Broken World

Chapter 16

       "Welcome to my lair. Just kidding. Either way come on in," Jim says with a huge smile on his face.

       "How'd you get past the DNA scanner?" I ask.

       "Hacks, my friend, hacks," he says with a wicked smile.

       "Okay then, anyway I need you to get me back on air as soon as possible," I say urgently.

       "Give me thirty seconds," he says turning and typing something on a computer. "Okay, you're on in thirty seconds."

       I sit down in front of the computer, and when Jim points to me I say, "I apologize for taking over your TVs again, but I had to say something really important. Screw getting leaders. Even some kids are changing. It's time to just survive. That's the only choice. Good luck people. God bless you all." When I fall silent Jim hits a button, and looks at me with a grim expression.

       "That must've been a difficult announcement to make. I'm sorry you had to make it," Jim says sympathetically.

       "Kind of hard, but I had to do it, so it's okay," I say with a grim smile.

       "Okay, I'm going to do some other things with this technology, so I can secure this place for you," he says.

       "Good because I might choose this place to make a camp and home for refugees," I say then realizing what I said I cover my mouth with a gasp. "Please don't tell anyone I said that!"

       "Your secret's safe with me, Delilah," he says while pretending to zip his lips.

       "Thanks. I'm gonna go take care of people," I say slipping towards the door.

       "Okay, see ya later," he says as I slip out the door. As I walk down the stairs I hear loud thuds.

       "Delilah! Delilah, get down here!" I hear Zoe scream. At the voices I break into a sprint and run for the doors.

       "What the hell's happened?" I exclaim breaking into the room. When I see the azoms and kizoms bashing into the door the first thing I think and say is, "Holy mother of God Almighty Jesus Christ's Father!"

       "That's a hilarious phrase and all, but help us out will you?" Max grumbles.

       "Sorry, I say things like that when I freak out," I say.

       "I DON'T GIVE A FLYING FRICK JUST HELP!" Zoe screams at me. I draw my knife and push past them all. I fling the doors open and the azoms and kizoms are shoved to the sides. I slam the doors behind me and lash out. I start stabbing and hitting and fighting. The things are dropping left, right, and center. All of a sudden Kellin's there with a knife of his own, and he's hitting them and slashing and making them drop like rocks.

       "Watch out!" Kellin screams. I duck and he stabs an azom over top of me, and the blood sprays all over me.

       "Duck!" I scream. He drops into a squat, I jump over him, and I land on a kizom taking it down and stabbing it.

       "Thanks, babe," he says smiling while lunging for an azom.

       "No problem, baby," I say stabbing another one of the azoms. Max comes out with a wood plank and starts beating the things' heads in. Zoe comes out wielding a Taser and electrocuting anything that comes near her. Brandon pops out with a pool stick, and I can't help but laugh at the patheticness of all of us. After all the things have dropped my arms are throbbing, and everything hurts. I'm exhausted beyond belief, and I look around to see everyone else, and I come to realize they are in better state than me. I'm panting, and I start to walk towards the doors, but the room begins spinning. I freeze and take several deep breaths.

       "Hey, you okay?" Max comes over and asks.

       "Y-yeah, I think so," I say still panting.

       "You don't look okay," he says looking concerned. He puts his hand on my shoulder and starts rubbing my back like he used to. The feeling makes my knees buckle, and he catches me. He scoops me into his arms and kisses me. He immediately regrets it.

       "Did you just do what I think you just did?" Kellin growls.

       "D-do wh-what?" Max stutters, obviously terrified.

       "You know what! You bastard! How dare you do that?" Kellin screams rushing at Max. Max sits me down quickly, and Kellin hits him, hard. I remember he used to play football, and I honestly feel bad for Max. That's when my protective instinct takes over.

       "Get off him, Kellin!" I scream at him. When he does nothing I throw myself into the fight. I throw punches and kicks. I grab arms and shove them apart. "I said break it up! Now stop!" I don't think I could've screamed any louder. They fall apart, and I pant from the struggle. They hit me several times, but I don't care.

       "I'm sorry, babe. I just got a little jealous," Kellin says.

       "Yeah, I'm sorry too. I couldn't help myself. Your just so beautiful," Max says, and Kellin growls.

       "Whatever, it doesn't matter. What matters is we all need to rest. Who knows if or when those things will attack again?" I say. They nod in agreement, and I walk through the doors barely holding myself up. Between the cold and the exertion I think I may collapse. My breath is labored, and it feels as if something is crushing my lungs. That's when my body gives up, and I collapse right there with a grunt. I'm now laying in the middle of the doorway breathing heavily. Kellin scoops me up, and I can tell by the strain on his face that he's at the end of his energy as well. He carries me to the same room we slept in last night and gently sits me down. Then he collapses to the ground as well.