They spent the night by the tree. The next day they continued to the west. Beyond that hill, the land grew drier, ochre in color. The grass turned mostly yellow. Large rocks covered the landscape. Small rocky hills began to appear; they walked among them, through the valley.
They came across ruins, abandoned structures. Most were just eroded walls; nothing remained inside the apparent houses. Hiram rummaged through the old junk; there was nothing useful. They reached another vast plain; in the distance, they made out columns of black smoke. They climbed a small hill to look through their binoculars. They could make out the city walls; from that distance, it looked like a small town.
—Is that our destination?
—It has to be; we need to resupply.
—Why does it have walls?
—We're in a remote place; there aren't many people here. Those walls are not meant to protect against other people.
—Monsters?
—I'm far more afraid of the savages. —They started walking toward the city.
—Once we get there, what will we do, Doc?
—You'll wait where I tell you; don't talk to anyone and do exactly as I say. I'll seek food and some horses or a vehicle if I can. I don't know how long I'll take. Don't worry, I guess there will be a hotel where we can stay; I'm tired of sleeping on the ground.
—And if they don't let us in?
—This isn't a village; people come and go all the time here; I don't think they'll ask us questions.
They got halfway there; the city was almost in front of them. They rested in a small grove. Vanrra drank the little water they had left. —I'm nervous, doc. I've never talked to anyone from outside; I don't know what to say to them.
Hiram took out his binoculars and examined the outer wall, all its details. He could see that, outside the wall, there was a neighborhood of apparently abandoned rusty houses. —Just play along and don't leave my side. Don't tell them anything personal; don't say where we're going either. If we draw too much attention, they might rob us.
Vanrra looked back, seeing something on the distant horizon. —Doc, I think someone's coming right behind us.
—Someone? What do you mean?
—I don't know; something's getting closer. It still seems very far away.
Hiram turned around. He also saw that black dot. —I think it's a car. I don't remember seeing any during our journey.
—What's a car?
—You remember my toys: they were engines; they create movement. A car is a vehicle with wheels that moves with an engine. There are many other types of vehicles, but cars are the most common.
—It's moving really fast.
—Of course, they're much faster than horses. They need a bit of fuel to travel dozens of kilometers. With a reliable vehicle, we'd cover our whole journey in just a few hours. I hope there's one in the city.
Vanrra took a few steps toward where the supposed vehicle was approaching. —I think it has three tube chimneys, like the ones at your house. How big is a car, doc?
—It depends; the possibilities are endless. Usually just a couple of meters. Whatever the wheels and the engine can handle.
—I don't see any wheels on this one.
—All cars have wheels. It's still too far for you to see the details.
—Doc, I think it's moving…
Hiram pulled him back. —Don't leave the grove; we don't want to be seen. —Behind Vanrra, he managed to see that abomination. It was a black stain on the horizon, moving with multiple huge legs, like an obese spider. On top of that, it had three large protrusions like snake heads. From that distance, it was just a dark silhouette. It was moving at full speed directly toward them.
—Is that a vehicle, doc?
—Run! —Both headed toward the city walls. They were a little more than a kilometer away. When they looked back, they noticed that thing had doubled in size; its many legs moved at top speed. It seemed completely black. A loud screech, like a blizzard, reached them.
Vanrra tripped and fell to the ground. Hiram went to help him. —How big is it, doc?!
—Twenty meters!
They kept running for several agonizing minutes. They raised their hands to get someone's attention above. Every time they looked back, that monster was even closer. It covered several kilometers in just a few minutes. A fat core with spider legs over ten meters long. With three protuberances like snakes. Each part was a dark color, making it impossible to see any other detail.
When that aberration got less than a kilometer from them, a great boom was heard from the city. A cannon shot was fired from the walls and apparently hit the creature. The monster seemed to slow down; the walls fired more cannons, volley after volley, until that thing turned away.
Neither of them stopped until they reached one of the city gates. Before reaching the walls, on their outskirts, there were dozens of houses. They hid in the alleys. Everything seemed abandoned. They were panting from exhaustion. —What was that, doc?!
—I have no idea!
—Did it want to eat us?!
—Let's hope it's gone.
—Why didn't you tell me there were monsters out here?! First the titan, then the beast, and now this shit! —He threw himself to the ground. —It was a fucking fat spider, twenty meters! What were those large shits on its fat core?! They seemed to move!
—Calm down; we're safe now.
—That shit, how long has it been following us? Was it chasing us since we left the village?!
—I don't think so; at that speed it would have caught up with us days ago.
—You were right, Doc. this land is full of shit. How many things like that must there be?!
—Get up; we have to get into this city.
They walked through the abandoned neighborhood; it looked like the main avenue, full of rubble and trash. They followed the street until they reached one of the gates in the wall. —What are you doing in this area?! —One of the guards asked them; he was on the balcony of a second floor, aiming at them with a repeating carbine.
Both raised their hands. Hiram stood in front of Vanrra and replied. —We're looking for the entrance!
He was dressed in loose garments, covered with long turbans like yellowish sheets, hiding his military gear. —Are you the bastards coming from the east?! What were you doing there?!
—We got lost. Is the entrance this way?
—This is the old city; it was destroyed by those things a long time ago. Only sick fuck madmen would walk through the east zone!
—After this experience, do you know where I can buy a car?
—Why do you ask?
—Because after what happened back there, I'm not traveling on foot again
—Is it urgent?
—I'm looking for today.
—The High Porte are the ones in charge of technology; you'll have to go to them. Of course, given your situation, you can't afford to waste that much time.
—I swore to my wife I'd never set foot in one of those temples.
—If you don't want to wait weeks for an appointment and deal with paperwork, I know some good fellas who offer better service.
—Where are those good fellas?
—Their offices are a bit far; I'd take you myself, but I can't leave my post; I haven't been paid yet.
Vanrra approached Hiram and whispered in his ear. —Doc, what the hell are you saying? Do you have a wife? The High Porte?
—That won't be a problem! —He pulled a golden watch out of his backpack and showed it to the guard. —When does your shift end?! —The guard went into the house.
He whispered. —Doc, will you tell me what's going on?
—Follow my head, boy; I'd rather bribe this savage than deal with the High Port.
—What's the High Port?
—They're the ones who control this whole nation; they have the monopoly on technology throughout Ab. Bastards.
The guard came out of the house and went up to Hiram. He was covered in dust. Hiram gave him the chain while still holding onto the watch. When the guard saw the chain was gold, he said quietly, —I'll have to go in and inform my contacts; you'll wait where I say; then I'll take you to the place. It's outside, on the west side. —He tried to take the watch; Hiram held onto it tightly.
He broke the chain and handed it to the guy. —It's the guarantee.
—Follow me. —The guard led them down the street until they reached a large steel gate. They entered through a small door on the side.
Before going in, he told Vanrra. —I forbid you from talking to anyone. —Inside, the city was busy; hundreds of people walked along the avenues. They wore colorful clothes of yellow, red, and blue fabrics. They covered themselves with hats and turbans against the blazing sun.