The 4

Chapter Two: Dirty Religion

WARNING:

THIS BOOK CONTAINS EXTREME VIOLENCE, GORE, SEXUAL CONTENT, DRUG ABUSE, AND LANGUAGE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

"Hand me a coke, shitass." Said Max. Cole popped a quarter into the vending machine. They were hanging out in the break room of their base. It had a dark green sofa with a side table next to it, a big red rug, a TV that no longer worked, and the vending machine which had been nearly emptied out. "You sure you want this? It's probably gone bad by now." Cole asked him. "I think I can handle it." Max said jokingly. He grabbed the coke and took a sip. He reflexively spat it out. They both began laughing hysterically. "Well, that was disgusting." Said Max. Cole laughed even harder. "Hey, where's Jared? He should try some of this." Asked Max. "I'm not sure. I think he-" Cole cut himself off when he saw the sword in front of Max's throat. Ember was standing behind him. Cole's revolver was on the side table by the couch. He quickly reached for it but something struck him in the side of the head. He fell down, hitting his head on the table. Alexei walked into the room, fists clenched. He grabbed Cole by his shirt and lifted him up. Then, Jared walked into the room. Seth was standing behind him, pressing a machete against his back. He had blood dripping from his mouth and nose. All of the other members of the group quickly joined them. "Well, it is great to see you again." Tyler greeted them. "What the fuck do you want, Tyler?" Jared asked him angrily. "Why do you assume I want something? Can't I just be here to chat with some old friends?" Tyler asked him. "Cut the bullshit. We know you too well to buy this fucking garbage." Jared told him. "Alright, you caught me. I am here for a reason." Tyler said with a fake friendly grin. "You wiped out our entire group. If you think we're gonna help you with anything, you can go to hell." Said Cole. "Shut up, worm." Said Alexei, throwing him headfirst into the wall and then grabbing him again. "You'll have to excuse Alexei. He has a tendency of beating the ever living shit out of people." Tyler said. "Just tell us what it is you want." Jared said, getting even angrier. "There's a gated community a few miles away from here. Goes by the name of Cuckluck Acres." Tyler started. "Yeah. So?" Asked Jared. "Well, normally we wouldn't bother you with something so out of the blue, but we happened to see a helicopter crashed just outside of it. A helicopter that perfectly matched yours." Tyler told him. "A lot of helicopters look the same. It could've been anyone." Jared lied. "Maybe. But, we found the remnants discarded in the forest. And carved underneath the dashboard, was your initials." Tyler revealed. Jared, Max, and Cole glanced at each other, wondering what to do. "Oo, looks like you busted them, boss." Vanessa joked. "Don't patronize me." Tyler snapped. "Alright, I'm bored. Are we killing these guys or what?" Asked Carmin. "Please be quiet, bitch. Your voice hurts my ears." Alexei scolded her. "Carmin, you weren't here for the war. You don't know these guys like we do." Travis told her. "Yeah, we could've killed these assholes, but we spared their lives so they could tell our story." Seth added. "Guys, this is a very interesting conversation, but let's get back to the matter at hand." Tyler said, turning his attention back toward Jared "What do you know about this Cuckluck Acres group?" Jared hesitated for a moment. "I know that if you try to attack them, they'll kick your sorry asses." Said Jared. "So, you know this group well?" Asked Tyler. "No. Not well. But enough." Jared said. "What are their defence forces?" Reid chimed in. "They have pistols, rifles, machine guns, shotguns, you name it." Jared told them, trying to scare them. "How many people do they have?" Asked Tyler. "A hell of a lot more than you." Jared responded. "Yes, well, we have you to thank for that." Tyler said accusingly. "Alright, this is getting boring." Said Alexei. "Agreed." Tyler said. "Wait- no no no!" Jared shouted. But then, his vision went black as Alexei kicked him in the face.

Everyone stood, staring at the gates. They were frozen. It felt like a dream. Kennedy was really gone. "Kennedy is really gone." Said Tyson, trying to make sense of the whole thing. "She may be gone, but she will not be forgotten." Said Ryan. "We should build a statute of her!" Jasmine suggested. "No." Literally everybody else in the town said at the same time. "Who's gonna be in charge of food rations now?" Asked Kiefer. "I don't know. Everyone already has jobs." Ryan responded. "I can do it." Emily volunteered. "Are you sure?" Asked Ryan. "Yeah, it'll be fine." She said. "Emily is probably the best person for this job because we know that she'll never steal any of our rations, considering she never fucking eats." Kiefer joked.