The heels of my boots scuffed the black top, creating a tiny symphony. I sighed and wiped the back of my neck with my bandanna. The scorching sun beat down on my leather jacket but I didn't dare take it off. Sighing once again, I turned around and looked down the highway. Chaos ought to be here by now, she left yesterday morning.

"God damn it," I cursed, pulling out my cell.
"No..new..messages.." the automated voice announced. Sighing, I threw it back in my jacket pocket.
"I knew it. Late as always.." I took another swig of my water and looked around.

Empty.
It's a fucking desert, of course it is.

I heard the sound of a vehicle approaching. I returned my mask to my face and placed my hand on my gun.

"Come and get it.."

The car pulled up beside me and I looked over and saw Chaos in the driver's side. I sighed in relief.

"Hop in, m'lady," she voiced.
"You know," I said, opening the passenger door. "I could have ghosted you."
"Yeah, yeah." She flipped through the channels on the radio. "Fuck it, yeah?"
"Yeah.. Hey, how'd we do?"
"Well..." She reached back and pulled out a duffel bag. "Take a look."

I opened the bag and found batteries, pain killers, socks, soap, fresh razors, lotions, dry cereal, canned milk, cough drops, and toiletries.

"Jesus.." I muttered. "What else?"
Chaos beamed. "Trunk's full, too."
"WITH WHAT?!"
"12 cases of water, a couple of shotguns--" She flashed a smile at me. "--pair of your boots, and some rad CDs," she laughed.
"Thanks, Chaos," I collapsed my hand over hers. "Really."
"Nah, it was nothing," she shrugged. "Oh! Almost forgot.." She reached into her jacket and pulled out a few Polaroids.

I took them in my hands and recognized them right away. It was my brother and his friends, practicing in our grandma's basement. I turned it over and noticed their names had been crossed out with a Sharpie. All that was left was the year: 2002.

"For precautions.." Chaos uttered, turning on the headlights.

I nodded and flipped to the next picture: me and my grandma.

Her long white hair pulled into a fishtail braid, her green eyes had lost their spark from crying over my brother at night. Her arm draped over my shoulders, pulling me into an embrace. My dark brown hair then now compared to my hot pink and blonde. My brown eyes glistened with tears in the picture: Grandma, my brother, and his friends had surprised me for my 14th birthday. Once again, names had been crossed out.

I flipped over to the next one and almost broke down crying. My brother.

Sleeping on his chest, my hair was a mess and my fingers were gathered in his Iron Maiden tshirt. His eyes were closed, and he was smiling as he kissed my forehead, taking our picture. Written on the back was a little note.

'Love ya, bud. xxxJS'

"Chaos.." my voice cracked.
"Hey.." She took my hand. "You can cry, I won't judge."
"Why did you... Why?"
"Figured you'd like to have 'em around." She cleared her throat. "Your nan's house was pretty much destroyed, hun."

I nodded. It's been 7 months since my grandma's death. My brother and I grew up under her roof, showered with her love and adoration. I was 7 when Mom and Dad were Dusted, Grand had taken my brother and I in under strict rule from BL/I. My brother had gone rouge when he and his 3 best friends were marked for extermination. I was 13.. Eventually, BL/I came for me, too. So I ran. 4 years, I was gone. Of course, I had come around a few times a month to check up on Gran. Until one day made it our last together.

***FLASHBACK***

"Nan?" I called out. "I'm home."
"Taylor?" Nan had answered. "Taylor!" she laughed, hugging me. "Hi, sugar."
"Hey!" I smiled, inhaling her perfume.

Hours passed between us. We ate, laughed, cried... It was around 3 am when she woke me up.

"Taylor!" she whispered in my ear, shaking me violently.
"Grandma?" I yawned.
"Get out of here, honey. Get your things, take my car, and get.the.hell.out."
"What's wrong? What did I do?" I asked, pulling a pair of my brother's old jeans on.
"Korse." she whispered, tossing me my boots.
"What?" I croaked.
"C'mon. Get it in gear!"

I pulled my boots on quickly, trying not to break down. Korse? What'd he want? Then it hit me.
Me.

"Go!" Gran whispered, pushing me out the back door. "Take the car. Find your brother."
"Gran.."
"Taylor.." she looked at me pleadingly.
"Go..." I nodded, taking my backpack and the 1345 carbons she had saved for me.
"I love you, sugar. You and your brother both."
"I love you, too.."

Taking off to the car, I opened the back door and threw my bag in. I hopped in the driver's side and threw the baby into drive, pulling out of the garage. Looking in the rear view mirror, I caught a glimpse of my grandma on her knees as Korse aimed a RayGun at her throat. I slammed on the brakes, debating on going back and fighting. He pulled the trigger and a flash of white light illuminated the garden, taking the light behind her eyes, as she hit the ground. He then turned around with shit eating grin on his face and mouthed something that I'm sure was meant for me.

"Keep..running.."

Notes

Alright, this was my first attempt at this stuff.

I'm pretty proud.

Feedback? New chapters daily.