Shadow Moses [Fransykes]

Chapter 30

Sitting on the ground, in a circle with our enemies, my hand clenched onto Josh's hard, hidden from anyone's view in the grass.

Josh glanced at me now and again, in questioning more than anything else, as if I had no reason to be so tense. I'd shrug at him occasionally, sending an intense glare his way and that was the peak of our silent conversation as I didn't let go of his hand.

The warmth of his palm reminded me to stay calm and collected - on the outside at least.

My breathing quick but shallow, quiet, and my heartbeat in a rapid rhythm, pumping my blood faster and leaving me on alert, I stared at Alissa as she span the bottle.

My muscles stood tense and my thoughts trailed over various scenarios reaching into impossibility as my gaze winded over the people around us.

Josh looked at me once again, the message in his eyes clear.

Calm down.

I didn't understand how he could so easily swipe what happened under the rug, as if Alissa just tried to steal his meal and not cut his off head.

Each time I'd look at his face there stood a red, still fresh wound - a reminder of what she tried to do - of what she could've done.

No amount of Hannah apologizing and her captor seeming like she wanted to give Josh a chance will ever make me less suspicious of their moves.

The plastic squeaked as it circled between us on the moist grass. It stopped, pointing at Josh and Alissa - again.

The Commander took the bottle, drawing the transparent plastic through her hands as a wicked smile diffused across her face.

"How far would you go for honor?" She asked my boyfriend.

The corners of his lips tugged upwards as he looked down to hide his smile. 

He knew exactly what she was doing in this 'game of truth'. This attempt to 'understand each other better', as Hannah worded it, was Alissa's idea of interrogation.

"I don't believe in the concept of honor," Josh said, "I think it's a lame excuse to do what everyone else expects you to do."

"And vows?" Alissa asked. "And what about blood relations?"

"I thought it was one question per spin," I said. 

"I have a two part question," she said.

I sent her a death glare. "Those are not the rules."

"I make the rules."

"Al." Hannah touched her hand.

She let go of the bottle. "Okay, spin."

"I can answer," Josh said, "I have nothing to hide. I find vows equally as stupid as honor. My dad vowed to love my mother until death sets them apart yet he cheated on her. My best friend vowed to protect me as long as we both live, and then he tried to kill me. It's bullshit no one truly sticks with. And blood relations can sometimes mean less than you think."

He span the bottle.

Alissa stopped it as it pointed to her and Josh again.

She picked it up before anyone could complain. "How is it that your views are so different from your family?"

"I thought we were playing the game of truth not detectives." My eyes snapped to hers.

"It's okay." Josh gave me a light smile. "I can answer." He looked at her then. "I was raised in a system where I was taught I was on the top and everyone else were below me. They taught me everyone should dance as I wished and though it was a long process of figuring it out, I'm pretty sure I knew long before I acted, that the way we behaved was wrong."