Prompt#105 - Conqueror - Choices - Tekia - Original

[tekia.livejournal.com]

Title: Choices
Fandom: Original
Prompt: Conqueror
Warnings: none
Rating: T for Teen
Summary: Sequel to A New Time

I did a little dance when I discovered the tank full of gas. I threw my arms over my head and shouted.
Suddenly the sun was bright, the day wonderful, and I had limitless opportunities. The world was open to me, via this one boat.
There had been a book in the marina, a learner’s guide and I held that open as I studied the controls and the gauges. It seemed as simple as driving a car. Taking the wheel firmly in hand, I turned the key and touched a hand to the pedal. With a jerk, the boat moved away from the dock and I sped across the width of the river. Laughing, I tossed my hair into the wind. I had been on a boat, once as a child, and had loved it. I rediscovered that I still love it.
On the other side of the river, beyond the islands cluttered with tress, I let the boat bob along as I searched for a place to dock. I knew there hadn’t been one, but I was still stupid enough to look. I decided that I could always jump, taking the thin line of nylon rope with me to tie the boat to a tree, but I remembered the current.
There was no way I was going to jump, risking an undertow. Instead I navigated back to the marina and docked safely at the boat’s original home. At least I now knew I could do it.
I walked a bit along the river, remembering times when I had done so with friends, but never with family. My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I tried in vain to pull my thoughts away from things I couldn’t change. I leaned my arms on the old metal rail overlooking the river and let the wind dry the tears I hadn’t noticed on my cheeks.
As mush as the world was opened to me, I still didn’t want to leave my hometown. Swallowing heavily, I turned my back on the smooth surface of the river and looked back at the town sprawled before me.
This was my home. More so now than ever before.
With a wry curve to my lips, I realized that I had conquered this town. The image of me standing on the top of the bank with it’s overly large flag and shouting that I claim this land in the name of … me … brought a small, startled laugh. I narrowed my eyes up at said flag, still flapping wildly in the wind, sounding like a whip as it basked in the sun’s harsh light.
It was home. And it was mine.
I walked to the fountain, which would never sprout water again, unless I learned how to turn it back on, and waded in the cool water only slightly marred by green algae. From there I could see even more of the bridge spanning the width of the river. Biting my lip, I wondered how long these things would last with nobody to care for them. Then I shrugged. It was like waiting for the sun to explode, as was predicted. It was so far into the future, that I would not live to see it. A hundred years or better for the bridge. A couple million before the sun went dark.
Reminded of dark, I looked to the old hotel and wondered if anybody would be offended if I found a bed there for the night. Long ago the building, named after our town, had been turned into an apartment complex and had been the place of mystery for me, growing up. I wondered if any of them would be cool during the hot night. I really didn’t want another night spent tossing and turning.
Not that cool air would stop me from doing just that.
Night terrors had started taking up my sleeping hours. I dreamt of horrors that had no image, no name.
Shaking my head, I splashed the water over my shoulder, rubbing the back of my neck, under my hair. During the day, one would think that such thoughts would hold no sway, but having the town silent was doing strange things to my head. I quickly soaked my clothes and stepped out, feeling the heat of the day already hard at work drying my clothes.
I picked up my bike where I had left it behind and slowly rode toward my mother’s house. I was there before I realized that there was nothing waiting for me here either. I dropped my bike off before the gate and entered, walking around the overgrown weeds and the trash that always seemed to find it’s way into her yard. I sat on the brick of her front porch, letting the sun do it’s damage.
From memory, I reflected that my mother’s room had always been obscenely cool. She had her window’s blocked and heavy curtains pulled tightly closed against the sun. The air conditioner wouldn’t work, nor would the two fans, but I still held hope.
As I sat there, looking at the not busy main street of the town, I suddenly knew just where I would spend the night. I stood and looked at the hill at which my mother had lived at the bottom of and decided that I would ride my bike up it.
I entered my mother’s house and found a bag. I stuffed it full of sheets, blankets, and an odd pillow. I tied all this onto my bike and leaned into my mother’s car to check her gas gauge. There wasn’t much gas in it, but I figured, if it came down to it, I could always siphon gas from other cars, until whenever.
Picking up my bike once again, I rode slowly up the hill and through the business district. I wrinkled my nose as I passed the fast food stores, thinking of all the food spoiling right now. Then my stomach growled, reminding me that I would never eat there again.
Down the main street and toward the new pool. And there it was.
Newly built, costly and shiny. I hadn’t been in there … before, but now was the prime time. The glass doors were automatic, but they had a back entrance, which I made good use of.
Hotels had always had an odd effect on me, especially when I was the only one in a hall. Now that I knew that I was the only one in the whole of the building, it was worse. The lights were off, but the sun was still bright. As I passed them, I pushed on each door, hoping for one that would open despite the mechanical locks. Surprisingly, they all opened. I guess for safety reasons that they unlocked when the power went out. Sending a silent thanks, I made my way upwards until I found the roof exit.
I slid open the latch and pushed with my shoulder. The door swung open and I was once again out in the clear daylight. I tossed my bag onto the black roof and went back inside, the thought of water foremost in my mind.
Of course the faucets didn’t work, but there was a water tower just around the corner. Shivering in fear, I wondered if I had the gumption to climb it. It was smaller than the old one, but still tall enough.
Maybe the kitchen still had some bottled water. As much as I hated going into any kitchen anymore, for the smell alone, I found my way through, pausing only minutely at the sign that said employees only. The raw foods had been stored in a sealed freezer, so the smell wasn’t all that bad, but I still rushed around. I found a treasure trove of bottled water and began stuffing them into my arms.
I carried all that I could into the gaming rooms, smiling at the dark atmosphere, the hint of smoke that still hung about the place. Even without people, this area had the sense of a exciting place, a gambling hall. I went back to the roof, smiling at the pink and orange that now tinted the sky.
I sat on my bag, lifting the water to my lips as I watched the sun begin its decent, thinking, ‘This is the first time I’ve seen the sun set.’ Trees had always clouded my vision before, but up here, I was king, queen, of the world.
I stood, raising my arms over my head and screamed for all I was worth. I didn’t say anything, just shouting, just to be shouting. Then I hooted and laughed and danced wildly around the roof, making a fool of myself.
I was the leader of my people. I was the champion of the world. I was the hero in my fable.
Then I fell back, my head nearly touching my shoulders as I gazed up at the clouds briskly floating above me.
Truly, just what had I become the conqueror of?