Chapter 11

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"If we plan on getting everyone back, we should do it soon," I remarked, stirring my fifth pot of soup. "I know. I just don't want to risk them finding us, you know?" Andy replied. "Yeah. Maybe we should send someone to scope out the place?" I suggested. He contemplated the idea before shaking his head. "That seems like an unnecessary risk we'd have to take. I'm sure by the time we go in for the rescue, we would have figured something out," he pointed out. "I guess so," I replied, taking the soup off of the stove.
"Are you done yet?" Ashley asked impatiently, wandering into the kitchen. "Just took the last pot off," I answered. "Thank GOD!!!" he exclaimed. I rolled my eyes and called for CC and Jinxx, who came running out of nowhere in two seconds flat. I passed them their already filled bowls, and everyone congregated in a circle in the center of the hut. "Are you going to eat anything?" Jinxx asked. "After I bring the soup to everyone," I responded, lifting the pot of soup and carrying it to the first hut.
When I got back, I saw the guys in an intimate discussion in the middle of the floor. "I say tonight," CC said. I grabbed a bowl of soup and sat down beside them. They scooted back to make room for me, and I joined in the circle. "Yes, but we need to let everyone in on it. If they're good with tonight, then we can go then," Jinxx said. I zoned out their conversation, lost in my own thoughts. I realized that some of the shadows, maybe even the head of FEAR himself, the Matriarch, might know our names from overhearing the shouts to find people. That was dangerous. He could lure one of us into his headquarters by saying he has someone close to us.
Ashley waved a hand in front of my face, and I snapped back to reality. "Names," I said. The four of them looked at me in confusion. "We need to refer to ourselves as something else, change our identity in front of the FEAR shadows. It might help keep us and our families safe. If we go by something else and they capture us then try to use our name to provoke a reaction, it might lead to someone doing something they will regret, such as giving in. But it's something that only the five, well, six of us including Jake, know so that we can come to the rescue, if it's genuine," I said. "Confusing, but I get your point," Andy said.
After some debate, we concluded that Andy would be known as the Prophet, CC would be known as the Destroyer, Ashley would be known as the Deviant, Jinxx would be known as the Mystic, Jake would be known as the Mourner and I am the Oracle. Together, we made up the Wild Ones. We figured that we all had pretty fitting names.
Later in the evening, Andy called together everyone in the Legion of the Black for a meeting. "As we all know, some of our loved ones have been taken captive by FEAR," he started. A wailing was heard from the back of the crowd, but everyone else stayed silent. "We have found FEAR Headquarters, where we assume the ones stolen from us are being held," he continued. Numerous cheers and whistling erupted within the crowd, and it took a few tries to get them quieted down again. "We plan on sneaking in later tonight on a rescue mission. We need to keep the numbers few, but we still need people to volunteer. If you're up for it, meet us back here after sunset. Once we have as many people as we need, we will go and take back who's rightfully ours," Andy said, causing cheers to erupt again. We waited for everyone to quiet down by themselves before Andy spoke again. "Wear black, and CC found a tar substance to rub onto your skin so you become almost invisible in the night. Remember, now and forever, that we are the Legion of the Black!!" Andy screamed, stepping down from the rock as they cheered, louder than both times before, before splitting up and hurrying to their huts.
I saw a small figure run towards us and practically tackle Andy. "I'm coming with you," Ellie stated. "No," Andy said simply. "Yes I am. I want to help, I have friends in there!" she argued. Andy sighed and crouched down to her level. "Ellie, I know you do, but I can't risk you getting hurt. I want you to stay here with Mom where you're safe, okay?" he said, looking her in the eye. "I'm not helpless, Andy! I can fight too!" Ellie yelled. "I know, but you don't know what you'd be getting yourself into," Andy told her calmly. Frustrated, Ellie turned around and stormed off. "Good kid. She'll make a good fighter when she's older," Jinxx commented. Andy shot a glare at him.
"I'm going to check on something at the hut," I said. Ashley nodded at me, and I started to run back. I saw something out of the corner of my eye, and ducked behind a bush on the side of a house. I peered over and saw a FEAR shadow warrior runnning across the desert. I clapped a hand over my mouth, trying not to scream. I saw it had something in it's hand- it's staff, along with another one. It took the one I had stolen from the defeated shadow.
I followed behind it, sticking to the shadows as much as I could, trying not to make myself seen. Unfortunately, black against sand tends to stand out, but the shadow didn't take any notice. I followed it all the way to the hill before the FEAR headquarters. I stopped and watched it race back to the building, bursting through the doors with ease. I dropped to a crawling positon and took a few hesitant steps forward when a violin was heard. I dropped to the ground, pressing my stomach against the hot sand, and listened as the Matriarch, who we discovered was the leader of FEAR, made his announcement.
"We expect a battle for humanity is about to begin. Within each uprising, a vauge sense of saftety will ignite in you, an unseen, shadowy sliver of doubt towards those who protect and defend you. But the thoughts slip away, and remain calm. Stay close to FEAR, only we can protect."
As the speakers shut off, I stayed where I was for a few seconds before leaping to my feet. Thoughts raced through my head. I could try and find Jake to tell him what we're planning, and figure out a way around the building. I took another step forward, and seeing as nothing besides my own guilt prevented me from doing so, I stood up and dashed towards the FEAR building.

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