Survivors

Return

"W-who are you." Xavier whispers. Our eyes are glued to each other.

"I..." my voice is weak.

"Answer me." He pulls out the Astralis blaster.

"Rowan." I croak. His eyes widen.

"Try again."

"I'm Rowan." I repeat. His knuckles are white as he grips the blaster.

"I'm giving you one more damn chance."

"I'm back."

He slams me against the wall and holds my neck.

"What did you assholes do to him?"

"Gorfon... changed... me." I wheeze through my constricted windpipe.

"Changed you?" He raises an eyebrow.

"My skin... and eyes." I try to explain.

"Nice try." He rolls his eyes and presses the blaster against my forehead. "Did you go through his fears or something?"

Well, yes, but that was before I got to Gorfon.

"No! No!" I say as loudly as I can.

"You're not giving me anything." He notes. I can feel the end of the blaster heating up.

"Regeit!" I call. "Maggie! Jade! Wessa!" I sniffle. "XAVIER!"

"Stop calling out to them like you care about them!" He snaps, a tear rolling down his cheek. "Like I care about you!"

I raise my legs up and kick him in the stomach. I run out of the room.

Regeit's still chipped.

I need all the help I can get, so I dash over to him and rip out the chip. He looks angry for a moment, then collapses.

I rip out my own chip for good measure.

Xavier bursts into the room. I shove the chair over in his direction and run down the hall. I get into my room and lock the door. My breathing is fast and heavy, and I slowly make my way towards the door of my ship. I look for my bow, only to remember that I must have left it in the control room before I was captured.

But I do have a weapon.

I pull out the Gorfonian blade.

I sigh and shove it into a cupboard.

The door slides open and I turn around. My heart stops.

I am literally going to die.

"Don't kill me! Please!" I beg.

"What can you tell me about Gorfon?" Xavier challenges.

"Um, the city is split into three rings."

He narrows his eyes.

"Is that all you can say?"

"I'm-" I decide not to dig myself in further.

"Do you know about Rowan Brooks?"

"I am Rowan Brooks." I whisper.

"You're lying!" He shakes his head. "You're lying..."

"I love you." I tell him.

"What did you do to him?" Xavier looks at me, tears dripping off of his chin.

"I'm here." I assure him.

"And how goddamn sick do you have to be to use this against me!" I open my mouth to talk. "I'm not listening to you anymore!" He pulls out his sword. My eyes widen and I close my eyes, bracing myself.