Evolving Classes In The Apocalypse-Chapter 14: Shameless Huck

The massive gate groaned like a tired beast as it opened for the transport vehicles, the sound reverberating through the ground beneath our feet. We all shielded our eyes when the bright lights of the vehicles flooded our vision, harsh and careless, not sparing even a moment for our eyes to adjust.

There were three vehicles, each one as long as a cargo container, with an open rear fitted with worn and torn seats facing each other.

The last of the three looked more like a creature than a mechanical construct. Its front had eyes so mean they seemed locked in a permanent snarl, as if the ground it rode across had done something to offend it.

Its shape was a mixture of elegance and brutality, as intimidating as an armored vehicle should be, as wicked as any monstrous entity should be.

’I wonder if the Undefined look like this.’ I was aware that their carcasses were harvested and used to build stronger versions of the technology that existed before the Fracturing. Looking at the vehicle’s plating, the way the metal seemed to breathe with a life that didn’t belong to gears and engines, I could believe it.

The vehicles growled to a stop one after the other in front of the Secretariat stairs. Doors opened and men stepped out in dark camouflage pants buried in metal boots that looked capable of marching rats to death with a single stomp. They wore tank tops, displaying carefully carved muscles, and moved with a deliberateness that made them look like weapons someone had forgotten to sheath.

The one with braided hair caught my attention first. Brown skin like the color of honey, yellowish eyes, lips fuller than most around here. His body was sturdier too, built for endurance more than speed. But it was his eyes that held me. It was hardened. Hardened from a lot of things, no doubt.

Being an Enforcer was almost every kid’s goal. We grew up watching them do things that seemed impossible.

The Factions might have been the reason why Areas existed and humanity had reclaimed some land, but Enforcers were the reason those safe havens stayed safe.

They protected Defineds from the Undefined and also from themselves. Seeing one this close, close enough to count the scars on his forearms, I understood why we strived to be like them. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Everyone, into a single line. File in with order." The braided Enforcer’s voice carried without effort, the kind of voice that expected obedience and had never been disappointed.

Everyone got up and slowly fell into a line. Because of how close we were to the stairs, Ysor, the woman who had offered us the wrapping cloth, a young man who seemed to be her son, and I fell into the front part of the line.

Somehow, the man who had chastised me earlier at dawn found his way to where we stood. He smiled, the kind of smile that wanted something.

"A little space, okay kid? Don’t worry, I won’t rat you out to the Enforcers."

I frowned but kept quiet. It was unwise to bring any kind of attention to myself given the situation I was in, so I was just going to let him stay in front of me to prevent any drama.

However, Ysor’s hand blocked him, and she turned to him with a glare.

"Rat us out? For what exactly? Because you think my husband is fat and cannot do a labor job properly?"

The man looked at her with condescension. "Young lady, you stay out of this, alright."

Ysor stood her ground. I leaned closer and whispered that it was best not to draw attention to ourselves, but the words passed through one ear and flew out the other.

"Let me deal with this man." She pointed to the man’s eyes. "I have been watching you. I said nothing the first time, but that doesn’t mean I’m just going to stand still while you walk over my husband as you like. You better take your withering legs and hurry back to the rear before I make this so much of an issue."

It was already an issue. Ysor’s voice had pulled the attention of everyone around us.

"Oh my goodness, Huck, it’s you again."

"Huck, you never learn to mind your own business, do you?"

"Let the couple be. Last time you received a low wage because your work rate was low. You just go on poking your nose in people’s matters. You and that guy they call Jack, that’s how he ended up breaking his back."

"Young man, leave that place and go back to where you belong in the rear."

Many people were putting in their two bits, using the opportunity to chastise Huck. He looked around, clearing his throat in pretense, trying to hide the shame as the berating closed in from all sides.

"What’s going on there?" The braided Enforcer stepped closer, and the crowd noise died like a flame losing air. He looked at me, then at Huck, then at everyone else.

"Ah, Adept Archer, it’s just this young man I was trying to advise. This job is not suited for someone of his body type, but for some reason his wife seemed to be offended with me. All I tried to do was help, here?"

"Shut up. All you do is poke your nose. I’ve never seen you be of help to anyone around here." The lady in front of Ysor didn’t bother hiding her contempt.

The Enforcer, Adept Archer, shook his head and sighed.

"God, I deserve a better life than this," he muttered before giving Huck a flat stare. "Where are you on the line?"

Huck hesitated, but he didn’t need to answer. People did that for him.

"He was at the rear end, just trying to get smart so he can stay in front here."

"Send him back," another person added.

The Enforcer didn’t even need to say anything more. All he did was stare, and Huck cleared his throat and silently returned to his position. People continued to mutter, venting frustrations that clearly went back further than today.

"Silence." The Adept spoke gently, and many stopped talking immediately.

He threw me a glance and was about to walk away.

Then he stopped and looked at me again. Something shifted behind those hardened eyes, something I couldn’t read.

"Do I know you?"