RO
When you're inside a windowless vehicle with all your belongings taken away from you, you can't help but feel like inside of a vacuum. I didn't know how long was I in there, staring empty at the worried faces of the children and the men's faces groaning at the hurt and cuts they had to endure.
"Hey, soldier… Can't you at least give bandage or pain relievers to the wounded?" – It was Benz, calling the attention of the Aenelus soldier who passed beside him to sit at the only available chair at the side.
The soldier only ignored him. Of course, they're aliens. They're not accustomed to feeling empathy on those suffering. Benz caught my eye and shook his head. Somehow, I pulled off a small smile. How long does this have to be?
As if to answer my question, I felt the vehicle stop and pull over. Crap, I guess we're here.
A sound of a latch opening awakened everyone as the back of the vehicle was opened. Sunlight and a crowd of people was what I saw outside when I peeked. The place was achingly familiar to me. Like a place no one wants to go back to. A place of torture, a place of death.
This is where my parents were killed.
"Hurry, come on! We don't have all day!" – a soldier yelled and we were all ordered to get off.
I didn't move an inch and instead waited for Benz. As we got off, more Aenelus soldiers cheered for their victory and as I looked back, I saw how many of us were captured. It wasn't a small number. To be honest, I feel like everyone of us back in the Sanctuary were taken. Only the dead ones weren't here.
"What do we do now?: - was the first thing I said to Benz when he walked beside me.
"We will plan a way out, Ro. Don't worry."
As if saying "don't worry" would automatically stop me from thinking where it all went wrong.
"Of course. Have you seen how many of us were taken?"
Benz nodded.
"No talking! Just walk!"
I was about to respond when someone hit the back of my head with the butt of a gun. I groaned and cursed but the soldier only looked at me. Stupid Aenelus.
We were escorted by the rest of them into what looked like a used Basketball court and were told to sit down on the floor. We all followed reluctantly. Then the soldiers left but they locked the gate which stood as the only entrance and exit from this place.
"What's going to happen now, mom? I'm scared!"
"It's going to be okay, baby. This is only for a short time. We'll go home soon."
"Those big soldiers… they look scary."
"They won't hurt you, okay? Mom's here."
I can't take it. I clenched my teeth listening to the conversations around me Especially with the children's fear of the soldiers and being trapped in here long. My palms balled into fists, helpless that I cannot do something about the situation as well. I'm known to be their hero, their source of hope but the situation I'm now in renders me helpless and I don't like feeling it at all.
I looked around for any sign and possibility of escape. I know I only needed a plan. I have both Tyrone and Benz to help me execute it.
The sides of the court were barred with gigantic woods. Like each piece was an entire uprooted tree. However that's possible. The ceiling was too high to climb and by the looks of it, it can collapse anytime. The locks on the gate were multiple and can only be opened by an authorized card swipe, Hell. Even the floor's solid concrete. We certainly cannot dig our way out. That was unlucky.
But then my attention was grabbed when the gates slid open noisily. Someone from the other side entered.
My eyes narrowed with disgust and rage when I recognized who it was: Hans Spiderwick. The very reason why all of us are here. The biggest traitor I've ever known in history.
Hans walked towards the front of his fugitives with beaming pride and arrogance. He met my eyes and he smirked. I couldn't tell if he knows me personally or that he only remembered our interaction in the field. Whichever it is, I hope I can erase that away.
"You're all first timers here, I presume?" – he announced but none answered
I looked around and noticed that everyone's afraid of them. My people lowered their heads and quieted. Benz beside me was cursing under his breath but it was too low for the jerk to hear him.
"I'll take that as a yes. So, let me give you a little orientation on what's going to happen from now until you all decide your fate." – he said, walking from the front of the basketball court towards the end.
His eyes won't leave us, as if looking at each of his victim feeds his pride.
"Obviously, you're trapped in the Aenelus. There's only two choices you have here. Bow down to the new world or die in yours. However, of course, we're not that cruel. We'll give you days… a week maybe, to decide on yourselves. But know this… it's a matter of your life and death."
When he said his last sentence, he stopped in front of me. I looked up and didn't break eye contact. As what they said, his eyes were still the same. Human.
"You… I remember you. You were brave, I have to say… for a girl."
I raised a brow.
"And you…you're the worst person I know." – I retorted. Most gasped. What? Like I cannot talk back to this scumbag? Who does he think he is anyway? He's only a soldier. He's only a human like the rest of us.
What I gained as a reaction was a smirk.
"Do that again and you'll lose your head."
He warned. Still, I didn't break eye contact.