Chapter 8: Antelope Valley Mall

After the encounter with the drone enough hellhounds converged on them at once that Spencer was forced to use his twelve gauge to prevent Andrea from being overrun. Which, just as he had feared, had brought a mess of monsters to their area searching for the source of the gunshots. They were currently hunkered down in the basement of a nearby family home. The smell of burnt material hung thick in the air as half of the house had burned down some hours ago. Fortunately the basement under the garage was relatively untouched. Spencer busied himself wrapping some gauze onto a particularly deep cut on Andrea’s thigh as they both listened to the chittering monsters hunt for them outside.

“You don’t have to do this commander.” Andrea winced as Spencer pulled the wrap tight around the wound. “I’ll heal up on my own in a little while.”

True enough, even as Spencer worked he could see the severed skin slowly stitching itself back together. Spencer ignored her protests and bandaged her up anyway. It soothed his own worries as his brain continued to analyse the problem. 

“It’s risky moving through the city with only the two of us. We need to get our next team member as soon as possible.”

Andrea sat quietly for a few moments as Spencer checked his ammo count.

“Do we have to?” She said in a whisper almost too quiet to hear.

Spencer paused and glanced at the unexpectedly shy redhead.

“What?” He scooted a bit closer to where she sat to hear her better.

Her pale skin blushed a deep crimson and she avoided Spencer’s questioning gaze.

“I just thought… You know… It could be nice for it to just be the two of us… for a little while longer…” Andrea pulled her knees up and hid her face behind them.

Spencer considered her words. She liked him. That much was clear. The “Suave Commander” boon given to him guaranteed all of the engie’s he recruited would feel that way immediately. So it made a certain sense that Andrea would want to capitalize on her one on one time with him. A distant crash followed by a monstrous howl signaled somewhere out on the streets a hellhound found something to hunt.

Someone could be in danger right now and we’re stuck down in this basement. Spencer’s hands clenched tightly.

As much as he wanted to rush out and help he knew such an action would more than likely get him and Andrea killed. He didn’t want that. He needed more help. He needed more team members.

“It’s important that we find the others first.” Spencer nodded to Andrea’s injury. “As strong as you are, this is proof that even you can get overwhelmed.”

Andrea hugged her legs tighter against her face, the blush falling away from her ears as she listened to Spencer’s response.

“You’re right…” Her voice was muffled against her own skin. “...If only… I was stronger… Then maybe…”

“Even one more engie, even if she’s only partly as skilled as you are, will go a long way to boost our power level.” Spencer clasped Andrea’s shoulder in what he hoped was an encouraging manner.

Andrea nodded but kept her face hidden. “Yes commander.”

I don’t think that’s what she wanted to hear… Spencer sighed.

Perhaps things would be different if he actually had any experience interacting with girls. His thought process was logical. An apocalypse was happening outside and they needed to recruit more engies in order to survive and hopefully fight back. Spencer didn’t know how else to present that information to Andrea to help her feel better about what they had to do.

When we’re safe back home with a larger team I’ll make it up to her somehow. Spencer concluded.

“You haven’t asked a lot of questions.” Spencer spoke quietly in an attempt to shift the awkward silence that hung between them.

“You know…“ He made vague gestures around. “About any of this. Not that I’m complaining. You’ve already saved my life many times over from all of the hellhounds you’ve taken out. I’m incredibly grateful.”

Spencer’s uncertain fingers plucked a loose thread from his torn jeans and he inspected the thread closely to avoid eye contact.

“I just expected a bit more… concern considering this isn’t your world.”

Andrea peaked out from behind her legs and shifted her shoulders in a tiny shrug.

“It’s not as different as you might expect, commander. Humanity on the brink, a desperate struggle for survival against a seemingly endless hoard of foes, and a permanent overwhelming sense of dread at not knowing when or how your end will come. These are all things that engies are very familiar with. In fact, the only thing that’s wildly different here is you.” 

Andrea’s expression softened. Her green eyes sparkling with an unexpected excitement. Spencer blinked.

“What do you mean?”

Andrea laughed gently. “I’ve never felt so connected with a commander before. Actually I’ve never felt this connected to anyone before. From the second I woke up in that strange pod I knew that you were my one and only commander. The one I was always destined to follow. Our souls are linked. Our bond was fated from the very beginning. I don’t need to worry about what I don’t understand. Not when I have you, my precious commander.”

An unsettling weight formed in Spencer’s stomach at her words. This was his boon at work. What else would she think if she suddenly felt more attached to a stranger than anyone else in her entire life? On one hand it was a relief that she would continue to fight for him no matter what, but on the other hand it felt wrong. It felt like he was lying to her. Like his existence was projecting something he just wasn’t.

What even have I done without her? Spencer’s internal turmoil boiled up. I got lucky and took out a few of the weakest monsters and failed to protect anyone around me. I don’t deserve this level of trust.

Then again, what could he say? Was he really going to deny everything she thought of him and drive her away? Spencer internally shook his head. He couldn’t risk that.

I’ll figure this out later… When I have more members of my team I can lay things out straight. I’ll explain everything… just not right now.

******

The sun grew low over the horizon by the time they exited their hiding place and resumed carefully navigating the streets of Lancaster. They encountered fewer hellhounds now compared to earlier in the day. From the number of houses that had broken windows, shattered doors, and torn garage entrances Spencer had to guess that the number of people on the streets had lowered enough that now the monsters were focusing on hunting inside buildings rather than around them.

That wasn’t the only thing that had Spencer worried.

“The bodies.” He mumbled as he inspected a mostly dried patch of blood along a cracked section of sidewalk.

“What’s up commander?” Andrea diligently watched their surroundings while Spencer crouched down.

“We’re seeing less bodies as time goes on.” Spencer noted a streak of blood on one side of the dried patch.

“Perhaps the hellhounds were hungry after their day of slaughter.” Andrea suggested.

Spencer frowned. “Even if they did start eating everyone, there would be something left. Bones or scraps of clothing. No. They’re moving bodies.”

He pointed to a streak leading westward down a residential street.

“Should we investigate?” She asked, eyeing the street apprehensively.

Eventually Spencer shook his head.

“The plan remains the same. Whatever these monsters are doing it can wait until we’re better equipped to deal with it.” Spencer nodded towards the large mall to their south where the beam of light shone proudly up into the orange evening sky. “We’re almost there.”

They fought a single hellhound when they crossed through an underpass to get to the other side of the fourteen freeway. Spencer followed Andrea as she dispatched the monster and weaved quickly through the mess of damaged and abandoned vehicles to get to the Antelope Valley Mall parking lot. Andrea knelt beside a shoulder high row of hedges and waited for Spencer to catch up.

“Where is this capsule going to be commander?”

Spencer glanced up at the beam of light to gauge how much further they had to go.

“It looks like it’ll be on the other side of the mall. Probably the parking lot.” He massaged his sore legs and prayed they wouldn’t have any more encounters today.

I don’t think I’ve ever ran this much in one day before. He took a few steadying breaths to recover however much he could before they moved on.

Andrea watched him closely. “Do you need me to carry you commander?”

Spencer chuckled but shook his head. “As tempting as that may be, your energy is far more valuable than mine is. We don’t need to waste it carrying my scrawny butt around.”

Unexpectedly Andrea didn’t immediately accept his playful rejection. Instead, Andrea cupped her hands on either side of Spencer’s face and stared directly into his eyes. Spencer’s body froze, but his heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

“Everything I have belongs to you, commander. Please don’t say it would be a waste.” 

She said it so matter of factly. Spencer couldn’t think of a response. Before either of them could break away there was a loud whoosh from overhead. They both snapped their heads up just in time to witness a fleet of low flying missiles whizz past. The long grey winged objects cruised just above the rooftops, telephone poles, and treetops as they raced south west.

“What are those?” Andrea craned her head to track missiles as they disappeared over the horizon.

“Cruise missiles. The military is striking the pillar.” Spencer realized out loud.

Even as they watched the lower section of the pillar lit up with a massive series of explosions around each side of the colossal structure. Judging from the angles of the explosions they witnessed Spencer guessed that the missiles that flew over their heads were one part of a three way strike. The second group came from the south east and the third from the ocean. The timing of all of the strikes was near perfect. Unfortunately…

“Not even a scratch.” Andrea noted as the explosive clouds cleared around the unmarked pillar walls.

Spencer sighed. “I guess it was too much to hope that would work. Let’s move.”

The pair left their cover and sprinted across the mostly empty mall parking lot.

“Are we cutting through?” Andrea nodded her head towards the large double entryway to their left.

Spencer glanced between the beam of light towering over the far side of the mall and the entrance to the illuminated interior of the shopping center. It’s true that cutting through would be faster, but given all of the signs they’d seen that most of the hellhounds had moved indoors to hunt what few people remained in the city Spencer was hesitant to take that risk.

“Let’s skirt along the outside. We can-” His instructions were cut short when he spotted a towering figure round the near corner of the mall.

He grabbed Andrea and pulled her behind the open door of a parked car. Andrea, for her part, didn’t react in the slightest as Spencer maneuvered her around. It was almost like she enjoyed the hands-on approach to guiding her and didn’t even bother asking what it was about. 

They peaked around to watch the giant smooth monster Spencer referred to as a faceless one stomp slowly into view. The creature’s long arms lagged behind it as it dragged the lifeless bodies of several mangled people. Andrea tightened her grip on her weapon but Spencer shook his head. Andrea’s eyes flashed that familiar frustration that Spencer had been feeling all day. It was tempting to give into it here and now, but Andrea hadn’t noticed what Spencer already had.

“I’m strong enough to take it out commander.” She whispered earnestly.

Spencer pointed at the creature again. The monster wasn’t alone. A pack of hellhounds crept behind it, each one dragging a body of their own. The grim procession moved slowly to the west before angling south, cutting through the corner of the parking lot. Questions filled Spencer’s mind, but his priorities remained unchanged.

“Inside.” He whispered to Andrea once the monsters were far enough away.

Going inside would still carry the risks Spencer had considered earlier, but the distant caravan of monsters and sounds of others just like them around the other side of the mall forced Spencer to re-evaluate. They’d have to take their chances cutting through the mall.

“Stay close commander.” Andrea kept low and darted towards the entrance.

The automatic sliding doors lay shattered across the interior flooring. Glass crunched uncomfortably loudly wherever their feet stepped down. The pair slid inside and around the nearest triangular advertisement sign at a speedy yet controlled pace. They paused, breathing heavily while they listened for sounds of pursuit.

“I think we made it undetected, commander.” Andrea whispered after a short time of silence.

Spencer nodded and turned to survey the mall. The hanging rectangular fluorescent lights illuminated a grim scene. Broken glass, scattered shopping bags, and blood filled the wide hallways within the once bustling shopping center. The high glass ceiling had several holes from where monster pods had crashed through earlier in the day. Front display windows were almost all broken. A few stores had half closed metal gates, like someone had been trying to keep the monsters out during the initial panic, but even the one store that had succeeded shutting their gate had a large hole torn through the center of the steel bars. There wasn’t a store that appeared untouched. Spencer shakily checked his weapon to make sure he was fully loaded before he rose from their position.

“Let’s make this quick.” He licked his dry lips and motioned for Andrea to follow him. “Stay as quiet as you can.”

They stepped through the hallway, avoiding broken glass where they could as they made their way to the central plaza in the heart of the mall. Spencer stepped over a ransacked pretzel cart and spotted something down the hallway to his left.

“Outdoor and sports…” He bit his cheek and turned back and forth between the beam of light visible directly out the doors down the hallway to his front and the distant outdoor goods department store.

They’ll have a hunting section there. He reasoned internally. I could restock my slugs… Or maybe find something that hits a bit harder.

He bounced his twelve gauge against his palms as he thought through the potential detour. Andrea stepped up and peered at what caught Spencer’s attention. Something shifted in the dim entry way to the outdoor goods store.

Was that movement or am I seeing things? Spencer strained his vision to try and catch whatever it was again.

“Is that a real bowling alley?” Andrea’s eyes went wide and she gasped as she mistakenly saw the sign next to the one Spencer was actually looking at. “I’ve heard about them, but never got a chance to see one in person.”

“Wha-” Spencer stopped himself.

It was easy to forget that Andrea was actually a video game character from a post-apocalyptic world. Now that he thought about it, Spencer didn’t know much of anything about where Andrea came from.

There’s time for that later. Spencer chided himself.

“Come on. We’re almost at the capsule.”

Spencer's words caught Andrea as she was in the middle of taking a wistful step towards the distant bowling alley. Her face fell, but she followed. A chime in Spencer’s head made him frown.

‘Bonding event failed: Suave Commander boon prevents loss of affection points.’

Spencer hastily dismissed the notification and turned towards Andrea as she walked away from him towards their original goal.

“Maybe when we get the team together, and there are less monsters around, we can go check out the bowling alley.” Spencer offered her as he raced to catch up.

For the first time since meeting her Andrea pointedly looked away with a huff of displeasure.

“Whatever you order, commander.”

Her pace was far quicker than Spencer was used to.

“H-hey.” He had to jog to keep up.

Andrea’s jaw was set in a hard line. “It’s my fault, commander. If I hadn’t gotten hurt earlier you wouldn’t be so insistent that we need another engie with us. It’s my fault we couldn’t go bowling like you wanted.”

“I didn’t say that.” Spencer reeled from the sudden outpouring of anger from her.

Her usual chipper demeanor was gone. Andrea even leaned back and kicked open the doors leading outside to the parking lot where the capsule sat unclaimed. She made eye contact with the glowing capsule, clicked her tongue, and scowled like it was somehow to blame.

I guess anyone can see the capsules, but only I can see the blue beam of light they give off. Strange. Spencer couldn’t help but notice these facts even as he struggled to come up with a proper way of apologizing to Andrea.

“Go pick up the skank so we can move on.” Andrea pointed towards the capsule with her nightstick.

Spencer felt his eyebrows rise on his forehead in disbelief at her disgust. “Do you know who’s inside?”

“No.” She grumbled. “But whoever is ruining my alone time with my commander is a skank through and through.”

She emphasized the ‘my’ in her sentence with an increased level of possessiveness. Spencer rubbed his head. This was proving to be more complicated than he had planned on and in a way he didn’t even consider before getting here.

“Andrea…”

Howls from across the parking lot caused both he and Andrea to leap in surprise. A pack of hellhounds had spotted them and had already begun to close the distance. To make matters worse, the large shadow of a faceless one lifted up from behind a tipped over delivery truck and surveyed them with interest.

“Good.” Andrea tightened her shield and beat her nightstick against it. “I need to kill something so I don’t kill whoever comes out of the pod.”

“Maybe we should…” 

There were a lot of hellhounds coming at them. More than Spencer was comfortable letting Andrea handle on her own. Plus the faceless one had already begun to make his way over as well. Spencer didn’t know exactly how strong those things were, but they gave him a deeply unsettling feeling whenever he saw them move. He wanted to tell Andrea that they could fall back, lose the monsters inside the mall, and make it to the capsule once it was clear, but one look at Andrea told Spencer that she wasn’t willing to let this go.

She wanted to fight. It had been a long day of hiding, running, and avoiding conflict wherever possible. Given her chipper attitude and fierce confidence Spencer gathered that Andrea didn’t enjoy running from her problems. Spencer glanced at the capsule.

He wouldn’t be able to make it there before the hounds were on them, but if she could hold on for just a few seconds he could free the second engie and make it in time to support her.

“Stay safe. Don’t let yourself get surrounded.” He urged her before taking off towards the glowing capsule.