Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Bonus Chapter: Leif

Hello everyone!!

Here is another bonus chapter as promised and this one is all about Leif!! Hope you like it.

Xoxoxo

"What have I done?" I mummer to myself as I survey the damage.

Houses have been destroyed and lay in piles of ash and smoke. Dismembered bodies are strewn through the streets and blood has soaked into the dirt.

It is nothing short of horrific. But the worst part is that I don't remember doing this.

I look down at my hands and notice that they are shaking. Shaking and covered in blood.

There is no doubt in my mind that I preformed this slaughter. I just can't remember it. A side effect of when I use my full strength and let go completely.

"Good work, Leif." Sabina praises from behind me causing me to turn with a jolt.

She is looking around the small village we find ourselves in with an overwhelming sense of joy. She is proud of what I have done here. But why?

"You never fail me. I like that in a protege. Now, go and check for survivors and end them." She orders and waves her hand in the direction she wants me to go.

I do as she says because she is my maker. I must always do as she says. I don't really have a choice. If I refuse she will force me to do so. That is probably what happened here.

I shuffle through the mass of dead that I have left but hear no heartbeat or breathing among any of them. It's probably for the best anyway. That way they aren't suffering in pain. At least I made their deaths quick I guess.

Suddenly, a small cry sounds and catches my ear. I know that sound.

I move fast, hoping that Sabina hasn't heard it as well. Maybe some good will come from today.

I round the corner of the town's tavern and see it. A small child. A baby really. No older than one year hiding under some broken boxes behind the building. Someone obviously tried to save the child from my wrath.

I crouch down and slowly make my way to the child. I don't want to scare it.

"Shhh" I hush with my index finger to my lips. "It's ok."

When I am close, the child reaches up for me and I oblige. I lift the child up in the air and into my grasp.

"What's your name?" I ask knowing I probably won't get an answer.

This child looks barely old enough to walk let alone speak to me.

As I am examining the small child for any signs of pain or damage, a glint of something catches my eye. It is from a tiny silver bracelet that has been handcarved and obviously given as a gift to this child. It has a name engraved into the shiny metal that I take as the child's name.

"Hagen? Is that your name?"

The small boy smiles at me and I know that I am right. His name is Hagen.

He is a small child with white blonde hair and light blue eyes. His smile manages to bring my own lips upwards as I let him nestle into me.

For some reason this child is not afraid of me.

"What are you doing?" Sabina's voice echos behind me causing my muscles to seize up around the child.

I turn toward her, holding Hagen safely in my arms and watch as the look of utter disgust grows on her face.

"What is that?" She spits.

"I just found him." I whisper.

"Well, get rid of it. I said no survivors."