Episode 78: Free At Last

Rat Town was a small village situated on the southern side of Jouston City. Despite the "town" in its name, it barely qualified as one due to its modest population and poor infrastructure. Life here was simple but steady. The village remained standing because, even in the harsh and cruel post-apocalyptic world, it had found a way to sustain itself. Protected by a rudimentary but functional guard system and buoyed by an active local economy, Rat Town had carved out a fragile semblance of normalcy.

Resources and security were scarce, as they were everywhere else, but Rat Town endured. Its strategic location had turned it into a vital stopover for caravans traveling through Jouston City. Traders, scavengers, and wanderers constantly moved in and out of its gates, creating a bustling hub of activity. John, the leader of the Rat Town militia, stood watch from his office in the guardhouse at the village's entrance gate. He was a tall, sturdy man with a presence that reassured the townsfolk and kept troublemakers in check.

As John reviewed the daily reports, a young guard burst into his office, looking flustered.

"Sir, there's a… a beautiful truck parked outside the gate, and the owner of the truck seems loaded…"

the guard stammered.

"And they're applying for a merchant's ticket to set up a stall too…"

John frowned, confused by the interruption.

"Why are you bothering me with something so routine?"

he asked, his tone gruff. The young guard scratched his sideburn awkwardly but, before the young guard could respond, Rooney, John's deputy and close friend, walked in with a knowing smile.

"John,"

Rooney said, his voice tinged with excitement,

"Azra's back."

John froze for a moment, his stern demeanor softening.

"Azra?"

he repeated, his mind racing.

"Azra… the same Azra? Our Azra?"

"Yep… OUR Azra…hahahaha…"

Rooney nodded.

"He's the owner of that truck. And he's here to pay off his debts."

John stood abruptly, a mixture of disbelief and hope flickering in his eyes. Without hesitation, he motioned for Rooney and the young guard to follow him as he stepped out of the office. Outside, by the gate, stood Azra—their old friend. He leaned casually against a truck that, by post-apocalyptic standards, was a symbol of luxury and success, not only that it seems that he even got a lot of new members of his family as well.

Azra had changed. His neat appearance, the polished handgun holstered at his waist, and the sturdy cane in his hand spoke volumes. This was no longer the broken man they had known. No longer the same man that both of them send out to the rough wasteland before, Azra has come back and clearly looking better than anyone here ever was.

John's face broke into a wide smile. Azra's fall from grace had been hard to witness. Once the strongest man and the most reliable guard in Rat Town, he had spiraled into despair and drunkenness after an injury left him unable to fight or even walked normally, it was a heart-breaking sight, a once he was their leader, and the person that they can trust to be able to protect Rat Town from any threat, but his fall do hurt everyone that knows him. But now, here he was, standing tall, like he was once before, walking to both of them calmly.

Azra's eyes met John's, and a calm smile spread across his face. He approached them with measured steps, his aura exuding confidence and composure, clearly stating that he is good now. John and Rooney greeted him with a firm handshake and a heartfelt hug.

"It's good to see you again, my man"

John said warmly.

"The same, John, Rooney…glad to be here again…".

"You were looking sharp, Azra…"

Azra casually replied, Rooney smiled and teased him a little bit with the truth.

"Is it true? You're here to pay your debts?"

Azra nodded.

"That's right, Every last coin. I want to settle everything today and finally be free from the headache…. I got a few extra coins lately…and it better to pay them off quickly, right?"

John wasted no time and led Azra into the guardhouse. Rooney went off to fetch Jack, the village treasurer, while John and Azra caught up. The air between them was light but carried the weight of shared history. It wasn't long before Jack arrived, and his reaction was one of visible shock. He had once dismissed Azra as a hopeless drunk, but the man standing before him now was nothing short of formidable. Clean, composed, and commanding respect, Azra looked every bit the warrior he had once been, the one they used to call the Mad Berserker.

Jack swallowed hard; his previous disdain replaced with begrudging respect. He pulled out his ledger with his trembling hand and spoke formally.

"Azra, your family's debt to Rat Town is 145 coins."

Without hesitation, Azra reached into his pocket, retrieved the exact amount, and placed the coins on the table.

"Here,"

he said simply.

"Let's clear this."

Jack counted the coins, his hands trembling slightly. When he was done, he recorded the payment, issued a receipt, and handed it to Azra.

"Your debt is cleared,"

Jack said, his voice subdued.

"Thank you."

He bowed slightly before leaving the room in a hurry, unable to meet Azra's gaze any longer. Azra watched Jack's retreating figure with a mix of satisfaction and relief. He glanced down at the receipt in his hand, a tangible symbol of his redemption. Turning to John and Rooney, he smiled.

"It feels good to finally be free of that weight,"

he said.

"And seeing Jack scurry off like that… well, let's just say it's a nice bonus."

John laughed, clapping Azra on the back. John and Rooney knew that Jack has been treating Azra wife, Natasha badly when Azra was a mess, seeing him letting the guy go unharmed, truly let John and Rooney knew that the Azra now, is really a good man.

"You've come a long way, my friend. Everyone in Rat Town will know the Mad Berserker is back, and I doubt anyone will dare cross you or your family now."

Azra's smile faded slightly as he shook his head.

"I'm not planning to stay here. This visit was just to settle old scores and move forward. Natasha and I have built something new, something better. Rat Town… it's in my past now."

John nodded, understanding.

"Still, it's good to see you like this. You've done more than just survive, Azra. You've thrived."

Azra nodded in gratitude, tucking the receipt into his pocket. As he stepped out of the office and back into the bustling village, but instead of entering the village, Azra went back to the truck.

"Honey, how is everything goes?".

Natasha noticed me as soon as I walked back from the gate, Selene, Scarlett and Alfred were in the middle of opening our stall and they too were anxious to hear from me too.

"Settled everything, Nat…we are now clean out off any debt!".

I took out the receipt and waved it around, Natasha, Selene and Scarlett as well as me jumped and cheering in celebrations. Finally, we are now fully liberated, what a good feeling this is.