The Wilds

Chapter 1

"Kayla, step forward."

I carefully step forward to face my opponent. I stand tall with excellent posture and strides full of confidence. It was Inala, she was beautiful, she had soft black hair and soft, Brown skin. She defined beauty!

"Kayla, you have been challenged for your place among the ranks. Do you accept?"

"I do."

Every now and then, you are challenged for your ranks among the Rally Warriors. After America was bombed, a new government blossomed. We are the only civilized people still alive. Everyone else was killed, the only other remaining people are The Wilds. Savages in every way... They are killers and they even skin people. They don't know freedom, happiness or loyalty. The reason for challenge is simple, challenge, or be exiled and die.

"Rules are always the same, disarm your opponent to be incapable of fighting. No cheating or you will be exiled. Kayla, is one of our highest ranking officers, therefore, Inala, if you loose, you will be exiled. Good luck to you both. Begin."

I see the fear deep in her eyes, hidden by her confidence, she has been training for this for years. She and I used to be friends until I started advancing through the ranks, faster than she could so we drifted apart, still keeping respect for each other.

Knowing that challenger always gets the first go, I allowed Inala to advance toward me as I just as I dodged her first punch, connecting my fist with her stomach. Inala doubled over but stood up, ready to take another. She and I started circling one another contemplating our next moves.

"You look good Kay."

"As do you, Inala."

Inala ran toward me, sliding under me, and tripping me and jumping on top of me and slamming her fist in my face just as I flip her slamming her head to the ground. I stood up, knowing she needed a few moments to gather herself. She stood up taking giant strides towards me jumping to kick me in the face. I gasped as I took the full impact of the blow returning my own kick and punching her in the face. She countered with a set of punches in the face too. We distanced ourselves from each other until I ran at her hitting her in the face and kneeling her in the solar plexus. Inala dropped, gasping for air, I grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the ground. I looked at her bloodied face, as she was unable to get up, Commander 237 called out to me.

"Kayla, Anfckoolaszlspazmxsmamzmks"

Commander's voice was muffled because in that moment, Inala looked up at me, our eyes connecting, flashing back to our childhood.

-"Look, the two losers! Training for the test? Oh, wait doesn't matter, cuz you'll still fail!"

Inala and I exchanged glances as we smirked. Collin was only two ranks above us and he was the cockiest guy I'd ever met. I looked at Inala and looks at Collin and bit my lip, Inala and my

secret signal to attack. I ran my hand across his chest. Collin stared at me, smiling.

"I knew you'd come around." Collin laughed.

I smirked at him, "Oh babe, you wish!"

Inala and I administered much needed butt whoopin' on Collin. As we finished, we looked at each other, smiling.

"Kay and Nala against the world!"

"Always!"-

"Kayla! Finish it!"

Inala and I maintained eye contacted as I replied,

"No!"

"What? As Commander 237, I COMMAND YOU to finish her!!!"

I broke eye contact with Inala to glare at Commander 237.

"I said no! The rules were that if she lost, she would be exiled, not killed! I will not break the rules!"

"You just did."

I was the first officer ever to defy direct orders in the Rally Warriors soldiers history. So I did the one thing I knew to do.

I ran.