Running Alive

Chapter 3.4

Alyssa's POV:

I never thought I'd say this but I actually feel quite bad betraying Luke and the rest of them. Scratch that, I mean we feel bad. Ashton, Liam, Louis, and I. Back then, we have to betray them or else we'd be dead. We couldn't sleep at night every time we'd see Ghiel crying because of what she did. We were part of that shit. She does not deserve to be in a place like this. She does not deserve to be ordered around by James.

She does not deserve to be in this kind of shit and in this type of fucked up community!

Our group, Ash, Liam, Louis, Brad, Ghiel, James and some of his trusty goons, and I, are separated from the main community. Mainly because we go around places the most. We're on a small house located about a mile away from the main HQ. We are the vigilantes of the community. We hunt victims and hunt supplies, which made me feel even real bad. I wish time could turn back where we agreed on that fucking deal of James. And should've told him that we're better off dead than betray the nicest people left in this world.

Hey, I might actually have an idea.

I gathered everyone, except for James and his goons cause they're not around, and they shouldn't be with us here. We huddled in a circle and told them, "Guys, I can't take this shit anymore. I have to say this." They were all ears on me, "I wanna fucking leave this community. I wanna make things right again." I said with my chin down. They were surprised. There was silence. Then Ash, Liam, and Louis admitted they want to make things right too. Brad and Ghiel were both confused. "We were forced okay? We couldn't do anything!?" I admitted.
Ghiel gave me an "I wanna know more look" and then I explained:

"Look, before we found you guys, we were just like you. We're also victims of James. All of us. Even Calum, Harry, Shara, and Niall. The only different thing is, he did not let you join him. He threatened us that if we don't join his community, we'd be dead. And at that moment, we knew who you were. He told us to let you guys believe that we're on your side. At first we didn't want to, why? Because we aren't like that. Why would we hurt people who didn't do anything bad to us? We have no choice but to agree. Our life was on the line. And also, we were responsible for the deaths of four of us. Calum, Shara, Harry, and Niall... They did not go with the plan. So we decided to kill them, so that they'll never tell you what we're planning."

They were left silent by our confession. Hell, if Julia was here or the others, they'd beat the crap out of me. Or worse... Ghiel was giving me her soul piercing gaze. It makes me uncomfortable. It's like she knows everything about me and my existence. "Look, I have to say it okay. The least you know." I said after heaving a sigh. "So what are you tryna' say?" Brad said. "I'm saying we leave this shit. Live a better life. A James-free life." I said, hoping that this isn't one-sided. Ghiel brushed her slender fingers on her hair in dismay, "After all this time, you were on our side? You could've told us before!" She paused, then her eyes widened, then looked at me with anger. In a flash, she was on top of me, holding me by the collar. "I could've killed Luke!" She said, with her teeth gritted in anger. Brad got her off me while I'm in the middle of Ash and the other lads.

"That's why she told you our petty secret. We wanna make it up to you. Or even to them. " Liam said. "It's not that easy... I physically and mentally scarred him. Urghhh fuck! How Liam? Tell me how!" She cussed. "We've been planning for days now. Our plan is, steal supplies, take James out, and go somewhere far from here. And after that, maybe search for your friends. " Louis said. "First part of the plan is good. We have the supplies for days now. Now the second part is pretty tricky." Ashton said. "And dangerous." I added.

"Okay, I agree with you now. But how bout the McDonough duo and two of his guards?" Ghiel said. "They're all glued to James. Always by his side." Brad said. "We'll take 'em out for you. Think of this as a 'we want to make it up to you' type of shit." Liam answered. Ghiel still looked unconvinced, I can see it though. Well she has the right to not trust us after what we did. "Believe us Ghiel, please. We want to help you. Let us help you. We won't screw it up." I pleaded.