ᴍᴇʟᴏᴅɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ

Chapter 18: Fight for You

The tedious task of filling the boiler dragged on for longer than anticipated, your dominant hand a deep black. Now, you were being escorted back to your cell. The sun had set, casting a dingy orange across the landscape, twinkling sharply against the water's edge. It hid behind the treeline, daring not to come out. The birds' song ceased, replaced by the gentle sound of the water as it swayed on and off the shoreline.

Sighing, you were transported back to Ericson's. By this time Omar would've started cooking and you and Ruby would be seeing to the greenhouse. By this time Mitch would be trying to carve a new weapon with Willy ogling in admiration and Tenn would begin a new drawing. By this time Aasim would have started his 'chronicle' entry and Louis would pester him about it. Words couldn't convey your level of upset; you missed them more than anything.

You were slower than the guard, sadly trailing behind at your own pace. Thoughts drifted in and out of your mind as you listened to the sounds of nature. "If you kill her, I'm not covering for you." Said the woman that maimed you in a hushed tone. Each step you took was gradual, watching through the corner of your eye.

"With those new arrivals, we have more than enough to take back to the Delta, we can always lug the whiny one off." Insisted the man, "No one notices when one grain of sand goes missing."

The woman frowned. "What about the grain of sand next to it?"

"You get what I mean." Breathed the man. "I bet a lot of folks died to keep that pipsqueak alive."

Although you knew Minnie had uttered the truth, it seemed surreal, but this was confirmation. You knew you had to do whatever it took to protect Brody, regardless of its impact on you - she was your priority. You had to escape with her alive.

Chatter echoed through the corridor as you approached the cells. A wash of relief eased your worries as unfamiliar adults stood before you. There were quite a few of them, roughly two per cell, resulting in Brody being moved to your cell. It was strange, they seemed happy to be there, grateful, even. You overheard them fantasising about the facilities at the 'Delta', expressing their excitement for tomorrow's disembarkment. Puzzled, you realised they must've been lured with deceit, enticed with lies of a better community. Talk of warm water and fresh food bounced around but you didn't believe it.

Brody sat hunched on the bed, hugging herself tightly, her gaze fixated on the floor. She appeared to have calmed down. Carefully, you stepped over to the bed, gently situating yourself beside her. Silence encased the cell. With a remorseful stare, you said, "I'm sorry."

"You're right," she replied in a whisper, "we have to get out of here."

Relief washed over you; Brody's survival was almost guaranteed. As long as neither of you slipped up or hesitated, you'd both get out of this alive.

"We're gonna have to be quick with it if we both want to make it out." You explained. "When I say we jump: we jump. No second thoughts, no hesitation. If we're gonna do this you have to be 100% with it."

"I am." Brody nodded, eyes glistening with determination. However the moment faded as they glazed over with solemness, turning away, she asked, "What are we going to do about Marlon?"

You hadn't thought about that. Frowning, you stared into your lap, mind racing to give her an answer, you couldn't leave her in the dark; you had to be reassuring. "Well, we'll just have to negotiate things." You hated your answer. Negotiation is futile when immense anger brews. "He can't stay in charge anymore, God knows if he'll do something like this again."

"Negotiate?" Repeated Brody, "I would've thought you wanted to hurt him."

Sighing, you were honest, "I don't know." An amalgamation of emotions stirred inside you: anger, betrayal, resentment, depression: there was no one feeling. "But I'll hurt him if I have to - no hesitation."

Brody nodded, heaving a melancholy breath. "I understand," looking up at you, she added, "do what you have to." And you would.

Sliding from the bed to the floor, you said, "We should probably get some rest," you tucked your arms under your head, forming a makeshift pillow, "we don't know how long the journey will be tomorrow." Brody silently agreed, making herself as comfortable as she could on the bed.

Turning her back to you, she muttered, "(Y/N)?" You hummed in response. "You're a good person."