I Didn't Even Think

Chapter 5

            I always feared that Ryce would catch me, the thought was always in my stomach, fluttering. I made sure to hide when I made the weapons, usually in Mason’s stable. John would stuff them in our base now and then. The process seemed safe enough to me, yet the thought still fluttered.

            Notes would appear when I had to attend a meeting. The two men I had met after John were never there; they probably quit because I joined. I laughed as I remembered John’s lie trying to reassure me that they weren’t always stubborn. From my experience, they were as stubborn as a splinter that you ignored for a week. It would dig into your skin, and refuse to come out.

            I sat in Mason’s stable carving. The blades seem to just form for me, I never actually tried to make them. I imagined them one day causing the leader to fall from his thrown. I longed for this thought to jump out of my brain and become reality. Though, I can only wish that would happen.

            As more wood chippings fell, the more time passed. Jared would be worried by now. I could see the sun starting to duck under the hill; pockets of darkness began to emerge.  I got up from my spot, kissed Mason goodnight, and started for home. My path was lit by firefly’s, there light scattered through the air. I knew I couldn’t go home, I had gotten a note earlier, but I longed too. I missed my life before I joined the group. I missed Jared and Mom, even Ryce. My innocent family. I turned away from home and headed for the mountain.

            Was this group taking over my life? My thoughts never really wondered about the group it self. I always had my eyes on the prize, overruling leader. Who was John? Each question was a needle in my head.

            Just then, a noise jumped out of the bushes and into my ears. I froze. Fear washed over my body. Was I being followed?  I felt eyes on my back. I forced my feet to walk casually. Silence sang in my ears. Whoever that was, they weren’t following me anymore.

            The familiar scenery of the waterfall poured into my eyes. John looked up from his chair.

            “No,” he mouthed,” run!” I stepped into room. I gasped for air as I turned the corner. Ryce stood there pointing a gun at Johns head. He must have followed me here.

“Well, well, well,” his voice stung my body like a million bees. My thoughts raced, I didn’t know what to do. Ryce caught me. Ryce caught me! The words repeated over and over in my head.  Each time a blade grew deeper and deeper into my heart.

“Looks like your taking after Papa,” he turned the gun to me, “ hands behind your back.” His face had no expression, wiped clean of feeling. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. It’s over. The blade pushed deeper and deeper.

“No.” I spat the words at him. His hand moved to push the trigger. I ducked; the sound of the bullet rang in my ears. His face still blank. I raged towards him, again he fired. The bullet snagged some of my skin and flew away. I gasped in pain. But I continued running. My feet left the ground, my body lunged towards him. He fell hard. My hands grabbed the gun. Blood trickled from my shoulder.

“I’m the dictator,” He sneered, “Do it.”

“What?” I stopped, but I pressed the gun to his forehead.

“I’ve been Leader all this time. I killed Papa, kill me!” He spat the words at me.

The gun shook in my hands. He was my brother, my family. I loved him. The world was strange like that. He smiled at me. But if he is Leader, I kill him, we all get our lives back. “Do it,” he taunted, “I’m the leader of this perfect community.”

I didn’t give myself time to think.

The bullet left the gun, and entered his heart. He stared up at the ceiling and his soul flew away. Tears leaked out of my eyes. I looked out the window. The sun peeked over the hill.

            I didn’t even think.