"She was like a new light. A new beginning. A new end." - Rick Grimes.
This story is about Bella Sinclair and her journey through the new world of the dead. A story of hope, of justice, of family and most importantly, of love. It focuses on a simil...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"This is the Mourning Cloak." Howard slammed a large, hard back, book about butterflies on his desk in front of Ali, who was uncomfortably perched on the edge of the single chair offered to him. "Extremely rare. Live for about a year. And Victor has got the perfect spot for it on the shelf. All you've got to do is find one." Howard watched Ali intensely as the young boy leant back slightly, relaxed his shoulders and sighed. "Is there something wrong?"
"I just don't know how collecting these proves I can be one of his Rangers." Ali replied, unsure and wary of the man in front of him.
"I hear ya, kid." John Dorie Senior sympathised with understanding and experience. "I could tell you stories from when I first got out of the academy. When the senior cops called initiation. It was no picnic—"
"Victor asked you to assist me while he's gone. Not spook the kid with your old war stories—"
"Ali doesn't look spooked to me. He seems interested in what John has to say." I cut in, clearly to Howard's distaste.
"I- I do appreciate Mr. Dorie's teachings." Ali admitted sheepishly.
"You're welcome to them any time, kid." John smiled with pursed lips, before exchanging a look of appreciation to me.
"This isn't hazing, Ali." Howard manipulated unnecessarily, using his new found power since Strand had left on a scouting mission. "It's about how you see the world- who you choose to be in it..."
So Ali agreed, not that he had much choice in the matter. Howard was in charge now. So my brewing relationship with Strand had no sway in his absence, meaning I have to play my cards right through this short duration.
Another week had gone by, another opportunity to leave missed. Every single time I left the Tower, Strand or Howard ordered for Kai to stay since that would be my incentive to return. The same had been done today, while Ali and I left for the young boy to be able to find the Mourning Cloak butterfly. I was guarding him as well as training him, since the reason Strand abducted me to begin with was still not an option apparently.
The forest was beautiful, it was one of the only remaining forests that hadn't been scorched and tarnished by the nuclear blasts. As the light rays from the sun shone down through the deep green leaves, highlighting the forest floor for us as we trod through the overgrown woodland. Ali was several paces in front of me, while I observed from behind, checking our surroundings with every step. There was this feeling of wanting to protect him, despite my best efforts not to care. Ali is a good kid, who simply needs guidance— stop, I shook the thoughts away in silent irritation.
I whistled quietly enough just for Ali to hear, earning his attention. "I'm gonna check further out. Meet back at the horses."
"Alright," He smiled faintly.
Why does he keep making that face at me, I questioned in further silent irritation. I watched him for a moment as he continued walking through the woodland, a baseball-styled cap upon his head, realising a face from the past was lurking in my mind. "He's not here anymore," I reminded myself with unforeseen sadness surfacing. With a sigh, I shook my head and began walking further out to check the perimeter of the forest. Ali is not my problem, nor is he my responsibility— all I am doing is fulfilling Strand's request, biding my time until I can get myself and Kai out of here safely, and eventually return home.
