Imperfection

Imperfection Chapter 14

We're on the run.

Aurum grip on my hand acts as an iron chain, linking us together, never to fall apart.

We lurk in the shadows, carefully creeping around the swooping watch lights.

We hide behind empty trucks, creeping in the shadows of the tall cement buildings.

We're getting closer to the metal gates, so close. I reach into my pocket and pull out the shiny key card.

"We're so close, Jus," Aurum whispers, squeezing my hand. "We're almost out of here,"

I bite my lip and hope it's true.

We're just a few meters from the gate.

5 meters...

4 meters...

3...

2...

1...

We're there.

I pause to catch my breath, to let the reality sink in. After almost 4 months here I'm going to be free, I'm getting out.

Taking a deep breath I place the card in front of the scanner.

All hell breaks loose.

An alarm rings above our head, a wailing sound so loud it makes the floor tremble.

The watch lights swoop around faster faster faster. I'm so scared so scared. I can hardly think, let alone breathe and my heart has frozen in place.

Aurum's grip on my hand weakens. He's in shock as well. His breathing is heavy as if his lungs are struggling to take in air and his heart is struggling to pump oxygenated blood to his brain.

A group of Dux Duci steps out from in the shadows, their costumes glimmering against the watch lights. They hold guns in their hands, guns pointed directly at our heads.

A man dressed sharply in an armored suit, steps forward from within the crowd of Dux Ducis, a satanic grin plastered across his face. He chuckles, his saber-toothed smile spreading. He must be one of the Fortis.

"One more move," he commands, his voice filled with his demonic laughter. "And your brains will be splattered across the very gate that you expected to be freed from."

Aurum tenses beside me. I can sense his panic.

I swallow and try to think of an escape. But my brain has shut down.

Idontknowwhattodo.

HereiswhereIshalldie.

A tear slips from my eye but I don't wipe it because I know if I do I'll be killed and so will Aurum. I never thought this would happen. I never thought I'd die like this.

The man chuckles again, putting his gun into his boot. "It seems the Imperfection with... 'Potential' has tried to escape. Ah, and she's sneaking out with a useless field boy,"

I close my eyes and try to breathe, calm my peaking fear.

"What, may I ask, were you trying to accomplish with escaping?" The Fortis man continues, stepping closer to me. "There's nothing out there but dust and rock. You would only die."

"I'd rather die free out there than die enslaved in this hellhole," Aurum hisses beside me, the venom in his words slicing through his lips.

The Dux Ducis point their guns at his for head, but the man waves them down.

The man glares at Aurum. "Hmm. Maybe you aren't completely useless."

He doesn't reply.

The man sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Alright. I'm feeling extra generous today so I'll give you a choice. Either you refuse to follow my orders and be killed or follow my orders and continue to work here, with restrictions of course,"

I scowl and think back to the choice the Alpha had given me earlier, when he had killed Walker.

"It doesn't seem like a hard decision," he digs in his boot and pulls out his gun. "Though, some of us are known for making poor decisions." He grins, pointing the gun right at my forehead.

Aurum looks at me, his eyes pleading. No, he mouths.

I can't decide.

Finally it comes to me.

"I've made my decision." I stutter, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

The Fortis man smirks. "Have you, now?"

Aurum stares at me, his eyes wide with fear and anxiety.

I take a deep breath, slow my heart.

Inhale....

Exhale...

I close my eyes; focus on the darkness behind my eyelids.

"Well?" The man's authoritative voice sounds.

I swallow and sigh. No turning back.

I don't know what happens next or other is even a next for me. Maybe I'll be shot right here in front of the gates, a bullet drawn through my skull or chest. I'm going to take the chance. I have nothing to lose anymore because I am nothing.

I gave been drained of everything: my identity, my emotions, my loved ones, and my past life.

I have nothing more to lose.

"I choose..." I pause and breathe slowly.

"What do you choose, Miss Justice?"

He actually knows my name. I must be his favorite piece of rubbish.

That doesn't matter because I have nothing more to lose.

Here goes.

"I choose to-"

Before I can finish, a hand suddenly emerges from behind me and drags me back into the shadows.