As I entered what was obviously the main living area, I exclaimed in horror.
"Don't you guys ever clean up in here?!" I glanced back at them, smiling at how interesting they were suddenly finding the walls and ceiling. In the room there were: a few battered, wooden tables and chairs; a couple of tired-looking sofas, a faded red colour; an old TV, pretty much useless now; and a radio. Covering the entire floor was a layer of muck, wrappers and plastic bottles! "I guess not", I sighed. Dumping my bags in a corner, I collapsed onto one of the sofas. The adrenaline had finally started to wear off, and exhaustion began to set in. Hunger too, I realised. Sharing my thoughts, Fun Ghoul had escaped into a side room that seemed to serve as a kitchen. I could hear the clatter of tins as he shuffled through drawers and cupboards.
"All empty!" he yelled. He re-entered the room, navigating his way across the swamp of refuse. In a softer tone, he elaborated. "There's nothing left." I groaned.
"Please don't tell me you put the empty tins back?" I asked in desperation. Again, silence. "Honestly! Men!" Rolling my eyes, I went to look for myself. Row upon row of empty tins, bottles and other packaging met my eyes. It was a small mercy that there wasn't enough organic matter to cause a stench. Escaping the kitchen, I collapsed onto one of the sofas; the guys copied me - Bunny had run off into another room, presumably to play. Party Poison broke the silence.
"Well, what do we do now?"
"We can't go on a raid - we're all too tired for that now," Jet Star voiced what we all already knew. Kobra Kid groaned.
"I guess we'll just have to go hungry again". The guys looked glumly at each other. Completely exasperated, I dragged myself off the sofa towards my gear.
"You are so lucky I turned up when I did!" They looked at me, confused; I rolled my eyes for the second time. "You really think I would set off into the zones, with no contacts, map or money, without supplies?" I could see the light of understanding grow in their eyes simultaneously {C}despite{C} their masks!
"You have food?" Fun Ghoul queried hopefully.
"Yes, I have food," I laughed. "And the best part is: you don't need a tin opener!" I hefted one of the larger bags onto a table and opened it. Suddenly, I tossed one of the precious orbs to Kobra Kid, which he caught. Seeing him freeze in shock, the others looked at first him then me in bemusement.
"What?" Jet Star demanded. I laughed.
"I told you I came from a long way away". Kobra Kid looked like I had slapped him in the face with a wet fish, and they were anxious to know why. It was the funniest thing I'd seen for a long time - but I only smirked. Suddenly Bunny, completely oblivious to the whole situation, came bursting in! The killjoys all jumped (I didn't - I'm not affected by things like that).
"Hey, I'm hungry, what's for dinner?" Although still pale from shock, Kobra Kid had recovered enough to whisper one word in response.
"Apple."