If you're able, please consider donating to nifty.
Chapter 11. Going Home.
It had been about a month since I'd first come to The Fairground. In that time the temperature had started to drop, so it now rained more often than not.
I had enjoyed my time at the Fair Ground on the whole and spending the odd night with Emric or Stefan was always a treat, but I didn't have the same connection with them that I had with Ren or Akeem. The real issue was it had now been almost three weeks since I'd heard from either of them. Or anyone from New Hope for that matter.
A few days ago, I brought up my growing anxiety to Stefan, who brushed it off explaining they were likely caught up building the new homes. That did nothing to ease my runaway thoughts of a fire, disease, or attack.
All I wanted to get back to the life I was about to start building there, to keep training Erin and Aaron to become medics alongside me, so that the community could continue to grow in size and strength.
Evan was now up and about, he was a nice kid, although all he did was bitch about doing his exercises. Jared however had absorbed any information I was able to give him, and I knew he'd make Evan do his exercises. They didn't actually need me here anymore, something even Stefan had agreed with. It was time for me to head back to New Hope, which was why I was ever more anxious for someone from New Hope to visit; so, they could take me home.
"Listen Stefan, I know you told me you don't have men to spare to check on New Hope- and I get that. But if I don't hear from them in the next two days I'm heading there alone."
He let out a low resounding breath, "I didn't want to tell you, because I didn't want to worry-"
"Tell me what!?" I cut off quickly.
"I sent Emric up there after we last spoke. Truth be told, I'm concerned we haven't heard from them too. It was supposed to be a round trip, leave and return in the same day, but it's now been almost two days."
I felt my heart drop into my stomach, "Oh god. Somethings happened." I climbed to my feet, reaching under the table to grab my bag, "They might need help. I've got to go."
"Go?" He said incredulously, grabbing my shoulders "You're not going anywhere alone."
Defensively I pushed him away, "If I want to go. I'll go. I need to make sure they're safe."
He held his hands up in surrender, "Noah, please see sense. If something has happened, you going up there alone isn't going to accomplish anything other then the same thing happening to you. They might have got caught up in preparing for the cold weather. But I promise if we don't hear from Emric in the next 24 hours, I will personally take you there."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Okay, I'm gonna go and check on Evan, I'll see you later."
As expected, his scar was healing well. I was just pulling his t-shirt back into place when Evan said, "I don't wanna be rude, Noah."
"Then why do I have the feeling you're about to be?"
Evan laughed, "No. It's just your hair. You're a handsome guy but... your hair, it needs work."
I ran my fingers through my hair, it was exceptionally long, if I didn't push it out of my face it came level with my lips. "Okay. You're not wrong. It's never been this long before. I've been meaning to cut it since before I left Salvation."
"Maybe I should cut it for you?" He suggested.
"No chance. You'll get revenge on me for making you do your exercises."
"No! How about, to thank you; I cut your hair?"
"Will it look good?" I laughed.
"Oh my god. Yes. I have a really cool idea; I've been thinking about it. I'll be right back. You sit here." He said pulling out the stool. I sat, deciding that my hair couldn't come out looking much worse. I waited less than a minute for him to come back holding a comb, scissors, electric shaver, and a piece of elastic.
He nodded, "I overheard you earlier. About not hearing from them. I hope they're okay."
"Thanks Evan. Me too."
I pulled my top over my head and closed my eyes as his fingers ran through my hair, combing it and then dividing it into sections. He used the shaver first, shaving around the side of my head. I ran my fingers over it and felt nervous at how short and spiky it was. It felt similar to Ren's, but his hair was so thick and black that his crew cut looked great. But I decided to trust the process. Evan did his own hair and his always looked great, braids mixed in with his floppy blonde locks. "I'll be sad when you leave us."
"Me too, but I'll visit and if your uncle lets you, I'm sure you'll be able to visit us."
He used the comb and scissors to make accurate cuts and when he got to my fringe, my eyes fluttered open and focused on his. His tongue was sticking out slightly, caught between his lips and his brow was furrowed in concentration, he really was very handsome and looked a lot like his uncle. "Noah," he moaned, "Stop staring at me. You're putting me off."
"Sorry." I laughed, "You look cute when you concentrate."
Around 30 minutes later he took a step back and proudly proclaimed, "Finished. And If I do say so myself, it looks amazing."
He passed me the mirror and I took in my new reflection; the back and sides of my head were practically bald, the top had been pulled back and tied at the back of my head, there was a narrow braid in my fringe that had also been tied back with the rest of my hair, apart from a few pieces left loose on each side of my face. I was surprised as his work, but I had to admit, "E! I love it." I got up and pulled him in for a hug. "Honestly, it's amazing. Decent job!"
"He hugged me back. You really like it?"
"I do! Now, go and find your friends, ill clean up."
"But I haven't done my exercises yet?"
"You can make up for it later go have fun."
...
After eating in the communal compound, Evan stayed with Jared and some other friends, while Stefan and I headed back to the trailer. We'd barely kicked off our shoes before someone opened the door, "Someone's headed this way from New Hope. Well, a few people actually."
Shoes forgotten, I flew from the trailer, my bare feet slipping on the cool, damp earth as I ran, weaving in and out of people and obstacles, towards the front gate.
By the time I got there my chest was heaving, and I was panting for breath.
There was Ren. Climbing off his quad. I flew at him like a child, wrapping both my arms and legs around him. He stumbled slightly but regained his balance and held me tightly to him. "Fuck. I've missed you too baby." He whispered in my ear.
I dropped my feet back to the ground and mashed my mouth against his, before pulling back and asking, "Where have you been? Is everything okay?"
"It's nothing to worry about now. But I'll explain later." He said kissing me gently on the forehead.
"Are you taking me home?" I asked.
"Even if you're kicking and screaming." He winked. I looked over his shoulder and saw that Zeke and a few of the Fair grounders we'd sent to New Hope were with him. "I like your fresh look; the hair suits you."
I smiled and thanked him as, Stefan came round the corner, "Ah guys. We've been worried, what's been going on?"
Zeke stepped forward, grabbed my shoulder in greeting and extended a hand to shake Stefan's, "We should talk."
The whole group from New Hope, myself, Stefan, Emric, Fenn, and Evan had assembled inside Stefan's trailer.
We sat on all the available surfaces, from table, to sofa, worktop and floor as Zeke stood up to address the room, "I'll cut straight to the chase, a few weeks ago, the night after Fenn came back here, one of the guards saw a fire in the North mountains, just for a few seconds before it was extinguished. Next morning a few of us went out to check it out, heading east a few miles first, making sure we weren't seen. There was a small camp; five of them."
"People haven't come through the mountains before. Have they?" I asked in alarm.
"No never. That's why we acted so fast." He replied and continued, "Akeem is the stealthiest, so he snuck up on them when the sun set. They were scouts from the other side of the mountain; they were making plans on how to attack us."
"Fuck."
"We'd sent for back up and confronted them. There was ten of us, we surrounded them with guns. They still attacked us."
"Oh god. Is anyone hurt?" I asked in alarm.
"No. Well, no one our side. The scouts are dead though."
"Good." Nodded Stefan, "Them not returning to their camp will show you're not to be messed with."
"Yeah, that's what we were hoping, to be honest." Zeke looked gravely around the room, "That's not the distressing part I'm afraid."
"What is?" Asked Stefan.
"They had correspondence between themselves and their block. We don't have much information on their block, what we do know is... they know all about you here at the Fairground. They had a list of weaknesses and plans of attack."
Emric the spoke, to Evan, "Maybe your attack wasn't some random Raver?"
"Then why the fuck have only 3 of my men returned with you?" Asked Stefan getting angry.
Zeke looked annoyed by the comment, but continued, "From the little we know, they are ten times the size of both New Hope and the Fairground. So, you having ten extra men is hardly going to turn the tides in your favour should they attack, Stefan. Besides, it'd be weeks before someone comes looking for scouts."
"Do you have any other ideas then?" Asked Fenn hopefully.
"Yes. It would seem that New Hope's location has not been given yet, and as we've killed the scouts, we've brought ourselves time. I have come here to offer you and your people a place at New Hope."
"Leave the Fairground?" asked Stefan in shock.
"Not leave," interjected Ren, "you told me yourself. Your entire town is able to move. New Hope and The Fairground can unite. We'll have more strength in numbers, and you'll have a safer geographical location, more protected from the ocean to the East and mountains to the North and East. Not to mention our walls and lookout towers."
Stefan stared at his hands as he absorbed this latest information. As Zeke continued, "Yourself, and Fenn would each have seat on our council. I know it's a lot to process. We'll wait outside for you and your people to discuss."
Stefan and Ren each stood and headed towards the door, I felt unsure of my place, but decided that regardless of Stefan's decision I'd be leaving with Ren and Zeke, so I grabbed so shoes and followed them.
An hour later, we sat beneath the great wheel, seeing some of the group that we'd left in the trailer milling around again, suggesting the meeting had ended. Evan approached us from the far side of the compound. He was doing much better, leaning only slightly on his wounded side. By the time he reached us I had him sit down as I heard his winded breath. "Zeke, he's asked to talk, just the two of you."
Zeke climbed to his feet, "Let's hope he sees sense." And he begun in the direction Evan had just appeared.
I looked at Evan expectantly, eyebrows raised.
"What?" he asked defensively.
"You know what. Spill."
"Promise not to drop me in it?"
"Promise."
"Emric said he'd follow Stefan's lead regardless of his decision and I would too. Obviously."
"Of course." Nodded Ren.
"My uncle doesn't love the idea to be honest, but it definitely helped that the builders and Fenn have each spent time there and could vouch for the location and people."
"So... he's agreed?" I asked tentatively.
"Sort of. He's willing to move alongside New Hope. But wishes to remain independent, so that we can move again if the need arises."
Ren nods his understanding, "Actually. That makes a lot of sense."
"Think Zeke will go for it?" I asked.
"I reckon he will. Yeah."
It was only a few hours later that I was clinging to Ren's back as we bounced back towards New Hope. Zeke had accepted Stefan's offer and we'd be sending all of his people back the next day so they could begin their move across the grey wastes. We were around three quarters of the way there when Zeke signalled for Ren to pull over. The two of us jumped off the quad as Zeke walked a short while and with his back to us, began pissing onto the compacted earth.
Ren leant against the seat, and looked a little uncomfortable, "I'm sorry I've been away so long. I hate the thought of you feeling abandoned."
"I get it, don't worry. I was worried though; I was trekking back alone if I hadn't heard news in the next 48 hours though."
Zeke awkwardly laughed, "I'm sorry too Noah, I should have sent a messenger when Ren was too busy, but we've been working on a radio tower so that we'll be able to communicate over longer distances."
"Honestly, I get it," I said stretching my hips, "wish you'd brought the jeep though."
"Kellen, Elijah, and Aria have it. Another reason we couldn't send someone to you. I'm sure you feel the change in the air, snows coming. They've been heading to the old mines for coal, luckily for the miners used their machines to bring tonnes of the stuff near the surface before the end of the world."
Zeke then added, "The solar panels don't work as well in the snow, so we need stuff to burn, just in case."
...
Another few hours later I climbed off the back of the quad, stretching my sore thighs and cracking my back, "Fuck, I'm so glad to be back."
Ren stood and pulled me into another hug, "Me too."
"Do you mind if I go straight to the showers, the Fairground ones are not particularly good." I laughed.
"Of course not. So long as I can come too."
I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, "I was counting on that."
Zeke laughed, "Right, I'll leave my shower 30 minutes then. See you guys in a bit. I'm gonna go check on Lily.
...
The communal showers were totally empty when we walked in, we wasted no time in stripping from our dust caked clothes.
Turning the handle and feeling the warm, almost hot water slicing over my back was heaven and I audibly groaned, "Fuck, that feels so good."
Ren stepped up behind me wrapping his strong arms around my chest, "I haven't even done anything to you yet and you're already moaning. You not been getting any baby?"
I turned to face him, linking my arms over his shoulders, "To be honest I've been so stressed and anxious the last ten days I think they might have been avoiding me."
He ran a hand over my face, cupping the back of my head, holding me, "I'm so sorry you've been worried. From now on, where you go. I go."
My chest stuttered, "Mean it?"
"Mean it."
He pressed a soft kiss to my mouth which built in passion between us.
The water streamed over our shoulders, washing the bubbles away as he kneaded my back, his hand slipping to grope at my cheeks., pulling them apart, a finger swirled over my bud, making me quiver. He circled it repeatedly apply gentle pressure, while holding me close. My hands pressed against his pecs, his dark hairs, curling between my fingers.
I turned bracing my hands against the cold tile as he reached for one of the body cleaners Lily makes. He squeezed some between my cheeks and pushed a finger inside me. Kissing down my spine, he added a second and finally a third. My body adjusted to the intrusion, and I arched my back to meet his slow manipulations.
He removed his fingers as I peeked over my shoulder, I watched him apply some of the gel to his hard dick and gasped as his thick dick popped inside of me. I groaned as he continued to slowly push his length into me. "God. You're so tight, I've needed this for weeks." I felt his large balls settle against me for a few seconds, before he pulled his entire cock back out and pushed himself back in. He fucked me with long, slow thrusts. I kept my legs splayed open, reaching out my hands to explore what I could reach of his body. I looked over my shoulder. Ren looked stunning as his dick pushed in and out of my hole, his core muscles tensing and worked beneath his skin. "You wanted me inside you too didn't you." He said firmly wrapping one hand around my throat and the other around my dick, tugging it in sync with his thrusts.
He increased his speed and began jackhammering inside of me, he had to grab both hips to hold me still, even though the entire top half of my body was now pressed against the tiles, in what should have been an impossible position.
My body endured the assault for a few minutes longer, his helmet repeated pummelling into my prostate, I finally gave over to the feeling and cum sprayed from my dick covering the wall and floor, just as Ren fell on top of my back, bracing himself, "Here it comes." My whole body trembled as his finished inside me and his cock slipped from my hole a few moments later. He turned me, holding me close to his chest again, while we caught our breath. "I needed that, Noah."
I huffed out a laugh, "I could tell mate. But honestly, so did I."
I'd love to know what your thoughts are. Any favourite characters you want to see together or inspiration for new characters. Reach out. Niftyjordan123@gmail.com
Your enthusiasm keeps me writing!