Survive Or Die

Chapter 13- Hopi Nation

Two weeks and three days.
That's how long it's been since Jay, among others, died. Gonplei Nation comes first and right now they need a queen, a ruler, not a weak, pitiful little girl. And besides, he still may come home.
"Send out more hunters," I order to Collin, my face stone hard.
His eyes widen with shock. "Heda, you can't possibly send out more," he exclaims. "They only just got back. They're exhausted-"
I raise a hand to silence him and it works. He swiftly closes his mouth and straightens up. "I'm in charge here and I say send out more. We need more food and we have plenty of Hunter, so I don't see why not," I snap, anger filling my voice.
"B-because they're t-" he sees my warning look and stops, bowing his head in defeat. "Yes Heda," he says meekly and hurries from the room.
I nod and stand, making my way over to the window where I survey the nation. People, big and small, help make food, clean house, repair clothes and objects, and polish their weapons. Not a slacker in sight.
"Heda," someone breaths, running into the room. "W-We have more than e-enough food. Can we... can we please take a break," they huff. I spin around with narrowed eyes to see Andrew.
"No," I instantly snap. "It's almost winter."
"Y-Yes it is but w-we have plenty to last all-"
"Are you arguing with me," I say quieter yet filled with warning. "We haven't fed the Flesh Eater in a while..." my voice trails off as memories of Jay flood my head. I feel the familiar punch to the stomach and put up my barrier, stopping the pain and memories. "Don't ever argue with me again," I hiss. I stand with only a few centimetres separating our noses. "Are we clear?" I glare at him with all the authority I can muster.
"Yes Heda," he says, bowing his head. "I'm sorry." He keeps his head low as he hurries from the room.
I'm alone. Nothing good ever comes from being alone. I blink back sour tears and race from the huge room that I once shared with Jay.

I somehow end up face to face with Andrew. "Heda! Heda? Heda, I need your help," he says. I nod weakly, swallowing past the lump in my throat. "It's Kayla. She's worse."
We get to his house swiftly and I barge through the door. I storm up to Kaylas door and hesitate. I shake off any fears about what lies behind the wooden frame and gently open the door. "Kayla?" I say quietly. She is sitting cross-legged on the bed, clutching a Colt M1911 in her frail hands; I don't dare ask where she got it. She glares at me with narrow eyes and merely lowers the gun a tiny bit.  "Kayla it's okay," I say soothingly, taking a risky step towards her. The gun snaps back up. I search her eyes for any doubt or resilience yet find none. "You're safe," I say. "Lower the gun."
She lets out a crazed laugh. "Why? So you can shoot me yourself?" She spits. Her hands tremble slightly but not from fear.
"Kayla, I'm your friend. You're part of the Gonplei Nation. I'm not going to hurt you," I rise my hands and slowly shuffle forward.
Her hands drop to her side and she leans against the wall. "Why am I here?" She whispers. I notice the black look in her eyes as she stares ahead
"Why are you where?" I ask softly.
Suddenly she launches off the bed and bolts towards my American M14. I dash to stand but she's too fast. She holds the gun to her heart, her hair ruffled and her eyes crazy, darting from one place to another. "I may as well go," she says. Her voice moves up and down unnaturally fast.
"Kayla," I say harsher this time. "Turn around," I order.
She lets out a crooked laugh. "Don't think so," she laughs, her finger tightening on the trigger.
I glance at Andrew so appears waiting for my signal. I give a slight nod and he launches across he room. He easily snatches the gun away and gets her in an arm lock so she is pressed against the dusty floor. "What you gonna do, Andy," she taunts.
"Lift her shirt," I order. He gives me an odd look but obeys. Slowly, he pulls up the bottom of the shirt. Kayla starts thrashing and screeching at the top of her lungs. He yanks up the back of the shirt, revealing four long claw marks up her back. They are oozing with what looks like sickly, pale green slime. Surrounding the claw marks is decaying, flaky skin and dark red circles. "What the..." I hesitantly walk up to them. Kayla freezes and starts sobbing. I run my fingers along the marks. She winces at every touch, crying with no tears. "What is this?" I question hastily.
"They got me," she sobs, "D-Don't hurt me." I feel a twinge of sympathy for her but I quickly extinguish it.
I face my head straight but look down at her, erasing all sympathy and former feeling I had for her.
This isn't her. This is a Flesh Eater. And Flesh Eaters killed Jay.
She killed Jay.
"Take her to the basement," I order, trying with all my will to keep my voice below a yell. "Now."
He hesitates but heaves her up over his shoulder. As he exits the room he gives me a quizzical look.
I clench my teeth and refuse to show any emotion. As soon as I hear the door slam close, I collapse against Kaylas former door frame. My breath comes quick and shallow and I feel myself getting dizzy yet I continue gasping for air. I sit with my back on the door frame and my head in my hands. No no no no no, I tell myself. Don't break down. You don't need it. They don't need it.
So I pull myself together and shakily rise to my feet. There, I think. That wasn't so hard was it...
It's lying. I know it is. That little voice in my head. Yet I ignore the sinking feeling in my gut and drag myself outside to meet a few quizzing glances. I ignore them.
I find myself facing the pitiful branch and dirt pile that represents Jays grave. I've never been into long distance relationships, is exactly what he would say right now. I crack a smile thinking about it. "Hey," I choke out weakly. I take a deep breath and close my eyes to compose myself. As soon as I open them I feel like a weight is crushing down on me.
And I break down.
I collapse on the ground with old tears pouring down my face.
I don't say anything; I can't.
I just cry.
And I instantly feel the weight lift from my shoulders. I wipe my hand across my face, smearing my war paint and getting rid of the tears mixed with dirt.
I probably look like a mess.
I give a weak smile toward the dirt pile. "Sorry," I squeak. "I'm not as strong as I think huh." I chuckle and smile weakly at the grave.
I lay down and rest my head on my hands, staring at the grave. Then we start to talk. I tell him about everything. And eventually I drift to sleep next to Jay once again.

I open my eyes and instinctively snap to attention.
I feel a soft breeze giving me goose bumps and I can hear the rustle of leaves on the trees. My back aches but, what doesn't? I slowly stand and realise that it's either still night time or really early in the morning. So I do the only rational thing I could do at a time me like this.
I go for a walk.
Into the woods.
I able through the trees, stumbling and occasionally tripping, for hours; unsure of what I'm looking for until I hear it.
Talking or more like a quiet chatter.
And not the Flesh Eater talking.
Actual talking. People talking.
I immediately break into a sprint, dodging branches and bounding over logs. The voices get louder with every step. I freeze in my path and gawk at what I find below.
Hopi Nation. Or at least that's what I've heard they have been calling themselves.
I gasp and stumble back, tripping over a log and scratching my hands as I fall backwards. This whole time Celia has been just around the corner.
Maybe we could establish some kind of treaty? A peace?
No. Don't be foolish. She hates us and we hate her.
A treaty wouldn't be that bad. At least it could establish some kind of security.
I shake my head to clear the thoughts and scramble up. This isn't fair. How dare they just live in perfect comfort when we have needed help; when I have needed help.
This is war.
Gonplei means fight; and we are going to fight.
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Hey my lovely, patient readers!
I want to say that I'm so so so sorry for not publishing. I had the worse case of writers block ever!
I've also been so busy with school but it's almost over so I'll be publishing more often... I hope.
Thank you guys so so much for the 100+ readers and followers! You have no idea how happy this makes me!
Celia- 27
Aria- 27
I hope you guys like this chapter as it took ages (like weeks).
I realise that I haven't kept up with Celia very much lately so I'll also try that.
Sorry for the long A/N!
Share, vote and comment and I love you guys so much xxx