Wars and Lies

Chapter Twelve

The ship crashed sending vibrations throughout the ship waking everyone up. It's been six days since Chris started his training, it's been so draining even with him sneaking us extra food and water during our sessions. "What was that?" Stephanie moaned, confused.

"Not a clue but whatever it was, it can't be good." I replied. The door opened and in strut Sinead with the biggest smirk I've ever seen spread across her face. Guards came flooding in behind her and unlocked all the cages. What is the psychopath up to? "We've arrived." Sinead announced.

"Where are we?" I shouted but she ignored me and walked out the room.

We were led off the ship and into a large field with a tall wooden stage at the front. Me and the others made sure to all stick together. I tried looking for my dad but can't see him anywhere. There's hundreds of people here. We've arrived at a city. A large city that's somehow still standing. It's not as thriving as cities used to be but I'm amazed at how intact it still it. Tall buildings are still standing tall. The field is lined with trees that are stood proud and green. Everything's so clean and white. What's going on? Everyone's cramped together. Have they brought us here to execute us? What are they gonna do to us? I feel my chest start to get tight with worry so I rubbed it and tried to calm myself down. Suddenly, I felt Ashton's hand slip into mine. He can clearly tell I'm not okay. 'I'm not leaving your side. I promise." Ashton whispered in my ear.

"Welcome guests." A man with grey hair and striking blue eyes wearing a white suit shouted as he stepped onto the stage and walked to the centre. "My name is Malcom and welcome to the White Tribe. I am sorry for the drastic measures that were took to get you all here but my tribe are in desperate need of help. My people are under threat by a tribe called The Stone Tribe. They have declared war on us. I'm unaware of why. I've tried to have a peaceful negotiation but the Stone Tribe leader but refuses to see me. Sinead, my daughter, has told me she's gathered the strongest warriors." Sinead the sociopath is the daughter of him? How? He seems so kind. "My people need your help. I need your help. I'm begging you to please help us. Please help us fight back and protect my people. This is completely up to you." Everyone started chatting away. Some are saying they want to stay and some are saying they want to go home to their families. This man seems trustworthy and kind but the whole situation seems off. I can't fully trust what's going on. I feel like I can trust Malcom but certainly not Sinead and her being his daughter makes me not want to trust him. "Why should we help you after everything you and your daughter did to us? We were taken against our will and then starved and tortured."

"I had to take drastic measures to get you here but I'm desperate. About the starvation and torture, I'm unaware of any of this. I instructed my daughter to take good care of you all. I am very sorry Sinead put you through this and I promise she'll be punished. I completely understand if you all choose to leave, especially after the poor treatment and the fact that this isn't your fight but I'm begging for your help. If you choose not to stay the boat is ready to take you home."  A lot of people start to move and head back to the boat but the majority stand still, including me. I may not trust this man but if people are in danger then I'll stay and help and if they're not then I'll take Malcom down. I'll not let my guard down for a single second. "I'm staying but you lot should go," I said to the others.

"If you're staying then so are we." Steph continued, "my dad's here somewhere so I need to find him."

"But what about Charlotte and Charlie, they're too young to fight." I argued.

"My mum is here and so is Charlie's so we need to find them," Charlotte replied.

"I promised to stay by your side and that's what I tend to do." Ashton stated. I don't want them to stay. It's too dangerous. We don't know what we're up against. We don't know if what Malcom is saying is the truth or if it's all a lie.

"Anyone who's choosing to stay then please write your name down on a registration form so we can know who's here and collect your belongings then we can show you to your rooms to allow you to rest. In your rooms, you'll find clothes, food and water." We did what he asked and it took forever, especially finding our stuff. I like having my belongings back, especially my dad's sword.

We reached the rooms. Me and the girls are sharing a room and the boys are in the room opposite. The room's small. Kind of looks like a hotel room, maybe it used to be. It has two bunk beds, a wardrobe that we chucked our stuff in, a chest of draws with loads of food such as crisps, cookies, sandwiches and bottles of water on. What surprises me most is there's an actual working Tv. I haven't seen one of these in forever. It's strange how this tribe has electricity, they must have solar panels or turbines somewhere to keep a generator running. Back home we have electric but we only use it streetlights as living in a cave can be dark especially in the winter and for the hospital, it's not a very good one but it's the best we can do. We use hydro and wind power. Each room also has an en-suite. Stephanie and Charlotte immediately started stuffing their faces. Stephanie's a massive foodie and lucky for her she has a magic metabolism that allows her to keep her amazing figure. I went into the hallway.

Ashton also came out to the hallway and is stood in the doorway of his room; I can see Charlie behind him stuffing his face. Their room looks the same as mine. I saw my dad, Stephanie's and Emily's dad go into the room next to mine. I didn't say anything to them. I think it's best if we still pretend we don't know each other until we know things for certain and I think my dad's thinking the same otherwise he would've came over. At least I know where he is and vice versa. I'm not surprised to see my dad stayed. He's probably not surprised to see I stayed but I know he'd rather I went home. I need answers and if people need help then I'm definitely helping. I like helping people. I always have. If people need help then I'm always happy to help. "So, we're here to fight?" Ashton said.

"Apparently so. You don't have to be here, you know? I'll be fine."

"I know you will but that doesn't mean I'm leaving you. We stick together no matter what. I've never broken a promise to you and I'm not about to start."

"I think there's more going on here."

"If there is then I know you'll find out. I know you and I know you hate not knowing something," Ashton laughed. "Let's get some rest."

"Okay."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I replied, confused.

"You only say okay when somethings wrong otherwise you would've said okie dokie."

"I'm just worried about everything. I don't know who or what we can trust."

"You can trust me. We'll figure this out. Now go to sleep or you'll be grouchy in the morning."

"Okie. Nighty night." I went back into my room and got into bed. I led there for god knows how long. My mind's filling with questions. I'm so confused and conflicted. I don't know what to do. What could be going on? I don't know how long I was led there until I finally fell asleep.