WTWWW - Not so lonely survivors
<Prologue Masterlist Next>
Note: Hey everyone! I'm happy to be finally posting this! And I hope you enjoy the ride we're starting now!
Summary: Suika doesn’t fully understand what Senku is doing, but it seems to amaze everyone else. In a moment of calm she discovers something new.
Chapter 1 – Detective on Duty
The rain is cold. Soaking clothes and hair, making it hard to see and move. It slicks the rocks everyone is trying to climb.
Every once in a while someone slips, but everyone helps with steadying whoever it is, moving quickly and with purpose.
Suika's breath is coming out in quick short bursts. It burns her lungs as it comes out, even more when she breaths in the cold air.
Wind whips at their clothes. Raising goosebumps and making movements even shakier.
Still, everyone continues climbing.
The thunder rolls in the distance. Lighting up the world in quick flashes that show the path forward. Otherwise the world is dark, covered by a blanket of clouds blocking the light.
Suika feels every sound, the vibrations halting her for a moment. It has been getting louder as they get closer to the top of the mountain.
Everyone scrambles onto the even ground of the top. Steps careful so they don't slip. Most stay there, unwilling to get in the way of Senku and his process.
Suika stands there, hands on her knees, breathing heavy as she tries to steady herself. Her short legs shake, completely spent after the climb. She never wants to do this again.
Senku and Gen look similar to her, except unlike Suika and Gen, Senku keeps moving through the exhaustion. Determination to succeed overriding the bone-deep need to rest.
Everyone is shivering, Suika looks at Kohaku and notices the goosebumps on her arms, a slight shiver wracking through Kohaku once in a while.
There is some fumbling around, Senku frantically trying to come up with a way to raise the metal sticks in his hands somewhere safe.
Kohaku looks around, coming to a conclusion and acting quick. Kinro's spear is stolen from his hands, the metal tied to it.
Senku moves back, joining the rest of the group.
Kohaku slams the spear into a crack in the ground, it stands straight and she quickly moves back.
Suika feels it. The air feels different. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up and she quickly understands something is about to happen.
Before she can do anything...
The world turns bright – too bright. The light swallows everything and everyone.
As soon as it came, it's gone. Everyone is groaning, Suika is blinking hard. But the light keeps flashing in front of her eyes, turning to a spot in her vision that stays there no matter where she looks.
Before she can recover, a deafening roar of the thunder descends onto everyone.
Suika clamps hands over her ears. Trying to drown it out, but not only can she still fully hear it, she feels it. The ground vibrates with force, almost causing her to stumble. With her eyesight still not fully recovered, panic rises in her chest.
Somebody ruffles her hair as the sound subsides.
Slowly, Suika can hear only her own erratic heartbeat.
The dot in her vision grows smaller, but everything sounds like it's underwater.
She watches as Senku walks to the broken spear, picking up the metal sticks.
Soon, everyone starts celebrating. Kohaku holds the two sticks, seemingly trying to push them together but being unable to due to some mystical force. As soon as Senku takes one of them and turn it, the stick – and Senku – fly toward the other stick and hold together.
Apparently, that means that Senku successfully made what he calls a magnet.
It's a bit too much for Suika to understand, she tries anyways. His voice drones on and on, still sounding as if Suika was underwater. So her gaze drifts with her attention.
Kinro, mourns the death of his beautiful golden spear. Ginro is of course teasing his brother for it.
Gen sits on the ground, still panting, but looking shocked and impressed.
Chrome, Kohaku and Senku huddle together around the magnet, talking about things Suika cannot understand.
The rain has slowed to an almost stop, the thunder is rolling into the distance. It looks like the climb down might be easier.
Suika looks out at everything around, the world is so small from up here. The trees that usually tower over her are just small lines of green down below.
From here, Suika can see the village, the sea, maybe even the whole world.
She traces the way back, then she just looks around, no clear goal in mind.
The world looks so different yet the same. The village, Chrome's hut, a plume of smoke off to the side, slightly away from the village.
Suika stands there, taking it all in.
Wait, was that always there?
She squints toward the blurry line in the distance.
No.
No, it wasn't.
Did somebody go out? Suika doesn't know, though the truth is nobody would tell her.
Her heart just slowed down, but now it beats almost as quick as when the horrible roar sounded.
She starts bouncing up and down.
Maybe it's someone who got lost during the storm! They might need help... and who better to help them than Detective Suika herself!
She says nothing to anyone, eagerness overriding logic. Feet move quickly, padding along even through slips and slides down the mountain.
Her pace quickens further as mountain side gives way to the forest. She runs, sometimes stumbling over roots and stones. Once she even crashes to the ground.
But Suika is full of determination, need to help, and an overwhelming need to prove herself useful.
So, she gets up, brushes off the mud, sticks, and leaves sticking to her. She looks through the trees, searching the sky for the smoke that acts as her beacon, and off she goes.
Thankfully it's not that far, but even so it gives the weather enough time to change. The clouds part, not completely disappearing. The sun peeks through, lighting up the way and warming Suika's cold skin. The wind has long since gone, moving the thunder away after it realized it was no longer needed.
Suika's anticipation grows the closer she gets. Her feet trying to move quicker, but there is no denying the exhaustion of today's activities.
Her legs try to keep up, but she still keeps tripping over the debris on the forest floor. The only thing that lets Suika move is sheer determination.
And it gets rewarded.
The scent of smoke slams into Suika, a clear sign she's close.
Next comes the sounds. She expects silence, maybe some grumbling.
Instead...
A melody drifts through the air.
Soft, gentle.
Suika almost mistakes it for bird song.
No words, just a pure melody. But it has no other similar characteristics. No chirping, no changes.
Instead, it's a feminine voice. A hum? Soft, gentle. It's the first time she hears something this. It almost sounds sad.
And then, the person comes into view.
Nobody Suika knows. A woman in weird clothes she has never seen. But she looks pretty.
But instead of caution or fear, Suika is even more happy. A new friend! She follows the girl as she packs up her camp.
She watches as the girl tenses, slowly seeming more and more on edge, the melody changes, thins then disappears completely.
Oh, Suika must not have been as quiet in her excitement.
Well, it might be better for Suika to reveal herself now.
With that thought, Suika rolls out in front of the girl.
Ready to gain a new friend.
It's been a week of hell.
You walked south of Nagano, through the valley, surrounded by mountains that sometimes echoed your voice. All the way down the Chikuma river.
Until it turned left, more into the mountains.
Unfortunately.
Not so confident in your geographical skills back in 'modern' Japan, you were even less confident in your skill while in reshuffled 'Stone Age' Japan. Meaning, you would much rather stick to the valleys, before getting stranded somewhere high in the mountains.
And this way, I could walk by mt. Fuji!
After a few days of walking, you saw it. The sight of it was as glorious as the first time.
With a blink, you were back in that moment.
Back on that plane, coming to Japan to stay.
The pilot's voice came over the intercom, filling the cabin. He announced that Japan's most famous landmark was visible, so you looked. It didn't take long to spot the white peak, recognizable even from this height.
That's when it finally settled in. Happiness, anticipation and excitement.
You were finally about to set foot in Japan, finally about to meet your friends face to face.
Tears filled your eyes, but they refused to fall. A grin was plastered onto your face. Butterflies filled your stomach, anticipation of the upcoming life running through your blood.
You blink.
And you're back on the ground, staring at the same mountain, this time from its base. The same butterflies fluttering in your belly. Hope blooming in your chest.
You made it back then, something that seemed impossible. You moved to Japan. And now? After the apocalypse plunged the world into a second Stone Age, you are still here. Standing. Alive.
A year of loneliness, of pain. Yet you still made it far enough to go search for your friends. Not only surviving, but living. If you woke up and survived, somebody else had to as well.
While luck had not always been on your side, it would have to not stand with anyone, and that is even more improbable.
With that hope pushing you forward, you ended up here, on the south coast. All you needed to do now was to walk east along the water and you should reach what used to be Tokyo.
The ocean stretches in front of you, endless.
You decide to take a break here, it's almost night anyway.
Your legs burn. Each step lands wrong, like the ground has rearranged itself just to spite you – a root here, a stone there, nothing where she expects it. Your mind trails a few steps behind the rest of your body, foggy and slow, catching up only in pieces.
After a week on a long journey, days spent with just walking with only small breaks to eat, drink, try to sleep and nothing else.
Yes, the break is deserved.
You dream of passing through Hakone, to relax in its hot springs. But, the ocean will have to do for now.
Waves lap at your ankles, refreshingly cool on the aching limbs.
The rest of the day is spent setting up camp and relaxing, even if it's only an hour until sundown from when you've stopped. It's more than you've given yourself until now.
Despite that, sleep came for only about two to three hours that night. Right after you laid down, but like always, it was short lived. You lay there, eyes open wide.
It's starting to be really annoying. How can someone be so stupidly tired, yet not fall asleep?
You bet Senku would have the answer.
God, how much you hope to find him, Taiju, and Yuzuriha. No matter if still petrified or awake.
Your mind keeps racing through everything, like every night. The next way forward, how much food you have left, when will you need to get more water. All the way until the sun lights up the world enough for you to navigate through the forest. Then, it's up and at 'em.
The forest is always full of sounds. From rustling leaves, the distant sound of waves, all the way to the animals, birds chirping in the trees.
You join the chorus of activity, humming random melodies. Anything that comes to mind. Some you know, some you create.
As you're making your way to the other side of what you think is a little peninsula near Hakone and Tokyo, clouds come in quick. Dark and full of rain. A distant rumble of thunder keeps coming closer.
Then comes the rain.
It starts slow, giving you enough time to start looking for a quick shelter. You spot an overturned tree with its roots sticking up, it provides enough of a roof to hide under. A mean, cold wind comes along and forces you to make a fire. Even as the wood stubbornly refuses to light.
It smokes a lot, before eventually a fire starts licking at the logs from the bottom. Enough to warm you up slightly but not enough. Your trusty serow hide provides more warmth. The combination finally enough to hopefully not catch a cold.
The rain is coming down harshly, preventing you from seeing more far. The wind still ruthlessly howls, and lightning is the only source of light you get other than your fire. Which you have to carefully protect from the wind.
You guess it's been a few hours since the downpour started, with no end in sight. Hopefully it will stop today, soon, otherwise the road forward will be even harder. Mud will stick everywhere, slicking the ground and making it easy to slip.
You don't want to deal with having to clean everything up or waiting for it to dry.
Luck seems to be on your side, the rumble of the thunder passes overhead, moving away. With it, The wind disappears and the rain lessens until it stops completely.
The sun soon comes into view between broken up clusters of clouds. Still sitting high in the sky.
Enough time to cover a significant distance.
You sit still for a moment, trying to orient yourself. Where you came from and whereto next. The sun is to your right, it should be sometime in the noon which means that's where west should be.
Humming, you slowly pack up, taking the time to stop the fire. Burying any evidence wit a layer of dirt and mud. Then, you turn your back to the sun and start walking.
It only take a few steps to notice.
Something's wrong.
There should be no reason to feel that way.
Yet, the hair on the back of your neck stands. A prickly feeling, like electricity, runs down your spine. Blaring like an alarm.
All it takes is to focus a bit more on the surroundings. Quieting down your humming.
There – you hear it! Following you through the forest. A bit to the side, bit to the back.
A second set of footsteps.
Light, quiet.
Your mind races to think of an explanation that doesn't end with you as an animal snack.
But, it doesn't sound animal. There is a subtle difference. One you can't quite put your finger on.
Before you can do anything, it feels like the forest parts for the stalker.
From the bushes, something rolls out into the open.
Green. Round. With a leaf coming out of the top of it.
You stare in disbelief.
A melon?!
It's kind of beaten up and has two big holes in it, exactly where eyes would go.
And eyes do look at you through them.
You freeze.
Because of course you do.
Because a traumatic experience is not enough to override your nature.
Because that's just your luck.
But shockingly, the melon sprouts a body with arms and legs.
Great, not some wild animal, but a mythical beast that is somehow alive is going to eat you alive. Or maybe you're already dead. Well, that wouldn't surprise you anymore.
And then the melon speaks.
"Hello."
And your soul just about leaves your body.
"Uhm...can you understand Suika?"
So, it knows it's a melon.
Why does it speak in a third person?
Lost in your mind you don't notice the creature moving closer. Soon enough, it's circling you.
"Whoa buddy, better back up before I...before I...uhm..." What could be a good threat to a walking, talking melon? "...eat you?"
The melon jumps a few steps back, seemingly surprised by your declaration. "You would eat me? But Suika isn't tasty!"
Uhm...I guess it's not cannibalistic, otherwise it would know that's a lie.
You scratch the back of your neck, completely at a loss for words.
"Well, melons are food, but probably not? I mean, they're mostly water and I need more nutrition than that."
The creature hits its palm with the other hand, like hammering a nail. "Suika understands. Suika isn't a melon, that's just my hat." It announces, while its little hands grasp the melon rind.
The rind lifts, showing a little child. A girl. Probably not even ten years old with how small she is. Her hair shines gold in the evening sun, but at a closer look you can see that it's brittle and matte, resembling straw.
Her big brown eyes look up at you and you could get lost in them.
Then her whole face scrunches.
And she transforms to look like a grandma instead.
While that's shocking by itself, there is something more pressing.
She's human.
The first one you've seen in a year, in this god-forsaken Stone Age.
No.
No way.
You take a step back.
Face setting into a scowl. Eyes hard. Steeling yourself so you don't cry.
"I'm not falling for this again." It comes out cold, devoid of feeling. Yet if someone listened closely, they could hear the pain, fear and hope.
The girl looks at you confused. "What do yo-"
"You're not real, are you?"
At your question she takes a step back. She looks at her hands, pats at her body.
"Suika is real!" She says defiantly.
"I won't-no, I can't." You stare at her like she might disappear any moment. Waiting for the 'gotcha' this world always throws your way.
Suika looks annoyed, suddenly running towards you.
You take a step back in panic, back hitting a tree trunk.
Her little hands outstretch and...
She touches you.
No phasing through.
Actual, real touch. The warmth of her skin sinking into yours.
Your body starts shaking, emotions overflowing.
"See! Suika is re-oh, are you okay? Did Suika hurt you?" You shake your head, but tears are already falling down. Each carrying the loneliness and hurt of the last year.
You weren't truly alone. Someone was out here. You aren't alone.
Finally, your legs give out and you slide down the tree to the ground.
Looking at this little girl, alive, awake, and in front of you, you can't help but wonder.
Did she wake up? Is she alone?
"Hey uhm.." You sniffle trying to talk, but it's hard over the lump in your throat.
"A-are you alone?" It comes out small, scared but hopeful. You can't tell whether you really want to hear the answer or not.
She looks you up and down, as if suddenly suspicious. Why just now, you have no idea.
"Are you alone?" For some reason, her returning the question sets off some alarm bells in your head. It takes a moment to process, but it could mean that there are more people, and some of them are not good.
"Yes, I woke up alone. You're the first person I've seen in a year." She tilts her head at your words. Reaching a conclusion in her head. She whispers something, in the way children do, trying to be quiet but not really able to grasp the way to do it. "Oh, so you're like..." She suddenly looks back up at you, her scrunched face no longer unseeing. Every detail of your face is being analyzed.
"Okay! I trust you!" Somehow, she saw something that reassured her. Maybe how tired you were?
"I'm not alone. I'm from a village not to far from here. Suika was born there." It's like she knew to say that. Her face brightens up, smiling as she pulls the melon back over her head. "You can come with me if you want!"
The implications from her words make your head spin.
At least one village. People who woke up earlier than anyone else. And probably some bad guys who might have been exiled?
That sounds like something you would normally avoid. Not really being a fan of crowds. But...you don't want to be alone anymore. Maybe you could work something out with them?
Suika waits impatiently, her little body bouncing from one foot to the other.
Seeing how sweet she is, the people who raised her can't be bad people, right?
Finally, you carefully nod your head. "Alright, I'll come with you." At your words, she jumps up and down.
"Yay! Come on, follow Suika." She starts running before you get the words out. "Wait, I need to pack up my camp!"
You start moving fast, even if your vision swims when you turn your head. The camp is packed up in a matter of minutes. There was nothing much to pack anymore, your food supplies have been running low way earlier than expected.
And soon enough, you're both on the way to this village.
The time is filled with Suika going on and on about something, but you're having trouble listening to her and not stumbling over everything.
Hours bleed together, the forest looking the same the whole time. You stare at her small figure, leading the way into the unknown.
Still trying to wrap your head around everything. Around not being alone, being right. It's a strange feeling, especially when you've been waiting for disappointment.
You help Suika over bigger obstacles in the way, body moving before the thought even forms. Hand extends, waiting for Suika to grab on, then pulling her up and over a half rotten tree trunk.
She beams at you, thankful for the help, and your heart melts. How did she even get here, all alone? Didn't anyone notice?
And that thought freezes you in place.
What if they label you as a kidnapper?
You swallow and clear your throat before speaking.
"Suika, does anyone know where you are?"
Suika flinches, giving you enough of an answer. She looks at you and trough the holes in the melon you can see her wide eyes. It's enough to imagine the rest of her face, the small, tight smile, the lift of her brows.
You sigh.
"We should hurry then... do you have the strength to run?"
The melon shakes as she nods her head. "Suika should be able to."
The two of you pick up your paces, jogging towards the village. Suika keeps stumbling, tripping over small roots and stones. After seeing her almost fall flat on her face for about the tenth time, you stop.
"Okay, this won't do. You'll break a leg or something before we ever make it there."
Suika's whole body sags. Sadness and disappointment radiating off of her.
"Sorry..."
"No, don't! Uhm, don't apologize! I wanted to ask if you're okay with me carrying you?"
The words jumble together, spilling out faster than intended.
But Suika lights up.
"Sure!"
You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding.
Suika is light, too light for what you expect a child of her age should be.
Another small insight into this village you haven't even seen yet.
Maybe, it might give you a reason to go back for more rice? To see the serow again?
You don't even notice the changes in your posture. But Suika does, though she doesn't mention it.
Your feet start dragging. That finally snaps you back to the present.
The world swims a little at the edges, thoughts drag as if they're moving through water.
You shake your head, trying to gain back some of the clarity.
It doesn't help.
But.
You keep walking.
Suika keeps watching you and the forest, she seems really worried and as much as you want to reassure her, your mouth can’t form words. Instead, you just keep panting.
A sound drifts through the air.
A call. A yell.
Adrenaline spikes once more, mixed with fear, excitement and nerves.
It sounds closer with every step, until eventually, you can make out the words. Or better, a word, just one, on repeat.
"SUIKA!"
Many voices call out, and the little girl in question starts squirming in your arms. You let her go, slowly lowering her till her feet touch the ground.
Instantly, you regret that decision.
Suika sprints forward. Yelling as she goes.
"I'm here! Suika is here!"
You stay rooted to your spot. Unable to move further, once again freezing in the face of possible danger. It pisses you off to no end, but now is not the time to think about it.
Suika keeps calling out in the distance, voices answer her, moving towards her. You hear the relief replacing an undercurrent of fear. They must have been searching for hours.
It seems the little girl has a knack or being stealthy.
One of the voices sounds familiar. So familiar your brain tries desperately to place it. But, you come up empty, so instead, you will your feet to move.
You listen to the reunion, people asking Suika a million questions at once.
"Where did you go?"
"Are you okay?"
"Did something happen?"
You move slowly but surely. Listening to Suika explain herself while apologizing.
"Suika saw smoke, I thought someone needed help! I'm sorry!"
Everyone was just happy she was okay, but you registered that there were a few less voices.
Someone realized what Suika was saying.
It's time to find out how this village treats outsiders.
As you lift your foot to continue your approach, someone speaks. Voice cold, calculating.
"Who was it Suika."
It felt less like a question and more like an interrogation. But that tone is familiar.
"Yes, Suika-chan, can you tell us their name? Or how they looked?"
A chill runs down your spine, that doesn't sound great. Maybe, just maybe, you should leave?
But Suika's voice full of excitement stops you once again.
"Oh! Right! She should be here somewhere. Suika kind of ran when I heard all of you."
Well, there's no running now.
You move forward. Trying to look casual and not like you're scared out of your mind at the prospect of people that sounded way too unhappy with a newcomer.
There's a clearing ahead of you, it seems everyone is gathered there.
You walk out into the open. Eyes scanning everyone.
A blond girl is crouching near Suika, her fierce gaze full of distrust.
A brown haired boy stands near, hair sticking up. He looks wary.
Another set of boys stand to the side. One blond, looking slightly scared, but ready to act. A spear tightly gripped in his hands. The other boy is a brunette, looking as fierce as the blonde girl, in his hands another spear.
Everyone dressed in blue.
Another boy stands further in the back, his face scratching at something in your brain. His hair is split in the middle, half white and half black. He has cracks in his skin like you and is the first one who doesn't have blue clothing, instead he has a purple cloak.
And the final boy.
As soon as your eyes land on him, your breath stops.
His hair gave him away. The long white strands turning green at the ends, all sticking up. That gravity defying leek hair you would recognize everywhere.
His pale face stares at yours, crimson eyes widening as recognition hits him.
Out of the corner of your eye you see a few people open their mouths. But before anyone can speak, you start first.
"Yo, Science man. It's been a while." A smile stretches on your face as relief finally comes. The hope you carefully cradled this whole journey, finally paying off.
Just like that, you relax.
The world blurs, tears gathering at your lash line.
Then it tilts.
Gravity amplifying tenfold.
Strength gone.
You see panic replace surprise on his face and Senku's mouth opens to say something.
The world turns black.
You don't even feel your body hit the ground.
