Curiosity Killed the Cat

Journey

Jason's POV
NOT EDITED
Packing and moving everyone might be the hardest part. We've lived here all our lives. The farthest we've ventured from camp was the line between the mountains and forest. Not only that, we have so many weapons and tunnels underground that took decades to make.

But it is time to move on. We should have many years before, in fact. We are too close to The Walls, and it took me until now to realize why they would attack us every few years, sometimes decades.

When we were off guard.

They didn't want us to evolve into something more powerful. They wanted to keep us to the level of barbarians, in their eyes. Just when we started to update technology and our camp, they would destroy it. They take away our lives and loved ones just to contain us.

I hate them. I will not stop until they're all dead, turned to dust by our secret bombs.

Except Kat, of course.

We take the necessities to survive, but most prized possessions that are useless are left behind.

"We'll come back some day. You know, after we take down The Walls," I reassure everyone. This seems to work, since they take one last look before following me into the forest.

Sheesh, I really wish we had some of those motor bikes or vans with us. This trip could go by a lot faster and easier.

Naomi catches up to the front, right beside her. I give her a glance, confused by her almost expectant gaze staring right at me.

"What?" I snap irritably.

She looks away quickly. "Nothing. Sorry."

Whatever.

There's a long silence, but I don't take much notice to it. All I'm thinking about is Kat at the moment. How am I going to get her back without blowing her up? And how soon will I be able to? She'd make this trip a whole lot more fun.

I find my lips twitching as I look back on memories. Her laughing, face illuminated by the soft glow of a fire. And then there's that annoyed look that she always gives me when she's angry. It never lasts long. I always find a way to make her smile in seconds.

"She's never coming back, you know," Naomi speaks up, cruelly snapping me out of my happy daydreams.

"Excuse me?" I say, this time giving her a full on stare, challenging her to say it again.

Naomi purses her lips. "They've brainwashed Katerina even more than she already was. You really think that even if we do somehow get her, that she'll ever remember you? Or stop trying to kill you?"

"She's coming back!" I shout furiously, closing the subject immediately.

The chatter among the group falls silent. Everyone glances at me uneasily, along with soft murmurs that I can't catch. I feel a blush creep into my cheeks.

"Kat is still in there, I know it. If she wasn't, she would've killed one of us back there," I say. But I'm not so sure myself. For all I know, Kat could be just an empty shell of her old self.

Blue, who trots beside me, let's out a whimper from the constant sound of his companion's name. I see him look for her a few times before giving up.

Author's Note-
Sorry for the short-ish chapters, hopefully long ones are to come! After this book, I may or may not make this a series. If I don't, I still have plenty of ideas for other books so please check them out when they're published!
-Rose D.