Underground

42

Estelle
Yeeva confidently walks to the room they put Michoon's body in, dragging him out without even touching him.
"We can't burn a body in the middle of the city." September says.
"And why not?" Yeeva asks.
"Because most people don't really wanna smell burning flesh." He answers.
"Well who cares?" She asks.
September cocks his head. "The police? Firefighters?"
"We could just take him back to your camp." I suggest, slightly stepping forward.
Yeeva raises her hand and pushes me.
I fly back into August, who grunts softly in surprise.
"Whatever, let's just burn him."
She starts dragging him again. "I want two people with me."
"Who?" Annaliesee asks.
"Redhead and Q-tip." She scoffs.
"Who?" Leeciy asks.
"You and Estelle, now come on, we're wasting daylight." She answers.
***
Yeeva doesn't cry, she doesn't seem to use her emotions.
"Ready?" Leeciy asks, lighting a match.
We've tied Michoon to a log and set that log in a bonfire, then covered him in gas.
"Whatever, just blaze him." She says.
Leeciy nods, and tosses the match.
It immediately smells like burned flesh, making my eyes water and my nose sting.
Yeeva looks at her nails and sighs. "Alright, I'm done with this." She starts back to the car.
"You're not gonna watch?" I asks. "Pay your respects?"
"Nope."
***
I walk into the darkened house at sunset.
I can hear September softly playing his guitar in his room, which used to be the guest room.
"You smell like some sick barbecue." August says from the kitchen. "You haven't eaten all day, are you hungry?"
"I just watched a kid burn, I can smell his charred flesh, I would not like anything. Thanks for offering." I slip off my sneakers.
"Can I do anything for you?" He asks.
"I'm gonna shower and then sleep, but thanks for offering." I repeat, walking into the kitchen to peck his cheek.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"Once again, I just watched a kid burn." I say.
He ruffles my hair. "Okay, go get some sleep."
"Okay."
***
"Where are we now?" Luca asks from behind me.
"A meadow of sorts." I say, turning.
He had a bow and quiver of arrows slung over his shoulders. "I see that."
I look down at myself, I am wearing a thin white sundress, and no shoes. Annaliesee would be impressed.
"How's it been for you?" I ask.
"Felicity left me, went back to the big lab in the sky."
"She's dead?"
"No, just employed again." He sighs.
"Well, how's your well-being?" I ask, offering up a light smile.
He flashes a grin back. "I make money selling pelts from the animals I hunt."
"Nice." I say.
"What about you?" He asks.
We never get to talk like this usually, so better do it now.
"I live with August now, and I'm building an army." I answer.
"That's interesting." He says. "How's the army?"
"It's good." I say.
A snap comes from behind me, I turn, seeing a Norisk.
An arrow flies past my head, lodging itself into the face of the Norisk.
Growling surrounds us, it's now both Norisks and Carlans.
Carlans are the size of elephants, but they aren't as friendly. They shoot poison with their trunks, which can blind you.
"What the hell are these?" Luca asks, bow drawn, face fearless.
"Those are Norisks, and the other are Carlans." I explain.
"How do we get them to leave?" He asks.
"I think we just prepare ourselves to die." I answer.
He stays silent. "I'm going to shoot."
"Don't." I reply. "They'll probably stampede."
"What do we do?" He asks.
I raise my hand, praying softly.
The meadow shakes, an earthquake scaring off the predators.
"Well, that works." Luca laughs.
"I guess it does." I say.
The meadow goes dark, then I realize that it's one of Luca's dreams.
"Where are we?" I ask softly.
He sighs. "I'm not sure."
Bats fly at us, darting down, trying to nest in our hair.
I drop to my knees, my hands on my head.
Luca stands, straight and tall, paralyzed with fear.
I reach up and pull him down.
He falls on top of me, knocking me to the wet floor.
"Please don't be blood." He chants, rolling off of me.
My dress was tinted scarlet, his blonde locks absorbing the thick liquid as well.
"It is." I say softly.
The bat attack ceases, leaving us soaking in blood on the floor.
I stand up, almost slipping.
Luca's eyes are twisted closed.
"Don't be afraid." I say.
He sits up, slowly standing.
"You're okay." I say.
Arms grab from behind me, pulling me in their direction.
I get tied to a chair, tape over my mouth.
"Estelle?" Luca yells. "This isn't funny!"
I try and scream which only comes out in muffled shouts.
"Where are you?" He asks.
A shock of electricity goes through my arm.
I moan in pain, the straps on my arm preventing me from pulling away.
Luca was in sight soon, his leather boots kicking up the blood.
"Stop electrocuting me!" I shriek.
Luca quickens his pace, flicking his blood soaked locks out of his face.
A shock runs through my arm. I wince.
The straps tighten.
Luca was at an arm's distance, banging on an invisible barrier. "It's just Shocko! You'll be okay!"
I scream, trying to break free.
Luca draws his bow, shakily shooting the barrier, it goes through, lodging itself into my bicep.
I cry out.
Luca's eyes widen. "I'm sorry!"
Another jolt runs through my arm, but so powerful, the arrow shoots back at Luca.
The carefully crafted arrow lands in the blood.
Luca draws his bow again, his eyes full of remorse.
Purple blood mixes with the red, making a deliciously horrific concoction.
I glance up at Luca, his eyes wide and fearful.
His thin figure shakes like a leaf. The arrow wouldn't be shot straight.
Another shock runs up my arm. I grunt, showing my pain slightly.
Luca lets the arrow fly, right into my neck.