Friendly Fire

Rinna Bane - (45) Taking The Blame

We all regrouped again at the Guild Hall after redirecting the remaining survivors to venture further South to the next province over and pray that they will be safe and remain undiscovered.

Leonard was sure that no one heard him as he spoke to one of the civilians who was now going to lead the herd instead of myself.

While he was gone, I could feel Raphael's and Sophia's eyes on me.

They're blaming you for Dawn's death.
They're blaming you for Lily's death.
They're blaming you for failing to take the civilians to a safe haven.
They're blaming you. They're blaming you. They're blaming you.

I just sat in silence, letting my thoughts take over.

Felix emerged after settling Private Riley into his prison cell.

I prayed that history wouldn't repeat itself. That I'd lose him or another member of The Resistance. "How... how is he?"

Felix shrugged. "Our medic patched him up before joining the evacuation 2.0, it would only be a matter of time before we know for sure if he's alright. Right now, he's stable. He just needs rest."

"Right..." I looked down at my lap and as I did so, Felix took off his jacket and wrapped it around me. I didn't understand why until I realized that my hands were shaking. The shock still hasn't left my mind or body.

"It's going to be okay."

Raphael rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Okay?! We lost Dawn, Lily, and multiple innocents in the fire! Not to mention that The Elite Strike Force are still out there hunting us like prey! Despite the upper hand we have, we are still losing!"

I wrapped myself tighter in Felix's jacket as if it would shield me from the world. I wanted the ground to badly open up beneath me and swallow me whole.

Raphael continued. "Not to mention. You're allowing our enemy to live. Our prisoner needs to die, he doesn't deserve our fucking hospitality."

"That prisoner is my best friend!" I snapped. "You don't know him like I do!"

Raphael only growls louder. "You were supposed to stab him and kill him during your initiation trial. You are not one of us Rin Bane."

His words struck me hard and kept me quiet. It didn't stop the tears that were now pricking at my eyes.

This is what you get for putting your heart on a silver platter. People will just gobble it up.

I felt Felix run his hand up and down my back to soothe my mind, body, and soul.

"Rinna is one of us. Always has been. Always will be. Now, you will listen to me. Shut your ass up and leave both her and our prisoner alone."

History is repeating itself.
Two members arguing, the stunt we will execute will lead to a betrayal, the loss of both another one of our own and a friend.
Raphael or Felix and Private Riley.
Two of them will die before my eyes.
And I'll be the next to join them.

Sophia joined at my side, taking my shaky hands in hers and glares at Raphael. "What's gotten into you Ralphie?"

It was as if a mirror shattered in his mind, and he woke up to see what his words were doing to me. "Rin..."

I didn't dare look up at him. "That's... that's not my name..."

He sighed in annoyance. "Rinna."

"You don't have to answer him..." Felix spoke from behind.