In the Willows

Chapter Thirty-Six: Everybody Loves The Sunshine

Three Days Later:

"Again." says Alec.

You've been practicing with your squad for the last couple of days. Team one practices hand to hand combat with your team while team three rests in the shade.

You spit the blood from your mouth, "Fuck me, again?"

A baton is swung towards your head that you barely dodge. You kick at your attackers' legs which do little to stop his advance.

"A little help here Kai!" says Emory trying to get out of a choke hold.

Your attacker swings again hitting the left side of your head knocking you to the ground, forcing all the air out of your lungs. Emory falls to the ground still struggling with her attacker.

The attacker stands over you, "What's wrong, your lazy eye giving you problems?"

You struggle to catch your breath and rest your head.

'Get up.' says a silhouette missing a leg.

The silhouette has a blurry aura next to your attacker, it reminds you of Emory.

You grab a handful of dirt and throw it at your attacker. He falls back onto his knees clawing at his eyes. Taking the opportunity, you heave yourself up and kneeing the attacker in the face. You both fall to the ground exhausted.

"You asshole." says the attacker still rubbing his eyes.

"You got two lazy eyes now Ross."

Emory's attacker lets go and approaches you to strike.

"Kai, Cody won't hesitate like Ross did." says Alec stopping the attacker, "Fighting can be either up close or at a distance. In this situation, Cody would've killed you and Emory."

You rub the side of your head.

Emory wipes the sweat from her brow, "You like to think you can handle everything yourself. If you helped me out, we could've been in a two versus one scenario."

"She has a point." says Tyler standing next to Alec, "Maybe we should look to replace Kai."

You stand up, "No."

Tyler gets into your face, "You're going to get someone killed."

"Step back before that becomes true."

Team three stands up curious of the situation.

He stares at you until Alec separates the two of you, "Enough, we need to be a team. We're leaving tomorrow for god sakes."

"Kai is a liability Alec." says Tyler crossing his arms.

You clench your fist.

'No.' says the silhouette standing next to Tyler.

You blink a couple times and it goes away.

You relax your hand, "I won't be an issue Alec."

Alec nods patting your shoulder, "I know you won't."

Tyler shakes his head walking away with his team.

Emory brushes off some dirt from your shirt, "I wish there was more time to train with the squad before we went out on an assignment."

"It won't happen again."

"What won't?"

"Leaving you like that."

Alec chuckles, "I hope that goes for me too."

The three of you start walking to your houses.

"What time are we leaving tomorrow?" you ask.

"Early, soon as the sun rises at the very least." says Alec.

"Where are we going to?" asks Emory.

"We are moving to Paradise first. After we clear that stronghold, Sacramento is next." says Alec.

"We're going to need an army for that." you say.

"Just wait till we siege San Francisco. There's plenty of people against New Salem."

"And plenty against Misery." you respond.

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Louis' POV:

You and Josephine find a table to eat at and sit down. Clementine walks right by the two of you without a word and sits with Kyan and AJ.

"How long is Clementine going to be like this?" you ask looking at Clementine talking to Kyan and AJ.

Josephine shakes her head, "We tried Louis. Maybe it's just hormones."

Omar places his tray next to yours and sits down.

"Hey man, just got off?" you ask.

"Yeah. Everything ok between you and Clementine?"

You sigh, "Just a little argument."

Josephine chuckles, "A little argument? She accused you and I of killing Y/N."

"Maybe we could've done something."

"Do you remember how I just escaped from an explosion?"

"I could've done something, maybe distracted them?"

Josephine grabs your hand. You noticed your knuckles have turned white from clenching so hard. You blush slightly.

"You would've just died too. You did the right thing." says Josephine.

"Maybe you both need some time alone." says Omar getting up and leaving.

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Kai's POV, The Next Morning:

You wake up and get situated with your gear. You made sure to sharpen your kukri and clean your weapon before turning in for the night. You put on the mysterious hat and meet Alec and Emory outside the house.

"Sleep ok?" asks Emory.

"Yeah." you lie.

You stayed up trying to figure out who or what that silhouette was. You've been seeing it more and more in the last couple days.

"Our vehicle is waiting at the gate." says Alec walking off.

You and Emory follow him. The three of you pass conscripts and Vanguard members getting ready to leave as well. As always, people tend to linger on you.

"How bad is Paradise?" you ask.

"A squad should be enough to take the stronghold out. It's relatively small with at most fifteen New Salem bastards." responds Alec

That word triggers familiarity in your brain.

"We going in quiet then?" asks Emory.

"Relatively, take out the security team then inside quick and clean."

The three of you climb into a van and Alec starts the engine.

"Where's the rest of the squad?" you ask.

"They're moving out on their own." says Alec.

"They don't trust us much, huh?" says Emory.

Alec starts moving and heads out the gate, "I guess not."

You look out the window to see the sun starting to rise in the distance.

"Pretty, huh Kai?" asks Emory.

"Yeah, everybody loves the sunshine."

A.N:

Apologies for the long wait. Been sick for a while and didn't have much time for writing. There is more to come and I appreciate everyone that has read my story so far. Thank you.