Halo | 18+

chapter twenty

- AURELIA JONES -

When I tried to open my eyes, it felt like one of them had been glued shut.

When I managed to peel them open though, I realised I was not where I thought I was.

I actually don't know where I was to begin with. I don't know what happened, I have no memory.

The last thing I remember is being attacked by walkers. It was then I panicked and felt all over my body to make sure I hadn't turned.

I looked at the arm with the wounds and realised it had a thick, white bandage over it.

Someone fixed me?

The room I was in had no windows, one door, and a single vent. There was a bed, chair, table and a bucket.

It was a small room. I felt very claustrophobic in here. "Hello?" I called out. "Is anyone there?"

I knocked on the door and waited for a response. I didn't hear anything for a while until I heard the loud creak of a door opening.

Light poked through and I looked in the direction of the door.

"Good to see you're awake." An unfamiliar face smiled. I have him a weak smile back and sat down on the bed.

All my stuff was gone, I wasn't wearing shoes... where is all my stuff?

All I was wearing was a thin, plain white shirt and men's boxers with no socks.

"How did I get here? Did you save me?" I questioned. The guy smiled and nodded, closing the door behind him.

"Ian McKinley." He introduced, "Lia." I lied. Something about this interaction was giving me bad vibes and I don't know if I fully trusted him.

"Lia." Even the way he said my name made me uncomfortable. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He complimented.

"What am I doing here? When can I leave?"

Ian started chuckling, "Oh Lia, no you're not leaving. I saved you, which means I now own you."

I was shocked at the words that came out of his mouth, I almost laughed.

Almost.

"Thanks for saving me but you don't own me. Nobody does. So if you'll excuse me, I'd like to leave."

Ian smirked, "Fine, go. See if you can get past my wall of security who have been told to keep you here. If you fail to comply, you will be forced."

"And if I succeed, what'll you do then? Chase me until the world ends.. oh wait? It already has." I scoffed, rolling my eyes, "Focus on more important things like feeding yourself or building a place to live, not saving women and then keeping them against their will."

Ian looked me up and down like a piece of meat, "You've got a mouth on ya, no wonder Jace likes you so much."

Jace? What does Jace have to do with this? Then again, I am mad at him right now.

My ears peaked at the sound of an idea popping into my head.

"Jace? God, I hate that guy." I said, watching Ian's reaction to my statement.

"Really?" He questioned, "I thought you two were destined to be."

I scoffed, "Please. He cheated and lied to me. I couldn't care less about him anymore." I waved my hands away and sat down on the bed.

When Ian didn't say anything, I decided to formulate my plan.

"Do you wanna kill him?" I asked. Ian seemed shocked, "What?"

"There's no laws right? No one can stop me even if I did end up doing it. I just feel like it'd be better if I had a partner." I smirked.

On the inside, I felt every bit of shame with the words I said. But if it gets me out of this place than I'll do whatever it takes.

"I actually just finished a meeting with him. He wants to exchange his life for yours."

My heart rate picked up, "Is he still here?" I prayed Ian didn't pick up on the anxiety in my voice.

He nodded, "He's speaking with the guards, why's that?"

I smirked, "Let me out of here and I'll show you everything he taught me." I walked over to Ian slowly, "He taught me a lot of things, mainly how to kill."

Ian's sinister grin grew even wider. He gripped my arm and yanked me out the door.

Okay, shit. This is really happening, okay, what now? Did I even think this far ahead?

I expected Ian to laugh in my face and keep me locked in here but here we are I guess.

The hallway he dragged me down was made of stone. It was cold, and I kept tripping over my feet.

"What am I doing it with? My bare hands?"

Ian gave me a dumb look, "I'll give you my gun when there's an opposed threat. For all I know, he could be in on this."

I pushed open the door in front of me. It was empty, but there was a blood splatter on the ground that looked fresh.

"