The Wastes of Michigan

Jacob

It's been the fifth time I've woken up this night. I'm terribly exhausted at this point. Twilight and Jacob are still sound asleep as well as everyone else in the damn store.

For now, I just lie in silence and contemplate on my life. I think on my past experiences. Like my first night in the open wilderness. Remembering how scared I was to sleep alone. How terrible my first kill was. The time I hunted and gutted my first dog. The times I almost died. The scars I've collected. Any good memories that I can muster from my mind. Most of those good memories had Davey in them.

Looking back now, it seems like ages ago since we first met. I remember the day perfectly. I tried to return the toddler back to the DMC, but he made it clear that he wanted to be outside the walls and stay far away from the city. I'd eventually find out that Davey was orphaned and how he very much didn't like being juggled from home to home. As a child, he grew up idolizing the Scavenger team as pioneers, celebrities, even heroes. When he stuck with me, he learned real quick that being a Scavenger wasn't anything like he imagined. Yet he stayed with me through thick and thin.

Despite his weakness in strength, Davey made a hell of a Scavenger. He mastered more skills than I ever will which turned him into a distinguishable character. Skills like tracking, hunting prey, and opening locked doors made Davey look like a prodigy. Then there's the DMC who are constantly trying their hardest to recruit him into the guard, yet he always refuses the offer. I have to force him sometimes to go along with the training squads and learn the rules required to become a DMC guard. He agrees, but he makes a point to not sign any paperwork to become one. He likes being a Scavenger. Or maybe he likes to stay with me. If Davey becomes a guard, his life in the DMC would be set in stone. This is something I want for him even he doesn't think it's the best option for the both of us. I've had my chance and I blew it to smithereens. He needs to worry about his own future, not mine.

Hmm...

Speaking of future, what about that Unicorn? Just another day of walking and we'll be at the checkpoint where we'll drop her off. She'll call her friends and leave. End of story.

But what if her friends don't answer her? Tch. Not really my problem.

I look toward the Unicorn gently sleeping in what use to be my mummy bag. Twilight took advantage of the night, using this precious time to gather her strength. Then there's me who couldn't even close his own eyes for a good five minutes. She had a blissful face on, not even making a sound. She looked a little unkempt but that only made her look more adorable. Kinda makes me want to fix her up as a kind gesture. Maybe then she'll apologize to me.

...

...What am I saying? Where the hell did that came from?!

Now that I think about it, there was an odd feeling brought out when she used magic for the first time. Something that tugged at the heartstrings. An emotion that I've felt before but not as strongly. It was a warm feeling. A feeling of...completeness? Warmth? Happiness? I'm describing it but not really hitting the name of it. A feeling close to something I share with Davey but much more refined in quality. The name is off the tip of my tongue. If only I can-

"Jacob. Are you awake?"

A whispering dark figure to my right was crouched before me. I didn't even notice he was there until he spoke to me.

"Yeah, I'm up. What do you want Floyd?"

Floyd just remained hovering over me before he stood back up. "Come with me. Let's talk a while."

"Can't you see I'm trying to sleep here?"

"If you were trying, you would've been asleep already instead of staring at your little friend over there," He gestured to Twilight. "Come on."

He waits for me to get up from my makeshift bed. Afterwards, I look to my backpack then back to him.

"You won't need it. We're just heading to the back. To talk with some of the fellas."

A sharp suspicion crosses my mind. "What about?"

He bobs his head side to side. "Just some concerns." He saw how doubtful I might have looked. "It's nothing Jacob. Just a talk."

We silently walked toward the back end of the market. I thought all the back entrances were blocked by the empty shelves, but Floyd proved me wrong when he moved a large piece of plywood that was covering a door. On the other side of this door was some kind of supervisors room. It had the usual office debris that seems to replicate itself everywhere else in Michigan. This room had a wide window view, now shattered fragments of glass, that overlooked the docking bay where trucks came in to unload their cargo. Again, the shelves were completely void of any product that may have once been there. There was one small cargo truck left behind. It bared the logo of this market but the paint is fading and the metal was giving to rust. Just beside this forlorn truck were three other men sitting on wooden crates. A small lantern was placed on a nearby shelf which gave off very little light. Thanks to my one artificial eye, I was able to better see all these details than anyone else.

Floyd walked on to an empty crate and sat on it. I stood standing beside him. For the first few tense moments, the men just stared at me.

Then it hit me. These were the few of many who participated in my mock auction that was selling Twilight. Floyd was included in that group. I knew now what they wanted to talk about.

"You guys really must want her."

"When you try to sell an exotic animal to us then suddenly pull out, it's bound to make a few of us angry." One of them said.

"It was just a fucking joke." I groan out.

"A joke you shouldn't have done." Looking back now, it was really fucking stupid of me to do that. I didn't have anything to gain but I still did it for laughs. Now I'm going to pay for being such an idiot.

"...So what? You guys gonna kill me then steal the unicorn afterwards?" My hands were clenched tight, ready to throw a fist if I had to.

"No Jacob," Spoke Floyd. "we aren't so cold blooded. Let's just...renegotiate a price for her."

"She's not for sale."

"Just listen to us. Take a look at what we have to offer you." He pulls out an iconic black case and opens it. It was a Nanorobot Medical Kit filled with three refills. Just one refill can save you from an early grave while also giving faster healing rate. A miracle concoction with a modern touch. These kits, especially the refills, were all but extinct outside of DMC territory. A single one can be traded for handfuls of bullets and food to last for days. Possible more if the buyer is desperate.

I remember him offering me two suspension refills yesterday but he didn't have proof of having them. So I declined his offer. But Floyd is showing me his price of three refills. Seeing them now, I was tempted to take his offer but I am a man of my word. Twilight has pulled her weight of the group and I can't just forsake her now.

"This might not be enough for the unicorn so the fellas are going to pitch in." The other three men pulled out their own commodities from behind the crates they sat on. A fully loaded rifle that is in decent shape. A relatively well kept gas mask complete with an air filter. No telling if it was full or not. Then there was a military issue body vest. Bad condition by the way. It offered a modest amount of protection from stray bullets, but it's efficiency is definitely in question.

"All of this can be yours. The things we're trading will put a damper on us. So you can see how much we really want her with us."

I looked at all that was to be offered. It pained me to have to decline. "No deal."

Floyd let a a typical old geyser sigh. "Can't blame us for not trying. C'mon fellas. Let's go." They make to put away their goods and leave before I stop them.

"Why do you guys want Twilight so much?"

"Are you dumb or something?" Said one of the men who hasn't spoken yet. "It's a god damn unicorn! That can do magic and talk! Of course we'd want something like that."

"So that's just it? She was just unique?"

Another man spoke. "She's really good with the kids. Can comfort them when she has too. That can be another thing she can do."

Then the third man spoke. "Not only all that. But her magic did something to everyone of us. Something that left a warm feeling in our chests. We want more of that feeling."

They finally had my full attention.

The man continued. "It was such a brief moment of warmth. I talked it out with the fellas and they felt the same exact thing. At the same time the unicorn used magic. It was something we needed to feel again." The last line sounded a little on the edge of creepy. Too eager.

I looked to Floyd. "You felt the same thing too?"

He nodded slowly. "It was the most pleasant feeling I ever had. Close to the time of my wedding night. Only better." He tried to describe this feeling some more. "Like getting hugged by your momma for the first time in years. Like seeing someone you care about being happy. Like bottled love. Pure, warm love." He licked his lips. "And we all had a single drop to drink."

...

"You felt it too right?"

"...I have."

"And what did you think of it?"

"..." They know. They know I'm starting to like it. From what the other's just told me, this is starting to sound addictive. I can't show my true feelings toward it.

"I know it's there. But I'm trying to resist it."

"What for?" Demanded Floyd.

"It's not...natural to do that. Especially since she's doing it with her crazy magic."

"You're going to cut off her horn then?" One of the men said.

I squinted my eyes at that person. "Nothing that cruel. Fuck." I sighed and rubbed my face against the palm of my hand. "I'll talk to her about it. What she's doing to all of us."

"Gonna tell her to stop using magic?"

"...No. It's too useful to just make her stop. Maybe I'll try to get her to explain what it is." And then she can put a stop to that instead of stopping her magic all together.

"So she ain't for sale?"

"No."

No one had anything else to say. We soon filed out of the docking bay and separated to our respected camping sites. As I approached mine, I saw that Twilight wasn't there. Did they fucking snatch her up while I was gone? Those fucking back stabbing-.

I stop when I saw Twilight sitting over by the front of the store, staring through the intact window and into the blue sky. It was early morning now.

I debated whether or not to go to bed right now and try to catch an hour or two of sleep. I decided to walk up next to Twilight. She glanced over her shoulder to see who was walking up to her before she turned back to the sky. I sit down next to her, leaving a small gap between us.

"Morning sunshine."

"..."

"You're not mad at me are you?"

"Where were you just now?" She said without breaking eye contact to the plain sky.

"Just talking with some people."

"Can I ask what about?"

"Uh...," Might as well come clean. "They wanted to know if they can still buy you."

"Mm." Her expressions was the same. A small frown.

"I said no, you know."

"Okay."

"...They offered some real useful stuff too. But I still said no."

"I believe you Jacob."

"Good. Just, making the point across. It was just a joke."

"Not a really good joke. At all."

"Yeah."

What the hell was so important about this damn sky? A few clouds, some sunshine. Maybe she's thinking.

"Jacob?"

"Yeah?"

"Who raises the sun?"

"What." What the hell is she talking about?

"The sun. Does someone in the DMC raise and lower your sun and moon?"

"No. They move on their own."

That made her stop looking out the window and turn to me. She looked very puzzled. Confused. "How can they do that though? Are you sure no one here does that?"

"It's a fucking ball of fire and a rock in space. Um..." C'mon. It hasn't been that long since I've been out of school. "Uh...we revolve around the sun...The sun doesn't move. The Earth does. And the moon moves around the Earth." I droned out the choppy facts that I remember about our solar system. I never did like science let alone astronomy. "Yeah...no one can actually move the sun or the moon. It's impossible."

"You wouldn't know the science behind your claim, would you?"

"No I don't. I don't remember any of the workings. All I know is that I'm right. Where did you even come up with that?" I'm almost certain she will say 'Magic of course!'.

"Remember those princesses I mentioned yesterday? When we were in the woods?"

"I do. Celestial and Lunar."

"Celestia and Luna, Jacob." She corrected me. "Not only are they the rulers of Equestria, they are also goddesses." She looks back to staring out the window. "Immortal beings that share a special bond to their corresponding celestial entity. Princess Celestia controls the sun. And Princess Luna controls the moon and stars. I noticed that your sun also rises," No fucking shit. "and I thought of my mentor. Which led me to believe that perhaps you too have some supreme being that also raises the sun. Now that I think about it, I kinda did jump to the first connection I came to."

"You did."

"...I did." She inhaled deeply and exhaled sharply. "So you have no goddess to speak of?"

"Nah. No one that can raise a sun."

"Oh." We sat in silence and stared out the window together for a spell. Not saying anything to each other. Right now, I'm really regretting not getting any sleep. My eyes almost shut closed a couple of times when I stared at the clouds. Twilight noticed.

"You should go back to sleep Jacob."

"I'm fine. We gotta leave soon anyways." I don't make a move to get up. I just stare out with lidded eyes.

"You're obviously tired. Just get an hour or two."

I rubbed my eyes and shook my head vigorously. "I'm fine," I repeat, "I'll buy some meat when I can then we'll head out."

"Why can't we travel with this group? They could be going in the same direction. Plus it's safer to travel in groups right?"

Better squash that idea. "The people I was talking to just now seemed to really want you for themselves."

She didn't make the connection. "Of course they do. They were willing to buy me just now."

"No, I meant that - they seemed desperate to keep you here."

"...How desperate?"

"Enough to kidnap you, I'm guessing. It's fucking weird." Twilight started shuffling on her fore hooves, suddenly feeling exposed. "When I didn't see you in the sleeping bag, I thought they took you already. They'd probably get the chance to snatch you if we stay one more night."

"You really think so?"

"No. I'm just guessing. But I'm not going to risk it." Especially if Floyd was involved. I like the man, but honestly, he's a fucking weirdo.

"...Sorry Jacob."

"What for?"

"For bringing all this...attention to us. I didn't think people would be so," she rolled her hoof in the air before she found the right word. "eager to - to own me." She shivered when saying that.

"Yeah well, none of this would've happened if I didn't try to sell you in the first place. So, I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay. Just please be more mindful with your jokes in the future. Please?"

"I promise."

She smiled. "You Pinkie Promise?"

"...What?"

"Nothing," She turned back to looking through the window. "Just something from home." She spoke wistfully.

Without saying a word, I stand up and head back to our bed site. Davey was already awake when I arrived.

By the looks of it, he was checking our inventory. He seemed just about done when he zipped close the duffle bag I carry over my shoulder.

"Where you been? You weren't here when I woke up."

"Talking with some guys that still wanted to buy Sparkle. I made it clear she's not for sale."

Davey smiled at that. "Good. I also saw that you talked to her?"

"Yeah. We made up, don't worry. I'm sure we're fine."

"Good, good. So uh, we have extra room now. What with all the junk we sold yesterday. Now your back won't break this time around."

He always liked to make fun of my age. "Fuck off."

Davey snickered. "We're prepped and ready to go now. We still have bottles of water to spare. For food...we have no food on us."

"As soon as they start grilling their meat, I'll buy some to go."

"How long we going to wait then?"

"They said they have a lot of hunters. Maybe they're out there hunting right now. Shouldn't be long I'm guessing." I settle down on the floor again, exhaling heavily through my nose. Getting tired of sitting on my ass. "Davey. Have you ever noticed anything odd coming from Sparkle's magic?"

"It's magic." He said as if it was obvious.

"Besides that. Did you ever feel something? Anything when she used magic?"

"Now that you mention it, yeah. Thought it was just me."

"It's not just you. It's me, Floyd, the whole damn crowd that wanted to buy her felt it! This is fucking nuts. You got any idea what that is?"

"You mean everyone felt the same thing?"

"Yes, the same damn thing."

Davey flickered his eyes over to Twilight who was still staring out the window. "Bizarre."

"I'm going to talk to her later about it. Find out something. First, tell me what you think of it."

He just shrugged his shoulders. "It's harmless. It's not necessarily a bad feeling. It's a good feeling. Warms the heart."

"Do you not remember that small mob that wanted to buy her yesterday?"

"We are talking about a unicorn for sale. Of course people would be lining up to bid on something exotic. Magic or no."

He had a point. "It's still some weird byproduct she makes. I'm thinking we limit her usage of magic."

"Whoa now Jacob. Her magic is useful. And that feeling isn't hurting anyone."

I bit my lip a little. Internally debating if I should admit how it affects me. I quickly decide to tell him. "It's changing me. Making me...I don't know, nicer? Kind? Soft? It's fucking me up."

"You weren't always a cold person. Maybe this feeling is...raising old feelings?"

"All that mushy shit died inside me, Davey. Twilight Sparkle is messing with me."

"Not on purpose."

"Maybe."

"I'm pretty sure."

I grumble curses to myself. Before I can add on to the conversation, Twilight came to us in a hurry. She looked startled by something. Before we can ask, three men came into the market, out of breath. A crowd formed around the three, all speaking in hushed tones on what happened. One of the men answered. "A pack! A dogmen pack!" The crowd hushed to silence. The man now had better control of his breathing. "They took out Johnny, Tom, and Sam. They're dead."

"How many are there?" Said a random person from the crowd.

"We only saw four. There had to be more."

"Did you bring anything from your hunt?"

"Nothing. We have nothing."

I focused directly onto the scene before us. Twilight interrupted me. "Jacob? What's going on?"

"There's a pack of dogmen on the loose in the city." I answered.

"I still don't know what dogmen are."

"Just look at everyone's faces," I gesture with an arc of my hand. "dogmen are killers. A pack is death."

"How many are usually in a pack?"

"Six. Eight. Something like that." The crowd continued to listen to the warnings of the three survivors. They all had the look of fear and uncertainty among them.

"Guess we won't be leaving anytime soon. Unless you want to risk it?" Asked Davey.

If we stay, we can hold out until the pack leaves or hope that this group manages to take a few shots at them to scare them off. This might not be the case. If a pack is lurking in these ruins, they obviously want to make a meal out of us. Maybe if they ate a few more of us, they'd leave. Not like we'll actually do that though. If we leave, we can hunt our meal and make track to the checkpoint but we'd be defenseless to that pack. We'd get tracked down and followed. There would be no fighting a pack, we will lose that battle unless we can outrun them. Again, outrunning them is a lost cause. Sit here and slowly starve or risk the jaws of death?

"No...We're not risking it. We'll stay put for now." A man who looked to hold authority came to the scene and barked out some orders. Things like putting more guards on watch. Volunteer some of the regulars to go on the roof and keep a lookout. They were going to fortify this supermarket until the pack left. The man was finally going to dictate his last order.

"Everyone under our care only gets one meal per day while the pack is out there. Anyone goes over their ration leaves the group. This is your only warning." He clarifies a few more rules before he returns to wherever he was. The crowd soon disperses as well.

"Does that one meal per day count toward us?" Asked Twilight.

"I don't think it does." Answered Davey.

This was bad. I need to talk to Floyd.

Speak of the devil, Floyd is already walking toward us. His look of concern did not really assure me of the eating situation.

"Are we guaranteed a meal or not?"

"Sorry fellas, you're on your own." He said woefully. "I tried talking sense into Leonard, the man who spoke those commandments, but he shut down the thought. He cares more for his people than you."

"There's gotta be something we can work out. Anything." Floyd glanced down to Twilight who flinched and stepped away from Floyd. "...Most anything."

"There's nothing you can do Jacob. Just hope this pack leaves soon. Don't want you dying over hunger."

"I don't want to die of hunger either. At least you tried Floyd. All I can ask for. Thanks."

"No problem Jacob. See 'ya Davey." Again he looked to Twilight who stared nervously back. "Missus." Floyd turns to leave us.

"I really don't like Floyd." Uttered Twilight.

"An oddball sure, but I thinks it's because he's old. Hope Jacob doesn't turn that way." Davey joked.

"Uh huh, sure." There was nothing left to do but wait. Wait and starve. "How hungry are you right now Sparkle?"

She did an internal check before responding. "I'm definitely hungry. But I can go for a day if I have to."

"Tell me if you start feeling weak. You Davey?"

"I'll make it through the day. Don't know for tomorrow."

"We're all in the same boat then." The entire market was in a dull chatter. A little more panicky than usual. Armed men reported to the windows while the men outside came inside. Some regular people were escorted outside by two armed men. Possibly taking them to the roof through a ladder on the side. The people held their belongings close, ready to leave the moment a disaster happens. The children were huddled with a woman who was softly talking to them. Everyone was doing something to occupy themselves.

Once I was done looking all over the market, I went to the makeshift bed I had and laid down on it. I emitted a soft groan and slowly close my eyes. "I'll be taking a nap. Watch over Sparkle, will you Davey."

"Uh, sure thing Jacob, but shouldn't you be aw-"

"Let him rest Davey. I don't think he had any sleep." Twilight trotted toward over me. "You don't mind if I spend my time with the children right."

I toss to my side, face away from Sparkle and mutter. "Go nuts. Don't leave Davey's sight." She didn't offer a response and probably left to be with the kids. Davey sat down somewhere near me. Soon everything faded away and so did the noise around me.