Elodie's POV
Fighters. That's what we became. A group of five that walked out of camp one morning with strength that hadn't been lurking there before. A group of five that were completely committed to fight for what they believed in and to use that urgency to defeat anyone who decided to get in their way.
Meanwhile treading lightly, stepping just around lava. Being cautious with who we could trust anymore.
Don't get me wrong, the group of us were more than just best friends. Family, I'd call it. And we trusted each other, but every single one of knew that there was a possibility that one of the family was betraying us and that hurt to think about. One of the people that saved me from my painful past could be using us.
It scared me.
Yet, we moved on. Any dread we felt in our stomach we pushed back until it was just a mithering voice in the back of our heads and continued to work together.
In reality, we had bigger problems to solve in that moment. A neighbouring camp to the protected one we were staying at had clearly different views to us and we were being threatened over and over again.
They had knives, swords, blades.
But we had bows. And there was nobody better with a bow than Cara who had this unseen talent I'd never seen in her before.
Since the fight at the building, I'd never seen her miss another shot.
Whether that was her conscious reminding her of what could've happened or if it was the drive of being threatened by potential enemies, I wasn't sure, but nether the less we weren't complaining. Especially not because she was on our team.
Personally, forgetting anarchy, I had more on my mind.
Mainly for the reason that I never got to make my decision, Kieran or Lucas. Because the universe chose for me not so long ago.
Luke was sweet, there for me and protected me at the worst of times. He was my person. He saved my life when he found me in that desert years ago.
But Kieran was different. He was mysterious, interesting, sweet yet protective when provoked. And he saved my life when he dragged me out of the water. He was my soulmate, but whether that was purely platonic or not I wasn't completely sure.
So, I refused to acknowledge that I was back in the same cycle I was months ago.
***
"Elle," I heard Cara shout from another room, "You ready?"
"Yeah." I shouted back. "But do you know where my extra arrows are? I'm bringing my crossbow."
She walked into my room and nodded, handing me around ten. "Aren't those yours?" I spoke.
"Yeah, but I won't need this many."
I laughed and rolled my eyes. "Of course, you won't."
"Luke, Kieran, Bryony, Noah." I yelled. "Where are you guys? We're supposed to stay as a team!"
At that moment, Luke came rushing in with a finger over his lips. He wrapped a hand around my wrist and slowly walked me outside.
What I saw from the doorway had my entire face lighting up into a smile.
Bryony was stood in the main camp, a red hint on her cheeks, the hint of a smile on her lips and one of her hands nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
"She's flirting with a girl!" I said, smiling.
Luke nodded and smiled alongside me.
Eventually, Bry turned her head towards and shot us a death glare then eventually said goodbye to the girl she was talking to.
"What." She spat.
Luke and I laughed and looked at each other, waiting for her to follow Cara to where Noah and Kieran were stood before Luke whispered "grumpy teenager has a crush," into my ear which made me giggle out loud.
For just a second, I swear I saw Kieran turn to look at Luke and I and frown. But I could've been imagining things.
Ten minutes later, the five of us were huddled up in the back of a worn-out van, talking amongst ourselves about back up plans and escape plans if necessary.
"They don't have long distance weapons." Cara stated. "So, don't let them get close to us. Keep your distance and fire from afar."
"I think we should have a codeword for when one is getting uncomfortably close," I suggested, "For backup."
Noah took a deep breath then spoke. "I have an idea."
***
We arrived within walking distance of the compound soon after and were all prepared, lined up in our separate groups with directions on when and where to fire. Cara was behind us, aiming her bow at a target, the rest of us planned to rush from the side and fire quick shots in hopes that one of them landed.
So, it began.
Kieran and I strafed left, Luke and Bryony right whilst Luke stayed at the back as a protective force for Cara who was firing very directional shots. Every single one landing.
The battle lasted a while. The other side attempting to creep up behind our team but in seconds we had them all surrounded in the middle, pointing our weapons at them.
When Cara thought the situation looked safe enough, she pulled down her bow and slumped her shoulders, taking a second to rest.
But one of the intruders took that as a chance to go for her, the strongest bower on our team. He managed to sneak behind the fence when Kieran and I weren't looking and prepared to pounce on her with a blade.
At the last second, she heard a noise and turned around. I turned around then too, watching the colour drain from her face. She looked like she was about to run, and then realisation doomed out on her face and she yelled out the single stress-code word we'd organised.
"Hunter!" She screamed.