed at the two teenagers.
Darren cocked his handgun, making the distinct handgun loading sound.
The two Japanese teenagers stopped in their tracks.
“We don’t have anything.” The first said much quieter.
“Drop your weapons,” Darren said.
The baseball bat fell to the ground.
“Close and lock the door,” Darren said.
The first boy closed the door, and the room dropped back into darkness.
“Yuki.” Darren said, “Do you know these two?”
Yuki turned on her flashlight. She aimed it at the ceiling to bounce the light around, lighting her up.
“Yuki?” The second boy said, “It is Ryoo and Seiji.”
Yuki pointed the flashlight at them. A dark hunger showed in their eyes. While the two young teens looked gaunt and sickly, Yuki looked trim and fit. There was no fat on Yuki’s bones, but toned muscle. The comparison was very distinct.
“Sit.” Yuki said, “Or my friend over their puts a bullet in your guts.”
The two teens sat on the ground.
Yuki walked to within ten feet of them and sat down.
“Where are the rest?” Yuki said.
“They…” Ryoo began, but Seiji hit him with the back of his hand.
“Don’t say anything.” Seiji said, “Yuki’s turned evil like the rest. Tell her nothing.”
“But Seiji.” Ryoo said, “Look at her. She must have food. Maybe we can get her to give us some.”
“We don’t beg,” Seiji said.
“But I’m hungry.”
“Enough.” Seiji said, “I doubt they have any bullets for that gun anyways.”
Yuki aimed her flashlight at Darren. She started at his feet and aimed it up his body, stopping at his arms.
Darren covered his eyes as he felt the light shine on him.
“That’s enough Yuki.” Darren said, “Please don’t kill my night vision.”
The light disappeared, and Darren took his hand away.