Blood of Mortals

In Flames

The following day, I heard a loud crash.

As my eyes adjusted to the sunlight, I took a peek at the source of the sound.

It's security.

We gotta run.

I shook Yiira awake and told her to run while shoving whatever I could into my bag.

I followed Yiira in climbing over the fence and making a break for it.

As we ran, we heard men shouting behind us.

Yiira was far ahead of me.

I pushed onwards but ended up falling over the rugged ground.

As I turned around, security was closing in on me.

Stumbling back up on my feet, I continued running.

Then gunshots echoed from behind.

Running behind a tree, I curled up on the ground.

If I didn't have to wake up Yiira, I wouldn't be this close to death.

More deafening shots fired.

Then silence fell.

"Hey," a male's voice gently spoke.

"Get up already. Don't tell me I fought security off for nothing."

I shakily stood up and peered behind the tree.

Broken robot parts laid everywhere.

I looked at the guy in shock.

"Thanks man," I sighed in relief.

Just then, Yiira came running to me.

"Are you okay?! I thought you were a goner!" Yiira cried as she embraced me.

I shoved her away in disgust. "You? Worried for me? Don't make me laugh."

"Woah! Dude... ever heard how to treat a lady?" the new guy interrupted.

"Ahahaha... this so-called lady stole my food, invaded my private space, and was probably going to leave me for dead. You tell the lady how to treat a guy like me."

The guy massaged his forehead and went, "Okay, you know what? Let's not argue any further." He stretched his hand out to me with a smile, "I'm Jakkun."

"Verdil."

"Yiira."

"Nice to meet you both," he said, looking over my shoulder. "So I'm guessing you guys aren't staying in that dirt heap any longer?" he continued, pointing to behind me.

Confused, I turned around to see the junkyard going up in flames.

Without a second thought, I desperately rummaged through my backpack.

Finding that the box of my journals was inside, I rested my head, and tears of joy streamed out.

"Wait! Is the rudely cold guy crying?" Yiira teased, bending over to see my face.

I immediately wiped my tears and grabbed her by the collar.

"Irk me one more time, and maybe I'll actually cut you up this time."

Jakkun intervened and shoved us apart.

Massaging his forehead, he sighed, "Why did I save you again?"

Without letting anyone else speak, he continued, "We can't let them keep chasing us down. Soon enough, every hiding place we got will be burned to the ground."

He had a point. I was about to ask what's our next course of action, but Yiira interrupted, "They took down yours too?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes. Exactly why I say that we build up our own city, bring all humans together, and demand peace between both sides. I believe the choice to live forever should be a matter of choice. That's not happening if we're running scared like mice."

This kid's got wild dreams. Those people there? They can't be reasoned with.

Jakkun turned to me, "I know it sounds impossible to you but hear me out. There may be a chance we might wipe out the whole human population if it fails, but we still win since we won't live eternally here. Get my idea here?"

I chuckled at his plan, saying, "Well, I was just going to do a simple suicide, but at least here I go out with contribution."