Thread: The New "Old" World (vanityinfinite & darkangel76)

Her eyes were sore, swollen and no doubt red from crying as she huddled under what used to be the walkway bridge to one of the shopping areas near the university. The weather was finally nice enough that Mackenzie had decided to walk outside, take in the fresh air instead of the stuffy stale air she'd been forced to endure while everything was cold and frozen during the wintry months. So, she decided to forego the bridge and walk along the pavement despite the rain that drizzled down from the sky on and off in spurts. What did she care? Spring was settling in and signs of life were everywhere as flowers budded and leaves grew back on the spindly branches of once bare trees. Only now... Mackenzie lifted her head as she heard a voice shouting in the distance. The words were muffled and her thoughts hazy. One moment she'd been walking along slightly damp sidewalk, intent on going shopping since she didn't have afternoon classes, the next she'd been shrieking in terror as the bridge above groaned and glass began to shatter. Waves of auburn covered Mackenzie's red-rimmed eyes as she shifted her tiny form and peered over her knees, which were tucked tightly against her chest, to see who was shouting. She could see his silhouette against the blazes and smoke as the rain poured down, no longer the drizzle it had been earlier on...before things seemingly went to hell. She glanced to her left and then to her right, tiny goose bumps forming on her skin as she suddenly shivered. Finally, her blue gaze settled on the shadow before her and she swallowed the lump that had somehow formed in her throat. Her lungs were tightening, making it hard to breathe. Oh where was her damned inhaler? She winced, her heart racing as her thoughts went wild with sudden panic. Her one hand moved to the purse slung about her body, tiny hands fumbling for the precious inhaler she knew resided inside. Carefully, she removed it and took a puff of medicine, willing herself to relax. Slowly, Mackenzie stood up, long, thick hair spilling over her shoulders. She smoothed out her rumpled jeans with trembling hand and adjusted her blue knit top. Yes? she called out, voice softer than she wanted it to be. She bit down on her lip and tried again, slowly, cautiously stepping forward. I...I don't know what happened. Her hands were shaking, so she clasped them together, wringing them nervously as her eyes darted back and forth, taking in the sight of everything. No more flowers blooming, no more leaves on trees...no more spring. Just the smell of burning flesh and rancid oil and something...else. Mackenzie's eyelashes fluttered as the rain poured down, slowly soaking her to the bone. She dared to rake a hand through her hair as she let out a shaky sigh, her eyes suddenly darting back and forth once more. Maybe we should wait out the rain? At least? Mackenzie stated more than asked. At least, she hoped that whoever this was would want to wait. She didn't know who he was or where he came from or if he knew anything at all. Her eyes suddenly drifted toward a strange wreckage in the distance. But it was nice to no long not be alone, to be near someone witnessing the same oddities, the same...everything. Meanwhile, on a lonely road, Tate sat in her wrecked car, the airbag having gone off. Tears streamed from her dark eyes as she sat there, silent and more than confused. The traffic lights were no longer working and her car could barely do a thing and then... Ugh! Damn car just came out of nowhere and rammed into her! She was lucky she had no broken bones! Of courseTate looked down at her armsthere were still the bruises. She sighed and more tears began to flow. Okay, she said softly. Okay. But it wasn't okay. It was very far from it. Sucking in a sharp breath, she decided to push open her door. Rain pelted down, stinging her skin as she looked up into the pearly gray sky. Tate grimaced, her dark eyes squinting slightly as she realized that it wasn't just rain coming down from the sky, but...ash. A tiny shriek escaped her and she quickly darted along the road and headed for the tree line, her dark hair streaming behind her as she ran.