Suzy’s Strange Saga

The Future…

You sit comfortably in your modified jeep watching yet another small settlement burn before you. Not the first time, and certainly won’t be the last. The screams and gunfire are starting to die down which means today’s raid is nearly over.

Still, it isn’t completely over yet and there’s always something fun to see.

“Woo hoo! Looks like that new recruit has got the right attitude!” you say watching a young man wearing an outlandish green wig and novelty nose glasses swing his machete into the skull of another young man who was previously begging for his life.
“Hrm. Wasn’t too sure about him at first, but I guess he’s proven himself on this raid. Speaking of which, looks like we’ve made a good haul. Lots of food, water, even medical supplies.” Lifto remarks sitting next to you.
“Wheeee! Gimme that map, I want to see where we should hit next.” You say.
“I believe Captain Howdy has it.”
“Well, call that pieced freak over here then.” You say.

Lifto nods and calls for Captain Howdy via bullhorn. Eventually a heavily pierced man wearing a beat up pilot’s cap, black face make up and carrying an assault rifle over his shoulder appears.

“Black face today? Isn’t that a bit unPC?” you say with a smirk.
“Eh, fuck’em if they can’t take a joke.” Howdy says apathetically.
“Truer words my friend. Lifto says you’ve got the map of this area.” You say.
“Oh yeah, I do. Here let me get it out of my pack.”

Howdy takes off a small backpack and opens it up to give you a well-worn map of the area.

“Let’s see…okay…we hit that place…and that one…” you start to say looking for a new target.
“How about Redemption? I hate those religious types.” Howdy says.
“While I have no doubt that town of pious zealots is well stocked, they’re also very well armed. In fact I’ve been hearing rumors that they’ve been launching their own little crusade against neighboring settlements.” You say.
“I heard that they went complete Spanish Inquisition on one town. Crucified most of them and burned the rest alive. That was of course after they already had tortured the shit out of all of them.” Lifto adds.
“So? We could take those assholes.” Howdy remarks.
“That may be, but not in the near future. It would be a very dangerous undertaking and we are not doing this for the risks and to prove how badass we are. We’re doing this for survival…well that and to have a little fun in the process.” You say with a smile, though Howdy is still one of your more “macho” members and still wants to prove he’s got a dick by killing something.

You reach out to his face with a gentle touch and soothing voice.

“I know you like to kill things, but I don’t want you to get killed in the process. Just because we tend to pick easier targets just means I really don’t want you or any one of us to get killed. We’re all family and I don’t want to see any one of you die, you understand? That’s why our mode of operation is to go for low risk, high reward and I’d say its work for all these years wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, I suppose it has.” Howdy says.
“That’s right. Anyway it’s looking like we have hit every place that’s worthwhile around here. We should start heading east and raid merchant caravans coming out of those city-states. They’re all fucked up after that big war they had with the Ground Zero Corporation so they’re lacking in the defense department now. Okay, let’s start shutting down this circus and move on.” You say and take the bullhorn from Lifto.

“Alright you clowns gather up all the shit we’ve looted, pile it in the vehicles and let’s get this freak show on the road! We’re heading east! Flammo! HEY! That doesn’t mean start another goddamn fire, it means let’s go!” you shout shaking your head and throw the bullhorn in the back seat.

Lifto starts up the jeep and you stretch a bit waiting for your family to finish packing up. Lifto waits in silence, but you feel like talking.

“A Pennywise for your thoughts.” You say which causes a snort from Lifto.
“Oh nothing, I suppose I was just thinking about how much things have changed. The past. Sometimes I miss it.”
“Oh that. Well I don’t miss it. Glad that part of my life is over.”
“Not just the old days, but people as well like Fatty, Shrimpy… Klepto.”
“Well that’s different. I do miss them. They were family and I’ll never forget them. We sure had some fun times back at that farmhouse remember?”
“Heh, yeah. Shame what happened; maybe we could’ve made a more stable life there rather than doing this raider thing.”
“Perhaps, but we can’t dwell on what if in the past. Just have to focus on today and if possible, the future. That’s what’s kept us alive and allowed us to build our new family.” You say and touch Lifto’s hand.

Lifto looks and smiles at you. You aren’t sure if he’s ever completely agreed with how you’ve gone about things, but he loves you enough that he’ll stand by your side no matter what and that’s enough for you.

To be honest you did latch on to Lifto a bit in the beginning because he was obviously a big guy that could definitely protect you in a time of trouble, but it’s a bit more than that now. Given that you’re both the only two left from the original group, your ties have naturally grown quite a bit.

You’ve done a lot of bad things since your new life began, but it’s a harsh world and you’re just living in it. Sometimes you have bouts where you wonder if you should feel bad about doing the things you do, but then you just laugh and remember to not dwell on the past.

“I love you Kenneth.” You say using Lifto’s real name, looking at him and touching his hand.
“I love you Suzy.” He replies back and leans over to kiss you.

With this exchange of affection, you, Lifto and your gang of clowns drive off in search of new prey.