Destiny: Short Story Chapter 1: Tale of Two Strangers The sun was just starting to creep over the horizon, illuminating the thick fog that was hugging the ground. The smell of rotting vegetation was strong in the air. Off in the distance the remnants of one of Earths once great cities stood, a shadow, a shell of its former self, all that remained now was concrete, steel, and rebar. The only movement in the surrounding area came from two cloaked figures making their way through the fields. One of the two figures was considerably taller than the other, having a good foot and a half on the other, along with a bigger and thicker muscle frame. This figure looked to be in his mid-twenty to early thirties with brown wavy hair that came down to just above his shoulders. As he walked a glint of light could be seen coming off what appeared to be a single pistol holstered at his waist. The pistol at his waist though was not the most striking feature on this man, oh no, it was his eyes. He had these gray eyes that seemed to strike into your very being, like they were looking past everything else and peering into your very soul. The other cloaked figure was of considerably smaller statue, with a more petite build. She had blonde fair that flowed freely with the most subtle of wind, along with blue eyes that shined like the stars. She had to be no more then fourteen or fifteen, she move with a sense of grace, she seemed to glide more than walk through the wet field. The bigger figure on the other hand, moved with power rather than grace, seeming to not care what was in his path, content with walking through whatever lied in front of him. Although these two seemed to be complete polar opposites of each other, there was an aura around the two that seemed to make it right… normal. As if it was meant to be this way. “Stark, I am cold, wet, and hungry.” The small voice said as her teeth chattered away in the brisk morning air. “Hey, it’s bound to happen when it bloody rains for five days straight,” explained Stark as he sloughed through the muddy field. “There is not much I can do about your first two problems right now, but I believe I can fix your third, just give me a brief moment." Stark stopped and swung his sack off his back, placing it out in front of him. The sound of metal and varies other items could be heard shifting around in the sack as Stark looked for a particular item. After a few short moments, Stark pulled his hand out of his sack and was holding to be what appeared to be a small rectangular package, wrapped in a dingy dirty cloth. Reaching out Stark handed the small package to the smaller figure. “What is this?” the cloaked figured asked, still shivering in a questioning tone. “Well that is a piece of dirty cloth, it is what is wrapped in the cloth that you want." said Stark with a smirk while tying his sack and swinging it back over his shoulder. When the smaller figured finally managed unwrapped the package she just stood their in a state of disbelief. “No way Stark! Where in the world did manage to come upon this?!” said the little voice jumping up and down in total shock and awe. “I have had it for sometime now, I was saving it for a rainy day, and I believe this would count as a rainy day in my books. Well, I don’t believe I have to ask, but do you like it?” said Stark folding his arm and a small smile forming in the corning of his mouth. The small figure barely able to contain her joy, “I sure do Stark, I can’t remember the last time I have had a candy bar, at least since meeting you, thank you a thousand times Stark!” "It is no problem Lily” said Stark as he and Lily continued on their way through the wasteland. As Stark and Lily continued on their way, Stark was going over in his head everything that had happened recently and trying to figure out what their next move should be. They couldn’t just continue moving from ruin city to ruin city, out-post to out-post. This was no life to live, he had done it all his life, but he had to choice it was this or die. Stark watched Lily prance and bound through the small puddles with joy. This was no life for a girl like Lily, she deserved to much better then the hand of life she had been dealt. “Come on Stark! Come jump in the puddles with me!” giggled Lily as she moved from puddle to puddle. “I'd rather not, an old man like me is bound to hurt something playing like that.” said Stark as he followed Lily. Yelling over her shoulder, “You’re no fun Stark!” Hearing this Stark crouched over imitating walking with a cane, “I’m an old man, it’s my job to be a stick in the mud.” Lily just about tripped after watching and hearing this. “Fine, I will have enough fun for the both of us!” laughed Lily. For the rest of the day Stark and Lily continued to make their way through the waste land towards the once great city, only stopping to take a small break here and there and to have a quick bite to eat. It would be night soon and they would need to find a place to make camp. Setting up camp out in the open would not be a smart idea, if they decided they needed to build a fire they would be visible from miles around in the dark of night. There was no telling who or what could spot their fire. Making their way into the city Stark kept an eye to the building looking for any sign of moment. There was no telling if someone or something was watching or waiting. Now would not be the best place for a fight to break out, not with them both being out in the open like this. Lily’s demeanor had changed as well; she was no longer prancing or laughing. She stayed close to Stark almost tripping over him, she was so close. Now was not the time or place to be messing around. “I would rather not do this, but we really don’t have any other choice. I don’t believe there to be another living soul around for miles with the way this place looks. This place looks to be pretty much abandoned, and stripped bare enough to be useless to any scavengers looking for easy loot. We will set up camp in one of these buildings for the night, it will keep us out of sight and even allow us to build a small fire to keep the chill of the night off of us.” said Stark in almost of a whisper. An orange glow and shadows bounced off the concrete walls as both Stark and Lily settled into the small camp they had made. “Its feels so good to finally be warm and dry for the first time in the last few days.” said Lily in exhaustion as she huddled close to the fire holding out her hands to the warming flames. “Yep, it is a nice change of pace to just let your body rest and recoup,” huffed Stark “Did you enjoy your little treat Lily?” Stark asked from across the small room. “It was fantastic Stark, the best treat I have ever had, thank you again....Stark, could you maybe…tell me a story? I so do enjoy it when you tell me stories.” asked Lily while rubbing her hands close to the fire. “I believe I can fulfill that request, what kind of story would you like me to tell you this time little one?” said Stark as he remove his sack and cloak. “How about you tell me the one about how you and I met," Lily said with wide eyes. “Don’t you ever get tired of me telling you that story?” chuckled Stark as he laid up against one of the crumbling walls of their make shift shelters. “No never, it was the day that yours and my life changed forever!” Lily exclaimed as she quickly shuffled over to Stark and took shelter under one of his arms. “As you wish little one...” said Stark as he stared into the orange crackling flames of the fire remembering the day that changed not only Lily’s life but also his in the process as well. End of Chapter 1