The Story of the Wild Ones

Chapter 12

I made my way over, making sure to stay away from the front, and pressed my back against the surprisingly cool building. I pressed my ear against the wall, hoping to pick up some sort of sound to indicate life inside. I heard wailing and pounding of fists on the wall. I cringed at the sound, but that meant they were alive.

I snuck along the edges, peering in the windows to see if I could catch a glimpse of anything. I looked in a window and saw some people in ratty clothes, messy hair and dirty faces cowering in the corners. I tapped on the window gently, and they jumped up and stared at me, eyes wide. A few of them hissed at me, and I realized I must not look too attractive. Someone recognized me however, and came towards the window. I've seen her around before, she used to live next to me.

Used to.

I mouthed "Jake" to her, and she leaned down and tapped a someone still huddled in the corner on the shoulder. He turned around and I gasped. It was in fact Jake, but his long black hair had been chopped off rather carelessly, and his face was severely bruised and dirty. He turned to look at her then to me. His blank expression not changing once, he stood up and made his way over to the window. I grabbed at my shorts in frustration, knowing he wouldn't be able to hear me. I looked at him and he nodded. I was confused, until I remembered his telekinesis.

"A group of us are coming to rescue you and the others later. Let some of the others know, but don't let the Matriarch or the shadows hear you," I thought, hoping he would catch it. He shook his head sadly, and drew a finger across his neck, indicating that at least some of us would die. "We'll be okay. We need all of you for an army against FEAR to actually take them down. Just be ready by sometime after sunset to run. If we outnumber them, we can defeat them. I know from experience," I thought. Jake considered this for a moment, before cracking a small smile. "Thank you," he mouthed. I returned the smile before ducking down from the window and running away from the FEAR building back to the huts.

As I made my way back, a sudden realization occured. I'd have to face the rest of the Wild Ones when I got back. They'd already lectured me once, and I had promised Andy, what would they think of this? I couldn't lie and say I'd been anywhere else, they'd know that wasn't true.

I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't notice when I ran smack into a group of three Legion of the Black members. "Willow?" someone asked in confirmation. I nodded, figuring I knew where this was going. They took me by the arms and led me back to the ruins. I dreaded going back with each step. I was strong enough, I could break away from them, even fight them if I had to, and return on my own terms. I didn't though, seeing as that would cause even more drama. I was up to my neck in lectures already anyways. Part of me wished they weren't so overprotective, but I knew they were just worried about me, being the youngest, at 18, and I knew they still had their doubts about my defense skills and didn't want me to get into those situations in the first place.

I could feel myself shaking as we neared the hut. I don't know why I was so afraid. I guess I just didn't like letting anyone down. Plus, all of them could be pretty scary if they got angry enough. The Legion of the Black members brought me into the hut, and Andy, who was alone, looked up. He slowly stood up and dismissed them, grabbing my wrist to ensure I didn't run away. He waited until the legion members left before he exploded.

"WHAT THE FUCK WILLOW? WHERE DID YOU FUCKING DISAPPEAR TO??" he screamed. He hadn't let go of my wrist yet, and his grip was getting tighter and tighter. "MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS!" I screamed back. "WE HEARD OF A FEAR SHADOW NEAR OUR CAMPSITE AND WE THOUGHT IT KIDNAPPED YOU OR KILLED YOU! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW FUCKING WORRIED WE WERE?" he yelled. "I SAW IT TOO!! I FOLLOWED IT BACK TO THE FEAR BUILDING, THEN I DECIDED TO FIND JAKE AND TELL HIM WHAT WE WERE DOING SO HE WOULDN'T FREAK THE HELL OUT WHEN WE INVADED AND HE COULD PREPARE HIMSELF AND THE OTHERS!" I shrieked. "YOU COULD HAVE FUCKING TOLD US!" he screamed. I opened my mouth to reply, but it faded to a squeak. He had a death grip on my wrist and it hurt like hell. "My wrist..." I mumbled, tears pricking the corner of my eyes. He looked down at my wrist and let go, or more like threw it back at me.

"Bitch," he muttered under his breath. Taken aback, I asked him, "What the hell did you just call me?" "I called you a BITCH!" he said through gritted teeth, turning around and swinging on me. His hand connected with my cheek, and I stumbled back. Only then did Andy realize what he did, and his eyes widened. "Willow..." he started, taking a step towards me. I took a step back, rage surging through my body. "Don't fucking touch me, asshole," I spat, turning around and running out the door.