There’s Beauty Everywhere
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYezEhDEZbT
“Ez, how much farther are we going?” Aqil looked around as he asked. They weren’t in the nicest part of the quarantine zone, and it was past curfew.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS8H9EOtaK
“Stop being such a scardey cat.” Ezra looked back at him with a smile.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1kPfLim0x
“If dad finds out, we’re both dead meat.” He was visibly nervous as he followed after her.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724mQyjCqF
Ezra stopped in front of the warehouse, unlocking the door and letting Aqil inside. She closed the door behind them and walked over to pull the grate open.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpgxSBDAQx
“Ez…where are we going?” Aqil watched as Ezra jumped down into the trench.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN7vXkFQLg
“Outside the wall.” She answered simply. “I wanna show you something.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyH73U31hw
“Don’t just skip over that like you didn’t just say we’re going outside the walls!” He stopped at the edge of the divot. “Ez.” He spoke up again when she didn’t respond, walking into the tunnel. “Ezra.” He called out another time, not getting a response. He was forced to jump down and follow after her.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS65MiOG9C
“I propped the door open last time I came through here.” Ezra finally spoke after Aqil caught up. “So I could bring you along.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnjEfpJgc7
“Ezra, this is a really bad idea. Who knows what’s out there?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRnWOlhraa
Ezra pushed open the door she had left slightly ajar. She walked over to a workbench and picked up a backpack that Cohen had set up for her. She also took a pistol and held it up for Aqil to see. “I know what’s out there, which is why I’m bringing this.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilE1HWZT03
Ezra had brought Aqil to an amusement park not far outside of the zone. They didn’t even have to break in, as there was a hole large enough for the both of them to squeeze in. Ezra had taken Aqil to the Ferris wheel, where she started to climb.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjwyzsy6qL
“Okay, this is an even worse idea, Ez.” Aqil sighed, tired of yelling at her. He was thankful they hadn’t run into any of the ‘infected’ Ezra talked about but didn’t want to push it.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh5H6kLchT
“Come on, Aqil. The view will be worth it.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKYjrZToJ1
Aqil sighed deeply before reluctantly following after her.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn54iZpOcZ0
“Have you heard about the infection in the zone?” Ezra called back to him, a good bit ahead of him in the climb.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW7t4xkRWX
“In our zone?” He looked up at her in surprise. “You--you mean infected like zombies like you said there are out here?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c5JJ0cm3m
“Yeah.” She stopped, looking back at him. “They’ve been killing people to keep the rest of us from turning.” She stated matter-of-factly.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87FFaLqaEH
“How do you know all of this, Ez? Are you sure it’s even true?” They both hung at their spots a moment.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxArpsspjE
Ezra began climbing again, looking ahead of her for handholds. “Cohen told me. He knows a lot of what’s going on in the city. We have to leave soon, he says.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd4kytAVXi
“I think you’re putting too much faith in this Cohen guy, Ezra. He sounds like he’s bad news.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyPH5vFk8B
“He’s not a bad guy. He’s very helpful. He gets me things from out of the zone whenever I do jobs for him.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OIoZ0KjCh
“You work for him?!” Aqil practically yelled out.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBEOhdG25P
“Hush.” She shushed him. “And yes. He has me smuggle things for him. Usually from one side of the zone to the other.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztz6m5r2se
“That’s a really bad idea, Ezra. What if you get caught?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5H0IPEgu0
“I won’t.” She stated confidently, taking the last step to pull herself into one of the carriages. She held her hand out to Aqil and helped him in as well.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aCtqNaAI4
“Thanks.” He dusted himself off before taking a seat.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8BnX0jhbc
“Hellva view.” Ezra, still standing, looked out over the horizon.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHpdF6o0oa
“Don’t just forget our conversation.” Aqil warned, watching her as she softly looked out over the skyline. He took a deep breath and shook his head. “Please just stay safe, okay?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqdODj5cD4
“I will.” She looked back at him with a smile. “I promise.” She pulled a candy bar out of her pocket, handing it over to Aqil. “just one of the many perks I get.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V8XUVELtv
“What the hell? How did he get this?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOwEAALEZK
“He has people outside the zone who scavenge what the military hasn’t.” She shrugged, sitting down across from it. “Gimme half.” She held her hand out to him.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFywFPo8RRZ
He split half the bar and handed it to her before taking a bite out of his own half. He moaned, leaning back in the cart. “So good. I missed chocolate.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXnxaOGFhP
“See? Not so bad.” Ezra laughed.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9qeatyEXp
“I suppose this is nice.” Aqil looked out over the view, the lights of the zone lighting up in the distance. “I guess there’s beauty everywhere. Even the apocalypse.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlufz7hYJ7v
A Baby Shower of Sorts
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsEX48KpE5
Ezra was playing with Asuka in the fenced-in yard. Aqil pulled into the open gate, waving at her with a smile. He jumped out and waved her over. Ezra picked Asuka up and walked over to him to see what he had in the back of the truck.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfYuo0v7rO
“I got some things for the baby.” He patted the edge of the truck’s bed.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwJlsf9Qu4
Ezra handed him the baby tiger and climbed up the tire to look in the bed. From there, she could see a handful of things. A crib, a high chair, and a colorful plastic playhouse.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRboM2uwPx
“I also got us a baby seat for the truck and some clothes.” He beamed as he spoke.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoHpTkA3ex
Ezra jumped down before touching Aqil’s face, leaning in to gently kiss him. Aqil’s goofy smile stayed on his face as she pulled back. She patted his cheek gently.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW87X1hK5A
“Let’s move the stuff inside.” Ezra walked around to pull the tailgate down. They began bringing to stuff Aqil had gotten inside, finding what little space they had for everything.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKyfvv3YQC
“Guess I’ve got no choice but to keep the kid now.” Ezra joked as she sat down on the couch once they had finished moving furniture around.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT4hPJtxJZ
“Guess so.” Aqil laughed. “Cohen told me he has a job for us tomorrow. He wanted us to head over there.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kswq68BZj
Ezra nodded. “Alright. Any clue what is it?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBMa1jzDnQ
“No idea.” Aqil shrugged, finishing setting up the hanging mobile. He walked over to sit down next to Ezra.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtFkSwKNlc
“You know, Asuka will be a great guard dog for this place, especially when she gets bigger.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvbbFhiCzi
“For sure.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dkYbfuasu
Decade Old Tears
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGMv0NV5mI
Ezra and Aqil were sharing the bed. Aqil was cuddled against her back, sharing warmth. Ezra is crying quietly, thinking about her own parents now that she’s going to be one. She silently promises her kid she’s going to be everything her parents weren't. She’ll never abandon them the way they did her.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXVu9zewTQ
Aqil wakes up to her sobs, asking her what’s wrong. She lies, saying it’s nothing and it’s just because of her pregnancy hormones. He asks her to roll over. She does. He cuddles her against him, allowing her to cry into his chest.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecjZtv8pHT
Porcelain Doll Syndrome
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72UJ4tkxlO
“Biotech.” Cohen placed his hands on the table. “They want you two again.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWdQM9kIYR
“Really?” Ezra looked at him, surprised. “We must’ve really made an impression.” She looked over at Aqil.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCoE2FV6fY
“No kidding.” He smiled. “Well, what’d they say, Cohen?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUy7bPOK8A
“I’ll give you the correspondence.” He pulled some papers out of his bag and handed them to Aqil.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxO9y74ut9
“Cohen…” Ezra took a deep breath. “We have something to tell you.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcrw0cmu7W
“Hm?” He looked back over at Ezra.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNPGRs1Jgu
She stood up from the table before placing her hand on her growing stomach.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcpFv4Q74W
“You’re…pregnant?” Cohen looked at her with wide eyes. “Who’s the father?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE5nqSbLZx
Ezra shrugged. “No clue.” She sat back down at the table. “But yeah. We’re having a baby.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GP9Klcytl
“We? Finally gave the boy a chance, huh?” Cohen laughed heartily. “Good for you two.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm64ATJM2q
“Will you try to convince her that she shouldn’t do jobs now?” Aqil asked Cohen seriously.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbkFjb5HwW
“I’m not fragile.” She crossed her arms, shaking her head. “And I’m not letting you go without me.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDElTBDiyzL
“She’ll be fine. She’s tough.” Cohen took Ezra’s side, causing Aqil to slump down.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGww2JmUvi
Survival of the Richest
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xoXgY3o2Y
The Humvee pulled to a stop in front of the compound. The large compound was surrounded by concrete and barbed wire walls and fronted by a large gate.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBHOZNHE0B
“Alright,” Mack spoke up over to headset, “everyone ready to roll out?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraXrTrz4dy
“Are you sure we were invited?” Ezra asked, eyeing the guys with guns at the entrance.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYTIFwt1sF
“Positive. Biotech has a deal to make with him. You two are just bodyguards, for now. Only shoot if shot at, roger that?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCxT1T1tPr
“Roger.” Ezra and Aqil nodded, though Ezra more surely than him.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxc6JjwVsi
The Humvee pulled into the gateway after it was opened and started down the main path. Ezra watched out the window as they drove by. Every guard they passed had a gun and a collar, but not everyone seemed to have a collar, interestingly.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ5dR2vAXZ
“What is there to know about this guy?” Ezra asked.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxjfb1ixmj
“He’s started some sort of religion.” Shaheen responded. “His followers go to colonies to convert, enslave, or murder those who live there.” He spat the words out, obviously not supporting them. “They also take all their supplies.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9tePkzpHT
“Why the fuck is Biotech making a deal with them then?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w3yvKaQGG
“Because they have power.” Mack answered simply.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2idbOdht4R
“I’d say I expected better from them, but I’d be lying.” Ezra crossed her arms over her chest, frowning.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpltnfF2rin
Eventually, they arrived at the main building of the compound, an old church. They exited the Humvee, Mack eyeing Ezra’s stomach once more. He no doubt knew she was pregnant but wasn’t going to bring it up now.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCKQ30WJ2R
The conversation was boring, leading Ezra to zone out and not listen to the leader’s ramblings, but she perked up as soon as there was gunfire outside. She grabbed out her gun and looked over at Aqil, who did the same.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcZoHeheTW
“Mack?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL73ASgKX2Z
“I heard it.” He glanced over at him.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cVk4DS2KX
“Must be those damn raiders again.” The leader cursed under his breath. “Kill them and our deal is complete.” The leader stood up from his makeshift throne.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxKEfHcHFM
“Aqil.” Ezra whispered to him as they got into position behind the pews, watching the door of the church. “What if those ‘raiders’ are just people from one of the colonies they attacked?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XExJqSCHG
“What if they’re not?” He shrugged uncertainly. “Raiders aren’t uncommon out here.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljWiNGLdic
“Let’s go.” She grabbed his arm, pulling him along as she moved to the side door.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5u8HCNSLu
“Fall back.” Mack spoke over the comms.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaacmpFjqL6
“I’m not being paid well enough to sit around and help some rich asshole help another rich asshole.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQuCRPLlUU
“Ezra, come on.” Mack tried.” I don’t like it more than you do, but we have a job. You know that.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6HjbQJMU0
Ezra stood up fully and pointed her gun at the leader. He quickly put his hands up and cowered in fear. “Get up.” She stomped over to him, putting her gun to his head. “Where are your valuables?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrEI87KDIR
“You can’t just let her do this!” The man pleaded to the Biotech soldiers. “You need me.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvbdglVNMI
“No, we don’t.” Mack shook his head, speaking after a while of silence. “Listen to the lady.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLeNFz47VH
The man looked up at Ezra in fear, scrambling out of his chair. Ezra picked him up by the collar and pulled him to his feet. “Take us. Now.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8MrLAuLsL
The man lead the group to a office, moving a painting out of the way to reveal a safe. He began unlocking it, begging for his life. Ezra waited for him to open it, before smearing his brains all over the wall.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP55LaSP6r
“Ezra!” Mack yelled out.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAME8XPHdY2
“Take his loot and let this place sort out itself.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFsguw9wAe
“Biotech isn’t going to be happy with you two after this.” Mack ran his fingers through his hair.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk4vOWxtzq
“I’m not in the mood to play their sick games, fucking more people over.” Ezra shook her head.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURLyVXY5rq
“How long you’ve been pregnant for?” Felix quietly asked, more interested in that.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3mEOSlV90
“I-” Ezra looked at them in surprise. “Few months now.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pOuuJO2Sm
“I know Sebastian will be mad,” Felix looked over at Mack, “but what if we blame it on the raiders? Say we got there afterwards.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU4ndRgHre
Mack nodded slowly. “Shaheen?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQfjg3Z4c
“You know I am no fan of that man. I think Ezra did the right thing.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfLQLZWQXU
“I’m kinda in agreement.” Felix shrugged weakly.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGbYOyPDyV
Mack took a deep breath. “No one tells him different, squad.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73MpQunBIY
“Roger that!” The two echoed each other.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj25TlihxL
Air-Tight Life
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYpzP3snVD
“Ez!” Aqil called out as she pulled into the driveway, jumping out of the truck as soon as he stopped. He jogged into the house, a package in his arms. “Ez!” He smiled as he saw her laying down on the couch, a bowl of food resting on her large stomach.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5MApibaya
“What? What?” She attempted to sit up, looking confused by his excitement.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksX66YoNEm
“I got something for you. I traded a few things for it, and I thought you’d like it.” He set the package down on the coffee table.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NId3dnWNn
She moved, so she was sitting normally to hover over the package. She peeked inside, seeing a glass globe with plant life inside. “Damn, that’s cool.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy6fqrDdob
“It’s been sealed for twenty years, and after all that time, life flourishes inside.” He paused for a moment. “There’s always beauty; sometimes you’ve just got to look for it.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUOozACLEz
There’s Beauty Here
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaSRtYl6au
“Aqil, Aqil.” Ezra shook him awake.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NbOYBLoEa
He shot up in the bed. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiRPtUutOA
“Yes, everything is fine.” She smiled, trying to reassure him. “Just give me your hand.” He held his hand out to her. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach, where the baby was kicking. She smiled over at him, teary-eyed. “You’re right, Aqil. There is beauty in this shitty world.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1bgMPdro0
Aqil moved over to kiss her, running her fingers through her hair. “There is.”
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkzcznovl4
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem3Lg9hBka
