Mortality

Chapter 29: Zarah

The sounds of fighting inside the building have stirred me into a frenzy. For almost ten minutes, gunshots go off at regular intervals, and with every shot I seem to slip further from my mind. 

I can finally control my own fingers again, but all I want to do is claw my way towards whoever is on the other side of that gate. 

The noises slow, but my hunger remains.

Someone is coming. Several people. I can't tell if they're men or women, but they're covered in the same protective gear that everyone here seems to wear. Does this mean the confrontation is over? The sound of gunfire has disappeared. I can hear birds chirping in the distance. I force myself to inhale and exhale rhythmically. 

Focus. Focus. Focus. 

I close my eyes and hone in on the peaceful sounds of nature, and for a second I almost feel like myself again. Zarah. 

Slowly, my eyes open. I force myself to blink. My vision narrows to focus on the people approaching. I can feel the hunger like it's a physical being that dwells inside my body. 

Something is different. These people don't hold themselves like the others. We make them nervous. 

One man, a soldier by the look of his clothing, is led towards us at gunpoint. Dinner? 

They lead him to the guard station. 

What's going on? 

I stalk away from the gate as though something has caught my attention. I watch. I see some of the others do the same. Henry doesn't. Instead he continues to try and grab hold of our visitors even though they're still at least ten feet out of reach. His round face is contorted with rage and hunger. He doesn't look like the same person I met back as we both wandered aimlessly toward capture. He's lost control. 

Hunger threatens to consume me, but I push it back. I know to tread carefully here. Drawing attention to myself will almost guarantee a bullet between my eyes. 

Wait. 

The gates open. No panicked people are shoved in to meet us. We're not being fed, not this time. A few of the more eager of us rush into the connecting courtyard before the mechanism that controls the gate slides it shut again. 

I can't help myself. I wander closer to get a better look. 

Something snaps around my neck. 

I jerk left and right, trying to shake free. 

I can't even turn around to see what has caught me, but I hear soft, cooing voices. My hands reach out, desperate to grab hold of my attacker. 

They're trying to sooth me? 

I snarl, enraged. I will not be calmed. 

I'm pushed forward. I stumble and fall in my struggle to break free. 

Momentarily pulled back into myself, I remember to be smart. Don't let panic and instinct take over. Stay alive. 

I let myself be led forward. Every few steps, I test my captors and try to break free. Many of the others are being forced forward as well. At least ten of us are being led around the side of the building; there may be more behind me. 

I'm maneuvered into a small room. A dull moan escapes my lips, but I force myself to be silent. 

As I'm pushed back, I focus on the two men who shove me continuously. 

Another approaches, and I snarl in warning. 

The soldier from before. Captive of the others.