Chapter 5
Jack raised an eyebrow. "A plan?"
Kale nodded. "Yes."
Jack crossed his arms. "Tell me."
Kale took a deep breath. "You know those beasts? We need them. One of us will lure them to the raiders' camp, make them fight each other. While they're distracted, we take back our weapons and supplies."
Jack smirked. "And who's the bait?"
Kale hesitated, but before she could answer, Jack stepped forward. "Of course, it's me."
Kale's eyes widened. "Even after I abandoned you… you trust me?"
Jack sighed. "You abandoned me, but you also saved me. If we're going to survive, we need to trust each other."
A small smile formed on Kale's lips. "Alright. Let's do this."
She led them through the bushes near the raiders' camp. The hut stood still, silent—its walls hiding their stolen weapons and food. But as Kale crept closer, doubt crept in.
Then, a voice echoed in her mind.
"You are worthless. You have nothing."
She clenched her fists. "No!"
The raiders heard her shout. They turned, rifles raised.
Jack didn't hesitate. He sprinted into the open, shouting at the top of his lungs, leading the furious beasts straight toward the camp.
Chaos erupted. The beasts charged, the raiders fired. The air filled with gunshots and roars.
Kale didn't waste a second. She bolted toward the hut, kicking open the door. Inside, their weapons and food were piled together. She grabbed her bow, stuffing supplies into a bag.
Then she turned—and froze.
Standing before her was a woman.
Kale's breath hitched. It was impossible.
She knew this face.
It was the same girl she had watched die in front of her.
To be continued…