Tumia

The Attack

We all stared at each other, confused. Dr. Evans began to run back to the prison as military trucks started to approach.

It was going so well—what happened? I thought to myself. Looking around, I grabbed my gun. "Gavin, make sure they get out of here," I shouted before following Dr. Evans.

Sprinting to the front, I saw military men shooting at some of our people as they began to move inside. Many Kraten bodies lay dead on the floor.

Entering from the side door, the scene inside the prison was worse. Kratens and humans were fighting against each other as they all tried to get free.

There were only two more cages left locked. Looking up at the control center, I noticed nobody in there.

I found Vorian by one of the cages as he hit against the metal lock. "Vorian!" I shouted, running towards him.

His eyes welled up with tears as he grappled with the situation. "Once I unlock these, guide everyone to the side door," I instructed, sensing his growing apprehension.

"How can I be sure you won't run?" he challenged, his grip tightening defensively on my arm.

Glancing up, I saw more guards rushing in. We were running out of time. "Please, just trust me," I implored, locking eyes with him.

He hesitated briefly before letting go. I quickly ran up the stairs to unlock the rest of them. As I was running, somebody pulled my shirt, causing me to fall.

They pointed a gun at my face as I glared at them. "Get off of me, Halle!" I shouted, kicking her in the stomach as she fell.

I got back up and entered the room. Looking for the right button, I was stressing as Halle entered. She ran, grabbing my hair and slamming my face to the glass.

My nose began to bleed as I screamed in pain. "What the hell are you doing?" she shouted as we tussled.

She let go of my hair as I stood up, anger boiling inside. As she charged at me again, I dodged, punching her in the face.

"The right thing," I replied, spitting the blood out of my mouth.

"You don't want to get on my bad side, Thalia," she growled as we began tussling again. I noticed the unlock button and pushed her back as I ran to the control center.

Before my hands could press it, Halle stabbed me with a knife. I cried in pain as she smirked and grabbed my head, showing me the prison.

More guards moved in, taking out everyone. I couldn't see Vorian anywhere. "Do you know what we do to traitors?" she whispered.

I tried to get out of her grasp, but she wouldn't budge. "We kill them," she stressed, adding pressure.

"I don't care," I growled. Seeing that she was in a vulnerable stance, I used my free hand to grab the knife in my belt and ran it into her shoulder.

Halle fell to the ground as I pressed the button, unlocking the cages. There were too many guards, and I had to figure out a way to clear them.

As Halle groaned on the floor, I pulled the fire alarm, causing harsh water to fall from the ceiling. Tearing my clothes to wrap over my wounded hand, I left the control center and ran downstairs.

Vorian was by the side door, leading his people out. I smiled as we all ran to the back, looking around. I had lost Dr. Evans.

As we approached the back entrance, my body froze. Gavin... Emma. I ran to their bodies as they lay on the ground, wounded.

"No, no, no," I shouted, holding Emma up. She was shot multiple times, and my eyes watered seeing her lifeless body.

Vorian led his people into the forest as I knelt beside my dead comrades. What happened over here? I wondered.

Gavin began to cough, and I moved over to his side. "Ru-" he tried to speak, but his torso was slashed, making him helpless.

"Don't speak, I'll get you help," I begged.

"Run," he finally said, causing my eyes to widen.

Vorian came running back, scooping me up as I screamed, seeing bullets appear, shooting at us and killing Gavin on the spot.

My eyes caught Lieutenant Lee as she approached the scene with her team. Vorian was sprinting fast into the woods as I cried, hitting him to go back. We could have saved Gavin.

"Vorian, take me back!" I cried as he ignored me, going deeper into the forest.

"They will follow us. We can't stop," he grumbled.

My hand started to ache now as I lifted it. Vorian caught sight of my wound and gritted his teeth as we moved faster.

The rest of his clan were also running beside us. I had no idea where we were going—all I could think about was the smell of blood... all those dead bodies.

After running for what felt like an hour, we were deep enough in the forest and decided to rest. The Kratens all glared at me as Vorian set me down to rest.

He left to aid his people and help with their wounds. I noticed Eldrith was with the crowd as she spoke amongst her brother. A young man came over to me; I recognized him from school—he would always hang around Xan... the one Lieutenant Lee killed.

"I'm sorry for your loss," I spoke first as he glared at me.

I felt uncomfortable, knowing I was an outsider to them. A human that couldn't be trusted. There was shouting from Eldrith as she hit her brother's chest.

I stood up, concerned, but was pushed back down by Thorin. I stared at him, confused by the sudden aggression.

"You are a prisoner," he growled, picking me up by my hair as I screamed in pain.

Vorian rushed over, throwing Thorin to the ground. I dropped to the floor, hissing as my scalp had been pulled enough today.

"Tik wolfah gee massi bolak," Vorian shouted at the group, causing everyone to grow quiet.

(If you touch her, you'll have to go through me.)

We all stood up again as we continued our journey. Vorian knelt down and clasped two wooden chains over my wrists. I stared at him, confused.

"What are you doing?" I asked as my hands were locked together.

"They won't feel safe if you're free," he mumbled, picking me up again as we walked.