ARK: The Island

Chapter 11: Breaking Out

Fredrick stood quickly, almost knocking over the desk. "Get the First and Second War Battalions out there! I want those rebels caught and alive!" The guard hurried out with a swift "Yessir," with Fredrick following, but not before turning back to us. "You two, put the prisoner in her cell. I'll deal with her later." And so, I am once again dragged into the elevator, and out the door.

I see Fredrick run off, shouting orders as he goes. My guards drag me back into the prison, and throw me in my cell. They are about to lock the door when the building rattles, and an explosion suddenly blows the roof off, and the entire building caves in. I dive to the floor, covering my head with my hands. I feel a large piece of cement slam into my right middle finger, and I yelp in pain as the bone most certainly breaks. The rattling stops as quickly as it stared. I slowly lift my head, covered in ash. A large beam is directly over my head, shielding my body from certain death. The guards aren't so lucky. Their bodies are crushed under a nearby cement piece of the roof, and a small trickle of blood peeks out from under the slab. I shiver, and then turn to look for a way out. Luckily, there seems to be a small gap in the rubble in front of me, but I'm not 100% sure I can fit. I crawl over and stick my head through the hole. There appears to be a six foot or so tunnel that leads to fresh air and daylight on the other side. I pull my head back out and suck in a deep breath. Then, I dive through the hole hands first. I only make it about a foot in before a large chunk of sharp metal catches on my back. I scream, pain flaring through my body like a raging fire. I try to breath and choke on the clouded air, throwing me into a coughing fit as I struggle to get air into my lungs. Warm liquid slowly drips down my back, and I feel tears start to well up in my eyes. Suddenly, the building shifts around me. I gasp as the metal presses harder into my back. I need to move. Now. Otherwise the prison will collapse on top of me. With as much care as I can afford, I slowly wiggle my way around the sharp metal, and through the rest of the tunnel. It's a painful process, one that consists of wiggling back and forth on top of jagged cement, especially with a large slice down one's back. As I near the end, I finally start to taste fresh air, and I suck it in greedily. Using my arms, I pull myself out of the tunnel and onto the ground, rolling onto the grass. Explosions and gunfire ring out around me, and everything is shrouded in a haze. I feel my eyes start to close, but they open with a snap when the prison starts to collapse. I quickly throw myself forward, and then struggle to my feet, my finger buckling at the weight. A sea of dust blows against my back as I limp forward, searching for a way to escape in all the chaos. My body hurts with every wavering stride, and my back stings like a thousand needles are under my skin. I cradle my broken finger, and make my way towards the open road leading to the large gates.

The road is a mess. Bodies and weapons lay strewn out across the dirt, and I try not to puke at the horror. I may have been trained in the military, but it was only collage. Not an actual battlefield. I know how to defend myself pretty well, but my knowledge does not extend much beyond that. Another explosion demolishes a nearby building, and a figure clothed in all black rushes away from the scene. They must be one of those rebels Fredrick spoke of. Why were they attacking? Did they want the "Hierarchy's" supplies? Technology? Gunshots ring through the air, and I realize that I won't get far without a weapon. Limping out into the road as quickly as I can, I grab a gun from a nearby fallen soldier. His nose is bleeding and his body is still. I try not to look as I pick up his loaded pistol, and make a run for it to the other side of the street. I enter a small alleyway, but a voice stops me in my tracks.

"Traitor, stop right there!"

It's a man holding an AR. I'm so dead I'm so dead I'm so dead.

My pistol is clutched at my side, hidden from his view. He things I'm weaponless. But could I really shoot him? He stalks closer, his finger moving to the trigger, and in one swift movement I throw out my weapon and shoot him in the leg. He screams and goes down, and I charge past him, but not without catching the look of pure hatred in his eyes first. I push the fear out of my brain as adrenaline rushes through my body, momentarily drowning out the pain. Another nearby building blows. I need to hurry, because in front of me is the stable, and it could very well be the next target.

I run up the ramp and through the open doors, only to find an empty building.

Slam.

Not all empty.

I run to the end with the large emergency chute, hoping-

It's a parasaur. Trapped in one of the stalls, screaming for its life. In anger and pity I rip the stall door open, and the herbivore runs out. I turn to leave when a small bag on the floor catches my eye. I open it. Inside is my knife, some food, and all the belongings I brought from Indra's. With a smirk, I grab it and run back out into the fray. I need to find Flame. It feels wrong to leave him here, especially after becoming his best friend.

The chute dumps me right next to the large gates, but I also notice a smaller set that has been destroyed nearby. It must be how the "Rebels" got in.

"Scum, stop!"

I turn around to see a woman in full metal armor sitting on a red raptor. My raptor. She dismounts, drawing a sword from behind her back, and then laughs as she points it at me. Bringing her hand to her mouth she lets out a shrill whistle. "Kill her." Flame looks at me, fire in his eyes. Oh no, is he-

Suddenly, he turns on the unsuspecting woman and leaps on to her, tearing through her armor and clawing at her face. She screams, trying to defend herself, but her weapon has been knocked away. Her screams go silent a few moments later. Flame gets up and jogs over to me, burying his muzzle in my chest. "Hey buddy, I know I'd find you!" I say happily. "Now come on, let's get out of here."

I mount, and we speed out of the broken doorway, leaving the Predator Hierarchy behind.

"Raptors! Firearms at the ready!"

What?

A volley of arrows is suddenly shot at us, Flame manages to dodge them, and we speed into the woods.

"You! Don't let them escape!"

Great. We are being hunted. Again.