Blood And Ashes

chapter 09: into the valley of death

Lucy's POV:

The tension in the air was palpable as the argument escalated between Logan and me. His words were like knives, slashing through my patience, but I refused to let them wound me. Maisie tried to mediate, her chaotic energy making the situation even more intense. Tallon, always composed, stood nearby, his fists clenched at his sides, an undercurrent of rage barely contained. And Jace, well, I've never seen him so pissed off since Tom left us and now he was ready to jump in if things turned physical. "Logan, enough!" I finally snapped, my voice firm. "We're all stressed out, but that doesn't give you the right to talk to me like that." He lets out a bitter chuckle, which echoed throughout the forest. "Oh, give it a rest, Lucy. You're always playing the victim, acting like everyone should cater to your emotions," Logan retorted, his tone dripping with venom. I felt a surge of anger, my cheeks flushing with a mix of frustration and hurt. But before I could respond, a voice I didn't recognise interrupted the tension." Looks like we've got a proper mess here, innit?"

I turned to see a girl, someone I'd never seen before, standing a few feet away. Her accent was strong, a Londoner through and through. Her appearance was dishevelled, her clothes worn and dirtied from her journey, yet her eyes held a fierce determination. "Who the hell are you?" Logan sneered, his attention shifting to the newcomer. "Name's Mel, if you must know," she replied, her gaze steady. "Been followin' you lot for a while. Since I came to Cannock actually, London was a little too... touristy, even when it was burnin' up in flames. Needed a new beginning. You lot know how to put on a show, quite the spectacle, I must say." Logan's eyes narrowed, suspicion written all over his face. "Watching us? Why?" Mel shrugged nonchalantly. "Curiosity, I guess. Figured I'd introduce myself, now that I've gotten a proper eyeful of your little drama."

The tension was momentarily diffused by Mel's unexpected appearance, but it didn't take long for it to rear its ugly head again. Logan's anger seemed to know no bounds. He took a step towards me, his fists clenched. "You think you're so perfect, huh, Lucy? Always acting like you've got everything together." I felt my chest tighten, a mixture of indignation and sadness welling up. Before I could respond, though, Tallon's voice cut through the turmoil. "Logan, that's enough!" Tallon's tone was sharp, a bite of anger beneath his calm exterior. As Logan took another step closer, his hand raised as if to strike, something unexpected happened. Mel lunged forward, intercepting Logan's swing, her movements swift and fluid. The force of her impact knocked Logan off balance, causing him to stumble. "What the hell?" Logan exclaimed, his surprise evident. Mel's eyes blazed with intensity as she stood between Logan and me, her stance defensive. "You've got a problem, mate, you take it out on someone who wants to fight back. Leave the girl alone." Logan glares at Mel, and my heart began to race as I watched the chaotic scene unfold before me, my breath catching in my throat. Mel and Logan were locked in a fierce and intense fight, their movements fluid and calculated. Mel moved with grace and precision that left me in awe, while Logan's blows were fuelled by anger and desperation. The air crackled with tension as they circled each other, a storm of emotions swirling around them. Logan's face was a mask of determination, his fists clenched as he swung punches at Mel. But she moved like a shadow, effortlessly dodging his attacks and countering with swift and calculated strikes. Each movement was a testament to her skill, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and admiration for her prowess. Maisie, always thriving off chaos, circled the fight like a vulture, her eyes gleaming with manic energy. She seemed to revel in the violence, her laughter mixing with the sounds of their grunts and the clash of fists. It was unsettling, the way she seemed to feed off the intensity of the moment.

Tallon, standing at the edge of the scene, wore a cruel smile on his face. He seemed almost proud as if Mel's actions were validating his twisted desires. The sight of him made my stomach churn, the depth of his darkness laid bare for me to see. Then it happened. In a swift and unexpected move, Mel lunged at Logan, her knife flashing in the dim light. The blade met its mark with a sickening thud, and Logan's body jerked in response. Blood spattered the ground, painting a gruesome tableau of violence. My breath caught as I processed what had just happened. Logan staggered back, his face contorted in pain, bloodied and battered. Mel stood before him, her chest heaving, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "Love from Essex," she declared, her voice laced with pride, a manic smile spreading across her lips, which weirdly matched Tallon's. The words sent a shiver down my spine, a stark reminder of the brutality of this new world we lived in.