Outpost Three

Chapter Fourteen - The Antichrist

My eyes fluttered open as I started to wake up and take in my surroundings. I was in Mina's room. The lights were off so it was quite dark, but a few candles were lit so it was light enough for me to look around. I scanned the room but couldn't see Mina, so gathered that I was alone. I nestled my head into the pillow as the memories from earlier slowly started to come back to me. I shut my eyes and screwed my face up in an attempt to forget but that failed. I didn't think I'd ever forget. I couldn't. I felt so dirty, used.

As I rolled over I saw a bowl on a tray on the bedside table with a note beside it. I sat up, wincing a bit in pain from earlier. I lent over carefully to pick up the note and started reading.

My darling (Y/n),

I hope you are feeling okay and are not in too much pain. If I'm not back by the time you read this I will be very shortly. Make sure you drink the water on the table and try to eat the soup I have left for you. Take the pain killers beside the bowl if you need them. I can't even begin to apologise for not getting to you sooner earlier on.

I love you,

Wilhemina.

I couldn't help the small smile that grew on my face as I read her note. What did I do to deserve her? I reached over for the tray and placed it on my lap, taking the pain killers and swallowing them along with some water. I picked up the spoon and tried to start eating but couldn't. I still felt sick from earlier on and if I ate anything I'd probably just throw it back up. So I put the tray back on the table and pulled the blanket up as I rolled over and stared at the wall. I thought about how helpless I was in that moment. How I wanted to break free and run as far as I could from him, but I couldn't. How i felt guilty. I don't know why, it wasn't my fault. But I felt guilty that I had let it happen. Surely there was something I could've done. Anything. And still Mina wants to care for me and be there for me. Why? She should leave. She deserves more than what I can offer her.

Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts again the door opened slowly and I heard the familiar sound of her cane lightly tapping the floor. I rolled over to face her and waited for her to turn around as she closed the door behind her. When she did, our eyes locked and her expression instantly changed to one of relief and pity as she looked at me.
"Oh (y/n), I'm so glad you're awake sweetheart" she said as she came over and sat beside me on the bed. She placed her cane on the floor and lifted her legs onto the mattress, so that she was sitting up against the headboard. Then she looked at me and patted her thighs, signalling for me to lay on her. I shuffled across so that my head was resting on her lap and I was facing the ceiling, looking into her beautiful deep brown eyes.

She brushed my hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear, stroking my cheek with her thumb.
"I know what happened." She said softly as she continued to brush her fingers through my hair.
"How do you know?" I whispered, embarrassed.
"I had cameras installed in certain rooms before the bombs hit. I didn't tell anyone. Not even Ms Mead. I checked the music room cameras as soon as I got you safely in bed and had you checked." She explained.

"(Y/n), I'm so sorry, baby" She continued.
"I should have gotten to you earlier. I can't forgive myself for letting this happen." A single year rolled down her cheek and I lifted my hand to wipe it away.
"Mina I love you. This is not your fault. Please don't blame yourself." I responded.
"If anything, it's my fault." I continued. "You told me not to be alone with him, I should have listened and gotten away as soon as possible. He's dangerous, Mina. H- He can...." I trailed off, not knowing how to explain his 'power' to control my body to her.

"I know, (y/n). I should have told you. I'm stupid for thinking you'd be better off not knowing." She said after a couple seconds of silence.
"What do you mean? What didn't you tell me?" I asked, confused at her reaction.
"Michael isn't who he says he is. He's not a representative of the co-operative, he IS the co-operative. He is their leader. The one who created this chaos." She started to explain.
"Mina, what do you mean he 'created' this? Who is he? What are you keeping from m-"
"He is pure evil, (y/n). I didn't tell you because I was trying to keep you safe. I was stupid. I shouldn't have let you leave my side. He's known as the antichrist. The son of Satan. And he is the reason behind the apocalypse." She cut me off to finish.

I just sat in shock for a number of seconds as I took in her words. The Antichrist? Son of Satan? I probably wouldn't have believed her if I didn't witness his abilities myself earlier. Although there was a part of me that was hurt by the fact that Mina kept this from me, I knew she had good intentions. She was only trying to protect me. I repositioned myself so that I was sitting upright next to her and took her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers.
"We need to do something... to stop him." I said, taking her cheek in my palm.
"What if he hurts the others like he hurt me?" I questioned.

"He won't. He only wants you. He knows about us and he knows that the only way he can hurt me and take away my power is through hurting you, (y/n)." She replied quietly, taking the time to think over her words as she spoke them.
"Mina I'm scared. What if he does it agai-"

"He won't get the chance to ever lay a finger on you again. He'll be dead by tomorrow. Leave me to take care of this." She interrupted, her face deep in thought. I nestled my head into her chest as she cradled me in her arms and stroked my cheek soothingly. I found peace and comfort in the silence with her, knowing that I was safe as long as I was in her arms. A minute or so passed until she broke the silence, placing a kiss on my forehead.
"I love you with all my heart, (y/n). I failed you today, and for that I can never be sorry enough." She said, tears filling in her beautiful eyes.

"Mina, you can never fail me. You are the love of my life and I will spend every day proving it to you, I know you've been broken in the past but you never have to feel that way again. I love you forever, I'm yours." I replied, pressing her lips against mine and embracing her with a soft but passionate kiss.

"Rest now sweetheart, you're still weak and you need to regain your strength." She said after breaking away from the kiss.
"Stay with me? I feel safe with you." I asked, not wanting to be alone again.
"Of course, my angel. Always." She responded as I shuffled down to lay my head on her lap. It didn't take long for my eyes to get heavy while she brushed her fingers up and down the length of my torso, causing all the tension in my body to release. Eventually I drifted off peacefully in her company.