The Price of Humanity

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"What do the symbols mean?" I ask, noticing my words are a little slurred, looking over to the coffee table and glancing over the map. Zane shuffles, adding another 'X' to an alley.

"The circle is the pharmacy." He says and I notice a thick circle, he's run the pen over the paper several times in the same place.

"The X's are the traps, you said there was one here, too right?" I nod and he places another 'X' down an alley, I notice the other trap I saw when fetching Mia is also marked with an 'X'.

"These lines are where they left after they attacked." His voice doesn't falter and his movements don't slow as he remembers the attack. He's focused on the job at hand, rescuing Adam and avenging Gale.

I notice arrows pointing in all the directions we saw the men escape in. It doesn't give us much to go on, they all went in different directions. Some probably circling back and meeting at their base later.

"Is this all really needed?" I ask gesturing to the map. "I mean it's not like we're the CIA." He looks up at me and shakes his head slightly.

"No. We're just tracking down an entire community of trigger happy psychopaths and serial killers. We don't need a plan. We can just run in and take them all out. No problem." My argument breaks with his sarcasm and I decide to make us all some dinner.

I brace myself on the coffee table and stand up, heading into the kitchen where Mia is pulling out a few cans of food from the crates and placing them onto the counter.

I start helping, connecting the gas to the cooker and turning it on, using one of the remaining lighter's we have to ignite the gas.

I stumble again while lighting the gas, singing the tips of my fingers, I slur out a curse before Mia takes the lighter away from me.

"I'll cook." She comments. Manoeuvring herself between me and the cooker. I frown down at her.

I can cook. I just slipped.

Grabbing a pan from one of the crates, Mia starts opening cans and emptying the contents into the pan. She puts it on the heat and gives it a quick stir.

Meanwhile I open a bottle of water and run my finger tips under the flow to try and help the burning. The pain stops and I take a sip of water before placing the bottle back down on the table.

Still the familiar mush of vegetables and canned goods we've had for over a year now. I'll still never get used to it though.

My attention is diverted, however to noises coming from the living room.

"Keep stirring it." I order Mia, she complies, rolling her eyes slightly at my slur. I then carefully walk into the living room, focusing all my energy on walking and not stumbling.

Zane sits on the couch, elbows resting on his knees and head in his hands. As I get close I notice his shoulders shaking and quiet sobbing noises can be heard from him.

I walk up to him slowly, my shoes making soft noises on the rug and carefully sink into a sitting position beside him.

We don't need to say anything and so neither of us do. I silently pull him towards me, like him and Gale have done so many times before to me. He leans into me and places his head on my shoulder, his damp face immediately soaking the strap of my tank top.

I begin to comfort him by stroking his hair and whispering shhing noises into his ear.

"He's gone." He wails quietly, his voice muffled by my shoulder. Another sob forces him to lean further into me and I struggle to take his weight, forcing myself to emotionally and physically stay strong for him.

I lean against the back of the couch to support myself and rest my chin on top of Zane's head.

"I know." I reply, tears threatening my own eyes as I cradle my big brother. The one who's always protected and comforted me, not the other way around.

The weird power change fires up something deep inside me that I didn't know was even there. These men, this gang in the city, killed my brother and have forced the other to crack – break.

Not only that, but they took an eight-year old's only source of protection and survival.

Those factors on top of the stories of people who have had their loved ones, usually females, taken is like a kick in the ass. I breathe deeply, trying not to give any indication to Zane about my change in emotions.

My hand betrays me though, grabbing the seat of the couch firmly.

Inside me there's a war raging about how to avenge Gale. I was always taught not to become violent and talk out my problems. But now, I don't think that applies to all situations, especially after the end of the world.

My first instinct is to run right towards them katana raised and slash them all to pieces like some horror movie. I think that would make me feel better. However, I know that wouldn't work, firstly because we have no idea where they are. Secondly, they have guns.

I don't know how we're going to get them yet, I just know we need to. I need to find Adam and I need to make them feel the pain and anger both Zane and I feel. They need to have consequences for what they've done.

"Stop it." Zane's voice holds worry, back in big brother mode once again. I back look at him puzzled.

"Stop what." He stops leaning on me and sits up, looking at me with a serious expression.

"Thinking about them." His eyes on my hand. I look down at at my clenched first which is still gripping the couch, my knuckles turning white.