As I come out of the tent I notice that the crowd of people is big. That most of the people here are watching what is happening over there which only fills me with concern.
The loud noise has caused some zombies to walk into the fence where the guards stay on top of killing them. "Kill them, they're not worth the waste of food, traitors" are all screamed at the centre of the circle.
As I shove my way through the sweaty crowd and stumble upon the scene my heart swells. Both Daniel and Miles are on their knees with my father standing in-front of them. This is all too familiar
"We lost the life of a guard today who's only soul purpose was to protect the people in this camp." There's no way either of them went as far as killing someone. No he ordered the guard to be killed to earn sympathy.
"He came to me with a will to show that he could be strong and that his young age wasn't an issue. If I would've know that these people were capable of killing the boy I would've turned him down when he asked for the job." Master manipulator at its finest domain.
The faces of the crowd are angry. One women had tears streaming down her face that only fuelled their thirst. "I have a job to protect and lead and I won't let this go unpunished" he looks at me a happy gleam in his eye.
"I don't know whether they're brave or stupid but it seems they risked their life for one sole purpose" my father walks between the two of them as he will say anything to watch me burn.
"He's going to kill them" Draven says bluntly and I don't know how to react. My father said he wouldn't. I haven't even done anything to make him want to go to that extreme. Yet I'd be blind to think it's already too late for a different ending for them.
"I know" Eve looks intimidated and horrified at what she's seeing as I see her make her way to the front of the crowd. Where had she been when my father was putting this plan into action.
"Does anyone want to know what that purpose was?" Of course no one was going to walk away since he seemed like he wanted to build suspense as he left the offer lingering in the air.
It was an even worse sight when Pope stepped forward. He clears his throat and I see Miles thrash about as he sees he's going to twist his words around on the two of them and there was nothing that could stop it.
"These young men use to share the same idea of the value of life as Vera. They were people she loved and trusted. His father was killed because of his unruly behaviour and aggressive mannerisms. I couldn't risk my people for a untrustworthy man. I should've put them down like I did him." I stare at Miles as I just want to hug him. His face distraught at the onslaught of Gunner.
"Yet I showed mercy because Vera asked me too. Vera how does it make you feel that you asked for mercy on their behalf but their plan was to kill you? I mean what cowards would want to seek revenge on someone they once knew and not the man who pulled the trigger? If my son wasn't present and someone caught this one then I'm sure our dear Vera would have had to kill her friends with her own hands. Unless they managed to get the better of her." Pope smirk is prominent as the people seem to believe his every word.
I'm staring at the two and their horrified looks. I have to keep my face neutral as multiple people look at me with sympathy. I had to show it didn't bother me. Evelyn was one person that I could tell didn't believe what pope was saying so she looked for me for reassurance that I couldn't give. That's when her trust in me cracked.
"As you have just heard ladies and gentlemen these two were set out on a mission to cause harm to my daughter." he wraps an arm around Evelyn who doesn't really know what to do. As they both walk over to me. He wanted it to seem that the alliance between the three of us were strong. Erasing the spread of distrust. Like we're the victims.
"I thought this couldn't be. I had faith that people my daughter fought with would not turn their backs on her." I'm surprised at his statement as he normally covers up family matters but maybe this was the final straw
"My dearest Vera how does that make you feel knowing the truth?"My hearts thumping as I see Pope and scar edge forward and I'm now starting to panic. This is him outstretching a tree branch to test my loyalty.
"Come on now don't be shy" My father signals and both Pope and scar aim a gun at Daniels and Miles head causing my sister to gasp. Paranoid and petrified I could tell I had to word my words carefully.
I try to move over to them but Draven keeps two firm hands onto me as Pope stares his son down. "Draven he's going to kill them.
If I live you'll be the first to die. Come with us and this stops, don't and this'll be you the next time you slip up" I whisper.
"Father please don't hurt them they're my friends I'm sure they just made a mistake" Evelyn cries and he shoved her into a man who holds her upright in her quivering state. She doesn't see what the bigger picture is that's why she begged. I wish I could do the same.
"Honey I don't want you to see. " my father waves and a man yanks a fighting Evelyn away. I want to comfort her but I have a bigger issue.
My father places his metal knuckle rings on. "Grief can make anyone do anything. I think this is a misunderstanding" I say in a calm tone and people scoff but this is all I have.
I shake Draven off who allows it as I step more into the circle. "I would've preferred a private conversation instead of something so public and maybe this could've been resolved." My father side hugs me as we walk in front of my friends.
"Let's say I believed what you're saying, he still broke the rules how would you say I dealt with that huh? Considering I'm sparing a lot of vital resources on them and they repay with disrespect" the crowds eyes on me make me feel self conscious.
"No food or water for how long you see fit. Since I'm unharmed and he did have the opportunity" I look up into my fathers eyes but I can already tell he has something in his mind and I'm not going to like it.
"I'm not sure that would get the message across and what if people started to doubt my authority and tried to disrespect me the same way thinking it's okay because they'd only miss out on dinner" his people smile as they know he's already made his decision
"There's no need to be extreme they're new to our standards." I grit my teeth and my father smirks as he lets go of the little embrace and starts speaking to his people.
"New to my standards? Then let's make sure they'll never forget them. I'm not sure about everyone else but I know I've missed the good old days where we'd sort out this type of disrespect with a fight" the crowd roar clearly excited
My frown hardens as normally fights before like this was one where two started out but only one finished. "I know a very good competitor who is dying to unrest their skills. Of course he'll be going up against the boy who seems to think he can defy my orders.....unless you would like to fight against him?"
I know my father is talking about me fighting Miles and he knows we won't. Miles is a good fighter, scar is very talented but he lacks stamina so he would only have to tire him out then he can win.
The only thing is Miles wouldn't kill anyone. I turn my head to the side and my fathers laughs as he orders people to grab us a chair. "Then let us begin. There's no mercy in war." Miles tied hands are cut and he's shoved into the circle as my father takes a seat.
"You will stay and watch" he says and I can't believe it. He knows I wouldn't want to watch it and yet he pats the seat next to him. I look up to see Miles who looks slightly panicked his eyes burning into mine to help him
"I'll walk away this second if you don't let me talk to him before the fight" I don't care if he gets annoyed or angry that I'm telling him what I'm going to do instead of asking but Miles is important to me.
"You have 60 seconds and if I see you try to intervene or stop the fight once I'll shoot him where he stands" I give him a dirty glare as I rush over to Miles who looks happy that I am.
I collapse into his open arms and I can tell that I'll cry if he doesn't let go. "You can do this I know you can. He punches with his right and loves to knee but he uses most of his energy in the first half. I'm getting us out just meet me there" he kisses my head as I hear my dad whistle at me. I grip hard onto his hand.
"I'm sorry for everything V. I'll be there waiting in this life or the next" I look up into his eyes worried about what that means. He has to win, he has to. My father calls my name again. People start to look at me funny wondering why I'm even standing near him.
I reluctantly sit back into the chair as the crowd quieten down. My eyes drift onto where Draven used to stand but he doesn't no more. He's a coward just like his father but he'll get what he deserves. They all will.
The sickening crunches and grunts that vibrate through my body causes multiple shivers. The blood and spit that flies out his mouth clenches my stomach. His heavy tired breaths holds mine in as this fight seems to never end.
Even though he's not loosing he's not necessarily winning either. He took my information and used it to his advantage but Scar has worked for my dad for years. They're both bloodied and blue and exhaustion was evident in both of them as they barely throw any punches that land on one another anymore.
The only person who remains satisfied and not tired but filled with excitement is my father. He lays back in his seat with his smirk wide and eyes shining. I sit forward as I see Miles stumble and the crowd roars.
My fathers hand rests on mine and I flinch shocked by the touch. He looks at me curiously daring me to inch off the chair anymore. "Don't touch me" I spit harshly and he peers around him but no one seems to hear or notice
Evelyn is probably hyperventilating in the tent. I could loose a whole half of me. Then still be stuck in this hell hole so right now my manners are gone and all my emotions are on the surface.
"Repeat that" silence. "Go ahead I dare you to repeat that." My father motioned to his gun and pulled my wrist tighter into his clutch causing a burning sensation in my hand.
I swallowed, the gulp so audible that I heard the liquid flow down my throat, the sound ringing in my ears. I fought for my own breath. "Stop this and I won't hide anymore. Just Please spare him" a tear fell as all the tension built up in me escaped
His grin only grew, stretching along his smug face. I never beg him because it never worked but I'm desperate. "Oh darling, I appreciate a brat like you is not fighting with me, but I'm guessing that is out of fear"
He let go of my hand at he began to twiddle with the safety on his gun. "You're consumed by hatred and darkness" I knew this years ago but he has everything on his side and I have nothing. The tear had barely reached my jaw as I looked back at the fight.
He obnoxiously laughed "I'm doing all of this for you." my eyes scan the Scene and realise during our conversation something had changed. Miles had reached combustion and is now burning out.
Scar can tell and is using his last ounce of energy to land every single punch in critical areas and Miles is hardly missing his blows. I search around the camp thinking of anything that could get me out of this. Anything at all. Something that'll save me. Save us.
My eyes dart between my father and Scar. My father isn't planning on stopping this fight he'll let Miles die. "Tough luck kid" Scar says breathlessly as he smashes Miles head down onto his knee.
Miles crumbles to the floor and he doesn't attempt to get back up as scar towers over him. I'm looking around to the crowd to the noise, they're all vultures. Waiting for their next meal. "Vera" Miles spits out before he starts to cough
Scar locks eyes with me and gives me a knowing look as he bends down and grabs Miles shirt in his fist pulling him closer to his face. My hearts thumping this has to work otherwise I'll be just like them.
My father edges slightly forward as scar grabs a loose rock from the floor. His arm goes high in the air and I know it'll take more than one swing of the Rock to kill Miles and scar knows it too.
The crowd silences now just waiting for the ending. My hand clutches tight onto hope. As the rock flies downwards I look directly at my father who doesn't care whether I'm watching anymore or not.
I hear a thud and the whole crowd gasps. That was all I needed I knew it had worked. I stand abruptly up and reveal the hope I was holding onto. My fathers hand still lays lazily on his chair as his face turns into outrage.
But my timing was perfect as I plunged my knife straight down into my fathers hand. The feeling of it piercing his flesh felt weird but the scream that came from him confused everyone.
I let go of my knife that is buried in his hand and into the wooden chair as I punch my father straight in his mouth so he's forced to let go of his gun to clutch his bleeding mouth. I snatch it off his lap as I aim it at his head.
Pope has now raised his gun at me along with a few others. I spare a look at Miles who has one of my knives to Scars throat. "Miles come" I say and he pushes scar away from him as he slowly walks over to me. No one has made any sudden moves
I don't know how we're going to get out of this especially since Miles is beaten up more than I thought. My father chuckles as he spits blood onto my shoes "There she is" he says
I look into his eyes and I can see the pain in them "Tell them to back off and drop their weapons" he looks over at his men who are ready to impress him by shooting us.
"Honey you know that's not how this is going to go" his eyes bore into mine but I'm reminded of how important this is from the pained breaths Miles releases.
"I'll shoot you right between the eyes without a second thought. Now tell them to back off!" I nudge my gun in his head just to show I'm seriously ready for anything
"I've tracked you down once, I can easily do so again. This time they'll all be slaughtered including your sister then I'll have you chained to a pole like a dog until you're begging me to put you down!" he seethes and my heart swells
"Oh Father don't get so emotional this isn't personal, it's survival. Now make me repeat myself one more time and I'll kill at least seven of your men including you before they even get close" I grit my teeth as my hand shakes from the rage consuming me
"Then do it...shoot me" he leans into the gun and I feel my plan slipping through my fingers. Yes I will kill him and some of his men before I get hit by their bullets but then again I still get hit
I look at Pope who is waiting eagerly to end my life right now. My father smirks thinking he's won but he's wrong. Without a second thought I lower the gun down to his leg and shoot. The gun echos as I aim it back at his head again
His enraged roar and spit that flies out as he can only clutch his wounded leg with one hand causes an unsettlement amongst his people. "You still underestimate me. I told you to be careful what you wished for. You know what I've asked so either you do it or you bleed out and die. Your choice" his laugh turns into a shout as he screams profanity at me
"Sir! Sir! The left wing fence has been breached. They're piling in a lot of them. The noise from the fight has us surrounded by them we need more men!" A guard comes running clearly panicked
A lot of people take off clearly going to get something to protect themselves with or check on their families. His throne, his empire is falling apart and he knows it. People will see him as weak. Someone who's own daughter betrayed him and his power will be challenged but he's injured so he's fair game.
"Pope gather your men and lock this camp down. I want everyone who can fight out to contain this mess. Those who cannot fight shall be loaded onto the emergency bus" he calls and I stand waiting
I'm scared that the zombies will overload the camp and I won't be able to get out but I don't stand on staying that long. "But Sir she'll-" my father glares at Pope daring him to finish
"I've given you the orders now follow them!" He shouts and Pope nods and runs off where majority of the people follow. He stares up at me and I'm trying to hold in my grin. He can handle pain but loosing his power is something he cannot bare.
"Wipe that smug look off your face . You think you've won? I have someone who's better than you I have people who'll do anything I ask. I don't need you I never did and now you're on the top of my hit list so you better kill me now or you'll be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your pathetic life!" He knows he's been stripped of everything he's worked for
He will have people doubting his strength, his power whether he can keep his people safe and for him that's worse than death. "Look me in my eyes and tell me whether I gave two fucks. You're nothing now. If you don't die today someone else here will do it tomorrow. Everything you worked for gone and because of me. So you come looking but don't be shocked when you're someone else's bitch following their orders"
I slowly step away keeping the gun on him. "Your standards suck by the way" Miles says as he hobbles alongside me. Once we've gained enough distance we start to jog
"Now what?" Miles ask and I see the numerous people running desperately around the camp. That doesn't give me the sign that they have the breach under control
"We find Eve and Daniel and get the fuck out of this place" Miles seems more than happy. We'll still need some supplies to give us an edge and the best chance we have is at a vehicle.
"Daniels back that way I know where he is I'll get him you get Eve we meet back at this point" Miles says which makes me stop jogging. I know that'll give us better chances but it's also higher risk
"Miles take this" I hand him the gun as I look at his bruised body. He won't be able to fight and a gun will give him distance. I don't know how good Daniel is so it's better him being protected
He looks at me and he knows I won't back down. "We've got this V" he pulls me into a hug before grabbing the gun and running off. Okay we've got this come on. Only a little more to go.
I turn back around and continue. She will come now she knows what he's like. The camp has gotten slightly louder with people shouting orders and gun fire. That'll only attract more and more .
I see Mother's carrying bags and children stumbling behind as they rush to get onto the bus. Okay only one small bump before getting out and that's T.
When the tent comes into sight I watch as someone goes into the tent. I swear if T goes near her he's dead. I run as fast as I can on my injured foot to the tent. I only have one knife left. Ones with Miles the other is in my fathers hand.
I approach the tent and listen closely and I immediately hear my sisters voice. "You have to help them. Why are people screaming?" her panicked voice gives me the energy I need to walk right into the tent
The two stop talking and her eyes look me up and down. The splatters of blood that I'm covered in is probably not comforting especially after she saw me do what I did to Pope.
She's holding a bag over her shoulder and looks as if she was about to leave to most likely get on the bus. "Oh my! You're okay! Please tell me the others are as well! Where's Dad?" She rushes over to me and hugs me and I hug her back
"They're fine they're waiting for us . We're leaving okay. This place will not be standing for much longer and we don't have much time" I look up to T who looks more than confused.
I push her behind me and we start to walk backwards "If you have people you care about here find them. The zombies are in the camp. If you want to be free of him this is your chance" he seems grateful as he doesn't attempt to stop me from leaving
Not all of us wanted this life some were born into it others were never given a chance in life so only had this to live. "There's a car near the emergency bus is, it has fuel and should get you far enough. Stay safe out there kid" T had no choice for this life as others had more of a head start than he ever would.
I smile and grip onto Evelyn's hand as we both start to run. I see people running and screaming. I guess the extra men didn't help in this situation. "What are they doing?" My sister asks and I look to where she's pointing.
Men and women with sticks that are lit on fire are torching the cabins and tents. "Shit they're burning this place to the ground we need to move" I call and we both pick up the pace as we approach the meeting point
I start to worry as no ones waiting there but it soon turns into relief when both Daniel and Miles come running our way. I'm squinting as I can't hear what they're yelling it's only until they get closer that I turn my ass in the other direction
"Run!! Move they're everywhere" they both shout and as we run I turn back and look to the group of zombies chasing after us. Great now if I can't get this car started we are doomed.
I look back "Get near the emergency bus don't let them see you" I call as I'm going to try and get them a head start that they need. Miles and Eve starts to rear off to the left and I'm going to go the opposite way when Daniel pushes me to where I said to run.
"I've got this" he says and I nod and I watch as he makes a lot of noise as he rushes into a tent and the group that was chasing us runs in after him. Wait did he just sacrifice himself.....oh never mind
He runs out from behind the tent and I frown as the zombies pile in the tent until I see it light on fire. He smiles as he drags me along with him "Always ten steps ahead remember" he shouts and I laugh as we both catch up to Miles and Eve who are ducked down behind a bush.
We are all amazingly out of breath and sweating. Everything around us is in chaos the fences are all being bent down by the zombies. "Over there" I whisper as some men and women run past over to the emergency bus
We all slowly crawl to the car. It's a big green one. The back has a few vital supplies in it which is shocking. I pull on the handle just to test my luck. "What the hell it's open?!" I say and we all look at each other before Evelyn opens the back door so that They can all get in.
I stand up ready to climb into the front seat when behind me in the reflection I see someone. As I turn around they close the door by pushing me back into it locking the doors. The others are knocking on the window as they can't get out.
"Easy there tiger" Draven smirks as he peers into the car and behind to the emergency bus. He has his knife on my stomach and his arm leaning above my head on the frame of the door.
"I don't remember Tigers having knives" I say as mine is to his neck. It seems we are in a very familiar situation but this time I have the upper hand. His eyes glisten.
"I don't remember them stealing cars either" I frown before realising this is his car. Wait then how did T know about this? Did he set us up? I just got fooled into thinking T had no other choice then to join these people
"Hmmm well I love surprises" both our attention drifts off to a women who is slammed down onto the floor where a starving zombie rips into her as she screams. It's the girl that gave us our weapons. He seems caught up on that so I take my opportunity.
I smash the handle of the knife into the side of his head and he grunts and I change our position so my knife is on him and his one is no longer in his possession but mine. He curses as he brings his hand away from the fresh cut to his head.
The last few people get on the bus and I see the people fighting to keep the entrance clear to get out which means my exit is slowly closing. "That was uncalled for Tiger" He taunts and I look to Miles who's ready to smash the window but I shake my head no.
"Give me the keys!" I demand and he raises his eyebrows. The bus doors shut and I start to become impatient and he can see it and I tend to do stupid things when I'm impatient.
"With those manners I'm not quite sure" The bus engine splutters clearly not used for a bit of time so is struggling to start. The cries from the bus echo as the zombies start to bang in the side of it.
"No worries I'll get the keys from your dead body" I told him if I survived I'd kill him so really now I'm throwing him a bone which I shouldn't be doing
He reaches down into his pocket "That's no way to thank the person that just saved you and your friends lives" he pulls the keys out and holds them next to his face almost like dangling a carrot.
"My friends and I are alive but it's not because of you" I snatch the keys from his hand and he steps forward but I push him back and he raises his hands again. The bus finally splutters to life
"Those zombies and I beg to differ" I tilt my head to the side. He let them in? No way he didn't know we would get out. He knows if I leave him here he's dead so he's lying...but yet again them getting through a random fence?
I unlock the door and immediately Miles trains the gun to his head. I take the gun from him and place the knives into my pocket. "Well since you seem so friendly with the dead why don't you go and thank them for their participation" I say as I nudge Miles back in the car and I go to the passenger side
The bus is leaving and the last of the guards are slowly getting eaten to death. "I think our contract is terminated" he says but he doesn't seem scared.
He's right they are coming this way and the bus is going the other way. The gun is still trained on him as I look at the desperate look on Evelyn's face to hurry up. I might regret this but right now I don't care. "Get in the car jackass" I open my door and get in.
He takes a few seconds before doing the same. I pass him the keys with the gun not moving from his head. "When you said get in the car I thought it was a friendly invitation" I ignore him and he huffs as he starts the car
"He's not seriously coming with us ?!" Miles surprised voice says and I look at him and he's not happy one bit. The jeep rolls off and Draven takes a different route from the bus which is probably smart
"I haven't decided" well yes I decided for him to get in the car and away from the zombies but permanently I'm not sure. He might want to leave anyways and that's fine by me.
He's got very handy skills and would be a great asset but he's untrusted and i don't know if he's still loyal to my father. I didn't see him get on the bus so I assume he's either dead or not the boss anymore.
"Is there any water these two don't look too good?" Evelyn asks and she packed a bag which I know doesn't have the right supplies plus no one else had time to grab anything so with the gun still raised I stare at Draven.
His eyes peek at the mirror to look at Eve. "In the back" he stares directly at Miles. Which now makes me remember his bad injuries. We can't afford to get any infections. I need to take a proper look at his injuries.
"You seem to know the area we need to stop and figure out where we're going and gain some strength back. Do you know of a place?" He side eyes me before smiling
He doesn't say anything but speeds up the car and takes a left onto some dirt road. We'll need to drive for a little while to put distance between zombies and any unwanted guests.
"Attitude Vera" I grit my teeth how is he seriously being cocky when I still have the gun pointed at him. I roll down the window slightly to let some cool air in.
I lean more against the door and rest my hand thats holding the gun on my knee that I've brought up. I guess he likes to walk on thin ice with confidence like that. I said I'd kill him and yet he seems so sure that I won't and that bugs me.