The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Fourty Six

Over the next few weeks Charlotte's memories broke lose somewhat, the torture method to her great demise was effective, and he wasn't going easy on her.

The memories she could remember didn't serve much purpose, she'd relived arguments with other members of the group, her pessimistic outlook on the outbreak put a strain on her past friendships and she was outcasted.

She lay awake in bed, heart pounding at the thought of a new day.

Darren would come and drag her down to the left wing of the manor, he'd shove her inside a large metal cage that was wielded into the floor and start his torture methods.

She was always left curled up and weeping when he finally grew bored or unsatisfied with her lack of progress.

On the occasional days where he didn't come for her, meaning he'd been preoccupied with whatever task he'd been given she'd take it with great pleasure and explore as much as she could, always scheming on how to escape.

She'd explored nearly every room and there was nothing, nothing she could harm him or herself with, he was thorough and it made her angry.

She tried to observe Darren as closely as she could manage without being seen. Several meetings were hosted down in the dining room and sometimes if she were lucky she could sit on the concealed stairway and listen in, whilst she was imprisoned in that cell a lot had changed.

She'd learnt that he was part of a large group named 'The New Tide,' Roger's legacy to overthrow Britain and rule. Their aim was to kill anyone who did not follow their belief system so they could live in power, what that system was Charlotte wasn't sure.

A lot of people had tried to flee but it was no use, they all died before they got the chance to.

They worked for a man named Koro who was from what Charlotte heard one of the most feared men to walk the earth. Charlotte heard stories that made her whole body shake.

But that wasn't the worse part, Koro had a right hand man, or woman, 'The Vindicta.' Nobody knew who they were, their identity remained anonymous. The Vindicta was his executioner, they'd killed more people than Charlotte could even fathom. They'd worked their way up through the ranks over months of executions, their name was feared the most.

She also learnt that the group she had belonged to was called The Resistance, whether they'd chose that name or not she couldn't remember.

The meetings held in the manor were the only way she could track time. She felt as though she was still in her cell only this time she could see.

The manor was empty, Darren didn't keep any company, Charlotte was unbelievably lonely.

She was sitting by the window, watching the snow from December build up gradually across the landscape, a sound made her head snap up and Darren was in the room.

He stopped and observed her with narrowed eyes, he was wearing protective gear, most likely back from a mission from Koro.

Charlotte tried not to cower back in fear but she could not help it, the fear she felt from his presence alone left her gasping for air.

When he finally spoke he was full of hatred.

"I've been given strict instructions by Koro himself, if your memory is not recovered in a months time you will move onto the next member of The New Tide, and the next, until you are a shell of yourself and your mind finally breaks."

Charlotte felt herself pale, her eyes grew wide, she hadn't thought about what would happen if her memories did not return.

This worsened things, she hadn't known that she'd be used over and over by different men until her mind and body gave up. She'd drawn the conclusion of being killed, she wasn't sure why she was so valuable.

She would of preferred to be killed.

She felt a question escape her lips before she had the chance to stop and think.

"Why am I so Valuable, surely your group have gone after other members of The Resistance, why me?" She croaked lowly.

Darren's expression flickered briefly, "You haven't been keeping up with news have you? Oh wait you can't." With that he retrieved something from his pocket and threw it at her feet, a newspaper of some kind was on display in front of her.

She couldn't remember the last time she saw one of those, let alone read them, it must of been manufactured whilst she was imprisoned. What she could remember of the outbreak was very little yet she remembered that newspapers were not a thing, groups kept to themselves and there was no war between humans over power.

She hesitantly leant down and fished it up she went to start reading but looked up hesitantly at Darren who was still watching over her, a taunting expression on his face.

"Are you going to just stare at me?" She asked flatly.

He grinned slightly, "I want to see the colour leave your face."

Charlotte kept her expression cool but could feel her heart drop slightly, she looked down at the page.

A picture caught her attention, it was the Vindicta, dragging a skeleton behind them. They were in protective expensive gear, a mask sealing their face.

Charlotte could tell by the picture that they were cold, unyielding, full of hatred. After something.

The Vindicta bought back the last remaining body of  'The Resistance,' Autumn Fortune-knight (Roger's unfaithful daughter) her skeleton now lies amongst the others.

Society is in uproar at the news, the only surviving member left is Charlotte Victoria who is being kept under careful watch by Darren Whitlock, she is to be kept alive until her memory is cracked and the secrets of 'The Resistance' unfolds. After her mind breaks she will also be joining her traitor former group.

Charlotte dropped the newspaper and felt her heart shatter, her chest heaved and she doubled over and retched onto the floor.

Grief spread violently throughout her, it felt as though she had just died. Although she couldn't remember them she remembered that she had loved them.

They were all dead, everyone.

"That's why you are valuable." Darren sneered before exiting the room.