Remember Me

Chapter Four

May 17, 2041
I-75, Georgia

Yesterday when we made the decision to go rouge, we took all the fire power we could carry. Ammo, guns, hand-held grenades, anything to help us, I figured we would need to leave as soon as possible, we probably only had until sunset before the resistance figured something was up.

So that leads us to now, riding on the Interstate going straight to Las Vegas so we could destroy Sir Jerksalot as soon as possible. We had two military grade jeeps and one helicopter, which Chloe was flying up above us, equipped with its own mini gun.

Most people might think that what we were doing was impossibly crazy and should never be attempted. But I joined the resistance with one goal in mind, get revenge on Jeremiah, and I was not about to quit when I was the closest I had ever been to doing so.

People always wonder why I wanted revenge on Jeremiah, and as I sat in the jeep riding down the Interstate, the memories I tried so hard to forget came back to me.

~~~Flashback~~~

It was almost ten years ago when something I'll probably never understand or forget happened.

I was in Las Vegas for a job, I was a veterinarian and the owner of the dog I was preforming surgery on didn't have enough money to come to me, so I went to them. I checked into my hotel and put my bags in my room, deciding to go out and eat.

I decided to walk so I could admire the large, vibrant city.

Worst mistake of my life.

As I walked down the street, looking for a restaurant, I felt like I was being watched, I brushed off the feeling, thinking it was probably because I was in a new place. But the feeling persisted as I found myself walking next to a dark ally. Next thing I know I am grabbed roughly by my arm and dragged into the ally. My mouth is covered by a hand and there is no way I could escape the strong grip of my captor. Panic runs through my veins as I am dragged further into the ally, the man presses my head closer to his body so I couldn't move it and I realize we are next to a building.

He uses his other hand to open the door and pushes me inside closing the door behind him.

"What are you doing?! Who are you?!" I yelled, hoping to get someone's attention.

As if he was reading my mind, he said "No one can hear you. As for who I am, you should already know that."

And he was right, I recognized that voice. It was a voice from a person I used to know, "Is that really you, Jeremiah?"

"Yes."

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked slowly.

There was silence.

"I said, why did you bring me here?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.

He still didn't answer but instead walked to a table a hadn't noticed before and picked up something that I couldn't make out what it was in the darkness. He brought it closer to me and an overpowering stench came over me. I suddenly realized what the smell was.

It was gasoline.

He was holding a gas can.

Then I realized something that made my blood run cold.

He's going to burn me alive.

~~~End Flashback~~~

"Hey, Rachel, you've been quite the whole trip, are you ok?" Ashlyn asked me, worry evident in her voice.

"Oh, uh, yeah, yeah I'm fine." I finally got my mouth to say, "Just, uh, thinking, about things."

"Okay," she looked at me with concern, "Jeremy just asked you a question."

"Sorry, what is it Jeremy?" I asked.

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to keep going or rest for the night." He said.

I thought for a moment, "Let's find a place where Chloe can land, then we can rest for the night."

"10-4."

~~~30 minuets later~~~

We finally found somewhere Chloe could land and set up camp there. The set up was simple and easy to take apart, simply six sleeping bags surrounding a small fire to cook food and keep us warm. Chloe cooked some of the soup we brought with us as Jeremy fueled up the helicopter. Bella sat next to me in her sleeping bag, she must of noticed that no one was paying any attention to us because the next thing I know she slides slightly closer to me and begins to speak.

"What's been up with you lately?" She asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked, mildly interested.

"You know what I mean. You're usually the 'look on the bright side' optimistic one, but recently you've been..." she searched for the right word, "zoned out. Like your always thinking about something thats either already happened or could happen." She finished.

"Your right, I am." I said simply.

"Then what are you thinking about?" She asked.

"That story," I said, "is for another time." Then I stood up and walked to the jeep to grab bowls for the soup.

~~~Later that night~~~

I sat back, with my interlaced fingers at the base of my skull, and watched the stars, more memories filling my mind...

~~~Flashback~~~

He's going to burn me alive.

"Jeremiah," I said slowly, "what are you doing?"

"You are the reason I am like this!" He said angrily, "You made me into this monster!"

He started coming towards me with the gas can, I was terrified.

But he walked around me... 'thats strange.' I thought

I turned to see where he was walking, straight towards a pile of... something.

He poured gasoline all over whatever it was, and turned to face me.

"Oh, Rachel... oh poor, clueless Rachel." He said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter.

"You don't even know whats going on."

There was a moan if pain from the pile, the strange thing was...

My stomach tightened. I recognized that noise, my brother made it whenever he felt sick.

"Do you realize what's happening now?" He asked.

He lit the pile on fire.

I watched in horror as my family burned, 'I can't just sit around and watch!' I thought.

I got up and ran toward the burning bodies of my family, smoke and sadness causing me to choke. When I reached them the logical side of my brain told me it was to late, but they were my family, I had to try.

I reached into the flames and grabbed the first thing I could reach, my brothers foot. My hand and face burned but I continued to separate each of my family members and attempt to put the flames out.

By the time I was able to do so, my family members, mom, dad, younger and older brother, were all crisp bodies on the floor. Tears flooded down my checks and my body burned so badly, I ended up passing out from the excruciating pain.

~~~End Flashback~~~

I opened my eyes, real tears falling down my face. I wiped them away and looked around the campsite, everyone else was asleep, 'I guess I should follow their example' I thought.

A few moments later I was asleep, little did I know  that someone, or something was watching my every move, very closely.