Badlands// H.S

46

"Me." You speak up and here Harry sigh loudly, most people turned to you and you're pushed forward.

"Hmm don't look like much of a leader, but okay." He shrugs and leads you out into the hot air.

"So what are you willing to give us for your freedom?" The man asked, you shrug.

"Depends what you want." You replied, trying to stay calm.

"All of your supplies."

"No." You spoke a bit too quickly, surprising you both.

"What about 60-40 to us, we'll take the most." He offered as you shook your head.

"That's not fair."

"Life's not fair." He countered.

"What about 50-50?" You offered, he thought for a minute before reluctantly nodding.

"You have yourself a deal." He sighed and you walked back under the small ridge.

"So what's the plan?" Harry asks.

"We have to give them half of our supplies, in exchange for our freedom." You speak trying to act like the leader. Immediately people began to argue and protest.

"Shut up!" Harry yelled and they all went quiet. "It's our best chance of survival okay, we're doing it."

"Everyone only pack half of your supplies and make a pile over there." You point to an empty part of the cave and everybody mumbles as they go about their business.

"It doesn't matter how many supplies you have, you're all dead anyway." The leader smiles sickeningly as you glare at him.

"What do you mean?" Harry narrows his eyes.

"I mean you're bodies aren't used to the conditions out here, they're much harsher and deadlier. If you don't die from diseases then the weather or wildlife will take you." He laughs which terrifies you, although you won't let it show. Harry must have told him outside where you all came from.

"Is there any way we can survive?" You question, feeling slightly braver.

"Well there's a vaccine of sorts, but it's hard to come by." The leader shrugs as people began to panic once more. "Oh yeah and one more thing, don't walk in the badlands at night. Unless you want to die." He began to laugh again which made you glare at him, but take his advice too.

"Okay everyone shut up!" Harry yelled. "Give them half of your packs and then we'll be going." He spoke whilst glaring at the leader.

Eventually you stepped back out into the scorching heat, already beginning to feel sweat forming on your forehead.

"Why did you say that you were the leader?" Harry questioned as you walked along the ever growing stretch of land.

"Because I didn't want them to hurt you." You mumbled and looked down, feeling his gaze on you.

"Thanks." He smiled and you lightly returned it before the sound of someone hitting the ground pulls you from your conversation. You turn to see one of your group members had collapsed, he began to fit on the floor as you ran over to him.

"What do we do?" You asked as people looked between each other with no clue. The man then stopped moving altogether, causing your eyes to widen. You swiftly checked for a pulse, nothing. "He's dead." You whispered and moved away from the body, not wanting to look at the pale cloudy eyes.

Do you:

Leave the body (32)

Or bury it (48)