Defiance | Book 1 [EXTENDED]

CHAPTER 32

We seemed to be walking for hours. It was getting hotter as the sun rose higher up above us, the buildings casting shadows on the sidewalk.

"Where are we going?" I asked,

"Full of questions, aren't you, Rookie?" The woman said, nudging me, forcing me to walk faster,

"Rookie?"

"Yeh, a fresh new replacement after our last one" She sounded Australian. She had dark red hair, tied into a ponytail that fell down her back, she wore blue converse and kaki cargo pants which blended with the matching camo backpack and white tank top. A belt laden with grenades and bullets hung from her waist. She wasn't that much older that me, maybe eighteen, nineteen,

"What happened to the last one?"

"Got electrocuted from the power-plant heist"

"Now, now, Demi, don't go scaring our 'Newbie', she's only just got here" the guy in front of her said. He was toned, he had a long dragon tattoo across his left bicep. His hair was short and brown. He wore a NASA shirt and loose denims. He was in his early twenties. He turned back and winked at me, which I ignored by looking away,

"God, calm yourself, Cal, don't go drooling over the newbie either," she replied pushing him forward with her gun,

"I remember when you first poked your gun in my back," He said, grinning widely. He didn't look at her but obviously he was referring to the first time he was found, by the so-called 'Demi'.

"Quit your bickering! Both of you! We're gonna get caught" Southern, definitely southern. His accent was deep and thick. His hair was turning white and his muscular figure had loose wrinkles. He was the one that killed the mutant. He was the chief, the leader, the mafia, whatever you call it. This was his gang. He was also the oldest one, but he walked with a stride that was powerful and not one bit weak. But seeing what he wore, a Navy seal, grey shirt, which was tucked into his camo pants and old combat boots that were worn out, I could see he was a very important person, a true American patriot.

We walked for a couple more minutes before we reached our destination. We walked into the run down dental clinic and marched up two flights of stairs, stopping at a door marked, 'Dr P. Mazda". The southern man from the Navy, tapped on the door, in a sequence. The door immediately swung open, reviling several people, working. Human people.
"where am I?" I asked directing my question to the Older man,

"You're in Dr Mazda's office!" He said swinging his arms up in exaggeration causing giggles from the others.

"Are you Dr Mazda?" I asked not seeing the humour in that,

"No, fortunately, Mr Mazda is dead. I'm Kernel Ridicker, but you can call me Bek. And you are?"

I just responded with, "Just Alex"

"Alright, 'Just Alex', let me introduce you to our team. This is Calvin, my son" He said pointing to the male who winked at me as we walked here. His son? "This is Demitra" he announced motioning to the red head who scowled at her name,

"It's Demi, Bek"

"Moving on! This is Lionel, out technician, Lawrence our medicine- guy, Sam, our weapon crafter..."

The list went on as he introduced me to all the people in the room. PEOPLE. REAL PEOPLE.