A Hard Life

A Hard Life: Ch. 27

"Kenzie!" "Kenzie!" "Kenzie!"

"Shut up! Leave me alone!" I shout at the voices. Voices I know. They're all of my friends and family, including my dad.

I'm standing in what appears to be Secondary School, but something's wrong. The place looks like there was just an earthquake, all the doors are locked, and there's creepy stuff everywhere. I can't stand it! I run down one of the halls and up a flight of stairs to escape the screaming. I slow down fall to my hands and knees.

"*gasp* *heave* Wh-What's, *gulps* happening?" Am I still in Erudite? Is this another simulation? No, Kane got me out. Then why does it seem like all of my fears are here?

I look around to see where I am. I'm where the restrooms are located. Maybe I can find something to get me out of here. I walk into the boy's lavatory and look around. There's nothing on the ground, I guess I should, check the stalls? Oh boy...

"Here goes nothing..." I push open the first one. Nothing. The second one, nothing. The third one-

"Shut the dang door!" The door slams in my face and I fall backwards. I gulp and run out, never going back in there!

I better check the girls, I walk in and hear a strangled gurgling, chocking sound. "What the?..." I follow the sound to the middle stall. I slowly open it, and the sight scares the living daylights outta me. There hanging from the ceiling, is none other than...

"MEREDITH!!!!" I scream.

"K-Kenzie...?" she chokes out.

"I-I'll get you down! Hold on!" I look around to search for a knife or scissors. I check outside the bathroom, nothing. Oh god, oh god this can't be happening!!!! "Meredith, I can't find any-"

I dash back in but stop talking when I see her. My little sister, hanging there from the ceiling, dead. Why? Why did she do it?! Or did someone do it to her?! "MEREDITH!!!!! DON'T LEAVE ME!!!! PLEASE!!!!"

"AHHHHHHH!!!!" I hear three girl screams. No, no no no no no!!!! Not them! Why are they here?! I run downstairs and find Jasmin, Natalie, and Elizabeth being lifted into the air by two figures, both girls. There is a blue aura around them, their tongues are gut off, and one is missing a head.

"Let them go! Please! Put yourselves at rest! Your family, your loved ones, your friends are waiting for you. Please, put yourselves at rest and join them! Leave my friends be!" They seem to stop at my plead, and consider their options. When it seems like they're going to put my friends down, they get thrown against a wall and the wind is knocked out of them. Their faces become pale, and their eyes are lifeless. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The girls giggle and run off.

I want to chase after them, but another shout distracts me. No, not him too!!!! I swish around and see Kane being held against his will and a zombie-looking man behind him wielding an axe. Did he murder those children? "Let him go!!!!" tears prick at my eyes.

The gray, flesh rotting person brings the axe down onto Kane. And I hear him say my name, before he gets cut off.

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"Kenzie!" My eyes open and I bolt up. I'm not in Erudite, I'm in a bed at Dauntless Compound. "Kenzie? What's wrong?" I turn my head and lock eyes with Kane.

"You're alive!" I hug him and I don't ever want to let go.

He hugs me back, "Of course I am. What gave you the idea I was dead?"

Shaky breaths escape me as I remember my nightmare. I told him all about it, when I finished he kissed me lightly. "That wasn't real. And it never will be real. Your sister is alive, your friends are alive, and I'm alive. It's all over."

I nod and finally take in my surroundings. Im in an apartment similar to Kane's but it's different in some ways. "Where am I?"

"Your own apartment. You're a member now, you won't be staying in the Initiates' dorm anymore," he answers.

But only leaders can decide who becomes a member. "But, I didn't finish initiation."

Kane smiles at me, "I know, and only leaders can decide who becomes a member. Well, I'm the new leader for Dauntless, and from what I've seen from you and your friends, y'all posses true bravery."

I hug him again. "Kane, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! You're a true leader, not like Scourge." Then, I remember someone. "What about Sachi?"

"She's safe. Sachi is now a trainer for the other Divergents and refugees that are here." So there are more people who think the killing of Divergents is wrong? "It's seems like this is going to be a war," Kane says. I could hear some devastation in his voice. I feel the same way, no one here deserves to be in this mess.

I quietly talk, "It's ok... We'll get through this together."

"Together," he repeats and I kiss him.