The Renegade

Chapter 5: Death is a Funny Thing

*1 week ago*

"Shit, Jeff! That was a civilian!" Maansi cried.

Jeff steps back, realizing what he'd done.

Kylee screams something at Jeff before kneeling down beside the brunette. "SHIT. She's been shot in the gut. She'll internally bleed out if we don't stitch it up." She reached into her bag and pulls out her required supplies to temporarily keep the girl stable. If she hurried, it could keep her alive until they arrived back at the base. The silenced tact team looked on with sympathetic eyes.

Nikki turns, "Uh... guys?" the sight was absolutely horrifying. Jesters, hounds, and ghouls raced down the street.

"Keep them off of me!" Kylee shouts. "I need a couple more minutes."

The team didn't hesitate. They all worked well together. They knew and trusted each other so much they could communicate without even talking. The go full-out on the fiends. Before they knew it, they were all dead and Kylee was putting away her spool.

More footsteps were heard, "Someone grab her! We need to bring her back. We need to get on the move before they catch up to us."

Shawna leans down and grabs the seemingly lifeless girl. "Lets go!"

The group of 7 break into a run. Shawna, who was carrying the girl, started lagging behind. Her arms felt weary; they were about to give. "Hey guys," she yells, "I can't carry her much longer!"

"That building, up there," Brooke, who was a part if the tact team, yells. Brooke silently preyed that the building was vacant, as most buildings near and around the city were. If one of them died in the building she picked out, she was more than prepared to take the blame. They rush into the building and slamed the door, chests pounding. They hear a growl and footsteps outside. Brooke leans against the counter. This must have been a drug store before the war. It didn't really matter, all of the shelves were empty anyway. There was debris and twigs surrounding the group. Brooke grabbed her weapon and picked up a stone. She readied her gun and tossed the stone across the room.

"No," the sleeping girl muttered.

"Hmn? She awake?" Brooke said, inching closer. She put a pale hand on her cheek. "She's frozen..." she looks around and sees stones and sticks. Soft footsteps were still heard, and she wondered if it would be alright to wait out the horde. She also wondered why a whole horde was chasing the girl. What could this frail, tiny girl have done to piss off the Govern so much that they would send a horde after her? Brooke made a note to herself to keep an eye on this girl, she had no idea what she was capable of. She glances at Kylee and she nods, giving Brooke her permission. Brooke figured she'd build only a small fire, not wanting to draw attention. She quickly builds and tends to the flame, then motions for Shawna to bring the girl closer to the fire. Kylee decides to use a stimulant to help restore any blood the girl may have lost. While the Renegade's technology was years behind the Govern's, the technology was way advanced than it was 100 years ago, back in the 21st century, when the war first broke out. Kylee hoped the temporary stitches would hold out as long as the horde. Now that the girl was brought closer, and under a better light, Brooke saw her features. She seemed familiar, but she couldn't place her face with a name.

The room lit up with tense silence. Brooke, like always, knew how to break it up. She started humming a familiar tune. Soon enough, feet were tapping, hands were clapping, fingers were snapping, mouths were humming. Kylee, being the sensible one she was, hushed them all and they all broke into spontaneous laughter. And even Kylee herself couldn't stop herself from laughing. It was times like these that they all loved. That everything seemed peaceful. That everything seemed alright. Even if there were people ready to kill them most likely outside of the door and a injured girl on the floor. It was times like these that the troupe was truly happy. This was a rare sight, since it was all serious all of the time. After the laughter evaporated, they started to gather their gear. Brooke, being the brave one she was, glanced out the window, to make sure the coast was clear. All of a sudden, a spot light shines on the window. The light leaks into the vacant room. Everyone, who were quickly on their feet, move out of the way of the blinding light which shone where the flame once burned. In the brilliant light, Brooke finally got a good and solid look at the lifeless girl. All of her features were defined. Her high cheekbones, her curved nose, her wide forehead, her small lips. Suddenly, she realized who she was. She had recognized this girl from.... But no, that couldn't be... could it?

"Guys... we should leave this girl here," Brooke muttered. "She's-"

All of a sudden, the girl mumbled something that would shock everyone. Something that would change the group for a long time.

Now when the group looks upon the girl, they can't help but to remember the events of that night. While they did want to look past it and get to know her, it was very difficult, knowing what she may have done.