"The Junkers," she said, "They’re coming." She said it in a whisper, barely audible over the low hum of the machinery. I felt panic overtake the workshop as the engineers hid or destroyed whatever they could. I looked down at my own project, a miniature transportation device-the first of it’s kind-but there was no time to hide the small wonder. I could think of no place that would fit it’s metal tracks, or it’s gleaming steel haul, or it’s tiny smoke stack. So I tearfully dismantled it, praying that I would remember how to put it back together, and gave it to my friend Jonathan to put under his coat. I held the tiny piece of coal which I had been playing with in my hands, trying to decide what to do. It was smaller than my thumb tip, but even this small amount would land me 20-35 years in prison. On the other hand, I had no idea where I’d be able to get another one, or how much it would cost. I threw it in the fire place, watching it burn quickly. The others had begun to fix their attire, and I chose to follow suit. I took off my goggles and hid them in my corset before fixing my dress so that no one could see the grease and grime on said corset. From my bag I took my gloves in an attempt to hide my dirty, calloused hands. Lastly, I took my seat at the long table and watched as someone placed a glass of wine in front of me. Just as the last person took their seat and glass of wine and we all began to talk as though at a dinner party, the door opened with a loud thud. I felt as though my heart was beating out of my chest as the Captain of the Contraption Patrol stepped through the door and was greeted by the owner of the house, Mr. Smedge. "What is it that I can do for you, Sir?" Mr. Smedge asked, his tone cordial. The Captain smiled as more of The Junkers, as we call them, came prowling through the door, “We received an anonymous tip that there was an unlawful workshop here.” Mr. Smedge was outwardly calm as he said, “Really? Well, as you can see we are simply having a dinner party amongst friends.” The Captain’s smile reminded me of a wolf when he said, “Is that so? Well in that case, you won’t mind if my men take a look around.” I could see Mr.Smedge’s composure begin to break, “Of course, help yourselves.” The Junkers began overturning chairs and tables, pulling down curtains, even emptying ash trays. I did my best to sit there and not look nervous. Eventually, they accomplished their task, and miraculously the discovered nothing. The captain scowled, “Thank you, have a nice night.” They left the way they came and we all breathed a sigh of relief

"The Junkers," she said, "they're coming."

Elizabeth and Ryan stared off into the distance. All that could be seen was a cloud of orange dust, but they both knew what it meant.

"Elizabeth, we have to go," Ryan said. He tugged on her arm, but it was no use. She wouldn't move. "Elizabeth!" he shouted. "Let's go!" He was tugging vehemently, yet she refused to leave.

She shook her head and yanked her arm from his grip. "No, Ryan. I'm not going anywhere." She was stern, and Ryan had never seen such a serious look on her face.

To think, just six months ago, Elizabeth could have never ever given a care. Life was nothing more to her than a party. But as soon as The Junkers took over and the world went to shit, it was like a rubber band snapped in her head. In hindsight, Ryan didn't remember seeing a smile on her face ever since The Junkers' Revolution. Then again, there was good reason. When a pack of addicts kill your only child — the only family you have — you're sure to lose yourself.

Ryan sighed. He stopped trying and decided to stand with Elizabeth. He knew two Los Angeles-based stick figures who barely had 250 pounds between each other would be no match for a large group of post-apocalyptic gangsters, but he'd be damned if he let Elizabeth die alone.

They watched silently as the cloud of orange dust and sand engulfed them and the motorcyclists circled around them, coming to a stop in a matter of minutes. If their intention was to intimidate, they were doing a damn good job. Ryan was a few grunts and growls from pissing himself. His eyes alternated between Elizabeth and The Junkers, hoping maybe she would change her mind, but there was no sign of a swaying. She stood right where she was, eyes fixed on the leader as she got off her bicycle.

She was a skeleton. The thin red lines on her arms revealed her faction, and her sunken face tried all it could to project anger. "You're standing in our territory," she said. Her voice was just barely loud enough to hear. Ryan could feel himself shaking. "Do you have a death wish?"

Ryan was speechless. His eyes continued to flicker between his friend and the skeleton woman, and his breathing began to hitch.

Elizabeth didn't respond either. She just stared at the woman angrily.

Before half a year ago, Ryan would never call himself afraid of some heroin-addict. However, seeing the mass destruction The Junkers had caused across the country, he definitely was a bit on edge. So much so that it gave him a start when he heard Elizabeth's raspy voice yell loudly.

"My name is Elizabeth Berg," she said, "and you killed my family."

“Ok I get it already!” My sister, Jean exclaimed exasperatedly. “Are you sure? Because one slip up and the whole plan is ruined!” I replied back. Jean rolled her eyes and nodded. “Now I’ve made a deal with the Junkers. They’ll take us as far as West Stop and then we’ll move on from there.” “Ha! I knew it! You’re running away!” Jean and I’s head snapped up towards the doorway. “Conner, go away!” I shouted at the lanky boy in the doorway. He didn’t budge. “Wait til Mrs. Fits finds out!” “Conner No!” Jean pleaded “we have to find our father! He’s still alive!” Conner’s face morphed from a smirk to a look of disgust. “No!” He point a slim finger at us. “No, you two are orphans and you’ll always be orphans! Your parents are dead! Besides no one ever escapes Mrs. Fits Orphanage!” A slap echoed through the small room. My hand stung from the slap. but I was satisfied with the look of shock on Conner’s face. No one had ever dared to hit him. He was a bully after all and Mrs. fits little snitch. But I didn’t care now. I grabbed him by the collar,“ Our father is alive! You hear me, and we are going to find him! And no one will stop us! No one!” “Jacob!” Jean shouted , I turn towards her. “The Junkers,”she said, “they are coming.” I shoved a still shocked Conner away from the doorway and dashed for the front door with Jean close behind me. Glorious hope beamed through my heart as I opened the door to freedom, but all to quickly it vanished at the sight of Mrs. Fits yelling at the Junkers to move on. “There is nothing we have for you to collect today.Go away you filthy wretches! You’ll stink my whole place up!” I felt the wetness of my tears flow down my cheek. I haven’t cried in years. Seeing the Junkers leave broke me. “Come on!” Said Jean, bouncing with excitement. “Wha-“ “Come on before they get to far.” Jean said before she ran past Mrs. Fits, almost knocking her down. I watched as she leaped onto the back of the Junkers’ truck. I smiled, the Hope started to return. “Oh no you don’t you little brat!” Mrs. Fits yelled, charging up to me. I easily dodged her attempts to get a hold of me. And when she stopped to catch her breath, I smiled and gave a mock solute,“ See you never Mrs. Fits!” I race down the road, the Junkers’s truck and Jean not far ahead. I grabbed Jeans outstretched hands and she pulled me up. We fell backwards and laughed. The commotion we caused, caused the truck to stop. All three Junkers came out of the cab and looked at us. The burliest of the bunch just shook his head and chuckled ,“Made it out after all I see.” We smiled in reply. “lets get on then.”