Secrets in The Ashes

Chapter 5

Over the next 2 weeks, we all train hard. The fat fades and is replaced by muscle. We all get stronger and look far more destructive. Bradie walks into the lounge room where I am trying to sleep.

'Oi, Loz! You coming?' Bradie yells into my ear, grinning.

'Die in a hole Bradie.' I mumble.

'Rude. I think I will stay here and pester you, actually.' He says as he leans forward. 'Lalalalalalalalalala!!!'

'Bradie, I swear to God.' I mutter. 'You are dead meat.' I sit up fast and pull him over the couch. He swears and rubs his head as I settle down to sleep again.

Later in the day I am in my bed trying to catch up on the sleep Bradie ruined for me. Will comes in.

'Go away.' I mumble. Then he leans forward and kisses me on the cheek. I open my eyes and look up. 'Ok. You can stay.' I smile. He smirks.

'Catch me.' He runs into the room as I get to my feet. I run and have him trapped against the window. I try to grab his arm, but he jumps out the window.

'Why you little...' I grin and jump out as well. I see him shoot around the corner and I follow quickly behind. I grin and I near the corner. As I whiz past a hear a scream. Will's scream.

I fly faster, my heart racing.

'Will!' I scream, 'Will where are you!?'

'Loz!' I hear a faint scream above me, 'Look out!' I look up too late. A net is dumped on top of me. I struggle against the weight of it, and then it shocks me. It jolts my whole body, paralyzing me. I hear Will scream above me. I fall but am caught strong arms. It is Mateo. The shock stops, it looks like Mateo is draining it.

'You need to leave, now! This is a trap!' I try to say, but my mouth feels numb and swollen. I am still trapped in the net when I see something falling towards us. I scream and point up. Mateo looks up but once again to late. A net swooshes over him, and he loses his grip on my net.

'Mateo!' I scream. Bradie, Issy and Cleo are all trying to get us free. Issy comes to me. 'Issy, run!' I scream. She meets my eyes.

'No. We stick together. We are a team.' She says forcefully. But just before she can free me, another net is dropped on top of her. She screams and electricity flows once more through the veins of the net.

My body curls into itself and I see Issy do the same. Mateo fights against the net, with no victory. I look up and see Cleo and Bradie both trapped also. My last thought before I lost consciousness was that I loved Will.

I wake up on a cold metal bench. I sit up and search frantically, but find Will and Issy further down the bench. My neck is itchy. I try to reach up a hand, but find my hands are in...well have you seen the movie Frozen? You know the handcuffs Elsa has after Hans arrests her? Well, that's what I have. They are connected in the middle, but I have some room. I tense up, ready to try and use my powers when a shock goes down my neck, making me feel ill and dizzy.

I manage to stumble into the corner before vomiting. I feel heavy metal on my back. After I finish vomiting, I look up and see Will's worried face.

'The collars shock you if you try to power up.' I moan. I stand and turn into Will. I rest my head between his neck and his shoulder. I look over and see Issy stand and yawn. Will and I break apart.

'Where are we?' I ask, leaning into Will. I still feel dizzy. Will shrugs but Issy walks to the heavy metal door. There is a small window.

'I'm guessing the others are across the hall.' Issy sighs. I nod and walk slowly to the door. And punch it. And swear.

'Well, it is thick.' I point out, making Issy giggle and Will laugh. We hear a door open and look hopefully across the hall. But the others aren't escaping. Instead, a man in an army uniform comes towards the doors followed by 20 people with massive guns. The army man stops in between the two doors.

'Alright. Listen up. In the next couple of days, you will all be facing the judge. You will be punished for your crimes and will live in a specially made prison for the rest of your worthless lives.' 10 gunmen go to our door, the other 10 to Cleo, Bradie and Mateos.

'Fight?' I whisper. Will looks at me like I have lost my mind.

'Why the hell not!?' He grins. The door is unlocked and 5 guards walk in whilst the others stand around the door. All three of us stand still. The guards look a lot like the Peacekeepers in Hunger Games, but these ones have more muscles.

One walks towards me. I run forward and knee him in the groin. He collapses in pain and the other 4 guards run to get me control. Will takes one and so does Issy whilst I take two. Thanks guys. I use the heavy metal cuffs and hit one in the forehead, making him back off. But it doesn't stop him.

I am kicking and hitting and kneeing and elbowing them, but they are simply stronger. After maybe 5 minutes I am held up by my throat against the wall, Will is writhing on the ground and Issy being thrown over the shoulder of a guard. I struggle to get to Will.The army man walks in.

'You will learn to control yourself Miss...' he trails off, waiting for me to say my name.

'Wildfire.' I spit. I see the army man's anger bubble and he slaps me. I clench my jaw.

'What is you name!' he barks. I just hiss as a reply. He growls. 'Get them to the judge!'

We are huddled into a large courtroom. When we are in a large group, Cleo reminds us of something very important.

'Codenames.' Is all she whispers. I nod and we walk to the podium.

'Who's gonna talk?' Will asks. Everyone looks at me. I sigh and roll my eyes.

'Fine.' I smile. After the courtroom is hushed the judge starts. She drones on and Mateo makes a loud yawning sound, making us laugh. We also get a dirty look from the judge before she continues.

'And in conclusion, all six of these kids will be placed under careful watch in a specially made prison. They have a life sentence from murder, manslaughter and damage to property.' She goes to slam down the hammer.

'Hey!' I yell. She stops and looks at me. 'Why didn't we get to talk?' I growl.

'All six of these kids will be placed under careful watch in a specially made prison. They have a life sentence from murder, manslaughter and damage to property.' And with that the hammer is slammed down and we are dragged off.