Evolution

Chapter Six: Untruthful

I could hear the voice of Arden as we neared the heavy door at the bottom now wide open. The large group now stood still, quiet as they listened to their director as he stood on a stone short wall decorated around what once I assumed to be a garden.

"As usual, same rules apply. No dawdling, no fighting, and no loud unnecessary noises. Creatures can still lurk during the day, we are not safe, not a night, not during the sun's hours, always be on the lookout, always be vigilant. If you see anything that you are unsure of, let me or my brothers know and we will investigate it" Arden began "If you have a weapon, keep it handy, you never know when you may need it, we aren't here to babysit you, we are here to guide you, protect you, but we will not be accountable for your demise, if you are weak, it will slow you down" I hadn't imagined Arden to be as strict as he was, there was something about his coldness that I could empathize with.

"Now, let's get moving" He instructed jumping down off the wall, his heavy boots smashing against the concrete with a thud as the voices picked up again.

"Is this where you leave?" Coby leaned in towards me as the groups at the front began to move forward, almost like a well-formed line

"I'm heading in the same direction, it's when we reach the fork I'll probably separate" I told him, forming an instant smirk upon his features

"That doesn't mean I'm staying kid" I reminded him

"Okay" He nodded, disbelief shrouding over as we now began to move forward, last in line

I wished the group was heading in another direction, just so I could make my exit the moment I had stepped outside. I didn't like that these people had pretty much the same plans as my own.

As we walked; the sound of boots and shoes hitting the floor like a march, the sun began its beat down, its warm rays piercing through my layers unforgivably. I pushed my jacket sleeves up one by one, wincing as my left slid over my stitched scrapes.

"I thought that doctor fixed your arm?" Coby had noticed

"He did" I shrugged, brushing it off as I noticed the blood continuing to seep through the bandage

"It doesn't look like he did. I mean is it supposed to still be bleeding?" Coby pushed

"Its fine Coby" I told him more forcefully as I dropped my arm, the blood rushing down instantly

"Sorry for caring" He snapped as he shook his head and wriggled his shoulders

"Caring isn't an emotion you should have anymore" I told him, growing annoyed at his compassion and kindness. It was going to get him killed. Yes, he was young, but that was even more a reason to educate him on the deadly changes. If the world had changed, that meant we had to change, we needed to, to survive

"If you care about someone, it will get you hurt, it will distract you, you can't let your emotions cloud your judgement, it makes for bad decisions, decisions that will get you killed" I attempted to school him

"That's a little harsh isn't it?" A new voice joined the conversation from in front of us, a separated figure walking to the side of the group as though he was herding sheep. The moment my eyes met his back, I knew who had been listening by the deep brown shaggy hair now tied back at the nape of his neck, along with the long sword hanging between his shoulder blades.

"It's reality" I spoke towards his back as we continued to move forward

"It's untruthful" Jesse argued as he tilted his head slightly sideways towards us

"You know this from experience? Tell me, how many times have you dived in front of someone to protect them because your emotions instructed you too? How many times have you nearly lost your life because of their weakness?"