After The End

Chapter X

"You tried to kill us out there"!

Gavin, Tyler and Nick sat in a small room. The room wasn't much bigger than a walk in closet. Only a single light lit up the small room. "That wasn't our intentions" Tyler said in the most sympathic tone he could muster. Nick was angry and frustrated as it showed on his face, "Then what was that that you had us walk into? There was a whole village of people". Tyler sighed, "We knew people would be there. We just didn't expect there to be that many. Our scouts informed us that only ten people were settled there. It's unfortunate, yes, but now that we know how many are there we can counter attack with more forces". Nick said, "Do as you will but I'm not going back out there to fight". Tyler said, "Fair enough. You can go back to doing runs with Suzy and Xavier". Nick said, "No. I want to go back". Tyler was curious as he leaned closer to him, "Why"? Nick said, "Kyle never made it back. I don't know if he's dead or if they took him. I want answers".

When Gavin heard this, he sat up and said, "When did you last see him"? Nick said, "Just before the battle. We were walking and suddenly bullets flew and Kyle was gone. When we retreated, he never showed up". Tyler said, "I hate to break it to you but even if the natives took him, it's likely he's dead either way. Those people are vicious. They torture and kill prisoners". Nick looked at Gavin and said, "Remember when the Bikers took him and tortured him. You and I both know he's alive. I need to go. Please Gavin". Both Nick and Tyler looked at Gavin for an answer, as Gavin said, "Go find our friend". Shortly after Nick left, Tyler's sympathic face dropped as he looked at Gavin in disappointment. Tyler said, "What was that? You called Kyle your friend. In case you forgot, Kyle said you were acting strange. He was the one who made your people mistrust you to begin with. You should've told Nick to forget it". Gavin looked torn. He was unsure how to feel about Kyle, if he was friend or foe. Tyler said, "Besides you have another bigger problem to deal with. Our scouts have found someone of importance. Someone you know. Ronny is alive". Gavin's heart sunk as he uttered the words, "Are you sure it's him"? Tyler said, "The description you gave perfectly fits the people our scouts found. Our officers who went to the island with Nick also confirmed this". Gavin said, "Ronny's with the island people"? Tyler said, "Yes. He was in the fire fight. I'll try and see if i can get our scouts to kidnap him so we could have a talk with him". Gavin immediately yelled "No"! Tyler looked at Gavin in shock as Gavin continued, "He has to die. We can't let him live". "And why is that, Gavin"? "He took the leadership role from me. He made me appear as weak. And if Grace finds out he's alive, he'll take her from me". Tyler grew serious as he said, "Gavin, what I'm about to tell you, you need to follow word for word. Ronny needs to stay alive until we initiate phase three of our operations. Modifications have been made to the operations specifically for him. Secondly, Grace and all of the vault people cannot be hurt or killed. Even though you are a shining example of what a military officer should be, I won't be afraid to kill you if you put the citizens in danger. Do I make myself clear"? Gavin said, "I only want to kill Ronny. I would never put Grace in any danger".  Tyler patted Gavin on the shoulder, "With time you will. Just be patient".

Meanwhile, back on the island, Ronny, Jackson and Thomas were gathering their people to figure out how many were still alive. However searching for people became difficult because the gun fight caused biters to appear from the forest. After killing biters and hardly finding anyone, Jackson said, "Ronny, it's useless to continue. We need to go". Then Jackson yelled out, "Home base"! Ronny saw the people around him begin to head south. Jackson headed south as well as Ronny and Thomas followed. Thomas said, "Where are we going"? Jackson said, "We're regrouping with Omar. We'll tell him ourselves that were ready to attack".

As they walked Ronny saw the group was split into three parts. Ronny, Jackson, Thomas and several others were in the front group. The prisoners they were taking and several others guarding them were in the middle. The last group consisted of any injured. Ronny focused on the prisoners. "So what does Omar typically do with prisoners", he asked. Jackson replied, "Without getting into too many details, they're judged by their size. If they're small or skinny, Omar kills them and uses their bodies as bait for the zizis". It was gruesome to think, in fact it was crossing a fine line for Ronny's morals. "That's a bit gruesome, don't you think" said Ronny. Jackson said, "If only you saw what those military people do. You'd view us as generous". Ronny said, "And what if the people aren't skinny or small"? Jackson hesitated before answering, "I think I'd be better if I kept quiet about that and let Omar tell you". Ronny and Thomas made eye contact as they both fell behind a bit to talk. Ronny said, "You heard that right"? Thomas said, "I did and listen Ronny, I didn't mention this before because I thought it was nothing. However, now I feel like it's something that needs to be said. When we were still with Omar's group, I could have swore I heard someone. It sounded like they were in pain. They were in a tent near ours and occasionally, I saw Omar walk in and out. I think they're doing more than just killing these people". Ronny said, "Well I wouldn't much enjoy it either if I tried to make a community and someone comes along and destroys it again and again". Thomas said, "Well either way, hearing those people suffer, it made me very uncomfortable and yet, curious about what was happening".

Elsewhere Xavier and Sarah were sitting in their house. Sarah was drinking tea as she sat at the kitchen table. Xavier sat across from her. She tried to take a sip of her tea however she struggled as her depth perception was permanently altered. As she tried to drink her tea, some of it dripped down her cheek and onto her shirt and pants. Xavier gave her paper towel to wipe it off as he said, "So there's something I've been needing to tell you. Before Frank died, I found something. It was Phase Three". Sarah wiped herself and attempted to take another sip. Xavier said, "These people are planning on going to war. I don't know with who or why. I just know that they're gonna send our group out there to fight their battles". Sarah successful took a sip as she said, "Why us"? Xavier said, "We're expendable. They don't need us for anything except personal gain. I heard earlier today that Nick and Kyle went out on a run, only to find that Tyler had planned for them to ambush a local village. Kyle went missing". Sarah stopped drinking and looked at Xavier. Xavier said, "They don't care if we die. They just care about themselves". Sarah said, "What can we do"? Xavier thought for a moment and then said, "While I was looking through their files, I saw a hit list. At the top of the list were the letters R.P. Maybe if I can locate this person and we could come to a mutual agreement where they won't kill our group or maybe we could fight for them instead of Tyler". Sarah said, "So you're suggesting that we leave? Xavier, have you looked around lately? It can't be any better than this"! Xavier said, "This wasn't meant for us. You and I, Nick, Suzy, Kyle --" Xavier paused, "Frank, we were never meant to enjoy this. After watching Tyler's actions and looking through their files. They never cared about our well being. They took us in so they could save themselves". Sarah was lost for words. However after a moment she said, "What about Gavin"? "What do you mean"? "You said Mount Vernon was never for You and I, Nick, Suzy, Kyle or Frank. Well what about Gavin". Xavier pulled out an unnamed bottle of alcohol and a shot glass. He poured the alcohol into the shot glass and drank it as he said, "Since we've gotten here. Has anyone really been spending time with Gavin? I haven't, I was always out on runs with Frank, Nick and Suzy. I know Kyle hasn't because they had him slaving away to keep the wall up. Have you"? Sarah said, "No, I've been recovering from surgery". Xavier said, "It's funny how Tyler has kept us away from him. It's also funny how as soon as we got here they asked me if he was part of the military in the old world. As soon as I said yes, Tyler and everyone else here began to treat him better. Better than us, even. And now I never see Gavin without Tyler". Sarah became uneasy as she said, "Xavier, what are you trying to say". Xavier took another shot of the alcohol, "Gavin is with Tyler".