The Story of the Wild Ones

Chapter 10

Andy and I walked out of the hut and almost ran into a group of children tumbling over each other. We carefully stepped around them, and continued walking along a narrow dirt road that was just big enough for the both of us. "I'm not mad at you," Andy finally said. "Then what are you?" I asked. He sighed. "I don't know. I was mad at first that you just threw yourself out there like that," he explained. "I get that, but what part of that made you think I don't value my own life?" I asked. "Just that, Willow. You risked your life to save something you weren't exactly sure you needed," he said. "I was thinking of the captives. I was hoping that somehow this would help us," I explained to him again. "I know, Willow. If you insist on doing something like this again, just promise me that next time you'll tell one of us so we can come with you," he said. "I can't promise that," I whispered.

Andy suddenly stopped. I turned around to face him. "Why not?" he asked. "If I don't have to put anyone else in danger, why would I want to?" I challenged. "Because maybe then you wouldn't be putting your own life in danger," he answered. "I'm fine though. Chances are by the end of the month I would have put my life on the line multiple times. Let's just move on," I said. Andy clenched his fists. "What part of this aren't you getting, Wilow? You. Almost. Died." he hissed. "I don't want to put anyone else in that situation," I repeated. He unclenched his fists and physically relaxed. "Willow, you told me yourself. No one's going to be safe until all of this is over. It's just a matter of who and what situation is less safe then others. If you have two people with you, the chances are more likely you both could make it out alive," he told me. I just let out a sigh and clasped my hands behind my back. "Okay, I promise," I said, crossing my fingers. I know it was an immature thing to do, but if lying made Andy feel better, he wouldn't have to know. He eyed me up and down before smiling slightly. "Thank you," he whispered. I just smiled, feeling slightly guilty.

We walked back to the hut together, not really exchanging words. Apparently, though, everyone got here safe and without much issue. We weren't missing anyone to begin with, so that was good.

When we got back, Ashley tossed both of us paint and a paint brush. I gave him a confused look. "The sign I had in my house. Paint that on everyone's hut," he instructed. I saw Jinxx and CC leave the hut and begin painting, so I went off and began marking houses with the symbol. The kids still scrambled around, tripping over each other and nearly knocking over my paint bucket twice. As they scampered away, however, I watched them go and smiled. They were so innocent, they don't have a clue what's really going on. All they know is that they had to move from their house temporarily. I shuddered at the thought of some of them not returning. How would we even rebuild the houses? Hysteria was in the middle of a desert. I shook my head to get rid of the negative thoughts. One thing at a time, Willow. Focus on painting the huts.

I looked around and saw that all the huts were already marked. "What's the purpose of this?" I asked Ashley as I returned the paint and brush. "This is the sign of the Legion of the Black. That way, if the FEAR shadows see it on us, they'll know we're the rebels. They'll know we're united," he replied. "Do they know where we are?" I asked quietly. "I don't know. I hope not, but this is the only place big enough for this number of people. They might assume we scattered, though," Ashley said. I let out a sigh. "This is so much," I said quietly, sitting on the step. "I know, Willow. Hopefully, we can just rescue the others and it'll be over with. We can deal with what happens after when it comes," he said, sitting down next to me. "God knows how long that'll take. It's taken millions of years to get Hysteria to where it was. We'll be lucky if we can even get it part of the way back in our lifetime," I said. "Even if we don't, we'll be remembered. We're the generation that conquered FEAR. That's something to look up to as inspiration to fix Hysteria God damned fast," Ashley said, standing up and walking back into the hut.