The Rise Of Wicked

Chapter 1: She's gone

My heart beat quickened as the nightmares grew too much for me to bare. I sat up so quickly I frightened myself. My breath was caught somewhere in the back of my throat, making it extremely hard to breathe.

The nightmarish scenes that had flashed before my glistening eyes slowly faded into my minds subconscious as I reminded myself it was only a dream.

Only that wasn't the entire truth.

The horrific images I'd seen within my sleep actually existed – I'd witnessed them all. War wasn't something your just got over, it lived with you every moment until your last.

It haunted and tortured your tired and sleepless mind. Until you can't even decipher whether you are awake of asleep...

I drag myself from beneath the covers, shaking off the remaining nightmare still tormenting my waking thoughts.

My head was foggy from the nightmare, though walking definitely seemed to help ease the constant thumping echoing within my skull.

I walked through the night, amongst the pitched tents and the smell of drifting smoke. I came to a stop just short of Ignia's tent, the beige tarp strewn over the tent had been torn, left to blow in the sudden breeze tearing through the camp.

My heart sunk, because I knew this could only mean one this. The enemy had gotten to her –

I ran, charging straight for her tent, I pushed aside what remained of the tarp leaving it to sag behind me as I rushed inside.

Completely empty, gone.

Her bed had been shredded and the medical supplies she mended so many soldiers with had been thrown across the small space, left to be wasted against the filthy ground.

Against the stark background a glistening white sheet of paper rested on the ground, without even thinking I leant down and retrieve it and before I considered what could be written on the letter I'd already begun reading.

Dear Mr William,

My name is none of your concern, though you are. I'm from an organisation called W.I.C.K.E.D. And so were you, you just don't remember it. There are six other genetically modified humans created by us. Raised by the W.I.C.K.E.D laboratories from birth and each sent to live in different parts of the world. To gain experience for what we have in store for you. We needed you strong enough to help finish what you've already started as a child.

The six of you will join forces to help W.I.C.K.E.D. complete a time sensitive conquest. I have sent men to collect you, if you don't oblige we will be forced to take you unwillingly. We will do whatever it takes.

I understand completely that this all may seem a little overwhelming at first, though, Mr Williams I would very much like for you to embed your trust in me. After all this is what you were created for – stay safe.

Yours Sincerely, W.I.C.K.E.D INC.

I stopped reading, screwed the letter up and tossed it into the corner of the tent. My hands were shaking by this point and I understood in that moment that Ignia hadn't been taken by the enemy. She'd been snatched by our allies!

And before I could take a moment to process everything I had read, hands grabbed me from behind and started dragging me away.

© Tyson Hibbard, All Rights reserved