Maxine of the Wasteland

by Callista Hawkes

  “You okay?” She asked Rebecca.

  “I’ve been better.” Rebecca replied. Maxine glanced over. Rebecca’s left thigh was covered in blood. She looked at Maxine, her teeth gritted against the pain. “Bastard clipped me with one of the bullets. Hurts like hell.”

  “Keep pressure on it.” Maxine told her. “Try to stem the bleeding.” A squeal of tyres brought Maxine’s attention back to the road. The truck had braked again, forcing her to brake too and swing over to avoid it. It moved level with her and Maxine saw that it was the vile fat man who had bid for her at the auction. He leered at them, his mouth full of blackened teeth. He swung the truck across, crunching against them and knocking them towards the edge of the road. Maxine swung the car back, but the truck was much heavier and they simply bounced off it. The fat man swung back and they were shoved towards the edge of the road. The tyres kicked up dust from the very edge. The fat man went to knock them a third time and Maxine braked hard. The truck missed them and fish tailed before regaining control. Maxine attempted to accelerate past, but the car blocked the gap the truck had left.

  “I’ve had enough of this shit.” Maxine slammed on the brakes and brought the Mustang to a halt. The truck and the car followed suit and stopped a short way ahead of them. Maxine slammed the gear stick into reverse, pulling back sideways on into the road, intending to turn around and head back the other way. A hail of gunfire sprayed over the top of the Mustang. A warning shot. Rebecca ducked down out of sight. The fat man had climbed out of the truck and approached them, a submachine gun in his hand.

  “Get out.” He growled. “You’re worth more to me alive than dead, but I’m willing to settle for just the profit on the car.” Maxine climbed out of the car, crossbow at her side. “Toss the crossbow away. Where’s your dyke friend?”

  “Dead.” Maxine told him, reluctantly letting the crossbow drop from her grasp.

  “She will be if she doesn’t get her skinny arse out of the car.” He growled. “Now get out.” Rebecca climbed out, grasping her injured thigh and limping a couple of steps before collapsing to the floor in agony.

  “You stupid bitch.” He looked down at Rebecca. “You had a good thing going on at Skull Gulch. Now look at you. Sorry Becky, but a cripple is no good to me.” He raised the submachine gun and aimed at her head. A single gunshot echoed across the landscape. The fat man’s eyes rolled in his head and he collapsed in the middle of the road. Maxine and Rebecca looked at each other, stunned before looking for the source of the gunshot. Travis looked up from the telescopic sight of his rifle behind his car. He smiled at Maxine, who scrambled for her crossbow.

  “I’m not coming back with you.” She told him, bringing the crossbow to bear on him. Travis slung his rifle over his shoulder and approached them.

  “I know.” He replied sadly. “You don’t need your crossbow. I won’t try and force you.”

  “Why?” Rebecca asked him, nodding in the direction of the fat man.

  “He was getting greedy and powerful.” Travis replied, gazing down at the corpulent corpse. “It was an ideal opportunity to remove that particular thorn in my side. I will credit you ladies with the kill when I return of course. Some will no doubt suspect my hand in it, but that won’t do me any harm either. I haven’t run Skull Gulch for as long as I have without having to remove competition from time to time.” Maxine lowered the crossbow.

  “Well, thanks I guess.” Maxine replied. Travis smiled and held out his hand.

  “You’re welcome.” He said as she shook his hand. “I’d have loved for you to have come back with me and if you ever get tired of living your life on the road, my door will always be open to you.” Maxine leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, wondering if that was Stockholm syndrome again. He grinned and turned, walking back towards his car, before looking over his shoulder. “Oh and thanks for not sticking me with that shiv last night.” With that, he climbed into his car and accelerated back across the wasteland in the direction of Skull Gulch.

  Chapter 6

  Two hours later, they reached The Pit, the nearest settlement. It was situated in the bottom of an old quarry and accessed via just one road winding down around the perimeter, which made it easily defendable. As they made their way down, Rebecca winced in pain. She had lost a lot of blood and her face was quite pale, though her spirits had been raised at the thought of replacing her pistol with the fat man’s submachine gun as her weapon of choice. They had found a few provisions in the fat man’s truck, including a first aid kit, which Maxine had used to bandage Rebecca up as best she could. There was no exit wound, which meant the bullet was still in there. They had to get medical attention or Rebecca would fall into a fever and die.

  “Hang in there.” Maxine told her. “They’ll be someone in The Pit that can patch you up.” Rebecca grinned through gritted teeth as they descended the uneven access road, finally reaching the settlement. Maxine parked up and told Rebecca to remain in the car while she got help. She climbed out and made her way through the buildings. The settlement was largely made up from old containers and portacabins left over from the quarry’s working days, which had been turned into habitations and businesses. Maxine had been to The Pit a couple of times over the years and it was one of the more civilised settlements.

  “Maxine?” Maxine turned to the source of her name. Ethan was standing there, looking a bit grubbier and unkempt than when she had left him at Hope Town.

  “Ethan.” Maxine looked at him in surprise. “How did you get here?”

  “I’ve been recruited.” He smiled. “I got here yesterday.”

  “Recruited? What for?” She asked.

  “I have skills.” He beamed proudly.

  “And I thought the brothels were full…” She quipped.

  “Ah, I’ve missed that razor sharp wit of yours.” He smiled. “No, I’m a doctor.”

  “A doctor!” Maxine grabbed him forcefully by the arm. “Come with me!”

  “Well, it was just as well you didn’t get here much later.” Ethan said, walking out of the portacabin to where Maxine had been patiently waiting. He tossed her a metal object, which caught the sunlight as it arced through the air to land in her waiting hand. She rolled the bullet between her fingers, examining it. “She’s sleeping now, but she should be okay.”

  “Thanks.” Maxine told him. “What do I owe you?”

  “Nothing.” Ethan smiled. “Though might I ask a favour?” Maxine regarded him coolly.

  “I seem to remember already doing you a favour beside the road a couple of days back.” Maxine eyed him suspiciously. “What would you ask of me?”

  “Nothing you don’t want to do.” Ethan replied defensively. “But I was hoping you would join me for a meal this evening.”

  “I don’t know…” Maxine began.

  “Rebecca is going to be off her feet for a couple of days.” Ethan interrupted. “Hopefully my company and sleeping in a proper bed for the night would be preferable to sleeping in your car alone.” Maxine narrowed her eyes at him. “I would obviously be sleeping on the floor.” Ethan hastily added. “You would have the bed to yourself…” The temptation of a night in a proper bed was quite enticing and maybe a few hours spent with the enigmatic doctor wouldn’t be entirely unpleasant.

  “Ok Ethan.” She replied finally. “What time?”

  “Sundown?” Ethan suggested.

  “Sundown.” She agreed.

  The sun was disappearing behind the western rim of the quarry and Maxine crossed the dusty ground towards the medical portacabin. Just as she reached it, Ethan emerged, a package tucked under his arm.

  “Maxine.” He beamed. “I have a gift for you.” He passed her the package. She took it from him and slipped the paper off. It was a long, green dress and a pair of matching shoes. Immaculate and no doubt expensive. She hadn’t seen anything like it in years. Her immediate reaction was to scold him and ask him who he thought he was, trying to buy her affections, but she had to admit that she was taken with ho
w beautiful it was.

  “Beautiful.” She said. “Thank you. Where did you get these?”

  “Don’t worry about that.” He smiled. “My doctor’s office is empty now. You can try it on in the portacabin if you like?”

  Maxine pulled on the dress which fit her nicely as did the shoes, though the latter pinched a little. She guessed that was probably down to not having worn heels in years rather than an ill fit. She crossed the portacabin to stand before a mirror on the back of the door where she was started by the reflection of the feminine stranger gazing back at her. She smiled appreciatively and twisted around, looking over her shoulder and admiring the flattering fit of the fine dress. Her hand went to her hip and she tutted and sighed, wishing she could have applied makeup and done her hair too. She might have looked almost like she did before the war. She had a momentary pang of melancholy as she reflected on that stolen life, but even without makeup she felt amazing. She smiled at her reflection and opened the door. Ethan was waiting patiently outside and turned, beaming widely when he saw her.

  “You’re beautiful.” He murmured.

  “Thank you.” She replied, blushing. She chastised herself, reminding herself that she was a tough survivor, not the weak girl she had been before the world went to hell. Ethan took her arm and led her towards his own portacabin. She climbed up the steps and stepped inside. Ethan had laid out a table, which despite its rough construction, chunky candle and the plastic cutlery, had a certain charm. Ethan helped her into her chair and came back with a couple of plates. There were some roughly cut vegetables and some chicken, which was pretty much as good as it got in the wasteland. Meat was certainly a luxury and Maxine could feel her mouth water in anticipation. It had been months since she’d had decent meat.

  “Well, here’s to you.” Ethan raised his glass of water.

  “And you.” Maxine smiled, raising her glass. “Thank you for saving Rebecca’s life. Were you a doctor before the war?”

  “I was actually a vet.” He replied sheepishly. “But there’s a lot of crossover, so since the war I’ve been working as a doctor. I’ve travelled from settlement to settlement, working for a few weeks before moving on.”

  “Why not settle down in one place?” Maxine asked, sipping at the water.

  “I have my reasons.” Ethan smiled, before sipping at his water and refusing to elaborate further.

  “Like that precious case of yours?” Maxine suggested. Ethan nodded.

  “What about you?” Ethan asked her, unsubtly steering the conversation away from him. “It must be much more dangerous on the road, particularly for a woman. Why haven’t you settled down in one place?”

  “Same reason as you.” Maxine replied. “Besides, I like that I’m always on the move, salvaging and trading. Anyway, there aren’t many other career choices for women that I’d want to pursue.”

  “No, I guess not.” Ethan nodded thoughtfully. “Do you think you’d settle down if you found somewhere a little more civilised if there were better prospects for you?”

  “Perhaps.” She mused. “But all the settlements I’ve been to have been variations on the same theme. They’re all a bit Wild West.”

  “They certainly are.” Ethan agreed, chewing thoughtfully. Maxine studied him for a moment.

  “You’re still don’t trust me do you?” Maxine smiled. Ethan’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

  “What do you mean?” He asked.

  “You aren’t going to level with me and tell me who you really are?” Maxine replied. “I’ve haven’t seen anyone like you since the early days; clean, fresh clothes and soft. The wasteland would chew you up and spit out your bones in days.”

  “Maybe I’ve been lucky.” Ethan suggested. Maxine shook her head.

  “I don’t think so.” Ethan squirmed a little and Maxine shrugged, reaching for her glass and taking a sip. “Look, it’s none of my business. I’m just intrigued, that’s all.” Ethan smiled, relieved that the interrogation was over and quickly changed the subject.

  They made small talk for the rest of the meal. Maxine was surprised to find that she quite enjoyed Ethan’s company. After an hour or so, Maxine yawned.

  “You must be tired.” Ethan observed. “I guess it’s been a long day for you. My bed is over there.” Ethan nodded at the far end of the portacabin. “I’ll sleep over here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you Ethan.” She smiled, getting to her feet, Ethan doing the same. They stood in front of one another. “It’s been a lovely evening. Thank you very much. The food was excellent and the dress is beautiful. It’s felt like a date from before the war.”

  “A date?” Ethan raised an eyebrow. Maxine blushed.

  “You know what I mean.” She replied. Ethan leant forward and kissed her on the cheek, before pulling back. Their eyes met and Ethan leaned in again, tentatively pressing his lips to hers. Maxine smiled, which Ethan took as a further invitation and pressed his lips more firmly to hers, taking her in his arms. She responded, kissing him back. Ethan's tongue flicked out and caressed her own. She reciprocated, her own tongue sliding over his. Ethan's hands slid down from her waist to cup her buttocks, gently squeezing them through the silky fabric of the dress. She reached up, her fingers running through his short hair as she kissed him with increasing urgency. Their bodies were pressed together and she could feel his rapidly hardening cock against her belly. She smiled, her right hand dropping to his waist and running over the bulge, her fingers exploring the outline of his stiff shaft. Ethan broke the kiss and led her to the bed, taking her in his arms again. He tenderly pressed his lips to hers for a moment before he kissed her cheek, moving lower, feeling his lips against the soft, sensitive skin of her neck. His hands reached behind her, sliding over the fabric of her dress, searching for the zip before slowly pulling it down to the small of her back. He stepped back and she pulled the straps over her shoulders, allowing the dress to slide down exposing her naked breasts. He smiled, his eyes drinking her in as she shimmied out of the dress. It dropped away from her hips, pooling at her feet. She wore no underwear and was now completely naked apart from the high heeled shoes. She smiled shyly, feeling vulnerable yet at the same time enjoying his expression as his eyes wandered all over her body.

  "You'd think you've never seen a naked woman before." She smiled, trying to alleviate the slightly awkward moment.

  "It has been a while." he admitted.

  "Well, are you going to stand there all night?" She said, putting a hand on her hip and pouting theatrically. He shook his head and quickly began to undress. Maxine kicked off her shoes and lay back on the bed, parting her legs and idly caressed her pussy while he pulled the last of his clothes off. He knelt at the foot of the bed and began to kiss up her ankles, swapping to the other leg and kissing up to her knees. He then swapped to the first leg and kissed up the inside of her thigh. She squirmed in anticipation, enjoying the feel of his hot breath and roughness of the light stubble of his jaw on her soft skin. His cheek was grazing the edge of her pubic hair when he swapped over to her other thigh and repeated the process. Maxine thrashed about on the bed in frustration, but enjoyed Ethan's slow, methodical teasing nonetheless. Finally, he reached the top of her thigh and she parted her legs, allowing him easy access to her pussy. She gasped as she felt the tip of Ethan's tongue against the nub of her protruding clit. He gently flicked her tongue over it, causing her to tremble with pleasure. She reached down and ran her fingers through his hair, while at the same time gently pulling his face into her folds. He pressed his tongue into her, parting her labia and tasting her. She moaned and opened her legs wider for him. He attacked her pussy with genuine enthusiasm and she loved every second of it as he lapped from one end of her slit to the other, teased her clit and pushed his tongue as deeply inside her as he could. Maxine thrashed about beneath him as he brought her close to orgasm. She felt him press two fingers inside her and bent his fingertips forward, caressing the front wall of her pussy. That, combined with his tongue on
her clit sent her over the edge and she arched her back, gripping the bed sheets in her fists as waves of pleasure emanating out from her pussy washed over her. After a few seconds, she relaxed and lifted her head off the bed, looking down at Ethan. He had lifted his face up from between her legs and smiled up at her, his mouth and chin moist with her juices.

  "I figured I owed you that from the other day." He grinned. Maxine returned his smile and he joined her on the bed. She sat up, kissing him, tasting herself on his lips, but too caught up in the moment to care. He eased her back onto the bed, his hands finding her breasts, caressing them and squeezing them together. She reached for his hard cock, taking it in her hand and stroking it. He groaned as she pulled him towards her by his erect shaft. He positioned himself between her legs, but she stopped him, pulling him up the bed.

  "Let me suck your cock first." She purred, wanting to taste him first. He obediently moved up the bed, straddling her chest and leaned forward. His balls rested on the tops of her breasts and she craned her head forward, taking the tip of his cock in her mouth, while Ethan tucked a pillow behind her head to support her. Maxine traced her tongue around the end, enjoying the familiar taste and smell of him. Ethan nudged himself forward and Maxine allowed him to slide his cock further into her mouth, taking half of it before he pulled back out. She grasped his buttocks and pulled him back inside and he began to slide in and out of her sucking mouth. They continued like that for a few minutes, Maxine enjoying listening to his moans of pleasure, but careful not to allow him to approach his climax. She had always enjoyed giving blowjobs and it always gave her a thrill to feel a cock spurting into her mouth, knowing she had caused it, but she really wanted him inside her tonight. She pulled him from her mouth and studied his shaft for a moment. It seemed larger, harder and more erect than by the roadside, but she guessed that was hardly surprising given his condition at the time. She ran her tongue along the underside from root to tip before giving him one last suck and easing him away from her mouth.