A Zusi's Path

Chapter 23: A sudden stop

Coming to, Re3x0 was groggy and sore. His body was freezing and everything was black. Feeling his own breath hot, and his body was getting damp. He was buried in snow! Re3x0 felt his body start to panic as he couldn't breath. Melted snow was trickling up his body, he was upside down! Quickly trying to re position himself, Re3x0 switched the position of his feet and his head, his heart pounding in his ears and he tried digging upwards. His paws freezing and his body heavily shivering. Though his panic got the better of him and he forced himself to continue digging.

Every second seemed to pass by as slow as hours, and just when he was about to give up he reached the surface, he was blinded by a bright red light. Flames! Re3x0 thought, before taking his head out of the snow and noticed it was actually daylight now, the embers of the building were just about out and there were Zusi all around looking at the scene. Re3x0 looked at the scorched building and realized the full of extend what happened. Crawling out of the hole he looked over his shoulder and saw the pile of snow he was buried in was only a few tail lengths deep. Stammering to get to his feet, Re3x0 felt a sharp pain in his back. He had fallen from the top of the building.

Limping away from the scene, no Zusi had spotted him. Struggling with every pawstep, Re3x0 made his way into the woods. Familiar grounds to him, he was unconsciously heading home. Then he felt a pang of pain in his chest, he had no home. If his father or brother saw him like this he would be found out, and what he had done. Re3x0 was stuck on what to do. Standing there, he felt like his legs were made of stone. "What about Rw63y? I am sure she will help you." Val's voice sounded in his ears and Re3x0 felt a glimmer of hope. "Why wouldn't she want someone as brave and strong as you?" Her voice trailed away like the wind, and Re3x0 didn't even question it. He was going to his old friend's house.

Every step he felt himself getting weaker, his back shooting with a sharp pain with every step. After his journey through the woods he found himself at the familiar clearing. Just outside of the tree-line was the lake, and across it were the dens of other Zusi, including is father and brother. Though most importantly, Rw63y's den. A gust of cold wind caused a sting of pain around Re3x0's eye and his cheek, noticing the gashes caused by 5k01L.

"I need to find her, she will help me. I just know it." Re3x0 continued, stumbling through the grass and ungracefully making his way down the path until he arrived at his destination. In the dawn light, the home looked as if no one was there. Only one way to find out.Re3x0 thought to himself as he forced himself to the entrance and opened it, letting himself in. The scent of his childhood friend was strong, and he followed it into the next room. There Rw63y was peacefully sleeping in her room, her mother had already left for her work position. Re3x0 felt relief surge him at once, he slowly walked over towards her sleeping quarters and fell to his knees, and with a gentle paw he prodded her awake.

After a few moment of hesitation, Rw63y finally opened her eyes. Expecting to see her mother, and instead what she saw startled her. Looming next to her in the low light was a dark colored Zusi, blood soaking their fur, and their clothing sodden and damp. The look of being half dead didn't help either, letting out a scream of horror Rw63y kicked Re3x0 away from her bedside. "Who are are?!" She demanded, her pink gaze, and soft brown fur stood firm and brave.

"It's me.. Re3x0. I need you help, can I please rest here?" He asked, in a soft voice. His yellow eyes seemed to glow in the low light of the room. Rw63y's eyes widened in horror, "Re3x0?! What on Proxima happened to you?" Her pink eyes shown with worry, she got up and went to light the lamps in her room to get a better look at Re3x0. "He's dead. I killed him." Re3x0 started to ramble, "I was only doing what I thought would be the best. He got in my way and I had no choice." His tone seemed regretful.

Upon further inspection, Rw63y saw the burnt patches of fur along Re3x0's body. She saw the deep scratches on his face, and she was still confused on the situation. "What are you talking about?" She asked him. "I killed 5k01L. There was a fire, and he set the alarm. I had no choice." Re3x0 continued on. Suddenly it all made sense to Rw63y. "You started the fire?!" She sounded horrified, but Re3x0 just sat there. "I really need to rest. Rw63y now has noticed what was in Re3x0's paws, he was still firmly gripping a hold of a large and sharp blade. "Alright.. You can rest here." Rw63y said, her voice beginning to quiver. "Just calm down. Everything will be alright" She insisted, as she knelt down besides her friend and put her paws on his shoulders and nuzzled herself up to his side. Feeling the warmth from her, and how soft her fur was. For once he felt his heart feel warm, and a soft smile was on his face.

Re3x0 felt his eyes close and came to terms with how exhausted he was. The moment his eyes closed, he felt the blanket of sleep surround him. Restless sleep overcame him, and when he woke up he felt as if only a few moments have passed by, though once he opened his eyes he could see the orange lights of the sunset.

I have been asleep all day! Re3x0 couldn't believe he had slept that long, he looked up and hoped to see Rw63y in the room but he couldn't see anyone. Struggling to get his feet his back still hurt but not as bad as it did before. Walking up to the exit of the room he heard voices outside of the den, he turned his attention to the window, and once he looked out he was terrified. There were many Peacekeepers outside, and the two who stood out the most were D6a50 and E4r1c. His father and brother were outside with others coming to get him! He had to go and warn Rw63y, with newfound energy he rushed out of the room and tried to find his friend, his dear.

"Rw63y!" he called out, hoping to grab her attention before it was too late. Re3x0 found her by the entrance of the den, her paw on the door and it looked at if she was about to leave, "Wait! It isn't safe out there for you!" he warned her. Rw63y looked over at Re3x0 and her pink gaze looked to be filled with regret. "It is. Because I called them." Her words hitting Re3x0 harder than any attack he had ever faced. "You what?! I thought I could trust you!" He was getting choked up and felt a pang of hurt in his chest, the pain which quickly surged into anger. "How could you have done that to me? I thought I could trust you!" He was dumbfounded.

"How could you have done all what you did! I loved you Re3x0. You were so blind by this stupid group of yours you never gave me any care at all. All you did was use to me vent to, I could never tell you anything. It was E4r1c who was always there for me. When my father left you didn't even care! I don't even think you remember that! You were my friend and I needed you, but you were never there." Rw63y said, her voice quivering with pain and sadness. Suddenly anger began to build up with Re3x0 again, his fur stood on end and he grew annoyed. "You have no right to speak to me that way." His yellow gaze was now full of fury, and his claws were unsheathed.

Rw63y's anger now turned to fear, "Re3x0. You wouldn't dare hurt me.." She tried to sound confident but she sounded like a scared kit. Just as Re3x0 was about to respond, a banging sounded at the door. "Rw63y! Is everything alright in there?" it was E4r1c's voice that sounded, "He woke up!" The brown furred Zusi called out. Fury built up within Re3x0 and he grabbed a hold of Rw63y. "You make any moves and I will kill her!" He snarled at the door, "One move and she's as good as gone!" Re3x0 threatened.

Moments passed before there was a response from the outside. "Alright Re3x0. We are willing to reason with you, just make sure to let her go." His brother called out, his voice calm and held no anger. "Have everyone leave! Now!" Re3x0 let out as a growl, his ears flattened. "No! Don't do it!" Rw63y begged. With a blow from the back of his paw, the weapon dangerously close to making contact, hitting her on the side of the head. "Silence." Re3x0 said letting out a low snarl.

"We cannot do that. Just come with us peacefully and we won't harm you." E4r1c's voice sounded again. "Never!" Re3x0 hissed, keeping his grip on Rw63y and dragging her with him to the upper level of the Den. Towards the grooming room, where he knew there was a window to escape.

"Re3x0 I know you won't hurt me. Why are you doing this?" Rw63y tried to question. Suddenly she saw Re3x0's expression, his eyes narrowed and a sinister look was on his features, "You are my only token of a chance at getting out of this." He began to explain himself, "And you're right, I won't hurt you. Not if I have to." he added in. "Now, why don't you be a good girl and let me think of what to do next." An uneasy feeling swept over Rw63y as Re3x0 sat close to her, she felt her fur prickle with anxiety as she feared the worst.