Chapter Text
Technoblade never dies, a dumb phrase Techno had told himself forever. Once when he watched his family bury themselves in a crowd, second when the lodge burnt down, and lastly here. It was hard to say, but he was scared.
It’s what his friends used to tell him, it’s stupid to think about now. They used to shout it out with pride to cheer him up as a kid. He’s glad it feels more of a thing to make him feel confident than a curse, because it is true. Technoblade can’t really die, or at least he thinks so.
Hope began to slip through his very fingers whenever another wrinkled hand lunged at him, screeching the flesh out of its throat. He kept what was left of his belief of escaping to pace in his surroundings, listing anything and everything until something fit some description of an escape route. But all he saw were the same dead bodies and barricaded doors.
He bruised his hands knocking over debris in his path. Blood curdling screams of the creatures masked the thuds made from his mess.
He shifted his body towards wherever the arrows on unlit signs went. He knew he was close, just another hallway or two. He looked for any opening, one that was not chained or blocked off. He needed to get out of here.
Then finally, An exit sign started to peak past a corner, the end of a long route. But the delight of seeing sun pour from the open doors was replaced with the shadows of plant life looking after the door with a blocked off exit.
And the shrieks of screechers.
Techno turned around, his arms shaking. Heads of the monsters watched him like an audience, waiting patiently for the next act.
He took a step back. Run
And he did so.
He began to tiredly run somewhere else, his legs dragged themselves across the floor as they begged to slow down, Techno wouldn’t let them. These things were still trailing behind him, and they weren’t going to give up too. He was lucky to still be breathing.
He ran and ran, but eventually the weight of his exhaustion had made his legs beg for a break. It was life where he could control his own limbs, or a life quite the opposite, all until the universe closed in on itself. Two terrifying thoughts.
Techno just saw running and running through his heavy eyes. The aching in his body numbed themselves as he focused on another way out of here. There could be one anywhere, and he had to look out for one. He felt as if he let himself sleep whilst the survival part of him was wide awake, even if he technically didn’t really need it.
Waiting by the middle of the hallway in between all the stores was a ladder which hung onto the next floor. Techno knew that’s where he had to try to reach.
Once he was there, he launched himself onto the ladder, one arm slipping and dangling. The ladder screeched like the infected as it direly tried to maintain its balance on the floor. It was rocking back and forth and shaking like an unstable pole. Metal hit his palms when he grasped onto the glass perimeter of the second floor.
He kicked the ladder off the ledge and didn’t wait for it to make a loud clash to the tiles. Even though one wrist flamed in pain, Techno used both hands to throw himself over the ledge. It was like it was swelling and crushing the bones in his wrist.
Techno dragged himself over the glass and gasped for air. We have to keep moving. he told himself.
After dragging himself over the glass, Techno felt limp the second he stopped running. He knelt on the floor gasping for air. His head spun and pulsed to his quick heartbeat.
Holy shit, he thought. We are almost out.
Then something he would never wish for, another few infected interrupting his mind with more horrific and raspy screams. The sound of spit flying around in their throats made Techno ill.
So here he was all over again, forcing his weight off the ground and ready to run again. Techno took one last breath and—
“Hey kid!” A voice called.
Where was that from? He listened to where the echo was retreating to, and followed it to a staircase to his right. Two people stood there, one extremely short with a child’s face, and a man holding their hand.
“Right here!”
Following the staircase, a man with a kid waited on the stairs. Although it wasn’t a great idea to trust anyone, Techno pushed himself to go with them.
Techno immediately hurried to the duo as they waited on the stairs but clearly in a rush, who wouldn’t be? It’s not great to trust strangers in this world, but he was going to be hurt anyways from both exhaustion and infected.
The man shut the door and soon all three of them began to climb the endless slope of stairs. Each step was a quick guess in the darkness. Light sources were obviously unavailable. The empty atmosphere was filled with heavy breathing and the sound of boots hitting the floor.
A cold breeze hit Techno’s face when the man opened the heavy steel door, and it made him smile.
A blissful sound of wind and geese flying above his head had never been so much to Techno. The sun warmed him up despite the cool air. It was like winning a trophy after a long race. He turned around to face the two strangers.
The man shut the door and shoved a metal pipe in between the hand bars. He gave it a tug before facing back to him and the little kid, likely his son. The chiles stared at Techno, observing him.
“Let’s go,” the man said, wiping the dirt off his palms.
Techno simply nodded, working on catching his breath as they walked away from the exit. Sunlight glared on his skin. Wind dried the sweat off his face and hands with an icy touch. As the shrieks of screechers slacked behind his back, he relaxed his body, before focusing on the strangers.
The kid was practically stuck to the man’s arms, never letting his grip slip. He and his father shared the same hair and eyes. There was no way that the two weren’t a father-son pair.
Techno wondered whether he should say anything or not, so he held his tongue as he waited for them to say something. He awkwardly paced by their side, not sure if he should just slip and go. Embarrassed he needed help, but also very thankful.
He hasn’t had to be constantly on the look out for dangers, ready to leap without a warning. Maybe a little bit when he completed tasks in the deep forests of the camp. He saw many infected, but it was never a horde. It took time to comprehend seeing multiple active ones at once after he left.
They’re real though, and he is now in their claimed apocalyptic land of corpses and the debris of buildings.
His wrist ached. With the good hand, Techno patted the ghost of where his gun would be on the side of his waist. His bag wasn’t even halfway full, there was no supplies—other than some beef jerky and an unsharpened knife. He sighed and wished he had snatched more off counters during his run.
Then again, he was in a state of panic. His home was on fire. He witnessed the only safe place known in the world put on a light show of red, yellow, and orange. The cloud of heavy smoke was like a stinging lump that lingered in his throat. He swallowed in an attempt to wash it out of his head.
Techno really hated to admit it, but would not last any longer alone.
He glanced back at the father and son pair. They don’t seem to be any harm. Techno told himself. What could they want from a useless kid almost killing himself while exploring a mall? Nothing. He had nothing. Maybe it’s worth asking them for help, or he would be uncomfortably starved.
It was concluded, it wouldn’t hurt to ask for a small favor. He hated the fact he needed one. He needed to find where the confidence to do so was first anyways.
He looked at the man. “Errr Thank you,” Techno then admitted. “I could’ve made it out but I guess I had trouble this time.”
The man responded, “No problem, and that's alright.”
The aching in his wrist became more irritating when he went to tighten a frayed string bracelet. The soreness turned into slight acute pain that shook his whole forearm.
Techno noticed the man saw him clench his teeth from the injury. “Did you get hurt back there?” The man asked. “Bitten?”
Techno sighed. “No bites, no scratches,” he assured him. He glanced back at his hurting wrist. “This was from a few days ago.”
The man made a face to sympathize. “Well that looks pretty shitty.”
“Well no shit,” Techno replied sarcastically.
Yeah no it feels pretty great to be alone with nothing to help it.
“Hm,” he said. “Are you out here on your own?”
Techno complentated. “Nah,” he responded. “I actually have a house waiting for me down the street”
The guy gave him a look. “Yeah I am,” Techno said, changing his answer.”
“Well how long?” he asked. “Your bag’s pretty flat and you have no idea how to escape infected, no judging.”
Oh what the comfort of a lodge with protection does to someone. He did kind of envy that past.
Techno smiled. “I mean yeah no judging, you’re being pretty oddly observant,” he said. “I don't really have to hide this, since it’s not here anymore, but I haven’t really been out here before, at least with these monsters. I had a shelter.”
“Ohhh,” he looked away to think.
“I’m sure it’s rotting with ashes and infected as of right now, it’s kind of useless to even touch the camp. You would need to climb up a mountain and yeah—no fun,” Techno described.
He had some slight worries he may notify some other people to scavenge the ruins and kill the ghosts of his friends. He had to doubt it though. He’s talking to some old guy with a kid under his wing.
“I should’ve known about this earlier. That would’ve been really helpful for me and my son,” he replied, looking at his child with care. “How did it stay up running for so long?”
“Oh we had our own jobs and tasks and all of that,” Techno described.
“That doesn’t even sound real,” the man said. “Safe area, lodge, and food for years.”
“Well I mean I’m here to prove it, who knows where everyone else scattered off,” Techno did wonder a bit.
Now can be the time to ask.
“You know how we’re on the topic of me being out here—alone?” Techno blurted.
“Yeah?”
This is embarrassing
“I was just—I was just wondering if I could take some food and somehow make it up to you, whether that be, I don’t know,” Techno sighed. “I only have some beef jerky sticks and a knife—”
“And a twisted wrist.”
“—and a twisted wrist. I won’t be able to be out here for that long. And I promise I will make it up.” Techno finished, relieved he let it all out despite of how overwhelmed it made him feel..
There was a pause where the man took time to think. His son looked up to him.
“Yeah, of course,” he said. “I get it, me and my son were out here with very little too, so a helping hand is always nice right?”
Techno smiled and nodded. “Mhm.”
They were letting him stick with them. It felt awfully awkward, but he needed it for the sake of being able to eat and not feel hunger. Asking for help was almost equivalent to throwing up.
“Yeah.”
“Well,” Techno said. “Do you mind me asking for your name? I’m Techno.”
“Techno,” the man muttered to himself. “I’m Phil, and this is my son Tommy.”
The kid, Tommy, smiled and waved at him. Techno did the same back.
“We can also heal your wrist and any other injuries, you can stay with us for a bit,” Phil told him.
“Oh—thank you?” Techno said. “Are you really sure?”
Phil said, “Yeah it’s fine.”
“Uh thanks again,” Techno half murmured.
“No problem,” Phil said. “Now let’s head to our area before the sun comes down and get you some food. We were in the mall in search for any useful supplies, heard your hoard of infected and started to head out.
Techno chuckled. “My bad,” he said. “It was gross in there anyways.”
“Yeah definitely,” Phil replied. “We have to head this way to get to where we’re at.”
“Alright, no problem,” Techno said.
The trio headed west as the sun showered onto their skin. Techno observed the area. It was so gut wrenchingly eerie. It didn’t match his memory. The atmosphere was missing people, normal people, and sounds of chatter. He didn’t want to think about it, but there’s no going back.
He’s seen normal people at the lodge every day for years, he always dreaded every day due to all the stimuli and constant working. However now he wished for it back, he likely won’t see normal life until death.
These feelings were not fun to actually feel. How childish it seems, he always went back to when his childhood friend told him how to fight off these monsters. He learnt how to be brave. Was he still brave? He was. Despite all the growing factors, he wouldn’t let himself be weak.
At least for now, he’s safe. He is with two strangers who hopefully aren’t harm, and he would figure it out.
They started walking through the woods. Although Techno felt pretty safe with the two, he still hovered his hand over the knife against his leg.
“Alright here we are,” Phil said.
The woods was surprisingly pretty, no trash laying anywhere.
“We have to squeeze through here, that’s where our stuff is,” Phil explained. “We set out a tent out here, the rocks is to hide our stuff just in case.”
“People can see you,” Techno mentioned worried.
Phil looked around the trees. “No one travels at night in the woods so we’re fine,” he assured.
“Alright then,” Techno said, keeping his eye open anyways.
Phil climbed into the large rocks and ruffled through leaves to find his bag. Techno waited, sitting on the flat part of the rock, when he saw two eyes staring at him from the corner of his eye. It was the boy, Tommy. He quickly looked away after Techno noticed.
Phil grunted as he climbed over the rock again and held up the backpack. “I have some canned food.”
He brought it in between Techno and Tommy, and took out what looks to be a medical bag as well as some canned food and three plastic forks. He offered them to Techno. Techno took it.
“Thank you,” Techno told him.
“No worries,” Phil replied while settling down next to Tommy, handing a fork to him too. “Toms, start eating, I need to give Techno the bandages.”
Tommy nodded. Phil popped open the can for him before getting up. He bent down to rummage through the bag again for the bandage wrap. He handed it to Techno.
He started to pull the bandage off the roll and started wrapping it around his wrist, trying to remember how he was taught. It kept folding weirdly which pissed off Techno, but unraveling it hurt and it would stick everywhere making it worse.
He stared at the canned food sitting next to him. He hasn’t had something slightly filling for days. He popped open the cover and started to eat the canned tomatoes. It was much better than beef jerky sticks.
The silence was very awkward to Techno, yet he didn’t want to overask anything, even though he has barely been the one to ask any questions. He told himself, the goal was to just stay, use a little help, and leave. He hoped that kid didn’t bother him.
But a part of him wanted to know where he got all this supplies from, but that could make him suspicious, he didn’t know.
The two seem to know what they are doing, especially Phil for raising a child this long in the apocalypse. Maybe they travel?
Fine I’ll ask something, He was going to get bored anyways
“Soo—“ The strangers brought their attention to Techno. “Are you locals here? Like you stick here, no traveling?” Techno finally asked.
Phil finished chewing. “I mean not really, we usually are moving a lot, but we like to stay here too since we know some people.”
Hm, maybe they are part of some business.
“Oh that’s cool.”
“Are you from here?” Phil asked.
“Nope,” Techno said. “I was on a trip with my cousins, my old home is actually three-ish hours away.”
“That’s awful,” Phil said.
“I didn’t have any friends to say bye to anyways,” Techno added.
“Oh, what about family?” Phil asked.
“Didn’t really talk to my parents much, spent most of my time at my aunts where my cousins are anddd they were with me so didn’t matter.”
“Sorry to hear that kid,” Phil replied. “We were from another suburban town, it was an absolute nightmare driving, so I took out my bike and went as far away as we could. Who knows where our family is now.”
“At least Tommy was young I guess?” Techno said, hoping that that was the right name he’s been using.
Phil didn’t have a change in his look. “Yeah, I’m just trying to raise him, avoiding any too traumatic events.”
“I think we’re all trying for that,” Techno expressed. “Not like it’s easy in this world.”
“You’re one strong kid to see all of that and make it out alive,” Phil acknowledged. “It isn’t easy.”
Techno shrugged it off. “I know.”
After they finished their chattering, the strangers and himself did their own thing. Phil was talking to Tommy about when there used to be farms and zoos. The kid was completely fascinated, all he heard was babbles of his voice in a high pitched voice as Techno picked at sticks.
Time passed until they called it a night. Techno tossed his bag onto the ground to use as a pillow and hoped his jacket would keep him warm enough for the night. Tomorrow, Phil said they would go ask a friend if they could sleep over. When Techno questioned whether it’d be out of place to bring him, a complete stranger, he said the friend would be used to it.
Techno wasn’t sure if they were going to be rude or nice, Phil never indicated either. All he knew is that the three people were very close.
Just like the other nights, he stared into the darkened sky and thought about everything before he was on his own, even though it’s only been a few days.
He wasn’t sure how the fire started and how people found out or broke into the lodge. He didn’t know where everyone had scattered to, or if they were all burnt corpses on the mountain. He knew he would never know the answer.
He tugged the ghost of a blanket around his shoulders, he really missed having one. Uncomfortable, he shut his eyes and waited for everything to go blank.
Then his thoughts slowed down, and he slept.
——-
“Good morning,” Phil greeted him to the day.
“Good morning,” Techno replied, shielding the sun from his droopy eyes.
Techno retreated back to the hard cold ground. At least he didn’t get murdered in his sleep. He felt energy sink out of his body as his limbs prepared to rest again. His eyes started to close again, until he forced them open. He reminded himself, he had to get up.
Phil started rolling up his sleeping bag. Techno yawned, but then again, he caught a glimpse of Tommy staring at him. Did he have a problem?
He stood up and bent down to pick up his blanket-jacket. Brushing off dirt from the back side, he yawned. Then, he put his arms through the sleeves and instantly felt the warmth spread through his body.
That kid has some staring problems. He looks just a bit nervous to say anything.
Well let’s see what he has to say.
“You can talk to me,” Techno said, still half asleep.
Tommy said nothing for a few seconds, only looking back at Techno. He looked stunned at the fact that he spoke to him as he sat frozen.
“Oh,” Tommy murmured. “Uhh I’m Tommy.”
“I’m Techno,” Techno introduced for the second time. “I think we both know that though.”
Tommy seemed to stare into space, Techno longed for a response, aggressively patient as he hoped he would not comment on his name. Now that he was having a direct conversation with him, he was likely to spit something out. I swear to god if he says it.
“That’s such a weird name,” Tommy finally stated. “Were your parents weirdly obsessed with—what’s the word—technology or something?”
And he said it, children don’t hold back. Techno’s expression didn’t brighten.
“I have no clue, keep your thoughts to yourself,” Techno hissed back.
“I still think it’s weird,” Tommy denied and crossed his arms with all the confidence in the world.
“Well good for you,” Techno said.
“I will admit I thought it was an interesting name too, it’s not a nickname?” Phil interrupted.
“Not you as well,” Techno sighed with disappointment.
Tommy popped up from the rock he was sitting on. “See! My dad supports me!” Tommy bragged.
“You all are a bunch of nerds,” Techno exclaimed in his monotone voice.
“Really?” Tommy continued. “Well-“
“Alright Alright enough. Kids man,” Techno muttered. “Anyways, Phil, when are we going to see your friend?”
“Was about to say, we are leaving after we finish packing up a bit,” Phil informed.
Techno nodded, and grabbed his light weighted grey backpack from the floor and slung it around his shoulders. He turned his head up to the clear sky. Another day, he’s safe.
“We’re seeing Wil!” Tommy jumped up and down, forgetting about the Techno thing.
“Yep,” Phil said while throwing his bag onto his back. “Ready?”
Techno took a deep breath. “Ready.”
“Ready ready ready!” Tommy repeated. “I want to tell Wilbur about how I shot that infected yesterday, remember?”
A six year old? Shooting?
“Of course I remember, that was sick,” Phil told him. “However no more until your older got it?” He messed with Tommy’s hair.
“I know I know,” Tommy said, fixing his hair. “It was still cool.”
“I won’t deny that,” Phil insisted.
Techno looked at Phil and he looked back. He peered over his shoulder, waiting for Tommy to dash over. He had his own bag, it looked like a massive bug on his back. Tommy would slightly tip at an angle like a wobbly building whenever he energetically jolted around. It was stupid.
“Well, let’s go then,” Phil said.
“Finally,” Techno groaned, beginning to walk ahead like knew where to go.
Tommy caught up though. He grabbed Phil’s hand and dragged him ahead. He was overly ecstatic to be seeing this Wil guy. Techno crossed his fingers to oppose the possibility of him being a dick.
“Let’s go!” Tommy said, unable to control his excitement.
“Calm down calm down,” Phil chuckled.
“It’s been awhile, come on!” Tommy whined.
The trio walked through the woods, not following any path set. The forest continued to thicken as it went deeper into the pine tree-crowded land. Techno thought he would lose himself in the unexplored maze of trees and nature. But as time went on, there were some wide dirt paths that he assumed to be old roads.
Tommy occasionally made them stop to look at something—more like almost every step they took. He would pull Phil down to see a bug or flower. Techno didn’t understand how he could spot all of this. He could barely see the words on signs and directions.
“Dad,” Tommy tugged at Phil’s arm. “Can we look at the stream really quick? I want to see if i could find glass or quartz.”
“Yeah of course,” Phil allowed. Tommy immediately ran to the stream and began digging into the dirt.
Phil and Techno watched him, and Phil sighed.
“Must be hard to get anything done without going off track with this kid,” Techno reasoned.
On their path, there was also houses that Phil and Tommy seemed to use as landmarks. They would point at a house then guide themselves to a direction.
“Did you know there’s also a lake around here?” Phil informed Techno.
“Oh really?” Techno responded. “We had one at the bottom of our mountain, sometimes I’d see it at the bottom of the lift.”
“Was it a big one?” Phil asked.
“No Phil it was the size of an ant,” Techno joked, feeling a little awkward from using his name.
“Ah, got it,” he replied and smiled.
Interrupting an ending conversation, Tommy suddenly gasped and pointed. It was a tall pile of large rocks stacked on each other with two flat on the ground next to them.
“Dad look! That’s where I tried climbing the rocks and slipped! We’re close!” Tommy announced.
Techno snorted at the thought. “What?”
“Oh he mentions that every time,” Phil said. “And we are close by the way.”
“Oh alright,” Techno said relieved, he hated walking long distances.
“In fact we’re pretty much right here, look,” Phil added, looking forward.
“I see nothing.”
“You can spot the roof!” Tommy told Techno.
“Oh I see it now,” Techno said, squinting.
Tommy trampled over all the sticks and rocks scattered on the dirt. He still made sure to look behind at Phil and Techno, nagging them to hurry up. Phil was grinning.
The cabin had a border of cut tree trunks as the remaining ones overlooked it with great height. It was only one floor tall, he wasn’t expecting a mansion anyways. There weren’t any decorations and the windows were masked with blinds from the inside. However, a subtle yellow light peaked from the corner of the window frame.
Tommy jumped up the two steps leading to the door. He patiently waited for him and Phil to catch up as he quietly squealed in excitement.
“It’s crazy no one has burned down this cabin yet,” Techno mentioned. “Maybe I should,” he realized how that could be taken wrong. “That was a joke.”
“It’s mostly locals in this area, that’s likely why,” Phil told him. “And I would hope it is.” He grinned.
Phil knocked on the door in a certain pattern. One, pause. Two, pause. Three. pause. Then three fast knocks and lastly one more.
Then, they waited as Phil subconsciously was tapping the floorboards with his foot.
Suddenly, the door knob started to shake and it turned, flipping the scratch in the metal upside down. The door swayed open. The person who answered was quite tall. He had brown curly hair and was wearing a leather coat.
“Hey Phil!” He said. He switched his tone while smiling when he looked down to see—“Tommy!”
“Wilbur!” Tommy cheered and hugged him above his waist. Wilbur knelt down to give him a hug back.
Then he watched his gaze go up to Techno.
“Phil why do you keep bringing people to my house,” Wilbur said.
“Uh, Hi?” Techno said.
“Hello,” Wilbur said awkwardly. “So what did you need, Phil? It’s been a bit, come inside. Do you guys need to stay over?”
“Yeah we were going too anyways,” Phil said. “I also came to ask if you also had a sleeping bag or something for Techno here.”
“Of course—and I think you—Phil and Tommy—know where to go,” Wilbur said.
The first room to greet him was the living room which had one long couch huddled against the wall. A kitchen with cupboards and a counter with chairs was to his left. Ahead was one bedroom which was probably Wilbur’s.
Techno looked for Tommy, who already ran over to the couch and sprung onto the cushions. Phil began to take off his bag and left it on a table. Techno continued to stick next to Phil’s side.
He heard the sound of the door shutting and a click of a lock. Wilbur put the keys in his pocket and looked at Techno and Phil.
“So, what’s he here for?” Wilbur asked Phil.
“Saved him from getting his ass killed by a swarm of infected in a mall,” Phil said.
“And I’m thankful for that,” Techno added.
“And why’s he with you?” Wilbur asked.
“I hurt my wrist or something and I kind of have nothing so I would’ve died in the next week,” Techno said.
“He was in a very remote ski lodge at the top of a mountain, so it was a safe place, and he’s been living in it along with another hundred of people for these past four ish years,” Phil explained. “It burnt down you said right?”
Techno didn’t really realize how long it has been since his normal life. He was too busy mentoring and doing chores around the camp that he lost track. Maybe it was better to because grief would’ve been much more different. He never thought he’d miss the busyness of the lodge.
“Yeah, it did,” Techno responded.
“Well your fucking lucky,” Wilbur said. “I was all out on my own in a city out of all places until I found this cabin and got picked up by people’s businesses—which was awhile.”
“Oh,” Techno replied with.
Wilbur looked as if he was thinking for a moment, gazing away from his face and didn’t speak, until he opened his mouth once again.
“Were there screechers or people constantly raiding you and your lodge?” Wilbur asked.
“No, except for when you get to the bottom of the mountain,” Techno told him. “It gets more dangerous, but we had working ski lifts to travel up and down safely.”
“That’s so weird to think about, having a stable community and somewhat normal place without the fear of infected or people for years during this shit era,” Wilbur said. “You’ve never really been in the need of trying to survive, that sounds like a dream, you’re kind of oblivious.”
“You think we didn’t work to keep it safe?” Techno said, slightly irritated. “This world isn’t so relaxing fucking anywhere, Wilbur.”
“You think I don’t know-“
“Yeah a bit-“
“How bout we don’t argue,” Phil interrupted. “Everything’s shit, let’s just not talk and go.”
“This person is in my own house,” Wilbur said.
“Okay just ignore it for now,” Phil said. “And maybe you two can warm up to each other soon.”
“What? How the f-“
“Are you guys done?” Tommy broke, his eyes and fingers peeking over the tall counter. “Wilbur, I want to tell you about the screecher I shot! And Techno you need to hear too because it was so so cool!”
“Yeah we are,” Wilbur glared at Techno. “And I want to hear.”
“Mhm,” Techno shot a face back.
Techno felt Phil’s eyes on him and Wilbur, signaling them to listen to Tommy, without fighting. Then they did, Tommy started to demonstrate what happened with a exciting dramatic voice.
“So me and Dad were going through a gas station store for any canned food or anything, when a huge ugly freakin infected starts growling at us!”
Techno nodded his head.
“It started running at us, then tugged on Phil’s jacket as he pushed its head away—he dropped his gun. And as heroic as I am, I grab it then BANG! Shot the thing somewhere, then another bang into the head!” Tommy rambled. “It dropped to the floor! Dads heard me explain this moment so many times already.”
“Woah Tommy!” Wilbur exclaimed. “That’s amazing holy shit!”
“It definitely was!” Tommy smiled.
“You never used the one I gave to you?” Wilbur asked.
“Wil?” Phil questioned. “You gave him a fucking gun?”
“Isn’t he like—five or six?” Techno said. “Also that’s really cool Tommy.”
“Maybe I did,” Wilbur admitted. “But we’ll discuss that later. Anyways, what was your dad’s reaction?”
“He was shocked! We retreated the gas station before he gave me a hug and was glad we were both safe,” Tommy replied as Phil was looking at Tommy proudly. “He said he promised to take me somewhere as a reward—I think an aquarium to look at photos of fish and maybe see one—-Dad dad! Was it an aquarium and can Wilbur come too? Techno you should as well!”
“Yep, we are probably going to that aquarium down south,” Phil said. “And Wilbur and Techno can come if they want to or can.”
“I can try to make time to go, I may have to go south soon anyways for you know,” Wilbur said.
‘You know?’ What are these people involved in?
“I mean . . . are you guys sure?” Techno said. “I’m just someone you picked up off the road basically.”
Techno didn’t have anything better to do anyways, he just found everything quite odd.
“More people the better!” Tommy said. “It’ll be really fun and we can get to know each other more.”
“Another mouth to feed,” Wilbur muttered, but Techno could hear it, and Techno knew Phil did as well when he crossed his arms in reaction to his words.
“It’s not like that,” Phil assured. “We can easily get more supplies anyways I'm sure. Techno here seems to be helpful too.”
“Alright, why thank you,” Techno said.
Helpful . . . echoed in his ears. Oh how he prayed he wasn’t going to be used or anything, as much as he didn’t want to. It’s like his brains split between feeling at some foreign home and believing the worst, so which one was it?
“So it’s confirmed? We are all going?” Tommy tugged at Phil’s arm.
“I guess so,” Wilbur said in a somewhat irritated tone.
“Let’s go!” Tommy beamed, overwhelming the tension with his great enthusiasm.
Phil and Wilbur smiled and laughed with Tommy. Techno smiled too, and why did it feel so warm?
“Dad?” Tommy said beneath their light chuckles.
“Yes?” Phil responded.
“Can we see the tomatoes we were growing in the backyard?” Tommy asked.
“Of course,” Phil implied for an answer. “Wil?”
“That’s fine of course,” Wilbur said back.
Phil nodded. “And maybe you two can stay in here and learn how to not get pissed at each other.
“Fine,” Wilbur and Techno both groaned.
Tommy hopped off the chair and excitedly grabbed Phil’s hand and dragged him to the door that Techno assumed to lead to the backyard. He took note of that.
Once Tommy’s fairly obnoxious voice became a very faint sound in the ear, it left behind a very blank atmosphere. What was left was the sound of the electric lamp buzzing and flickering.
Wilbur had looked at him for a split second. Techno made sure Wilbur caught his sharp stare. This whole thing was so stupid.
“Sooo,” Techno said, breaking the looks.
Wilbur put his hands on the table counter. “Just—let’s just not talk, just like Phil said.” Wilbur suggested, lifting himself up. “I know Phil said to stay inside, but I’m going out there with them, and I somehow trust you enough to be in here alone.” Wilbur was staring at him firmly. “And do not do anything.”
“I won’t I won’t,” Techno assured, holding up his hands a bit. “If you don’t like me, then just dump me outside and let me be eaten by a bunch of those things.”
“I’m not gonna do that,” Wilbur said. “You’re just another person, and I trust Phil in who he brings in my cabin.”
Techno sighed. “Alright then, I’ll just be right here staring at the clock and picking at my nails on the chair,” he said pretending it was the best thing ever.
He followed the counter lines like following the image of a long road through a car window. At the end, a stack of white printer paper was waiting for him to see it; and maybe brush some of the dirt off of it.
“Hey can I make origami with that?” Techno asked, nudging his head towards the stack of paper.
“Yeah just don’t bother me or do anything stupid,” Wilbur said, starting to turn towards the door and muttered. “How does Tommy even like you?”
“I don’t know, how does he like your rude ass?” Techno replied. “Hm maybe I’m just the nicer one here.”
Wilbur didn’t reply, he walked over to the wooden door. He opened it and it screeched as it hit the wall, letting the remaining sunlight pour in.
“You started it,” Techno retorted.
The door stopped abruptly in Wilbur’s hands, he closed it shut right after.
“What a nerd,” Techno muttered as if Wilbur was still in here, listening. “I still think my comeback wins.” That man wouldn’t have listened anyways.
Techno stretched his arms to reach the stack of paper and slid it, passing all the empty seats before it reached his. He gently pulled a piece of the plastic and reminisced.
Remember, just as you were taught.
He let the distant voices of his old teacher and friend guide him through the steps again.
——-
Everyone had eaten dinner which was some rabbit Wilbur had caught earlier in the day. It was genuinely good, the fullest meal he’s had in days.
Tommy was passed out on the small couch, snoring pretty loudly. This kid can’t just be quiet can he? Techno didn’t get where he has all this energy from, maybe it’s because he doesn’t really have to do anything other than walk and talk. They sort of had to do the same thing, except there’s also dealing with the shitty world and their crushing minds.
Phil was on the wooden floor, lost in some extremely tattered book, he looked like an actual nerd. The poor pages were clinging onto each other for life. Techno couldn’t blame him. Having the role of a dad as the worlds crashing around you takes a lot of yourself, especially with Tommy’s overly bubbly energy.
Techno was wide awake, thinking about the past few days and how much he missed things as always. Maybe Wilbur was right, he didn’t really appreciate how good his life was all safe in a lodge. Although all the working and tutoring was tiring, he just wanted to sleep every day, nothing more, so why can’t he sleep now?
Maybe he should go see what Wilbur’s up to outside. Maybe make up with him? He just could have just been in some shitty mood; he’s not an asshole to Tommy. Those two act like brothers.
Techno realized he was making his tired body get up and stumble to the front door, where he can see Wilbur’s glowing yellow lamp through the window and through the curtains.
Phil didn’t notice his footsteps, he was too into his novel.
The doorknob’s freezing surface froze Techno’s fingers, making him shiver. He turned the knob and was greeted by a stronger stench of smoke that swirled like a storm cloud in the dark.
Wilbur was standing on the right side of the porch, leaning against the wooden fence with a lighter and pack of cigarettes on the wood. He was staring into the night, probably thinking.
Where the hell did he get cigarettes from? Either robbing, trading, or tucked in a corner guarded by spider webs at a gas station. They were pretty hard to get.
Wilbur took notice of the noise from Techno, and quickly turned and noticed Techno. Techno awkwardly stared back at him.
“What do you need?” Wilbur asked Techno, throwing the cigarette bud on the ground.
“Nothing, I was just wondering where you were,” Techno replied.
“Couldn’t see the lantern through the window?” Wilbur asked.
“I guess not,” Techno obviously lied. “Well, I also wanted to apologize for being an ass earlier.”
Wilbur shrugged. “I guess no problem, is that all?”
“Yeah, I guess we were both just being shit,” Techno added.
“Mhm,” Wilbur said. “I was too to be honest, I just—I don’t know.”
“I get it,” Techno said.
Techno brought his eyes back to the pack of cigarettes sitting on the wood. How did Wilbur and Phil just have a lot of stuff like that? Or was it a normal thing to have all this and Techno just wasn’t used to this world outside of the lodge?
“Want one? As an apology,” Wilbur took notice and be offered.
“That’s alright, I don’t smoke,” Techno rejected his odd offer. “Letting me stay over is nice enough anyways, thanks.”
“Okay, no problem,” Wilbur said.
Techno wanted to know more about everything, he wasn’t sure what. He ran through questions in his head, what was this an interrogation? Now that he has no one, and he is likely going to an aquarium with them because of Tommy, he surprisingly wants to get closer.
It sounds weird because he’s only known them for a few days. They remind him of his old family.
“So,” Techno said. “How did you meet Phil and Tommy?”
Wilbur was in the middle of lighting another cigarette. “Business,” He answered. “I think I said earlier, I got picked up by a little system. Might as well tell you because you’re going to be stuck with us for a bit.”
“Mhm,” Techno replied and continued to listen.
“We smuggle stuff like weapons and shit from government grounds. Phil learnt about us, don’t know how but we started meeting often, trading,” Wilbur explained. “And of course Tommy got close, he’s like my little sibling now.” Wilbur smiled at that.
“That’s sweet,” Techno said about the brother thing. “Well, so you guys basically steal n all that?”
“Yeah,” He said after taking his cigarette out of his mouth. “And where did you come from again?”
“I’m not from here, although the mountain with the lodge thing is near here more to the west,” Techno explained before repeating what he told Phil. On a trip with his family, a crazy apocalypse started and his parents are likely a rotting corpse.
“That’s pretty shit,” Wilbur said. “Who knows, maybe they’re out there and lived.”
“That’s something positive from you, thanks,” Techno said.
“No problem, Tech, ” Wilbur called him.
“Tech?” Techno couldn’t help but laugh at it.
Wilbur laughed a bit too. “Can I not call you that?”
“No it’s fine it’s fine,” Techno told him. “Where were you when the apocalypse started?”
Apocalypse, a word that was so scary to say out of your very mouth, now used casually in a conversation.
“Walking home from my bad day at school—in a city out of all places—it was a huge shit show with cars everywhere, people just being . . . murdered, everything you’d see in a movie,” Wilbur said. “I thought I was the next one to be bitten or run over by a vehicle or crushed—but look at me still here, smoking in the middle of nowhere and alive, and yeah.”
Techno sighed. “I still can’t believe no one knows where the fuck this virus came from.”
Wilbur paused, then said, “I know right, I feel like it just came and ruined everything, it wanted a ruined society.”
“Mhm,” Techno agreed.
“You know,” Wilbur said, exhaling smoke first. “You’re really not bad, I don’t know what was wrong with me. I just feel like I’ve seen so much and you haven’t, even though we were both there and heard the same news. It’s traumatizing enough.”
“Why thank you,” Techno said sarcastically. “It really is, I just wished none of it happened.”
“I think we all agree on that,” Wilbur said. “It’s just a bit weird to feel and know that nothings ever going to be the same again.”
“It won’t,” Techno said. “I mean we can’t go back and just you know stay there and fix everything.”
“Yeah sadly,” Wilbur replied.
Suddenly, the conversation had stopped, leaving the woods to take their turn to speak. This Will guy maybe wasn’t oh too bad. Techno let him have the change of heart, he guessed.
“I think I may head back inside,” Techno told him. “It’s cold and I’m a bit tired.”
“No problem,” Wilbur said, squeezing his hands warm. “Thanks for the conversation.”
“Thanks,” Techno said with a nod. “Good night then.”
“Good night,” Wilbur replied back.
Techno opened the door and shut it behind him, letting the warm air hit his stiff fingers and face. He took off his shoes. He stayed quiet to avoid waking Tommy up. He barely made a noise when walking over to the couch and laying on it. Techno smiled when he realized he had a blanket, thank god.
“Were you out talking to Wilbur?” Phil asked Techno.
“Yep,” Techno said. “We’re fine now so yeah.”
“Oh, what was he doing out there anyways?” Phil asked.
“Smoking,” Techno replied.
“Oh fucking hell I told him to stop, it’s not good,” Phil sighed. “Anyways, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What is it?” Techno wondered.
“So um, has Wilbur told you about our business?” Phil asked Techno.
“He just did yeah,” Techno told Phil.
“Hm okay,” Phil said. “So you know how we can somehow go out to steal stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, we were going to go out again really soon—like couple of days soon,” Phil informed.
“So what is it?” Techno asked.
“Do you want to help us?” Phil finally said.
“Help with your business?”
“Yeah, I’m sure everyone’s fine with a new person joining, we’ll just show you what to do,” Phil said. “Also we are going to that aquarium thing for Tommy right after so you’re going to be with us anyways, also you don’t have to do it.”
“No I’d love to do it,” Technk affirmed.
“You sure?” Phil made sure.
“Yeah, I will admit hanging out with you all is fun anyways,” Techno said.
“We all do go well,” Phil mentioned.
“I think so too,” Techno said.
“Well let me know before we leave then,” Phil said.
“I will, I was going to sleep now,” Texhno said.
Phil nodded and Techno hopped onto the couch.
“Goodnight,” Phil said.
“Goodnight.”
He threw the blanket over his over himself and shut his eyes, but he kept thinking again. Sleeping has been a little weird recently.
He had to admit it, he really enjoyed hanging out with these people for some reason. It just felt right. He felt okay and safer. He didn’t know.
But at the same time he was afraid, afraid of what would happen when they’re gone, and when they grow old except for Techno, how bad it’d be to explain. Then the same thing will happen again, new people and a new generation.
He fucking hated whoever made him immortal, whoever he was he hated. Maybe after this generation he’d try to find a way to kill himself off too, he wasn’t fully immortal after all, and he wasn’t sure why. He doesn’t know why he was, he doesn’t know why anything is what it is.
Techno sighed and shifted his sleeping position. Why was he thinking so hard about this? Especially with people he’s just met?
All he knew is the sickening reality. He had to learn how to grieve, because he will be grieving a lot in his lifetime, maybe even a million times.
He didn’t want to forget though.
His mind started to close in on itself into nothing as he fell into darkness once again, sleep.
——-
“So when will the spinach be ready again? I’m just excited for when-“
A voice became more clearer and clearer, until Techno was conscious enough to identify it as Tommy’s. His surroundings slowly started to unblur as he watched movement happen in the kitchen from the couch. He always was the last to wake up.
“It’ll be ready in one month if I’m keeping track of time correctly,” Phil said.
“You’re right,” Wilbur said, spinning a rock on a wooden table. We just planted them not too long ago Toms.”
Techno pulled himself up from the couch with his arm still half asleep and his right wrist aching, must’ve slept weird. He tried to see where everyone was in the kitchen, but his vision was blocked off by fuzzy colors and tingles.
He hoped he didn’t sleep late the other night, but it really didn’t matter because it seemed like he got a good rest, waking up late. He stretched and yawned while leaning on one side of the couch.
“Oh look who’s awake,” Tommy mentioned. “Techno woke up.”
“Yep,” Techno said while yawning.
“Oh good morning Techno,” Phil said.
“Good morning,” Wilbur also said.
“Good morning,” Techno said tiredly before falling onto his back again on the cushions.
“Gonna eat?” Phil asked him.
“Just a second,” Techno said, staring at the walls and comfortable in his blanket. He’s been sleeping on a floor for the past few years, this is the best he’s ever been.
“I mean it’s not much, just some canned spam with some garlic Tommy forced us to get for fun, it’s actually good though,” Wilbur told Techno.
“How fancy,” Techno said and started to force himself up again. “I’m getting up, now I’m hungry.”
Techno walked to the kitchen to join Phil, Wilbur, and Tommy. There was a big plate in the middle of the table with a tiny pile of stacked spam.
“How’d you cook this?” Techno questioned.
“Over a small fire in the yard, about an hour before you woke up,” Phil said. “It’s one of Tommy’s favorites.”
They really favorite Tommy. Well, he guessed it was better for him to be incredibly happy than deal with the trauma of the world.
Techno took a bite of one and tasted the garlic and cooked spam.
“This is good,” Techno said.
“Are you just pretending or?” Phil asked.
“No, it actually tastes like garbage” Techno said sarcastically.
“Oh thanks Techno,” Phil said. “Maybe I could’ve been a world famous chef or something.”
“Yeah maybe,” Techno went a long, although he was serious about the spam being delicious.
As Techno ate, he tried to remember what happened. He listed things, dinner then the porch and Phil. Phil had asked him if he’d like to help their business, and Techno said yes and that he wanted to think about it first.
Now, he’ll think about it, so what about it? There was really nothing to it. Techno kind of wanted to go with them. He realized once he would leave he would really miss them, it wouldn’t be the same.
He was going to go with them anyways for Tommy’s aquarium thing, although he still wasn’t sure if he was serious. He was sure he was though.
Techno now had to figure out when to tell Phil today, probably after breakfast.
“I have to go meet Niki today or tomorrow over the thing we’re doing this weekend, I have to check,” Wilbur told Phil.
“Okay,” Phil said. “I guess we’ll just sit around here.”
“I forgot to say,” Wilbur said quieter. “I got Tommy something,”
Techno spotted Tommy bat an eye, but was too busy doodling and eating breakfast.
“I traded an older smaller gun I don’t use for this.” Wilbur pulled out a bag of seeds from his jacket. Techno squinted.
In a shiny silver marker wrote Tomato Seeds in neat handwriting.
“Oh that’s so cool!” Phil said. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Wilbur replied. “And we can use the seeds from the grown tomatoes after, it’s cool right?”
“I haven’t seen gardening seeds in forever,” Techno exaggerated.
“Yeah,” Wilbur said. “I mean I’ve seen them a lot because of Tommy but they are really hard to acquire.” He shook the bag around.
“You guys grow food?” Techno asked.
“Mhm, it’s safe enough to grow them since we don’t have to always be on the move,” Wilbur explained. “We just need some fences to keep some wildlife away from the plants.”
Techno wondered, maybe life wasn’t so bad out of camp if you just stayed remote. But where would you get all these supplies from? Weapons, clothing, and food. A survivor would need to risk trading with others or stepping foot into shops likely filled with infected.
If these people can raise a child he could make it right?
Wilbur spoke, “Well I’m going to go show him it now then, we’ll still be here don’t worry.”
Wilbur got up and pushed in his chair. He headed to where Tommy was. Now it was just Techno and Phil.
“So, you’ve thought about last night?” Phil asked.
“Yeah of course,” Techno said.
“I mean no pressure.”
“I was going to mention that, yeah I do want to go with you,” Techno said. “I do need to owe you, ‘cause yeah I wouldn’t be here right now if you two didn’t help me out.” Although he likely would still be alive.
“Oh no problem,” Phil brushed off. “I also think Tommy’s gotten attached to you too.”
“Yeah I can kind of tell,” Techno agreed.
He felt like he was taking care of a younger sibling with Tommy for some reason, although he hasn’t known him for awhile he’s brought that to Techno.
“I guess back to the thing we have to do, we probably have to tell the head of everything,” Phil mentioned.
“Oh,” Techno said. “Who?”
“Niki, she’s pretty cool but could be another you and Wilbur thing,” Phil claimed.
“Yeah hopefully it won’t be that.”
This would mean something new to Techno, one of the many and infinite chapters to take place in his eternal lifetime. He was just going to appreciate the years where he can remember most of the things that happened.
Phil took one last sip of his mug and smiled. “Well, I guess,” Phil said. “Welcome then.”