Wars and Lies

Chapter Fifteen

It's been a week since the others left. I spent the entire night crying my eyes out. Brandon's moved from his and Ashton's room into mine so he could look after me. A few minutes after they left Brandon tried chasing after them, he wanted to beat some sense into Ashton as he put it but couldn't find them. The morning after I reported them leaving to Malcom. He told me they must've left on the boat Emily and Brandon came on as that's the only boat missing and he wishes they would've came to him so the ship could take them home safely. I slipped my dad a note saying what happened. He responded saying he understands they're scared but what Ashton said was out of order. We've increased our training and Emily's combat has greatly improved, she's a fast learner and she even almost beat Brandon. There's been three more bomb attacks, each one getting bigger and more dangerous. Seventeen more people lost their lives and twenty-three were severely injured so were sent home. Malcom organised an attack on the Stone Tribe where he sent troops into their tribe to attack the head building but it quickly failed. It's as if they knew we were coming. The White Tribe are losing the war and fast.

It's finally dinner time and I can't wait. Me, Em and Brandon had a long, hard day of training and all I want to do is rest and stuff my face. We're heading to the new canteen which is Town Hall. "Something's wrong." I informed the others.

"What do you mean?" Emily asked, confused.

"It's quiet. Too quiet."

"Everyone's probably eating dinner already. We are twenty minutes late," Brandon replied.

"I don't know."

"Come on it'll be fine and I'm starving." I agreed with Brandon and followed him on. Something's not right I can feel it in my stomach. Town is never usually this quiet. It's best I keep my guard up. We still have our weapons on us from training so we're prepared.

Me and Em were about to walk through the entrance of town hall, when Brandon grabbed us and pulled us behind a column. "Ow what was that for?" Emily moaned.

"Katie's suspicion may have been right."

"What do you mean?" I said.

"Look." I peeked my head round the column and look through the window. Everyone's on their knees in a huddle. There's guards with guns surrounding them. I recognise the dark grey uniform, it's the Stone Tribe. They've taken the tribe hostage. "Dad!" I spot him at the front of the group with his hands tied and a massive cut on his head. I was about to charge in when our eyes locked. Dad clearly knew what I was about to do as he carefully shook his head. "We need to help them," I say.

"I agree but we can't go charging in. We don't know how many there are. They have guns and all we have are swords. We'd be slaughtered. We need to get help and quick before someone spots us."

"We can get Malcom; he always waits an hour after mealtime starts to make sure everyone else gets food first." I inform.

"Let's go." We quickly sprint off. The entire run to Malcom's office, we made sure to be on alert and stick to the shadows in case there's more Stone Tribe guards around.

We charge into Malcom's office. As we kick open the doors, we almost trip over the dead bodies of two White Tribe guards. There's four Stone Tribe guards with guns pointed at a tied-up Malcom. We pulled out our swords and two guards directed their guns at us. "Run!" Malcom ordered but we didn't listen. We're not going anywhere until we free Malcom.

"If they leave, they'll miss all the fun." Sinead stated as she turned in the desk chair as if she's a villain from an old-style spy movie that my dad loves. Sinead has a smirk spread across her face. Sinead? Sinead's behind all this. She's working with the Stone tribe. I knew she couldn't be trusted. What I don't get is why she'd do this?

"What's going on?"

"A takeover. A rebellion. A shift in power."

"You've been a traitor all along? It was you all along. You're the one who told the Stone Tribe about the attack. You betrayed your own tribe. You're own people. Your own father. Why?" I screamed.

"For power. I made a deal with the leader of the Stone Tribe, Abraham, and now I get all the power and riches I can ever want. Now lower your weapons," Sinead orders.

"No!" We shouted.

"Do it or father gets it." Sinead said as she got up from her chair and went to Malcom who's on the floor in front of the desk.

"You won't hurt your own father," Emily said.

"Won't I?" She pulled out her knife and sliced Malcom's arm. We stood there completely still. Shocked with how far Sinead's willing to go. "Still nothing? Maybe, you need some more encouragement." Sinead clicks her fingers and two guards come in dragging my dad's beaten-up body. "Dad!" How does Sinead know? We were so careful. Not even Malcom knew. How could Sinead possibly know? "Now put your weapons down or daddy here dies." I immediately threw down my sword. I didn't even have to tell the others as they did the same. "See that wasn't so hard. Now say bye bye." Before I could react, Sinead slit my dad's throat. He dropped to the floor and blood came gushing out. I ran to my dad's side and quickly applied pressure to the wound. "No. No. No. Come on. You'll be okay. Please." His eyes keep closing. He's using all his strength to stay awake. "Stay with me. I'll stop being such a pain. I won't be stubborn."

"It's... what I... love about you. You're like me. Maybe too much." Dad laughed causing him agony.

"Please don't leave me."

"I love you Katie." My dad said with his final breath. His life faded away. I held his lifeless body in my arms as I cried into his chest. "I love you to dad." Why is everyone leaving me? Emily and Brandon try getting to me but the guards keep them back.

"You monster! Why would you do that?" I scream as I charge at the psycho. Sinead quickly reacts and kicks my stomach. I fall to the floor. Sinead bends down to my level, grabs my face and makes me face her. Tears still race down my face. I stare into the devil's eyes. "Because I can. You didn't do as I said. This is your fault." I start to cry even more. "Take them to the dungeon. They'll be executed in the morning. Ug ma ya!" Sinead ordered. That last bit wasn't English. I recognise it but can't place my finger on it. Right now, I don't care. My dad's dead and it's her fault. She murdered my dad. Brandon picks me off the floor and holds me close as we stumble to the dungeons.