Scouter

Chapter 2-Nova

Vallus and the gang ( Vallus in the middle) ( Reeve on the right) and (Ugo on the left)

Just as I was about to return back to the other world, I was jolted back into reality by the pounding on my door. I knew exactly who it would be, but why here, why now; they never came met at home before. As far as I knew I thought that they didn't even know where I lived.

I scrambled for whatever clothes I could find, which happened to be a pair of oversize pants and something that I think used to be a shirt.

I made my way over to the door putting on a fearless front and getting ready to put up a fight if necessary.

Before I could even reach the door, there was a loud thud and the door swung open.

There stood Reeve, Ugo, and the boss of the bunch, Vallus. They all looked infuriated, that was pretty reasonable, considering this was the fifth time they had come to me for the money, only for me to run away, but not before leaving them with bruises and broken bones of course.

"Show no fear".

"Hello boys, hasn't anyone ever told you it's not polite to barge into a girl's room."

His deep voice that was usually calm had a harsh edge to it.

"Oh, cut the crap, you know exactly we're here. You better have the payment."

"Look I'll get it to you next time ok" I needed to close the door soon, I couldn't keep the brave act up much longer.

"It doesn't look like your too motivated, maybe I could help you out here." He gave a sinister smile.

I knew something was coming, but I had no idea what. My mind began to race with the possibilities; I could feel my brave act falling apart. I needed to lose the door now, but before I could Reeve and Ugo were on both sides of me holding me by my arms.

I immediately began to kick and flail my arms in an attempt to escape, I freed myself from their grip and pushed Vallus out of the door way. I dashed out onto the grass.

Moving him seemed easy, a bit too easy. I whipped my head around to find an explanation before I could turn back around I felt a sharp pulling sensation at the base of my skull. One of his men had me by hair; without notice he began to pull me along back to his boss. Vallus moved aside and the hair-puller threw me down on the floor of my room. Ugo and Reeve laughed hysterically as they scooped me up from the floor. Their grip was stronger than last time, their nails dug into my arms. These guys have no ideas how to treat a girl. There was no way I was going to get away this time. But that didn't stop me from trying, I continued to squirm. I almost forgot that Vallus was still there. I took a moment to give him the old Zayla stare down; I put a little extra hate, actually a lot more hate in it so he would get the point. Unfortunately he seemed to be immune to it and stared right back at me with as much if not more abhorrence.

"Ah so you tried to run away, you didn't think I was stupid enough to come with alone did you?"

"No, but I do think you were plain old, dim-witted good for nothing who deserves a life sentence of getting kicked in his man parts."

He put his hands up as if pleading innocents. Something he had none of by the way.

"Ouch, so your bark is as bad as your bite, you are the notorious Zayla after all. You know from what I've heard you fight pretty well that is against when you're against one or two of my guys", he emphasized 'one or two'.

He continued with a pseudo-concerned tone,

" you know, you hurt them pretty bad and it would only be fair if they got a little pay back, don't you think?"

Before I could process what he meant by "payback", I saw a big fist hurdling towards me. The blow made contact with my stomach causing a blunt pain followed the wind rushing out of my lungs.

I doubled over in pain and the two released me. I looked up at Vallus and his henchmen with as much hate in my eyes as I could conjure up.

Despite all the nasty words that were running through my mind all I could do was glare.

"Now don't look at me like that" He said in his fake sympathy voice. I absolutely hate that voice.

"Here to show you that I'm not the heartless bastard that you think I am I got you a position as a Scouter, you start the day after tomorrow, 9:00AM.

I knew I sounded like an idiot but all I could say through my pain was, "Scouter?"

"Yeah it pays off the most dalz and has the most benefits. That way you'll have no excuse for missing the next payment," he paused for a moments, "and if you do you can consider yourself as good as dead."

My body froze over and my mind went numb. I always figure the worst that they would do to me was beat me up. It never crossed my mind that they would go as far as to kill me. I had to be sure that what I wasn't mistaken hearing things. I looked up but the three of them were already gone.

I hated him. I hated my life. I hate this feeling, the feeling of being hopeless, like a scare animal in a corner. Surrounded yet always isolated.

I needed to be alone. I needed to think.

I crawl back to my bed and in the process of doing so I almost tripped over my own foot.

I finally reached my sanctuary and pulled the thin sheet over my head. I laid motionless letting my head clear itself. After a while I finally allowed myself to assess my situation. I started from the top; there are six Primes in Reza. Before Reza there was nothing but unclaimed Terra that only lasted until the people we now call the Starters brought order to the haphazard of people. They set up rules and laws for everyone to follow. Not everyone agreed with their choices but still went along and with time they had set up a food and water distribution system. Once everything settled, only a special handful of them were chosen to take the role of our government. Anything and everything was below them including the five other Primes.

Wanders, those who do not have a purpose and simply survive off of the small rations given to them. Forgers, basically are the one who build homes and make supplies and were the lowest paying position. Above them were the Searchers, who go in search of food, water, or anything else needed. Next are the Clashers, who act as the troops of Reza. They train non-stopped, and it's gotten to the point where they are grotesquely muscled with purple veins popping out everywhere. Despite that they are ready to go to battle at a moment's notice, which earns them the right to be the second best paying job.

The only job above that is the Scouter; spies that travel to Staellum to get information on anything really. Due to the high risk of crossing onto enemy territory, it paid the most.

Up until now I've been a Wander and now Vallus and his buddies are expecting me to go prancing up to Staellum putting myself in danger of who know what and if I don't I get killed.

Totally quid pro quo, right, I mean they get money and I get death, nothing could beat that.

I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I flinch at the pain still dancing in my stomach.

"I can't deal with this".

By now it was around 3:30pm, and I had no interest in leaving my room, so I ate my ration and went back to sleep, and into my world for one last time before the life I once knew got shattered...Again. 

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