The Ruins

Chapter 27

Kaito seemed to have stepped out of nowhere and is trying to find the RK's. She pushes them into a dark corner with Kaito wandering off, calling them.

She tries many ideas of how to play the situation in different scenarios and most went terrible. She can sneak by him although he will notice them gone and it's ruined. The whole plan is ruined if they stick together when the boys are looking for them. She didn't want to split up so how can she do this without the boys to think they left the city.

Then she has this rational, reckless idea pop in her head. Sounds good but absurd.

Mal shook her head. "Guys.."

"What is it? What do we do?" asked Lugh.

"Okay," she said, her eyes darkened than ever. "I have an idea, but you won't like it."

"Tell," insisted Killeen.

"I want you guys just to keep going, I'll distract Kaito and will be going with the Calvary Boys-"

"WHAT?" The kids cried that she shushed them before Kaito could hear. "You can't leave with them, that's not the plan." Max cried, grabbing her arm desperately.

"I know, I'm sorry kiddo," said Mal, "I can't allow them to know our escape. This isn't the time to argue about this. I've seen you guys- and I admit- take care of yourselves, survive and are so smart that I think you'll grow up and become independent people in this world. Once I give you the signal, get the gates open, go fast and stealthy and close them before you leave. I will go with them but once we head to the Saviors compound, I'll leave admittedly without being notice and come to the pitstop."

Rin shook her head, trying not to show her face and Mal brushed her hair out of her angry wet face. Johan's rosy cheeks were wet with tears and Mal wiped them with her thumb delicately. "It's OK."

Soon, Killeen jumped out of nowhere, tightly hugging Mal and she didn't had the nerve to flinch which she's proud she isn't afraid of a kid hugging her. She wraps the little warmth around her, sniffing his hair.

When she let goes, she kisses the fluff of hair on AJ, noticing his bottom lip whimpering, and she smiled. "Be brave little man." She holds his tiny fist, giving a peck at them. Once she turns to her friend, her first glance was to Vix.

"Vix, you know what to do," said Mal.

"I don't know if I'm a good leader-"

"Stop. I've seen you and I trust you to be on charge. Sure the boys can do it but I count you Vix. All of you. I'll be gone, may even die and I need you to there for them."

"I will, Mal. I will."

Vix hugged Mal, saying "be careful and don't stay too long". Lugh shyly comes up, reaches his hand and patted her cheeks, nods. Lalon flicks his index finger. Once she comes closer he cupped her around the back of the neck and pulled her froward. He hugged Mal and this is the first time he ever hugged her and not joked inappropriately.

"I don't plan to be staying long," said Mal.

"Mal, I-," Max began, but Mal cupped him around the back of the neck and pulled him forward. She kissed Max on the forehead.

"Stand tough, Max You've learned a lot in the last years. Use it. I trust you to take in charge in case. Be smart."

Max nodded.

They all nodded.

Mal turned and began walking along the light of the torched, revealing her face to Kaito. Within seconds she couldn't see the group, swallowed up by the darkness.

"Ah, there you are. Where's your calvary?"

"They decided to stay behind," Mal said bluntly.

"Is that so?" His skeptical brows raises as he's thinking but however he wouldn't think so hard. He's the muscles than the brain in their commands.

"They can't handle what we can."

Mal stopped. Kaito turned very slowly and looked at Mal for several silent seconds, a smile formed on his lips.

"That's right. We're both monsters. And I do love to kill. Bunch of pussies they are."

"We only kill for surviving. To save the Tradepost. It's not for fun, Kaito."

"C'mon, Mal. Once there have some little fun. Alright, let's go."

Mal scrambled up to the gates with the Calvary Boys all together, armed with semi-automatic guns sling over their backs and chest, no armour was covering them; it would be easy to shoot or stab them quickly. There were no wagons beside them so they'll be walking. Take all night and a day to get there, Mal estimated although night is good to hide in the darkness and sneak away their grasp.

Kaito signalled to the guard to open up, and instantly all the guards ran out into the flat, open plain that stretched from the fence line to the foot cement of the car shattered road of the forest.

There were at least fifty Infected's in the roads, some standing still, others wandering endlessly back and forth. The guards broke left, and when they were a few feet to the other side of the guard tower and gate, they began shooting into the air (why would they be shooting, Runner's and Infected might hear it- idiots) and waving torches. As if cued by some shared inner compulsion, the Infected turned toward the noise and motion, their mouths dropping open. Even through the noise of the shotguns, Mal could hear the low, plaintive moans of endless hunger as the Infected began shuffling through the grass towards the guards.

"It's clear!" Glory's men said in a fierce whisper. "Go! Go!"

"Here we go boys!" Screamed Phillip and the others hollered as well, celebrating in wild screams, tongues out and waving weapons around like bumbling monkeys.

Mal ran with them, and once they were outside the gate, they turned to the north and ran harder. The teens were young and strong, and they galloped away, screaming in mad excitement, not caring if Infected can hear them and attack. Mal was a fast runner and she felt the discomfort of being with them, going into the narrow path that led to the great Ruins. She just need to follow and obey until they are at the compound. With those thoughts of leaving burning in her mind, she ignores them and went into a faster speed.

-:-:-:-:-

Vix climbed down of the top of the tower to open the gate and she turned back where everyone else is looking to watch as Mal dwindled to a small black dot against the lush forest, then vanished.