The Buried Life

Chapter 13

Jeremy was at a lost. On one hand he wanted to strangle this guy for murdering two of his friends in cold blood, but on the other he was amazed how safe and secure the camp was. Maybe they could all live here never worrying about the threat outside those walls every again.

Adam and the others would probably never go for it, but Jeremy thought what would be the harm in asking. The man and his cohorts escorted Jeremy and his friends to a house near by in the fortified camp and left them there for bit. It was then that Jeremy said what was on his mind.

"Are you out of your mind!" Adam proclaimed. "You want to stay here after what that man did to our friends. Am I the only sane one left in the group? Jeremy what are you thinking?"

"I never said that I wanted to stay," Jeremy corrected Adam. "However, I'm thinking maybe we wouldn't have to run anymore, that this place could be a home for all of us."

Adam saw reason in Jeremy's idea but couldn't go through with it. "I understand that and it makes sense on some level, but do you really want to live here knowing that the guy who runs the place murdered two people we cared about?"

"No I don't but it's not like we can just go somewhere else. Hell I don't even know if the guy would even let us leave. Let's just see what everyone else wants and we can decide from there."

They both turned towards the rest of the group and waited to hear what they thought. An awkward silence filled the room they were in for a good long minute before someone spoke.

"I think we should stay," Jessica said. "I mean it's nice, looks safe, and I can't stand being out there for another minute. What do we really got to loss by staying here."

"How about two friends," Katy sadly added in. "We can't stay here no matter how nice or safe or whatever else it is. That man is a monster and I won't live here knowing that he is in charge."

"Same with me," Sasha agreed. "We've survived well enough on the outside and I know we can find a place to call home, just not here."

Greg was silent trying to contemplate his answer. He was never good at making hard decisions that centered on the whole group. As far was people go Greg was a follower, not that he couldn't make his own choices, he just preferred to let other people make the tough ones so he wouldn't have too.

His one decision could affect everyone and Greg had no idea what to do. A sweat began to break out on his forehead and beading down his face. Shaking his head he couldn't answer.

"Greg its not rocket science," Adam said. "Just answer the question. Do you want to stay here like Jessica or leave like the rest of us?"

"I can't decide, it's too much pressure," Greg claimed.

Sweat began to fall like a steady stream of water down his face creating a pool at his feet. Greg started to hyperventilate causing the rest of the group to become uneasy as they tried to calm him down.

It was then that he passed out, collapsing into a deep sleep on the soft velvet like couch. Jeremy didn't know what to do but leave him there for now and come up with a final decision for the group's survival.

Taking out the picture from his returned backpack he marked an X over Xavier and Penny. Only a handful of them were left standing after the fall.

He clutched the picture with a shaky grasp as the saw the truth but still felt as if he was sucker punched in the gut. He was letting down his brother. Jeremy could almost feel him whispering in his ear how much of a failure he was.

Tucking the picture away in his jacket pocket he looked back to everyone and said what he knew had to be done.

"As I much as I hate to say this but I see no other option, we should stay here." Jeremy stated.

"Jeremy we can't," Adam retorted. "I will not stay here with the devil living right under our noses."

"I know Adam, which is why we either escape this place together or take it for ourselves."

Adam smiled ear-to-ear liking the sound of Jeremy's plan. Katy, Sasha, and Jessica weren't so keen about the idea.

"Are you cracked Jeremy?" Sasha questioned. "There are only six of us and there are at least fifty of them how would we take this place let alone escape."

Grinning comically he explained his plan. "Simple Sasha we don't need to take on everyone, only the one man who runs this place. Have you ever read Sun Tzu's The Art of War? We take out the general and the rest will crumble.

"I know what you are thinking that it is easier said then done but it actually is. He left me live cause he knew my mom and me. So I get close to him and when he least expects it I take him out, we move in and take over the operation. Checkmate bitches."

Feeling satisfied he smoothly fist bumped Adam and sat in a chair waiting for the applause. Although none of them applauded they were all on board what was sure to be a suicide mission, except for Jessica.

"And what if that fails?" Jessica argued angrily confronting Jeremy. "What if he kills you and then the rest of us for your stupid plan when we can all just live in this place that is sheltered from those monsters out there."

"Okay firstly calm your tits Jessica," Adam interjected. "Secondly if that doesn't work then we escape instead of taking over the place. And technically to add in that guy is also a monster so...."

"Double the reason to take this place," Katy commented. "This is probably the stupidest idea yet Jeremy, but better than nothing I guess."

It was settled. A plan was made, now Jeremy just had to set it in motion and hope everything went as they should. Filling in more details Jeremy explained who would do what, mainly staying in the camp a day or two to monitor security and finding the weapons depot.

Only then could the odds be in their favor whether it would be taking over the camp from what's his name, or escaping it with more weapons then they could carry. Jeremy would let Greg in on the plan once he recovered from his meltdown. For now he needed to sleep.

Leaving the group he headed up stairs finding a bedroom at the end of the upstairs corridor. Placing his hand on the cool metal knob he gingerly turned it and opened the door. The door creaked on its hinges revealing a room that felt almost like...home.

Jeremy felt a familiar sense as he stepped into the unknown room. It was deigned the way he would have done it back before it all happened. Posters of various bands, super heroes, and pop culture movies/ TV shows filled the walls leaving no inch uncovered.

A double bed with plain white sheets and an ocean blue comforter perfectly made almost as if they expected company. What caught Jeremy's eye the most besides the big screen TV, stacks of comic books, and video games galore was the wall to ceiling mirror at the very end of the room.

For the first time in months Jeremy saw a good picture of himself and all of his glory.

His chocolate brown hair was long and messy coming down just past his shoulders. Jeremy's once clear green eyes were now bloodshot and sunken in from lack of sleep; clothes ripped and torn; and to top it all off his toned athletic stature from having to run on a daily basis.

"Not bad Lancaster, not bad at all." Jeremy commented himself.

Looking towards the comfortable bed he smoothly made his way over to it, lifted the covers, and slid into bed. Letting the softness take over him Jeremy slipped into a calm peaceful sleep for the first time in months.