The Third War

Chapter Twenty Eight: Zoe

I would like to say my heart was thumping and I tried to escape the fact I was limping to my death, but I can't. I was walking with a couple guards down a hall. There was an awkward silence and Sarah was with us. She very upset, at me.

I guessed losing a "friend" wasn't going over well. I could already feel little thoughts and screams trying to overcome my senses so I focused on the floor ahead me. I thought I might get to make it there ok, just focusing on the floor with no remarks from the guards, aaaand then I heard her.

"ZOE!" and then a thud.

"ZOE STOP!" another thud and a grunt.

"LET ME GO!" a yell from a guard and running footsteps and fighting.

Kris yelled and thrashed, "ZOE!!"

I looked up, "Kris stop."

She stopped and looked at me surprised I had reacted, and not in her defense.

"No! Zoe you-"

"Kris please...don't do this. I want to, it's better. I can't stand it, please let me do this."

I saw the protest spark in her eyes and then the understanding. She knew I was in pain, constantly, but she didn't want me to die obviously.

The pain and betrayal came out in her voice, "Ok, I know you're in pain and...this will bring you peace."

She flinched as I stared at her. She knew I was making sure it was the truth and making sure she was ok. I've seen it too many times in myself. I know what I look like when I'm looking someone over to see if any scars are visible. I had too. My criticizing blue eyes have made sure collars are up just the right way or hair is over my eye just right. It usually proved futile though, Kris would notice and demand I name the bully who hurt me and then there we would be again, me sitting outside the principal's office with Kris in trouble for putting a boy in the hospital. I felt a gun poke me in the side and Kris's eyes flashed, "Don't poke-"

"Kris."

She stopped and stepped back letting two guards grab her arms again and she made sure to sufficiently glare at them in absence of her tongue. I was pushed forward and I could see every single cell in her body screaming at her to tackle the guy but I made sure to keep eye contact telling her no until I walked past.

We kept walking and entered a room with chairs and a little stage and my own little firing squad. How thoughtful. These people had no creative and seemed to be obsessed with doing things the old fashioned way. We were the only ones there besides my shooters and I saw Kris be forced into a seat.

One person went to put restraints on her but a girl held him back and they just sat around her with guns. The message was obviously clear to both of us, either of us tries something and we both die today.

I did exactly I was told.

I think. I'm not sure, I wasn't paying attention, just letting them lead me.

Next thing I knew, I was on the platform and there was huge crowd of people and Kris had her ears covered with her hands and her head in her lap. A bag was thrown over my head and a voice muttered, "No one wants to see your pathetic face."

I'm not pathetic, I bit my tongue no point starting a fight now.

I heard the man that I talked to start talking somewhere behind me. He went on but I wasn't listening. I was playing music. I would've been tapping on my leg if my wrists hadn't been tied behind my back. I was humming though, I couldn't stop it and I doubted anyone could hear or really cared.

Eventually I heard, "Any last words?"

Admittedly knew what I wanted my last words to be. When my brother had been sad I had sang this, promising everything would be all right, he would fall sleep...one way or another.

"Go to sleep dear babe, close your little eyes, sleep will come, I swear on my soul, you will be alright."

My voice rang out and there was silence. No one spoke and I was utterly confused.

One voice came from in front me, "Do we-"

"NO STOP!"

Some people gasped and I heard running footsteps. Suddenly there was a person in front of me. Then I almost fell back.

That was why.

Through the screams in my head and my own voice that one had seemed so familiar.

"Is...is that you Zoe?"