Rick continued to drive his armored car at a moderate speed. He had been driving along the deserted road in the middle of the Ironclad forest for more than forty minutes, following Arno and Grady in front of him. The light from their car's headlights was the only light on the increasingly dark road.
Finally, up ahead, there was a bridge connecting the last area of the Ironclad prison forest to the outside world. Rick took a deep breath, his feelings mixed. Once, he thought he would never get out of that prison. But now, here he was, taking another step toward freedom, even though the outside world had changed into something that was no longer the same.
Rick slowed down his car, following Arno and Grady's steps who were also walking slowly. When he looked out the window, his eyes caught the condition of the bridge which was very different from what he remembered. Once, this bridge was a sturdy structure that stood majestically, supporting the main route in and out of the Ironclad prison. Now, the bridge looked like a building that had just gone through a major disaster.
The supporting irons were bent and rusted, some parts had broken and were on the verge of collapsing. The steel cables that had once held the bridge up now hung limply, like bones that had lost their flesh. The concrete on the sides of the bridge was also cracked, as if it was only a matter of time before it completely collapsed into the river below.
Rick turned his gaze to the guard posts that should have been at both ends of the bridge. Normally, the posts were manned by two or three officers, always ready to watch anyone who went in or out. But now, the posts were empty. The doors and windows were also wide open, allowing the night air to enter without any obstruction. The roof was even half destroyed, while the inside looked messy and dusty.
How long has this place been abandoned? Rick thought. Six months ago, there were still guards here…
He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Not because of fear, but because the reality in front of him was so foreign.
The bridge grew quieter as their car continued to drive. The sound of the engine echoed through the emptiness, as if it were the only life that was still moving in this place. Everything around them felt completely dead, not even the sound of insects could be heard.
When they finally reached the end of the bridge, Arno who was in front stopped his car. Grady followed, and Rick pulled over behind them.
The atmosphere was quiet...
One by one, they got out of the car. Arno and Oslan were first, then Grady, and finally Rick. As soon as Rick's feet touched the ground outside the bridge, he was immediately greeted by a sight that left him speechless.
They all stood there, looking at the city in front of them with blank expressions, confused, shocked, and also disbelief.
What was in front of them was not the city they remembered.
The great gates that once stood strong were now shattered and collapsed. The walls that protected the city were full of cracks and holes, as if they had been hit by something very large.
And the city itself…
The city that was once full of life, that was once filled with people passing by, vehicles busy passing by on the streets, has now turned into a ghost town.
Buildings were in ruins, some had completely collapsed. The streets were littered with rubble and abandoned vehicles. There was no light, no human voices, no signs of life.
Rick swallowed. This was… worse than he had imagined.
"T-The outside world is really ruined…" Oslan's voice was trembling.
Grady took a deep breath, covering his face with one hand. "Damn… I knew the outside world was in a bad state, but… seeing it with my own eyes… I don't even know what to say."
Arno looked around with a serious face. "We have to stay alert. There could be dangers or even monsters hiding in these ruins."
Rick remained silent, still staring at the city with a blank stare.
He already knew the world was on the brink of the end of the world. He had heard a lot from the inmates who had connections outside the prison. But this... This wasn't just 'the brink of destruction.'
This was truly the end of the world.
This city was living proof that civilization had collapsed.
He clenched his fists.
Damn…
Now, it was becoming clear that escaping Ironclad Prison was not the end of his struggle. In fact, it was only the beginning.
The outside world had become hell. And he had to survive in it.
In the midst of the atmosphere that still felt tense after seeing all the destruction in front of them, Rick suddenly spoke in a relaxed tone full of jokes.
"Seeing the outside world that turned out to be destroyed like this, it seems better if we just go back to the prison." he said while turning towards Grady, Oslan, and Arno.
"Without Bruno there, we can become the new rulers of Ironclad. I think we'll get special treatment, maybe even have a private room with better food."
Hearing that, his three friends just sighed and exchanged glances. It was clear that they knew Rick was just joking, and each of them gave a response with a sarcastic tone that was no less ticklish.
Arno was the first to speak. "If you want to go back, go by yourself. Maybe you'll become the new lapdog for the wardens," he said mockingly.
Oslan followed with a faint smile. "Yeah, maybe you can be the boss of the prisoners now. Besides, Bruno's dead, right?" He then grinned. "But I still won't go back, even if the outside world is on the brink of destruction. I told you before, I'd rather gamble out there."
Arno added in an equally sarcastic tone, "I won't be going back either. There's someone I need to meet, and I have to find him no matter what. But if you insist on going back, Rick, maybe they'll hold a cremation ceremony for you. The guards will scatter your ashes to every corner of the prison as a final tribute. Sounds quite dramatic, doesn't it?"
"That sounds pretty gruesome..."
Rick just chuckled, not taking their jokes seriously. Although it sounded sharp, he knew it was just their way of easing the tension.
After their laughter died down, Rick decided to ask each of them about their next destination.
Grady was the first to answer. "For now, I'll just find the safest place... although that's quite difficult in the current situation." He stared into the distance for a moment before continuing.
"Maybe I'll leave England and cross over to France first."
Oslan, who seemed to have considered his plans carefully, said, "I'll be going far away too, definitely out of England. Maybe even out of Europe. Morocco or Somalia sound like sensible options. I have some contacts there. But for now, I'll go to Kent first. I have to find some of my friends... if they're still alive."
Arno, who was standing beside Oslan, nodded slowly. "I'll go with Oslan for a while. My first destination is London. I have to meet someone important to me. After that, I'll probably head to Spain."
Rick realized that they all had different destinations than him. If the three of them planned to head east, then he himself would still have to continue his journey north. That meant they would be separated.
Realizing this, Grady, Oslan, and Arno now looked at Rick with more serious expressions.
"What about you, Rick?" Grady finally asked. "Where are you going?"
Rick took a deep breath before answering, "I'm still heading north. Preston is my destination." He looked at each of them.
"I think this will be our goodbye."
No one answered immediately. Even though they all knew that their journey would not always be together, there was still a slight heaviness in each of their hearts.
Arno, who was not very familiar with Rick, finally spoke up. "I have to admit, without your plan, I might still be trapped in there. So, thank you, Rick."
Rick raised his eyebrows slightly, then smiled thinly. "And I also thank you, especially for the money you gave me. Even though I know it came from a robbery."
Arno just chuckled and shook his head. "Then, just use the money to buy a cellphone and call me. Who knows, we might meet again."
Rick chuckled. He understood the implied meaning of Arno's words, even though they were separated now, their communication would not be completely cut off.
Oslan, who had been listening all this time, now patted Rick's shoulder lightly. "Don't cause too much trouble, Rick. But on the other hand, it might be better if you cause a big one. That way, I'll know where to look for you. After all, if there's a mess, you'll most likely be there."
Rick just chuckled, taking it as Oslan's usual joke that he had heard.
Oslan and Arno then walked towards their car. Before getting in, they waved at Rick. Rick returned the wave without many words, just with a smile.
Now only Grady was still standing there.
"Rick, if you really become a famous Hunter or even a hero, don't forget to contact me," he said in a half-joking tone.
"Hahaha..." Rick laughed out loud.
"I will definitely contact you if I am strong enough. But what about you? If you suddenly get an awakening of power, you should also contact me immediately. It would be better if we could work together again."
Grady smiled a little, though he looked doubtful. "I guess that's a very small possibility. But if it happens, I'll call you."
They were both silent for a moment, until Grady finally spoke again, "It's too bad Old Man Harvey won't come with us out of prison."
Rick just shrugged. "Taking him along is too risky. Besides, his sentence is almost over. It would be safer for him to stay there."
"Take care of yourself Rick..." Grady said one last time.
"Yeah, I'll make sure to see you again." Rick replied shortly.
After that, Grady got into his car. He waved once more before finally starting the engine and starting to drive, following behind Arno and Oslan's car that had already moved east.
Now, Rick was truly alone. He stood for a moment, watching their car disappear into the distance, before finally sighing and turning back to his own vehicle.
With one breath, he got into the car, started the engine, and started driving his vehicle north. The city that stretched out in front of him looked quiet, empty, like a ghost town that had long been abandoned.
However, that did not stop him.
With his eyes straight ahead, Rick continued to drive, penetrating the streets that now seemed to belong to him alone.