They walked for another half an hour in the dark night with Chuck doing most of the talking. He told him various stories about the city and what happened beyond the Perimeter such as the meat factory incident. The meat factory was the reason why the Perimeter had started. In the early days of the Peak City, a Nazi patrol group was surveying their area when they heard a sound from the inside the meat factory. To their horror, instead of finding meat within the lockers they found something worse. Human carcasses, strung to meat hooks, their blood still dripping down on the reddened floor. There had been news of people not coming back to the city after they had gone out as well as convicts inside concentration camps disappearing which this horrific discovery explained. A huge uproar had spread throughout the Peak City who had realized that human meat was being circulating among them and that a lot of them had even consumed it. From that point onwards, the people had established the Perimeter along the line from where the meat factory stood. Whoever crossed it, dared to do it at their own risk.
"I went there with some my mates and let me tell you, it was one of the spookiest places I've ever been to," said Chuck. "You wanna go there sometime? It'll be fun."
Michael was very creeped out by the stories. "Well, what would be the point?" he asked.
"What would be the point? It's fun," answered Chuck feeling satisfied at seeing Michael scared. "Don't tell me you're a pussy, are you?"
"No, no. I… I wouldn't mind it at all," lied Michael. Why are you so awkward? He cursed himself.
"Good. There's also the Bone Park which I'll show you one day."
"What's that?"
"It's the most hardcore thing ever. There's a park not too far away from here which is blown up just like most of the city. Well, some sick bastard pulled out the skeletons of the people that had died in the park and made all sorts of sculptures and what not and displayed them in the park. They're calling it 'art' and I have to say it's pretty badass. There's talk about a rock concert going to take place there as well. It's going to hardcore."
Michael gulped. Why does this guy find all this fun? His thoughts were interrupted by strange vibrations that transmitted through the ground which strangely seemed to be in synchronous order. What's going on?
"Relax, Michael," reassured Chuck when Michael had stopped walking. "It's just music turned on full blast."
Michael followed Chuck as the vibrations grew louder and the music became clearer. He noticed how the population of people in the area was beginning to increase. They had barely seen any people on their journey. As they got closer, Michael could see bright lights until finally they arrived at the streets which were swarming with people.
"This is the place I was talking about," said Chuck. "The Cauldron where everything fun is mixed together into one place. You want a drink? Come here. You want to dance? Come here. You want to bang a hot chick? Come here. You want drugs? Come here. You want to have fun? Come fucking here. Hardcore, isn't this?"
No, I would not describe this as 'fun'. Michael felt uncomfortable in this place. He still couldn't understand why the Nazis would allow such a place to exist. He looked around at the people who were dressed in flashy clothes and roamed around in groups laughing and having a great time. He could see couples making out in public which made him uncomfortable. There were people sat on tables inside one of the buildings playing all sorts of games such as poker and blackjack while smoking and drinking. Additionally, he could see people playing games that involved drinking alcohol which he could not understand with onlookers cheering them on. Prostitutes stood dressed in revealing outfits with fishnet leggings along the pavements and gave men seductive looks who stared at them ravenously. The whole scenario was in complete contrast to the reality in the Peak City which was monotonous and hopeless. It felt morally wrong for such a place to exist only a few miles away from the concentration camps where people were suffering. It was as if the people here had absolutely no idea about the harsh reality that existed in the world. Maybe that's why they come here, to forget about their worries.
It made Michael think again, did respawners actually exist? He would find the answer to that question soon enough and wish he hadn't.
Chuck led Michael through to a nearby nightclub from where the music was blaring out. He could feel his eardrums throbbing the moment he entered inside. The nightclub consisted of a bar at the end of the room before which was the dance floor above which hung a disco ball. There were multi-coloured lights of various sizes that danced around from above with the people giving the whole place an exotic feel but which hurt Michael's eyes. The whole place made Michael feel uncomfortable, it made him feel he did not belong here. He liked peace and this definitely wasn't a peaceful place.
They sat on the stools at the bar and Chuck ordered drinks for both of them. Michael had not tasted any alcohol yet and could not remember the taste of it either. He looked at the brownish liquid in the glass as if it was poison.
"Don't tell me you don't remember the taste of whisky either?" asked Chuck in amazement. "Come on, down the shot. Maybe it'll help you remember."
Michael took a sip of the whisky and instantly began to cough. The taste was bitter and made him gag. It was strong too, which made Michael want to throw it up.
"C'mon, drink the whole thing, it's going to taste bad in the beginning but you'll get used to it. You're not going to leave this place until your brain is absolutely hammered. Trust me, you're going to be thanking me later for bringing you here."
Michael somehow managed to down the whole thing and looked up to see that Chuck had already downed three shots. He looked around at the other people who too were drinking as if it was water. He really wanted water at that moment, not this junk that made his throat sting and his stomach sick.
Chuck was already starting to look drunk and his body was shaking with the music that was piercing into Michael's ears. The intermixing club lights were beginning to look even more disturbing through Michael's dizzy, reddened eyes. He was starting to have pangs of nausea where he felt he was floating, as if he didn't exist after which his vision would suddenly clear and he would feel like hurling.
Chuck downed another glass of whisky and got up to join the dancing people in the middle of the room. "C'mon Michael, let's dance. The songs that are playing are absolutely lit."
Michael shook his head. Chuck frowned at him. "I was a pussy like you too once upon a time so I understand. But trust me, you're going to be joining me on the dance floor one day and gonna realize how stupid you were. Hey bartender, get this guy another shot on my tab."
Michael was beginning to protest but Chuck glared at him. "I've already ordered it and if you're going to waste it then I'm not going to take you back to the city." Michael stared at him trying to ascertain whether he was serious or not. The bartender put the drink on the table and Michael grabbed it. Chuck's glare instantly turned into a smile. This guy is freaking me out.
Michael watched Chuck as he danced around like a madman and noticed how he got too close to the girls dressed in skimpy outfits. They didn't seem to mind one bit with Chuck at one point even grabbing a very drunk woman's ass. He looked towards Michael and winked. I can't wait for this night to get over, he thought as he took a reluctant sip of the whisky. Something told him that this would not be his last trip here. Chuck had been very persistent with him and he was sure that he would force him to come here again.
After a few songs, Chuck made his way to Michael who had very reluctantly finished his drink and was struggling to keep it down. "You don't look so good, amnesia boy. The alcohol too strong for you?"
Michael nodded gingerly. He wanted to leave this place. "We should go. We've got work tomorrow morning as well."
"Oh, Michael, you shouldn't be looking forward to the morning. You're going to have the wickedest of hangovers then," he laughed. "You look glum. I've got a way to cheer you up. C'mon, I'll introduce you to some of the girls. Maybe getting into bed with one could jog your memory." He winked.
Michael was feeling very giddy. The room was shaking and the dancing lights and loud music was only making it worse. The vibrations from the music now sounded distant as if hearing explosions from the distance. Then, suddenly, he was back inside the room and he had to fight back another strong gag reflex.
He had not realized that Chuck was already introducing him to a woman. She wore a black, strapless dress from under which her voluptuous bosom was fighting to get out.
"This is my friend, Michael. He's new here," said Chuck with a smile. "This is Christina. Say hi to her." He brought his face close to his ear and whispered. "Stop staring at her boobs. Her eyes are up there."
"Hi, Christina," said Michael and shook her hand. She wore black eyeliner and purple lipstick which made her look gothic. She looks hot, Michael thought. No, she looks scary. His thoughts were in complete shambles like his vision.
"Michael's got amnesia," Chuck explained to her in a serious tone. "They found him in a ditch beyond the Perimeter. He was injured all over after having fought off his raiders who were found dead besides him. He's very strong but sadly, lost his memory."
"Aww, that's so sad," said Christina with a sympathetic smile. "You must be very brave."
"Yeah," said Chuck with a sorry smile on his face. "But hey, he's better now and this is his first time out ever since he got injured. We should make it a night he'll never forget. What do you say Michael?"
"Totall-" That was when another gag reflex hit him and this time he could not control it. Chuck watched in awe as Michael hurled out all his insides onto Christina's dress. Chuck turned to her with look of shock and burst out laughing.
"What the hell?!" screamed Christina looking at her dress.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorr-" Michael apologized but ended up getting kicked in the gut from her heel which led to him vomiting on the floor again. Chuck burst into another fit of laughter.
"Oh, Michael. You're a riot," he laughed dragging him away. "Come on, let's go. This is enough for one night."
He led him outside the nightclub and Michael was grateful to feel the cool air of the night outside. They made their way back to the city with Chuck having to support him. He was laughing again after Michael had another fit of vomiting.
"Damn, Michael how much do you even eat? You've hurled out a whole week's dinner. I told you tonight was going to be fun."
"Yeah, that was really fun," Michael said sarcastically rubbing his mouth with his sleeve. He could finally think properly again without that blasted music shaking his mind.
"Lighten up, Michael. We all have our fuck ups. I remember when…" Chuck droned on about various events that had occurred in his life without letting his friend say anything. Michael did not mind one bit. He was in no mood to talk. He noticed how Chuck was really proud of himself. Half of the stuff he says sounds like bullshit. Michael could not wait to sink his throbbing head inside a pillow and sleep.
April 3, 2032
Destroyed Denver, Old Colorado
Michael had spent two weeks now hanging out with Chuck with quite a few of the nights filled with uncomfortable nights at the Cauldron, wicked hangovers in the morning and hard work at the mines. Other times, he had hung out with Chuck and his friends at various other places in Destroyed Denver. But he enjoyed Chuck's presence and found him fascinating. It was like how an animal documentarian observed their animals with curiosity and fascination. He was also starting to understand the slang that he used.
They were currently at an abandoned shooting range beyond the Perimeter of which most of the building had fallen apart safe for two outdoor shooting ranges. There were a few clouds covering the sun above along with a pleasant wind blowing. They were joined by a group of Chuck's friends: Adrian, Ryan and William.
Adrian had brought his dad's rifle with him and fired it at one of the target dummies. The bullet hit the target right in the head. The others cheered and he took a bow.
"And that's how it's done," he said waving his long, black hair upwards as he straightened up. He always did that and seemed to resonate an egotistical aura just like Chuck. No wonder they're best friends.
"Hey, Michael. You wanna have a go?" he said offering the rifle to him.
"Yeah, Michael. Go on. It ain't going to bite you know?" teased William. All of them loved to tease Michael because of the innocent way in which he would react. They found him stupid and that was entertaining to them.
"Well, I don't know…" Michael hesitated.
"Go on, dude," said the acne-covered Ryan who was smoking a blunt. "Don't worry about it, just chillax. Just go with the flow." Michael could not recall a single moment where he hadn't seen Ryan smoking weed or snorting coke.
Michael took the gun and was surprised to find it heavier than he had expected. He slowly made his way to the shooting range. He scratched at his face which he had been doing for a week now. Adrian had advised him to grow his beard out because it was the new trend though it itched because he wasn't used it. He hadn't had a beard when he had regained consciousness and was wondering whether he should shave it off.
"Man, if you're so scared to shoot a gun then I can't imagine how scared you'd be to shoot your load inside a girl," joked William.
"What? You mean this guy's a virgin?" laughed Adrian.
"He's got amnesia, boys. It doesn't matter even if was a pornstar before he lost his memory, he's gotta start all over again," said Chuck.
"Unless he lost his tool as well," joked William and all them burst into laughter. Michael also smiled, he loved the dirty jokes these guys made. Too bad they're always aimed at me.
"You'd get a heart attack if you saw how big my tool is," said Michael and they all went ohhhhhhhh while looking at William. Michael had heard William say that comeback plenty of times to the others.
"Michael's becoming a big boy now," said Chuck patting him on the back.
"Well, he certainly got big balls to say that," said William who had gone red at Michael's comment. Michael never had the guts to say anything like that to them before. "Let's see how good you are at shooting that gun instead of your mouth."
Michael confidently made his way to the shooting range. They're starting to accept me, he thought. He aimed the rifle at the target making sure the crosshairs were aligned. He could hear the others snickering knowing that there was something wrong with his stance or the way he was holding the gun. He tried to adjust his body but it only made the others laugh more.
"C'mon, amnesia boy. We ain't got all day."
Michael put his finger on the trigger and slowly pulled it back. Bang! He had not expected such a strong recoil from the rifle and it jerked back hitting him hard in the face. The bullet ended up flying in the air.
Michael held at his lip which was already beginning to swell. He looked behind to see the others laughing like crazy. Even Ryan, who had dropped his blunt in laughter and was coughing out the smoke.
Michael grabbed the rifle from the ground and aimed it at the targets again. This time he held the rifle lower and tightened his muscles in anticipation of the recoil. He fired and this time the bullet hit the target. It had hit it right on the crotch.
More laughter from behind and this time Michael laughed too. This was perhaps the only reason he hung out with them. Laughing like this was the best thing he had felt since gaining consciousness behind the Perimeter.
"He shot his dick because he doesn't have one himself," laughed William.
That's how the next month passed by. Drinking and dancing at the nightclub, hanging out at different spots beyond the Perimeter and work at the mines. Michael was beginning to settle down into this way of life. He still didn't like drinking the alcohol at the bar but he could handle it now. Perhaps the only thing he had not done was have sex with a girl. It made him nervous to the extent that his friends convinced him to rent a whore. Michael had been sweating for the whole time and had run out of the room the moment she had begun to undress him. He didn't try to rent another one because he needed to save money. All of these antics made his friends laugh. He knew that was the only reason they let him hang out with them, to pick on him and to feel good about themselves. Michael, being socially awkward, did not do anything to stop them. He was too afraid to lose their company.
Don't be a wuss, he would tell himself but in the end just end up smiling like an idiot which was his instinctive reaction to hiding his true feelings.
April 5, 2032
Elena was on her way back to the clinic after another trip to the greenhouse. Her eyes were reddened and hazy after the blunt she had smoked. She always hated the journey back to the clinic because it was filled with guilt. I shouldn't have smoked again. Smoking only reminds you of him.
That's when Chuck suddenly appeared from a nearby broken down store towards her. She had almost yelped out in surprise.
"Hey, Elena," he called out. There was a serious expression on his face. "I wanted to talk to you about something serious."
She stopped. Why are you stopping, you idiot? Chuck had seen her multiple times before on the streets and had not said a word to her. At times, he had even pretended to not notice her at all, as if she was invisible. It had been more than a year since he had last said a word to her. Get away from him, he's the enemy.
"What is it?" she said in a blunt tone trying to pretend like she did not care. Did I say that too quickly? Does he still think I'm desperate? I've already fallen for him twice, of course he thinks I'm desperate.
"I wanted to apologize to you about all that I've done to you. I've treated you like shit for so long and I swear I've changed. Really, I have. I'm done with girls and booze and all that stuff. I miss the old days when we just got hammered on weed and talked about music and life and stuff like that, y'know? It's just I've got no control and I just end up getting distracted. I was immature but now I've grown up and I realize how wrong I was. Please, would you take me back?"
The strung a chord in her heart. He still remembers our times. She had imagined this scenario a million times in the past years. He walking up to her and apologizing and her rejecting him and showing him and herself how strong she was. That she didn't need any man. The thought had filled her with satisfaction and that same satisfaction filled her whole body now. But she felt something else too. She felt care, she felt attraction. She had this intense premonition that everything between them would be alright and that they could end up together even though her instinct screamed at her. He's lying! He's lying! This could be the start of something great for her and a small smile broke on her face.
"Really?" she said unable to prevent the excitement from leaving her voice.
Chuck's face contorted at that moment, as if he was trying to control his laughter. To her horror, she saw someone else begin to laugh loudly behind him which made Chuck start laughing too. All her happiness was replaced by intense anger and embarrassment. Annihilation. She wanted to kill him right then with her rifle and then kill herself too. She could feel herself getting red as she looked behind to see his friends staring out of the nearby first floor window laughing as well. He had had the same friends since she had first known him. He sure is loyal to his friends but couldn't be that way with me. But there was someone else new besides them. She was sure she had seen him before and realized it was Michael who had grown a beard. He instantly backed out inside from the window when he saw that she had seen him. That made her even more angry. After all I did for him?
"Oh god, Elena. You actually fell for that?" asked Chuck. "Man, it's so fun to mess with you. You look so cute when you're angry. You look hammered as well. Can I have some of the pot too?"
Elena stared at him with a look of pure hatred. She was trying her best to hold back her tears and if she said anything then she would end up bursting in tears. She hurried away from him but Chuck blocked her way.
"Lighten up, Elena. Why you gotta take everything so serious?" he said.
"Everything's a joke to you, Chuck," she said with tears coming out her eyes. "You think this is funny? You think playing with me is funny?!"
Michael had made his way down and approached Elena.
"Get away from me!" she shouted at him. "I took care of you and this is how you repay me? By laughing at my misery? By being friends with this… with this… monster!" She stormed away ignoring Michael's apologies.
Michael hadn't known that Elena had had a history with Chuck. They had been playing poker in the room which was where Ryan lived when Chuck had seen Elena walking in the distance from the window.
"Hey, watch this, guys. I'm going to go mess with her," Chuck had said with an evil smile on his face. He had hurried away downstairs before Michael could see who it was out of the window. He had figured it was another one of his exes who he liked to tease from time to time.
Chuck looked at Michael now with a suspicious look. "What was that about? Since when did you start caring about girls so much?"
Michael looked at him with disgust. He was disgusted with himself too and was already starting to regret all the time he had spent with Chuck. "That wasn't cool, Chuck. You should apologize to her. We all should."
"I ain't apologizing to her. What did I do? I was just having some fun. Why do you care so much anyways? Just because she fixed you up and found your ass on the streets?"
"Shut up!" shouted Michael at him.
"Don't talk to me like that," Chuck shouted back with his fists readied. "I thought you were my friend. I taught your sorry ass how to have fun and this is how you treat me? Fuck off to her then. I thought you understood, bros before hoes."
Michael stormed away from him. Who needs them anyways? They're filth. He made his way towards the city. He had been planning to get a gift for her after he had accumulated enough from his weekly wages. Yes, he would buy her a gift as an apology. He just hoped that she would forgive him.