Unity

The Reckless Rebels

My eyes scanned the diner that was a murder scene, bullets still flying as two rebels still remained. They were hiding behind a booth, popping up every now and then to fire bullets. Ace had just grabbed onto me when I noticed a Rebel point a gun at him, I didn't have time to think I just acted.

I jumped atop of him, sending us both to the floor. I landed on top of him as a bullet penetrated the plaster behind where we had just stood. I looked down at him as he looked up at me in awe, his arms still around me protectively.

For a second it was like the world had stopped for a few seconds and it was just Ace and I. I took the quick moment to really look at him. He had a freckle just underneath his left eye and up close you could see how long his eyelashes were that framed the green colour of his eyes perfectly.

"Ava!" Axel called for me worriedly, bringing me out of the trance I'd found myself in. I rid myself of all thoughts Ace and looked up to see my brother fast approaching. I climbed off of Ace and offered out my hand to pull him up. Expecting him to ignore it he shocked me when he held my hand and pulled himself up onto his feet.

"Thanks." He breathed, staring at me in disbelief. I gave him a small smile before I was pulled into my brothers arms. It was the first time I'd noticed that the bullets had stopped and I pulled away looking at the scene before me.

Windows had been broken, tables had been thrown to the side and the floor was littered with dead bodies. Mels had well and truly been ruined. I felt sick at the sight.

"Are you okay?" Axel questioned, his voice raised as he broke me out of my reverie.

"I'm fine Ax." I told him, looking at him my mind a blur. It was as if I could see he was there but not at the same time. A numbness began to take over my body and I couldn't wrap my head around today's events. I looked back at diner in disbelief.

"Ava!" Axel called, waving his hand in front of my face and I slowly brought my eyes to look at him, my eyes only pausing on the dead body that lay in a pool of blood. "Ava!"

"I'm fine Axel." I snapped, frowning as I took in his concerned face. "I just need some air."

I pushed past him, tripping over my own feet as I headed towards the door. On my way out I could vaguely see Ace talking with the others about cleaning this all up yet my mind was focused on getting outside. I was completely ignoring Axel as he called after me.

The bell rang above me as I pushed open the door, the air hitting me like a brick in the face. I looked down the street, up and down, I felt lost. What had even happened here today? The images of a man with a bullet hole in his head, a man with a fork in his eye, my hands covered in blood.

I look down at my hand again, the blood had dried against my palm and I felt the bile rise in my throat. I raced towards the nearest trash can, attempting to contain my vomit until I reached it. I leaned over the side, emptying the contents of my stomach until I dry heaved.

"Ava!" Axel called a little way away and I pulled away from the trash can before slumping down onto the sidewalk. The cold pavement almost made shiver beneath Californian Sun. A shadow covered me and I squinted as I looked up to see the concerned blue eyes of my older brother.

"You don't look to good." He commented before plodding himself down beside me.

I shook my head before holding it in my hands, I tried to rid myself of the memories but every single time I closed my eyes all I could see was blood. Blood and guns. "I feel sick." I spoke, trying to fight tears as my voice broke. I sounded so scared and timid.

"I told you not to go to work," Axel scolded as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his chest. "I'm sorry kid." He whispered before pressing his lips to the top of my head.