Archer
I've tried to remember all the things Evelyn's done to me. It's not that hard though, the list goes on and on.
Well, not just Evelyn, but everyone on her side. Abby, Melissa, the mayors, even Tami, all of these people have clutched onto my memories, dragging me back. I've wanted to forget my memories, since the very first time Tami had captured me, I've wanted to forget all of that. But no, Evelyn and everyone else will never leave my mind. They will haunt me, probably for the rest of my life. Yes, defiantly for the rest of my life, because to be honest, my life might not last too long.
Evelyn and them have locked me up in cells, put me through things no human should go through, used me, taunted me, killed my sister, killed me.
Can't I at least return one of these favors?
I'm a ticking bomb. About to explode until nobody else exists in this Alliance, and Evelyn is sitting back, watching this horror film with amusement. She formed me; made me a killer and stepped back, watched me do my duty.
But I guess if she made me a killer, it's her own damn fault that I'll kill her.
"Casper and I will look for bombs before David can find one," Mia says after awhile. To be honest I wasn't listening to her at all. She could have said 'oh hey Archer, you're going to jump off a cliff' and I wouldn't have known. But I nod anyways, trying to snap myself back to the present. But all I can picture is Evelyn. Evelyn dying, to be exact. I picture her own fucking bomb killing her, her own fucking killer causing her death.
And it makes me content.
"You need anything? I would suggest staying around here for the day. Just to make sure." Mia says.
"I'm fine," I lie, trying to force a smile, but I can't seem to form it. Mia nods anyway and stands up, heading back to the buildings, while I stay put. I can feel people's eyes on me, on Mia, like we're the devil itself. They hate me, which means they hate anyone that has to do with me. And Mia is sadly on that list.
But someone walks towards me, and the confusion in my mind grows. Why the hell is she walking this way?
Lydia locks her eyes on mine, like I'm the only living soul in the universe. I sit there, utterly confused at why Lydia wants to talk, let alone see me. She's still the same. Incredibly tall and skinny, her red hair thick and curly and hazel eyes glowing. She walks up and stops, looking down at me.
"May I sit?" She asks, and I nod. "Sure."
She sits down, carefully though, like I'll strike or something. But I don't even look at her. I look forward, out past the fence, wondering if Evelyn is waiting for me now. Waiting for me to give in and fall into her hands once more. Too bad I have a plan this time.
"Can you tell me some details?"
"Sorry, about what?" Sometimes I hate myself for zoning out so much. I can't help it, these past few weeks I haven't been thinking straight.
"You know, about-well, everything."
"Everything. Well, my name is Archer-"
"I mean, about-your absence." She says, and my gut turns into knots.
"I don't really want to-"
"It'll haunt you for the rest of your life if you never share. Trust me, I know."
Oh Lydia, you don't know shit. Is she saying that she knows what I've gone through? Is she really saying that she knows how I'm feeling?
"I'm not ready to share." I confess, and it's partly true. I don't think I'm mentally ready to share-the details, at least.
"I know what you're going thr-"
"No, you don't!" I snap, and I see a lot of eyes fall on me, ready to barge over and black me out. My eyes begin to water, but Lydia doesn't move. "Y-you don't know anything. Never will."
"You don't know me-"
"I don't, and you don't know me either, so what do you expect?" I ask, lowering my voice, hoping some eyes will look away, but they all stay.
"I just want to help." She whispers, and a second of sorrow courses through me. Lydia really hasn't done anything bad to me. I haven't even talked to her in person since I came back. When it comes down to it, she means well.
"Then go with Mia and Casper," I say, "help them."
"Help them do what?" Lydia asks, confused, but her eyes stay locked on mine.
"Help them help me."
***
"Do you need anything? More food or something?"
"I'm fine." I say, realizing that I'm getting good with lying. Dave nods, shooting me a sad smile. Too bad he can real me well, he obviously knows everything is not fine.
"We found a bomb."
"You what?"
"Yes. And I'm afraid there's going to be quite a few more."
Good. Mia and Casper and Lydia better find one.
"Did you find a way to disable it?"
"Somewhat. We're afraid if we try to destroy it, it'll, you know, explode. There's a little switch we found that hopefully turns it off. We are a little afraid to try it-"
"We can go somewhere far. I can try it." I say, and Dave's eyes widen. "Little excited to try, huh?"
"I-I just don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Understandable," Dave rests his hand on my shoulder, "for now, let's just not try anything stupid, can you do that?"
No.
But I nod.
"Good. Sorry, about this entire thing. I know it's probably not fun staying in this tent all day, but it's for everyone's safety."
"Understandable," I mimic, and Dave smiles and heads on back to the buildings.
Don't worry Dave. Soon enough I'll be out of your hands, taken away from all your troubles. Soon enough you won't have to worry about me.
Well, me or Evelyn.
Suddenly, something hits my back hard, and I wince. I look down, seeing a rock next to me. Nothing else is around, so this rock had to have hit me.
And thrown by a person.
And when I turn around and look past the fence, I freeze. Sure, I was expecting this, but seeing them isn't something I was looking forward to.
Actually, I'm not surprised to see Abby, but I'm shocked to see Tami.
They both stand there, hiding but still noticeable. Evelyn sent them. They know that I would come back to them. They are waiting for me to leave, to willingly return to them. Although I knew this was happening, my body won't allow me to get up. The funny thing is, my body knows better than my own mind. It knows going back to Evelyn is horrible, that eventually I'll end up killing it. But my mind doesn't care, it seems.
But eventually I stand, carefully making my way over to the fence. Abby and Tami watch me, looking like they are running on very little patience.
"Evelyn wants you now. Doesn't want you getting any ideas," Abby sneers.
Too late. I already have a plan. But will Mia somehow find me? I need to find her, but Abby and Tami are waiting and I can't go near the buildings. Shit.
"Can I get a drink of water? And say goodbye to Mia?"
At her name, Tami twitches.
"Yeah, remember her?" I snap, and her face grows red.
"No need to say goodbye. Just get what you need and lets go," Abby says, and with that I walk into my tent. I pull out one of the shirts Mia had brought me. I twist it up and make it just right, hoping this act will make her notice where I am.
Please. Please find me.
I step out, pushing my mind over my body as I walk back to the fence. I look back at the Alliance, the home that I strived to find for the longest time. I'll leave, probably for the last time.
Because returning is slim this time.
••••••
Hello!!
Another chapter!!!! I'm trying y'all :)
I have an announcement!!! After thinking about this book and how it's playing out, this book will be the last :( meaning there will only be 2 books for this series. I don't want to drag it on, and I really think ending it after book two is the way to go. We are nearing the end, but we still have some AWESOME chapters left!!! Stay tuned!
Please comment and vote!!! It means the world to me, and it also helps me A LOT to continue writing.
Thank you writers :)