Sinister Kid

Bruises To Prove It

When I came to,every bone and muscle of my body was hurting but it was understandable why:Someone had left me on top of a steel bench where I remained unconscious and in an awkward position,probably for hours.Also,I knew I was in an helicopter.I could hear the rotor spinning.Where are they taking me?I snapped out of my thoughts as soon as I heard two men arguing a few meters away from me.They hadn't realised that I was awake.

"What should we do with her?" a raspy voice asked in a hurried manner.

"Get her to Base 0,what else?" 

The second voice was cheery and made me feel a little bit safer.For now.

"Yes,of course but afterwards...What will she do?Should she become a nurse,a cook,a maid?We need staff,you know that."

"Actually...Why don't we train her?"

Train me?For what?

Someone let a sarcastic laugh out,probably the man with the raspy voice.It felt almost like a wordless insult,like I was disqualified for something.

"Why not?You saw here down there.You saw what she did.She will make a fine soldier."

Soldier.He wants me to go to a war.

"We don't take women in our ranks." answered the first man,the one that suggested I became a maid instead,so I figured it was time to say something.I jumped from the bench and stood upright,hands crossed across my chest.

"You will take me in your ranks." I said loud and clear.Both of their heads turned to face me in surpise.

"I don't know what kind of war you want me to fight in,but I'd rather die in a field than become a housewife of some sorts." 

"Show some respect,girl.You should adress me and my friend here with 'Sir' ",the man with the raspy voice imperatively demanded.He was the oldest of the two,his gaze unforgiving.

"I don't like being told what to do",I retorted.

"That one is feisty,isn't she?",the younger man laughed. "One of the qualities someone needs in the field of battle.",he turned at me and smiled.He aproached me and extended his right arm.

"I'm Gregory Greyheart." he said.He didn't look over 30,and his blonde hair framed nicely his blue eyes.His attitude was quite friendly,but I still tried to keep a distance.

"Alaska Sangreregium." I replied without shaking his arm,which then fell to his side.

"Not a handshaker,eh?That's okay.So...Sangreregium.And that means...?"

"Royal blood in Latin." 

"How old are you,Alaska?"

"Seventeen."

"She is just a little girl,Gregory and you want her to become a warrior..." the older man sighed.

"Oh,shut it,Daniel.So Alaska,tell me...Where is your family?"

The question hurt like a knife through my heart.It wasn't until this moment when I realised what I was.An orphan.I have no one.I am on my own.A girl with no father,no mother and no brothers.

"I have no family".The whisper that came out of my mouth was barely heard.Gregory looked at me in sadness and pity.

"I'm so sorry.Why don't you take a seat and let me explain...everything?"

So,I sat down.And they told me everything.They were members of a secret organization,with underground headquarters,that was fighting for about 20 years a silent battle against our government.Apparently,a virus had spread all around the country the past weeks,my town's citizens  being the last one to get infected.The government kept all this a secret from us because they thought that they could handle it before it turned to an epidemic.

"The facts seem to point towards one thing:The virus is government-made.Turns people into vicious monsters with no memories and no feelings.They just need one thing:Blood."

"Why would they even create something like this?",the question that bugged me escaped my lips.

"Oh...That wasn't their original intention.They planned something else.The virus just...muttated.",Daniel answered.

"Such as...?"

"Alaska...",Gregory said. "You know they watch everything,right?Cameras everywhere.The media manipulates us.But there isn't one thing they can not watch,one thing they can not control.And it drives them crazy."

"What could possibly be out of their control that they want to take over?"

Gregory let out a deep sigh before speaking.

"Thoughts,Alaska.Human minds."