Illinois [#wattys2016 Writer's Debut]

Chapter Seventeen

"This is where the route starts. We have to split up into two teams to take those above ground and stop them from reporting and the other stays down here. They're at the end of the route at the transition between Under City and Scathorne so keep a sharp eye," Cole instructed.

He then divided us into groups and we carried on his orders.

I was assigned to take care of the soldiers underground and so I got on my horse and galloped towards the end of the route with Cole, Dustin, Flint and some other guys from the team. The rest were assigned above.

The end of the route was another tunnel. It was ascending and very step. It was also pretty dark and we only had Dustin's illuminating sparks to light the way. We took very careful steps towards the top.

It was very tranquil as no one spoke. Not even breathing sounds were audible at that moment.

Out of nowhere, a soldier swung from the left wall to the right and left a huge scar on Flint's left cheek.

He attacked the soldier before another one appeared and attacked Cole. Soon, as many as thirty soldiers were there fighting us off.

Our group only had half as many but we were more efficient in a killing.

I felt free and unbounded as I swung my sword and went wild.

I was dueling with this red - headed soldier until my sword caught onto his. He twisted it and it flew out of my arms.

I backed up slowly to find another soldier behind me.

I was panicking. Sweat was trickling down my forehead and the thought of me dead in the middle of a mission to find my father was already in the back of my mind.

They inched closer and inspected me.

"This is her, right?" asked the red - head.

The blonde looked me up and down as I get a little uncomfortable.

"I think so. They didn't give us much detail," the blonde said.

I put both my hands behind me and was warming them up using my fire stock.

The red - head inched closer to me and was going to whisper something in my ear.

I jolted and shook as I held his cheeks, melting him down.

He held onto my hand and dug his nails into them and so I did the same to his cheeks.

The blonde behind him had his mouth gaped open.

"Th - this ih - is not he - her," he stuttered as he turned to run away but he got a little surprise.

Dustin was there smiling at him as he cut him down and let him bleed to death.

He walked over to me. I was tearing up and was still burning the man.

It seems silly but I was confused. Should I stop? How do I stop? The pain I feel from his digging nails is fueling me up with more anger.

Dustin walked calmly to me and put his hands over mine and my fire gradually went out.

The red - head was bawling on the ground and I actually felt guilty of burning his face off but hey, it happens.

Everyone was done with their task and Cole's face seemed to ask if I was fine.

I mouthed to him that, in fact, I was.

He nodded and drew back his sword as he flicked his hand ahead.

We all understood his instructions and prepped ourselves before we started walking again.