The fall

Chapter 33

Penelope

I finished the fight, methodical and quick, like a machine. When the last of the creatures fell to the ground with a sickening thud. I was completely soaked in blood but I just turned and walked away, leaving Arlo behind in the mud while he was begging for his life. His cries echoing faintly in the distance.

The other valortorian soldiers didn't care either. They were already heading back to headquarters, eager to collect their trophies and head home. No one even bothered to look for Arlo.

I did my job, didn't I? I don't care what happens to the others. When I finally made it back to headquarters, covered in blood and grime, I atleast expected a warm meal, a cold drink, and maybe finally some peace and quiet. But unfortunately Richard was waiting for me, his was twisted in disappointment.

"You left him behind," He started, his voice sharp enough to cut through stone. "You left a fellow soldier to die."

I didn't flinch, I didn't even look guilty. Instead, I offered him the same cold smile I'd given Arlo.

"And?" I said, my voice flat. "Not my problem. He was a valortorian. You're the one who keeps sending me to work with them. It's not my fault if they can't keep up."

His fists clenched at his sides, he knows that It's pointless to argue now that I'm already lost. "You do not leave a soldier behind, Penelope. That's the rule. You follow orders."

I shrugged. "I don't do 'rules'. I don't do 'orders'" I paused, letting my words sink in. "I do what I need to do to survive. I don't have time to play heroes."

Richard took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure, but it was clear I was pushing him to the brink. He opened his mouth to scold me yet again, but one of the other soldiers—a thin, sycophantic little weasel—spoke up before he could.
"Commander, she should be punished! She broke protocol. She—"

Richard immediately cut him off with a sharp tone. "Shut the hell up."

The soldier recoiled, shrinking back into the shadows. The rest of the crowd fell quiet, tension thick in the air. I just stood there, arms crossed, staring at Richard like he was another minor inconvenience in my day.

His gaze locked on mine, his voice now low. "You want to play it this way, Pen?" He said slowly. "Then you can clean the entire training ground tomorrow after practice. All of it. I don't give a fuck if you like it or not. Understood?"

My stomach churned. Cleaning? Seriously? I hated cleaning. It was demanding and completely beneath me. I'd rather kill another five hundred sinners—I opened my mouth to protest, but Richard didn't give me the chance.

"End of discussion," he said firmly.

I shot him a glare. "You've got to be kidding me."

"No," he replied, unwavering "You broke the rules. Now, you clean."

I wanted to argue, to yell, to throw some sarcastic retort his way. But I knew there was no point. It was this or that lab. I hated it, but it wasn't like I had any choice. I wasn't about to risk making things worse. Not when the other soldiers were grinning from ear to ear.
So, I did the only thing I could do: I walked away, heading inside headquarters with my fists clenched, seething quietly. I swear I'll murder their entire population.

Fine, I'd clean. I absolutely despised this idea. But I'd do it. Just like I always did. I'd survive.