Thread: Pastures of Plenty (Defiant/Mim)

It would be great if the air conditioner still worked in the vehicle, at least this one. Not that it had ever worked while he was travelling with the caravan but the sound of it was appealing. Air made cold by the engine and blowing through the vent. Yea, that was a nice thought. Though the window was down, the truck was travelling fast enough to create a breeze to combat the stifling heat. It was better than nothing. Life hadn't really started out this easy for him, Richard had shown up with promises of fruitful lands, fresh water lakes. A piece of paradise which had survived the war, had electricity through solar something or other. It sounded like a farce to him. He was happy living with the small group who'd found him wandering the desert but majority of them desired more. It'd come down to a vote for them in the end. Whether to leave or not, and they did it together. Leaving was the majority so they all packed up what they would need and situated the vehicles then hit the road. People already members of the convoy spoke of Richard like some sort of... Messiah. They praised and worshipped him. Offered him extra food, their bodies for his pleasure. He was their deity. James wasn't just going to let some man come in, uproot his family and then get on his knees and pray to him. He was nothing more than a man to James. Sure he'd come to them, promises of an easier, better life. A life with a future, hope. Hope. It was the pipeline. What pushed people to keep going. He'd never bothered trying to find a woman to promise himself to, it was hard to open his heart when they didn't know if they if they'd have enough water to get through the next week. Life changed though. And it was changing. James just chose not to dare to hope. He was along for the ride, he did, deep down, want this place to be real. He wanted it to be there. Drink water until his stomach hurt, eat enough to actually not have hunger pains hours later. Hey, there's someone out there, Clark said, perking up as he moved the vehicle to the left, getting a better view. There's a fuckin' town! He grinned, sitting up a bit more as he saw the buildings rising up in the distance and a lone person walking towards it. Away from them. You think they're friendly? Who knows. Maybe. Friendly enough to lure us in so they'll be able to take our vehicles, food and water, he said with a light smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Screw that man, you're so... dark. Maybe they'll be happy to see us. And give us pie, Clark said, a wide grin stretching across his face. Pie? For all of us? If they have that kind of food source then Richard will have a hard time convincing anybody to leave this town, he commented as they drove closer. He leaned over watching as the person neared the town. The caravan stopped about thirty meters short of the small town, James saw Richard climbing from his camper, others climbed out of their cars but remained relatively close to their cars. It was precautionary. They were larger in number but they also didn't want any casualties. James slid from his seat and glanced around before he walked forward, he stayed a few feet from Richard. As a younger, healthier member of the convoy he was tasked with following Richard just in case. Because Richard, as a God, wasn't immortal. Pssh. We mean you no harm. We are here to offer you something better, he called, out, drawing the attention of the people in the town. James and a few others moved a little closer to Richard. We are travelling! Travelling to a place in the mountains. There is water. There is fooood! There is electricity! He said, his voice strong, powerful and demanding attention.