Running Alive

Chapter 3.2

Third Person Point of View:

It has been five months ever since Ghiel separated from her friends. Luke and the others were devastated from the scenario. Yet, they proved that they can continue to go on even if the worst of the problems happen. Ghiel dealt with the consequences of her proposed deal, which made her think that actions really come with responsibilities.

Thus, a rivalry has formed between these two groups. Both wanting to take the other down. Will these groups survive the game of destiny?

Ghiel's POV:

Five months is enough for me to adjust to James' rules here in the headquarters. Living here is better than out in the streets, where there are walkers. Sometimes, being ambushed by dangerous people. James had strictly prohibited sick people in this community for they are waste of resources. He also ban hostile people. Well in my case, yeah I was one of those people. Until he changed his heart and welcomed me here.

I never thought the people in here would know me. Eventually, what was happening to him and his group was reported back here. At first, some of the people here looked at me like I'm some sort of a criminal ready to be judged by the jury. But then I proved that I was no criminal in this community and now everyone is nice to me. I felt relief that there were a lot more people left in this world. Haven't seen this many people ever since this bloody hell hole started.

But, I never thought that surviving here would require such brutality. Why? The things they do to get supplies... They hunt their victims. Groups of four will set out a journey of finding people. After they find their victims, they make fools out of them. They sweet talk their way and let the victims think they would be "saved" by the groups. When they think that the groups are trustworthy, they would come with them, depending on their case. And the group will lead them to a place where we "save them and live a happy life inside the walls of this community." But instead of that, they threatened the victims to give them the supplies. If they do not comply, the bright sky would be the last thing they would see. This was my first encounter:

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Flashback

I've been doing this ever since I got here. At first, I was really scared because in my mind I was saying, "I am actually going to kill these people. For just supplies. This is insane." and then James saw my nervousness and told me, "Think about someone you hate. Maybe a bully back in your high school days... Some former friends maybe?" with a smirk plastered on his face. This was the day after I got here.

Then some people popped onto my mind. Each of their faces flashed in my head. Faces I would never forget. A sharp pang of pain and anger shot to my chest as I looked at the gun in my hand and the person I'm going to shoot. It was a guy. A guy around thirty. His blonde, messy hair covered his blue orbs. I could tell he is intimidated by my presence, but he simply spoke, "I know you can't do it, lil girl." with the wound near his eyebrows bleeding.

He somewhat resembled someone I know. His blonde hair, his blue eye, and the way he said that I can't do it. 

He was just like Luke.

My hands were trembling just holding the gun and aiming at this guy's head. It was just like the last time. I blinked a few times as I tried to not imagine that this was him. They maybe not the same age, yet he looks like him. I heard James say, "Do it."

I was in shock again. I don't know again what I will do. It's happening again. Again and again. "Ghiel, just do it!!"

Feeling that James would get angry at me, I pulled the trigger and the guy fell lifeless on the ground. He had a wife and a son. His wife looked at me with bitterness, sadness, and anger. We heard a cry and we saw that it was a kid, about thirteen, behind me. "No please. Take me but not my son! Please I beg you!" The woman frantically trying to get out of Ashton's hands. The kid kept crying and crying and James got pissed and pulled a gun on the kid. The kid trembled and looked at me and then to his mum. "James no. Just don't." I said and I talked to the kid, "Look, I know you saw what I did, but please stop crying now okay? You wouldn't want to be punished right?"