Resistance

:Chapter One:

*****

I groan and attempt to reach up and rub my head, but my hands won't move more than an inch off the ground. Or hand I should say. A wave of panic hits me like a truck when I remember what happened. My eyes open with a jolt of energy I didn't know I had left and I squint when they meet the light.

My surroundings are bright white - at least they are at first. It takes my eyes longer than usual to get used to the lighting. I'm strapped down on a small table in the middle of a building I don't recognize. The walls are wooden and a thick layer of moss covers some spots along the corners. The light comes from a window across from me that shows the layers and layers of thick woodland outside.

I turn my head and try my best to see my arm - or where my arm should be - but from the way I'm held down I can only get a glimpse of my shoulder. Just enough to see that my arm is not there.
I try and wiggle my fingers and my suspicions are confirmed when only on hand moves. I want to cry, to tell myself that this is unexpected and horrible but I think I've seen this coming for a while now.

My head aches and I groan, letting my head drop back into the table before the thought strikes - where am I? The last thing I remember is the bus rolling over and Jayden - where's Jayden?!
I don't struggle until I remember this. It wasn't worth it - I lost an arm, I've killed people that I didn't even have to kill - I deserve to die. But Jayden doesn't. Something starts to beep loudly as I thrash against the restraints but I don't stop.

My heart is pounding against my chest as if to remind me that I am still alive when Jayden may not be.

Two people enter the room in a hurry from a door to my left. They wear the same black and green clothing as the people who caused the bus crash, but there's no masks. One of them, the girl, sets a hand on my collarbone, holding me in place. She has dark skin that makes her green eyes practically glow when paired with her complexion. Her hair is almost black, falling down her shoulders in small ringlets. There's not a doubt in my mind that she's gorgeous, which is why I'd hate to have to mess her face up.

The second person looks like he's about my age, with a muscular build and dirty blonde hair. He steps around me to my hand and starts messing with the restraints – I assume to tighten them. To my surprise, the pressure of the cloth begins to loosen around my wrists until I can't feel it at all. Not to my surprise, I raise my fist and punch the boy in the face, knocking him off balance. The girl raises me chest and slams me back onto the table with force, knocking the wind out of me.

"Look girl, we helped you – not the other way around. If you think for one damn second you can treat him like that you've got another thing coming." She says flatly while maintaining eye contact. Her voice is captivating, gathering my attention and making me want to listen to her. I think part of it is her accent, which I have never heard before. She keeps the access pressure on my chest until I nod.

I watch the boy stand up straight again, rubbing his law lightly as he does so. He doesn't say a word as he walks around me again to my feet, then looks up to meet my eyes.

"Are you going to kick me if I take these off?" He asks with a similar accent to the girls. I try to hide my smile but I can't. It spreads across my face like a wave covering sand as the tide comes in.

"No. I don't think I will." I say, though it's barely audible from the coarseness. I cough violently, feeling the restraints falling off my legs.

The woman moves her hand from my collar bone and takes one step back as I sit up. My eyes immediately drift to my arm – or what should be my arm and I bite my lip.

"Um..." I mumble, clearing my throat before I continue. "Why did you guys untie me? I just punched him – and that was while I was still restrained. Imagine what I could do now." I finish, cracking my neck that's almost stale from staying still for so long.