Rebels

Ch. 38

A hard kick in his ribs sent Jack's eyelids flying open. He had only been out of it for a minute or two, and as soon as he inhaled his chest sent a burst of pain through his lungs. He winced, trying to mask his pain. He felt the guards garb him once more, forcing him to face the King.

"For a wee little man like you, I will say that I am shocked." Jack spoke, though now his voice was even raspier and more pathetic. Jack understood why no one had ever seen the King. He was going and still growing, and if people saw how old he was, then more wouldn't be afraid to retaliate.

The King frowned. "Maybe I should have my pet kill you after all."

From behind the man, Jack could see Arin being locked up again. Two soldiers, in their black uniforms, began escorting Arin back, when he collapsed. Jack swallowed down his pain, and a little flicker of happiness lit through him. Jack hoped that Arin would be coming to his normal self, and that he would beat the hell out of the King.

The King grew angry. "Get him out of here!" He barked to the soldiers, who pulled Arin into a room and slammed the door shut behind them. The King then turned back to Jack. "You will rot, just like the rebellion." He hissed. He turned towards Lyla and Luca, and Jack's stomach churned. He tried to protest, but his voice cut out. All he could do was watch. He knew he was too weak to do anything. He met eyes with Lyla, and she returned his gaze, fear in her eyes. Jack had never seen Lyla so scared before, and in a way this made Lyla vulnerable.

The King slapped Lyla across her face so sudden that Jack jumped. Lyla's hair fell over her face, masking her pain.

The King was fuming. "You disgust me." He spat. His eyes scanned over Luca, who was still limp, unconscious. He kicked Luca where his knife wound was, and Jack knew that though Luca was unconscious, that hurt him. Lyla began to yell. "Stop! He didn't do anything!"

The King scoffed. "Your brother is worthless. He is scum. He's an alcoholic, and he's been running from the law. You both have. You both are a disgrace to this city." The King finished. He then shouted orders to the guards that held Luca and Lyla. "Take them to the hospital wing. They'll have fun there." A wicked smile spread across his face as Luca and Lyla were dragged away.

The King directed his attention back to Jack. Jack could not even take a breath before wheezing out in pain, and he concluded he had a few broken ribs, from Arin kicking him relentlessly. His head was pounding, and blood had found its way into his mouth.

The King's eyes glazed over, as if he was deep in thought. Before Jack could question this, the King steadily walked towards him. Jack braced himself for a beating, but when it did not come, he opened his eyes. The King ripped the gun away from the soldier on Jack's left, and cocked it.

The soldier began to protest. "Your majesty, I do not think it wise-"

"Shut up!" The King shouted. He aimed the gun at Jack's head.

Ironically, the doors to the room burst open, and Tom came rushing in, as if he had come from somewhere far away, when in reality he had been guarding the door. Jack strained to look over his shoulder at Tom, who seemed oddly nervous about something.

The King was furious. "God damnit, Tom!" He screamed. "How dare you barge in here like this?"

Tom swallowed. "I am sorry, your majesty." He gave a small bow, and it was then that Jack saw the gun Tom held in his hand. Jack turned back around so the pain would stop flaring in his neck, and so he could think. He knew that Tom would most likely get himself killed, and that it would be Jack's fault.

Tom continued. "Your majesty, the Rebellion is here."

The King scoffed. "The Rebellion is dead!" Still, the King thought about what Tom had said, slightly lowering the gun that had been raised at Jack. "Where?"

Tom's eyes moved over towards the soldiers who were grasping Jack. Something flashed his eyes- something Jack could not detect. Then, he met gazes with Jack, and Tom's jaw tightened.

Gunshots suddenly rang out through the air, and instinctively Jack ducked, trying to cover his head against the hold of the guards behind him. His ears rang and his head pounded. Jack opened his eyes, on full alert, and saw the King before him. The King had a crazed look in his eyes.

Jack forced himself to look back at Tom. Now Tom's jaw was dropped, and he seemed scared and shocked. Slowly, he reached up to touch his left shoulder, and his fingertips were immediately covered in blood.

Unexpected tears formed in Jack's eyes and he forced himself to look away from Tom, as he heard Tom fall to the ground, writhing in pain.

The King was laughing. "I have been waiting to do that for a while, now." His eyes moved once again over Jack. "Your turn."

The King fired the gun, and immense pain flared through Jack's arm, running all the way up through his shoulder. The guards let go of him as he struggled to hide his pain. The pain reminded Jack of when Luca had shot Jack during his 'training.'

The two soldiers who were standing by Jack cocked their guns, and through his pain Jack was ultimately confused by this. They were now aiming directly at the King, who took a few steps back in shock. "What are you doing?" He yelled. "I am your King!"

The solider to Jack's left spoke first. "You may be a young and powerful King, but you are no majesty of ours."

The King snarled. "I shall have you executed!" He turned to the other soldiers who were standing on guard in the room. "Take these scums away!"

No one moved.

Despite his pain, Jack smiled faintly. No one had known where the Rebellion had lived. Luca and Lyla both had found the answer after Link had died. They were living in the palace all along, and the King had never known. It was a brilliant scheme.

The King backed away once more. "The Rebellion is dead. I killed each and every one of them."

"Why?" Jack blurted, though it came as a whisper. "Why did you kill them? W-Why did you enforce these monitors? You are taking away our peace. You are changing the definition of what it is to be human in this city! You're committing genocide."

The King's eyes clouded. "These people are out of hand. T-They are committing adultery! They drink until they ruin the city's reputation. They are criminals. Thieves are out of control. Rebellion is out of control. These monitors are for their own best interest."

For once, Jack felt sympathy for the man. He was too young to be a King, and clearly it had taken its toll a long time ago. "There are other ways."

The King shook his head no. "The only way," he said, chuckling, "is to kill them all. And, you will find that once you get used to it, it gives off an impressive amount of pleasure."

Just then, Arin slammed the door open from where he had been dragged, and he was fuming. His eyes were locked on the King, and nothing else but the King.

The Rebellion had been in the palace all along.