THE UNEXPECTED

12

CHICAGO, 2023

The sun was near setting in the city of Chicago and the worldwide pandemic was hitting it's ten year mark. People began to feel hopeless as time stretched on and many desperate to survive in the new world, outside the QZ zones it was incredibly difficult to make ends meet. The Miller brothers found that out first hand, they were running low on everything they had and were beginning to consider other options in order to live.

Tommy Miller, the younger brother, was apprehensive at Joel's suggestion but deep down he knew they had no other choice. Joel tried his hardest to keep his smuggling and illegal business separate from his brother but now was a different story, they were running off scraps and had nothing left. This is what led them to Chicago, being one of the largest cities across the U.S meant there was hunters and gangs practically everywhere outside of the QZ.

"You and I both know I don't agree with this shit, but what other choice do we have? I hate doin' this stuff but it's about survivin', little brother." To prove their loyalty to the hunter group, the Miller's were tasked to take out some of the tourists near by. Apparently their supplies had been going missing and the hunter group wanted to put an end to it.

"I'm gonna get nightmares from this shit." Tommy mumbles, as he reloaded his gun and slotted it back into it's holster.

"I'm keeping you alive." Joel huffs out in response, he'd been a pain in the ass all year but Tommy knew that it was because of the impending anniversary of his niece's tragic death, "All clear." He then called out, they'd been split from the group being told to search an old office block.

"Fuckin' hell." The younger brother sighs, he was on edge, not cut out for the hunter business. He despised the thought of killing innocent people, innocent women and children.

The office block was quiet, too quiet which put the brothers at unease. They'd been told that movement was spotted in one of the higher floors but they'd yet to encounter anyone.

Thud, thud, thud.

The brothers lock eyes and share a knowing look. Tourists were right above them, clear as day. Moving quickly to the upper floor, Joel signals for Tommy to cover him as he took the lead out of the pair.

They search the floor, nothing so far. It was practically empty all apart from a few tables and old sofa chairs. The cupboards had been ransacked of all supplies and it looked as though no one had inhabited it for a long while.

The brothers were silent but apprehensive as they moved, Joel out front and Tommy behind. They both had their guns cocked and ready to shoot.

But what they didn't notice was the younger woman creeping behind them, she was agile and light on her feet. Despite her shaky movements, she made little to no noise. She'd found herself caught in the crossfire while trying to escape the city, she hoped she could use these men as leverage. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she calculated her attack.

Shutting her eyes, she attempted to ease her nerves and build up the confidence to strike. It was now or never.

It all happened so quick that neither Tommy or Joel had expected it. Leaping over a table, she jumped and wrapped her legs around the back of Tommy's torso tightly. The younger Miller yelped in surprise, clearly not expecting a woman to jump out on him. The woman struggled but remained latched onto him as she withdrew her knife and pressed it tightly against Tommy's throat, not caring if it drew blood.

"Joel." He croaked out, urgency in his voice as he tried to knock the girl off of him but she had a grip like steel.

Hearing the commotion, Joel spun around in a panic. But what he wasn't expecting was to see a girl tightly wrapped around his brother with a knife pressed into his neck. He couldn't really see her face and if it weren't such a situation he'd almost be impressed that a girl her size took on a guy his brother's size.

"Don't move! Or this goes straight into his jugular!" The girl spat out, though there was underlying shake to her tone. Both boys froze, firstly not expecting a British accent and secondly not wanting to make matters worse.

"C'mon now, we can work something out." Joel tried to coax her as he stepped one foot in front of the other.

"I said don't move!" She yelled out, feeling a burn in her throat due to her nerves. She'd never done something like this before.

Joel paused, he still couldn't really see her face but he gave Tommy a pointed look as if they were mentally communicating.

"Okay, okay...Tommy now!" Chaos erupted as Tommy got over his initial shock and manoeuvred the girl off of him. She wasn't all that heavy nor strong but she had the element of surprise that got him.

Tommy and Joel managed to get a hold of her, pinning her down despite her struggle. It was then that Joel really got a look at her, she was younger than him that was for sure but there was no denying that she was damn beautiful. Raven locks cascaded down her back, framing her face, the face at which was dotted with freckles and plump lips, there was something about her that screamed innocence; that did something to Joel. He met her eyes, and despite the fact they were angry and narrowed, they were a pretty shade of blue but almost grey also. This woman was ethereal, and Joel knew that Tommy knew it too. It was like they were both secretly in awe with her.

"Let got of me, fucking-" She writhed under their grip, spitting out curses and insults as they dragged her to an old armchair. Tommy stepped back, letting Joel manhandle her as he cocked his gun once more. Guilt seemed to override him as he stared at the pretty girl. She didn't deserve this.

"P-Please don't kill me." She seemed to falter as Joel placed her down, ultimately making him frown. He too felt riddled with guilt. "Please." She whispered, pulling at his heartstrings. Tommy and Joel shared a look, morals slowly overpowering them.

"You promise not to fight back if I remove my hands." Joel tried to reason with her, making her nod her head furiously. To this, he slowly backed up, still pointing a gun at her. She exhaled slowly.

"You gotta get me outta here, please." She begged once more, desperation evident. "I don't want to die here." The boys frowned as a tear slipped from her eyes and rolled down her cheek.

"C'mon, Joel." Tommy was the first to speak, he felt sick as he stared back and forth from the girl to his older brother.

"Fine. Let's see what we can do." He uttered out, also looking to and from the pretty girl to his younger brother, "What's your name?"

The girl wondered whether it was smart or not to tell them but ultimately she had nothing to lose,

"Emily...Emily Parker."