The World is After Us

Chapter 3

A/N: 

Hello! So if you read the first book Us Against the World, then you probably think that Ander is dead, but I decided to remaster a couple chapters in order to keep him in the story. Sorry for any confusion! Thank you for reading :)

With our hands tied behind our backs, the soldier leads us back to the community gates. He leans his head into his left shoulder, and talks into his hands-free walkie talkie. He tells the others that we had been captured, and that we are on our way back to the community for examination and trial. 

I look over at Jexton worriedly, and he just stares ahead and walks without struggle. We couldn't get away now even if we tried, and the fear begins to eat me alive. They know that we were the ones that killed all of the missing soldiers. I then think about Ander, and knowing that his whereabouts are unknown to us makes me nervous. 

Remembering Ander sends shivers down my spine. Jexton and I are in a lot of trouble now, and I can only imagine what is going to happen to us. I am surprised that we weren't shot down as soon as we were spotted, but I am thankful for it as well. As to how we are going to be tried considering Ander is no longer there is still in questioning. 

When we make it up to the gates, the soldier shoves us forward and leans into his walkie talkie again. "We're at the gates, open up." 

The gates open moments later, and we are greeted by a mass amount of men in uniforms. And as they simultaneously split into two sides, a tall figure is revealed in the center. It's Ander. 

My heart pounds as the soldier walks us into the community and the gates slowly close behind us. He walks us up to Ander, who smiles widely when he sees us. He has a white bandage wrapped around his shoulder, where he had been shot during the fight. 

"Ah, Farrah, my favorite German girl! Welcome back, welcome back!" Ander says excitedly. Goosebumps cover every inch of my skin, and I can't find myself able to look away from him to see Jexton's reaction. Ander claps his hands together and entwines his fingers, rocking back and forth like a happy child. 

"Well, where do we start, hm?" he asks, looking around. "Gentlemen, please, can we have some privacy?" he asks the soldiers, and they obey him without any hesitation. He then pulls one by the shoulder, and he stops in his tracks. "Please tell Miss Stephan to open her doors for our welcoming." the soldier nods, then walks off. Ander gestures to his left, and the three of us begin walking. 

"Fear not, lost ones. We have been looking everywhere. I came back after I was shot thinking that the two of you would as well, but I was wrong. Where did you go, anyway?" Ander asks, and neither Jexton nor I say a word. Jexton looks angry, and I am terrified. 

"We did a death count, Jex. Almost fifty people went down. That's including soldiers and citizens. You guys are tough kids."

"You're definition of a tough kid is our definition of a weak man." Jexton mumbles, and Ander stops walking; forcing us to stop as well. 

"What was that, little brother?" Ander asks, and Jexton glares at him. He says nothing, and then Ander turns around and we continue walking. 

"Miss Stephan is our mistress. She takes in all the newbies and checks them for ticks; metaphorically speaking." Ander says. He says no more words until we are at the front door of the apparent Miss Stephan's house, and he knocks on the door lightly. Moments later, a tall woman with blonde hair opens the door and welcomes us in warmly. 

"This is them?" Miss Stephan asks sweetly and Ander nods. He places his hand above Jexton's head, then points to me. 

"Little brother Jex, and his girlfriend Farrah."

"I'm not his girlfriend." I spit, glaring at Ander at the same time Jexton says, "She's not my girlfriend." Ander laughs, and Miss Stephan smiles, then gestures to the kitchen. 

"Have a seat, I'll make some tea. Or coffee, or whatever you'd like." 

"I'm not thirsty." Jexton says sternly, and Ander shakes his head at him. 

"Now, now, little brother. Don't be so rude. You're a guest. Take Miss Stephan's kind offer." he then looks up at the woman and smiles. "He'll have a hot tea with lime, and an ice water for the little one." Miss Stephan nods, and the three of us take a seat at her kitchen table. 

"So, kids, what's the outdoor life been like to ya? Anything mystical?" Ander says as if 'mystical' was the most intriguing word in the world. He even makes hand gestures to emphasize it. Jexton and I stay silent. There's nothing that this man can or will say that will get us to answer him. 

"Oh, c'mon, you guys gotta talk some time. You can't stay silent forever." Ander drags the last word, and Jexton and I continue to glare at him. Just then, Miss Stephan makes her way over to the table with a pitcher of iced water in one hand and three tea mugs held by the handles in her other. She sets them gently on the table, then turns and smiles at Jexton. 

"Your tea will be done in a few moments. Can I get anyone a snack or two?" she asks, and Jexton shakes his head. He turns back to Ander, but I keep my eyes on Miss Stephan. 

"Do you have cinnamon cookies?" I ask, and Miss Stephan nods quickly. She then spins on her heal and makes her way back into the kitchen. 

"Wow, little bird. You're talking before Jexton. How surprising. You really must have been hungry." Ander says, and I lean forward, eyeing him deeply. 

"Listen, I don't know what you're up to, but you're not gonna get away with it." I blurt, and Ander's eyes grow wide. He leans forward across the table as well, and places his hands on the smooth surface. 

"You seem to have gotten tougher since we last spoke. Did you forget that we were in the same boat during that fight? Where is that sick brother of yours, anyhow?"

I shake my head and lean back in my chair. My heart is beating at a normal pace again, and I turn my head to face the inner part of the kitchen; watching Miss Stephan as she shuffles around. And when I hear Jexton's voice speak up, I turn my ear up to listen. 

"What are you going to do now? She found the camps. She saw everyone. What are you gonna do?"

Ander makes a ticking sound with his mouth and shakes his head. Miss Stephan comes back with a plate full of cinnamon cookies and a steaming pitcher of lime tea. She sets the two in the center of the table next to the water, then takes a seat across from Ander.

"Feel free to pour yourself. The tea is really hot, though." she says, and I nod. I say nothing, and wait for the boys to continue their conversation. 

"It's not about what I'm going to do." Ander says. "It's about when I'm going to do it."