Scarlet Crypt

Battle and Struggle

I stared at the man and hurried back towards my cabin. As I turned to open the door, a girl who looked a bit older than me stood at the middle part of the cabins and started shouting out orders.

“Get ready your gears. The worst is probably coming.”

Then I realized what the commotion was really all about. The government’s soldiers, the Circle troops, they’re here. And they’ve found us. This is exactly what we were training here for. And now, on my second day, barely prepared and up for it, I find myself in a position beyond the comfort of a mere novice.

I actually memorized their tactics at capturing enclaves, especially island captures. First, they surround the whole island with a battalion of people, to ensure their victory. And of course, they attack afterwards. Like a pride of lions, they move in for the kill. I remembered how a Circle captain would elaborate the plan to Father, who would so eagerly listen, while I would look at them from the window outside. I found it quite interesting. And so I found myself memorizing the plan.

I went back to my room and wore my rebel gear, which composed of a camouflaged patterned bulletproof vest and a long sleeved jacket. After that I headed off directly to the training grounds, not bothering about my own sense of personal hygiene. We were needed and that gave me a sense of responsibility. I sprinted towards the grounds with many others, and as I arrived there, most of them were gathering their weapons, too. Every once in a while, a loud voice uttered some commands like,” Get your equipment going!” or “Don’t forget your ammunitions.” But amidst the loud raucous in the place, the people who were done with readying their weapons lined orderly again. I spotted my team, Quadrant Seven, in the farthest part of the clearing. I hurriedly went to the nearest table and grabbed the nearest gun-an AK-47- and after a second thought, grabbed two pistols. I also got a handful of ammunition. You never know when you might run out of them in the most unnecessary time. By the time I arrived at our line, I was all ready and geared up. A minute later, everyone was ready and waiting. Garvis, huge man I met yesterday, started giving instructions for all of us.

“Quadrants one and two, take the northern borders. Hold the guard towers there. Three and Four, stick to the south. Hide beneath the canopy and take cover if they pass there. Five, Six and Seven, ” I listened keenly to everything he was saying, “You take the eastern coastline. One of our sentinels spotted a ship there. Hide, and if they seem to not change course, attack once they’ve entered the island and neared your position. Eight and nine, the west is all yours. Ten, and the rest, patrol through the island. Make sure you aid in the failing positions. Move out!” From his instructions, I’m guessing he knows the ultimate tactics. Good job.

And with all of that done, we all headed to our patrol stations. Our line and two other lines marched hurriedly at the northern part of the grounds, to the eastern part of the island. Halfway there, as I walked briskly and carefully, avoiding the root tangles and rocks, I heard voices right behind me, gossiping. As I turned my head a little to eavesdrop on their conversation, I found out that, yes, they were definitely gossiping.

            “—certainly gone. His daughter was missing once they’ve searched the girls’ room. And a bunch of others too. Where’ve they gone??” A thin, straggly guy said behind me. He had a high, raspy voice with an accent I cannot place.

            “Captured by the Circle troops, they say. While sleeping, right about dawn. They say those spies are responsible. Better be careful, mate.” Kidnapped? Someone was kidnapped? Instantly, after the last word was exchanged between the two of them, I instantly turned on them.

            “Someone was kidnapped?!” I went face to face towards the other man, a man with a thick, brownish beard and a bald head.