“I am not afraid to keep on living, I am not afraid to walk this world alone…” Boom Box and Dr. Death Defying were singing together, and Smile found herself liking the music more and more.
Who is this by? She tapped Boom Box’s shoulder to get the younger girl’s attention, waiting patiently as the kid deciphered her note.
“My Chemical Romance, a band back from before the takeover. They became the Fabulous Killjoys.” Boom Box said. “Jet Star and Fun Ghoul played the guitar, the Kobra Kid played the bass, and Party Poison was the singer. They had to stop being a band when the world ended, though.” The little girl sighed sadly. “They’d play when they could find instruments. Party Poison used to sing for me, sometimes.”
As much as she’d wanted to know, she regretted asking. Hesitant, she reached out to put an arm around Boom Box, who leaned into her friend.
Dr. Death Defying had stopped singing and watched the two girls. “I thought everyone knew about My Chem.” He said quietly.
I don’t know any music, remember? Smile held up the pad somewhat ashamedly, and Dr. Death Defying narrowed his eyes at her.
“Where’d you say you were from?”
I didn’t.
Dr. Death Defying was about to open his mouth when the van stopped short, jerking everyone around.
“Show Pony! What the hell?” Dr. Death Defying demanded, but Show Pony just sat, staring blankly out the windshield as he gripped the steering wheel.
“Dracs!” Boom Box hissed, pointing out the window in a completely different direction than Show Pony was looking. “A bunch of them!”
Smile immediately drew her gun, shifting closer to the window and cracking it open, waiting for the Dracs to get in range. Dr. Death Defying, however, had other plans.
“Show Pony, get us out of here!” The man commanded, but Show Pony didn’t even acknowledge him. “Show Pony!” Growling, he rounded on Smile. “Can you drive?”
Behind her helmet, Smile’s eyes widened and she shook her head. She’d never driven anything close to a van; just her bike.
“Well you’re about to learn.” Dr. Death Defying grunted as he hauled Show Pony out of the driver’s seat, letting the Killjoy fall where he would and beckoning Smile forward.
Smile sat down tentatively, not bothering with her seatbelt as she turned the key, being able to figure out that much. Time was the important thing now.
“Little one is brake, bigger one is gas. It’s in gear, so just go.” Dr. Death Defying said, shifting a lever on the console.
Smile nodded, then hit the gas, following Dr. Death Defying’s instructions and directions back to the Lair.
Meanwhile Show Pony had sat up and looked around, realizing they were moving again. He looked at Boom Box, then the pair huddled over the steering wheel before twisting to see out the back window. The Dracs were following in their muscle car, gaining fast.
“We can’t out run them.” Boom Box said anxiously. She hated herself for being born; this was all her fault. The Dracs were after her, and they’d kill her friends to get her. They’d already killed her friends to get at her.
Dr. Death Defying closed his eyes, knowing what was coming. “Then we’ll fight. Smile, cut the motor.”
Smile stopped obediently, as smoothly as she could, and everyone scrambled for their ray guns, taking up positions by the windows to wait for the Dracs. They’d have a second to pick them off when the Dracs stopped and left their car to hunt the Killjoys down.
Show Pony took his ray gun to the best spot, Dr. Death Defying taking a window next to him while Smile left the van, crouching just out of the Dracs’ sight around the corner.
“Fire!” Dr. Death Defying yelled, already taking his own advice. He could see white blasts from Smile’s ray gun taking out Dracs, but Show Pony was missing the few shots he was taking. That boy had never been good with a ray gun.
The five Dracs that had left the car soon lay facedown in the red dust, and the driver of the getaway car paused for a moment before driving off. It was Jet Star again.
Dr. Death Defying winced, wishing he hadn’t seen that. He’d almost rather pretend his boys were dead than have them brainwashed. “Smile, get back in here before they send more.” He called, but there was no response from outside. Show Pony was moving back towards the driver’s seat, but Boom Box went to the door and slid it open to peer outside, gasping.
“Smile!” She yelled, throwing open the door and hopping down, and Dr. Death Defying felt his insides freeze.
Oh, don’t let that girl be dead. Boom Box needs her. He wheeled himself to the edge of the van and saw Boom Box helping Smile sit up. The older girl was clutching her shoulder in pain as she slumped weakly against the side of the van. “How bad is it?”
Smile let go of her shoulder to wave her hand dismissively, acting nonchalant, but there was blood smeared on her pale fingers, invisible on her black clothes and fingerless gloves.
“Come on, see if you can get yourself up.” Dr. Death Defying said gently. “We’ll take care of you back home.”
Smile once again let go of her shoulder, trying to push herself up. She failed the first time, then managed to stagger to her feet, swaying unsteadily as Boom Box leapt up beside her, grabbing her good wrist to hold her steady. The pair stumbled the few feet to the door, Smile making Boom Box go in first before clambering in and collapsing on the floor. When Dr. Death Defying tried to help her upright, she swatted his hands away, shoving herself up to sit against the wall.
I’ll live. It just hurts like a bitch. Smile scrawled on her pad before peeling off her military jacket. The ray gun hadn’t torn the fabric, just singed it a bit when it passed through. Since the jacket was black, the burn was invisible.
Smile’s shoulder was bloody and burnt, exposed by her tank top. It wasn’t deep, but it definitely hurt, and was bleeding like there was no tomorrow.
Boom Box winced, but the van shut off, stealing her attention before she could say anything. All three Killjoys looked out the windows, relaxing when they saw that they’d reached the Lair. “Let’s go inside so we can fix you up.” Boom Box finally said, looking at Smile.
I got this. No worries. Smile scribbled out before lurching to her feet, nearly falling out of the van once she got the door open, then stumbling towards the Lair.
Boom Box hopped out after her, running to catch up and hold the older girl’s hand as she struggled across the fallout dust.
“What happened back there?” Dr. Death Defying turned to Show Pony, who shrugged apologetically. “I always tell you to train with that damn gun. Why don’t you everlisten?”
Dr. Death Defying turned away in disgust, headed for the Lair as Show Pony tagged along, a safe distance behind him.

The day after the Fever Fest and ambush on the way home, Smile left her room, pulling on her jacket, and nearly walked into Dr. Death Defying. His eyes immediately fell to the starkly white bandages on her shoulder; as much as they contrasted with her colors, they blended nearly perfectly with her skin.
“You’re up early.” Dr. Death Defying teased, and Smile nodded once, headed for the kitchen. Her bag already sat, ready and waiting on the table, a few bits of beef jerky safely tucked inside with her canteen of water. “Going somewhere?”
Smile slung her bag over her shoulder, glancing at Dr. Death Defying from behind her helmet before nodding again. If all goes well, I’ll be back soon. I have a feeling that I’m headed for Coast Rica, but this is something I need to do.
Dr. Death Defying read the note, his face falling. “Don’t go. Boom Box needs you around. You’ll break her heart.”
If everything works out, this’ll be better for her in the long run. Smile wrote back.Thanks for watching out for me, Dr. D Smile said, putting the pen down next to the pad on the table before walking out the door and climbing onto her bike.