Twisted Metal Heart - Eve Langlais

Prologue

In a distant future that is being shaped now…

New Earth went through a few pivotal evolutions after the devastating event that destroyed it. Actually, it was more like a series of events—a combination of pollution, over-mining of the planet’s resources, too many people, and a meteor shower with toxic dust. It reshaped the world and continued to do so. More than a century after the Fall, the planet was about to go through another upheaval, a political one this time.

No matter that the world spun in a different direction and the sky wasn’t always a mythical blue. One thing remained the same. What went up still came down.

That would refer to the Enclave, a ruling group that emerged when survival had to be kept under control underground. What worked when the food and space was limited began to fray as they emerged in the domes that protected them from the surface. The greed of the Enclave meant they lied to their citizens. Told them the air was poison. That death awaited them away from the protection they provided.

They might have continued to rule had they not gotten greedy. Take too much and the people would eventually revolt. But that revolution, that decision to make a difference, had to start somewhere. One spark led into two, then three. Light enough flames and you’ll get a bonfire.

But what would be the price that finally set the humans off against each other?

In the end, it wouldn’t matter, for they’d start effecting change. The kind with the power to transform the world.

One

I’m going to make it. Despite breaking down and having to fix a damned blown hose, Titan refused to even contemplate for a moment that he might not make it to safety before full dark. He’d strayed much too close to a chasm, and nightfall came quicker than he liked.

He still had time to make it away from the rabid ghouls that lived in the deep. They emerged only in the dark. Given he was attached to living, he did his best to avoid them at night.

Just a little bit farther. Still plenty of time to get somewhere safe. His engine purred, the wheels clung, and the small spikes in the rubber rim held well to the ground, moving him smoothly. A simple machine, it usually served him well, being a combustion engine that worked in even the worst areas. Electronics, computers, and such, so popular in the domes, would fry in most places.

Not his ride. He inwardly crooned to his bike. His sweet set of wheels that he’d been lovingly caring for. Much to Gunner’s amusement.

“You can’t fuck it, or can you?” Gunner had queried, and Titan jumped him. Claiming he enjoyed the company of his ride more than that of a lover? It might be true, but that didn’t mean he liked it. He hated being alone.

He could have sworn the bike between his legs hummed a little louder. He tightened his grip. They would make it.

And he’d give his bike the most thorough cleaning and tune-up.

It purred and shot forward with a little more oomph.

There was no warning. Next, a swath of dirt lunged into the air, transforming into a viper. Its jaw unhinged as it struck at the bike. There was a whine of the motor dying, the hiss of the snake as it chomped on his ride and sent him flying. As soon as his body left the seat, he tucked his body and angle himself to land. He didn’t quite succeed and stumbled, falling hard on his knee. Pain rollicked up him. He didn’t let it distract him from pulling a knife.

In the Wasteland, hesitation would kill. He knelt and brandished his blade, only to see the creature had no interest in him. It was wrapped around the bike, squeezing it into a shapeless, useless hunk.

He sighed. So much for making it to pseudo safety by nightfall. He’d hoped for a tree or an abandoned mini dome. There were quite a few scattered around the Emerald demesne, a kingdom spanning hundreds of miles. Unfortunately, there were none he could reach before night by foot in this section. He found himself at a very remote end of it, stuck between a chasm and barren plains. Although not so empty at night. Things would come hunting.

He trudged, keeping a steady pace despite the fact he hated it. The entire situation sucked. Like, seriously, blew a fucking wolgar hard. Not that he knew about blowing wild animals firsthand. He’d never lost