After The End

Chapter XIV

Nick took a moment to look at Xavier before he lowered his gun and let Sarah go. Xavier said, "What the hell happened to you? Where are the people who went with you"? Nick said, "I came out here to look for Kyle. Since the battle, he's been missing. The people who came here with me, they kept saying how they were gonna kill Kyle if he was alive because they weren't sure if the Islanders turned him into a mole. I know Kyle wouldn't do that to us. I had to kill them. I know it sounds stupid to be on an island alone but I need to find him". Sarah said, "Don't worry, Nick. He's gotta be around here somewhere". As the three of them began to search for Kyle, the sunset. The beautiful evening colors in the sky faded to darkness. Finally, the three of them gave up for the night. Nick said, "When dawn comes, I'm gonna keep searching". Xavier said, "I would suggest otherwise". "Why"? "Tyler had turned against our group. He framed Sarah and me for trying to killing him. We can't go back; they'll kill us". Nick couldn't believe it as he said, "What are you guys gonna do"? Sarah said, "Ronny's on this island. He's allied with the local islanders. We hope to find him". Nick thought for a moment. He made the connection that during his ambush where Kyle went missing, he did see Ronny. Nick said, "If anyone on this island knows where Kyle is, it would be Ronny". Xavier said, "Great. Well, let's go look for him".

"You won't have to look far," said a familiar voice. Everyone was startled as they held their guns, aiming at the two people walking towards them. From the deep forest, Ronny appeared. Everyone was shocked, yet grateful to see their leader was alive. As everyone lowered their guns, Ronny looked at each and every one of them. His eyes began to fill with tears as he walked closer to them. Sarah was the first to embrace him. As she wrapped her arms around him, Ronny dropped his gun. Once she let go, he hugged Xavier. Xavier said, "You have no idea how grateful I am to see you". Ronny said, "I could say the same thing". Ronny then hugged Nick. However, Nick was anxious to ask his question as he quickly pulled away from Ronny. "Ronny, Kyle and I were in that battle. The one where the people from Mount Vernon ambushed you. Kyle's been missing since then. Have you seen him"? Nick looked at Ronny for a hopeful and optimistic answer. Ronny felt a lump form in his throat as he had to relive the horrors he witnessed. As he tried to form sentences in his head, he began to notice everyone was waiting for an answer. Ronny looked at Thomas to help him tell the news, but Thomas looked away. Ronny said, "Listen guys. These people, they're not friendly. They kidnap, kill, and eat living, breathing human beings. They're monsters. I guess the reason why I'm alive is because I haven't given them a chance to kill me yet. As for Kyle --". He was interrupted by the lump in his throat as he fought back the urge to cry. His voice trembled as he said, "We found Kyle on the battlefield. When I got to him, he was tied up and had a bag over his head so I didn't know it was him. We marched to the south end of this island. We found him in a meat freezer in their slaughterhouse. He was hurt. Really hurt. The leader of this group, he came in and Kyle tried to kill him. It just didn't work out as planned". By now, Nick sat down and thought about how long he had been looking for someone he would never find. Ronny, himself, had to walk away so he could calm down. Thomas looked at Xavier and said, "So you're the group Ronny's told me about". Xavier said, "Yes, who are you"? Thomas said, "The name's Thomas, I've been with Ronny since he got to the island. We both share the same views on these people and we both feel like neither the Islanders or Mount Vernon are the good guys". 

Suddenly a gunshot was heard. It was loud and close. It wasn't long before another was heard. After a few moments gunshots echoed throughout the woods. Ronny ran back to the group as he said, "Shit, Thomas, the group's being attacked". Ronny picked up his gun as both he and Thomas ran back to the village. Xavier, Sarah, and Nick were not far behind. Once back in the village, the five of them saw the Mount Vernon military officers had flooded into the village. Omar and Jackson were spotted hiding behind a house as they fired at the officers. Ronny ran behind the nearest house as he began to shoot. Thomas followed him as Xavier and Nick hid behind whatever they could. Sarah, meanwhile, ran into one of the homes as she was still unable to fight. Ronny made his way over to Omar as Omar said, "Where the hell were you"? Ronny said, "I was out taking a midnight stroll". Omar said, "Are you fucking kidding me? How could you have taken a stroll when this fucking military force was right on our doorstep"? Ronny had no time to think as many more people were involved in this fight, which meant many more bullets were flying.