The Last Victor

Chapter 18

Dead or Alive - Part 3

I cautiously trail at his heels.

He leans over the railing and looks out at the horizon, seemingly lost in thought.

I lean over the railing next to him, gazing out at the view thoughtfully.

Below the town looks broken and run down. No sign of life except for a couple Roamers wandering the streets.

The breeze cools my face, ruffling my hair back over my shoulders.

"Look." Kaiden squints one eye and points out beyond the horizon, "You see that right there?"

I follow his gaze out to the huge wall surrounding the entire arena and enclosure.

"Those are the walls to the outside, right?"

"Yep." he nods, a desolate look in his eyes, "The one way out of this hell joint."

"I wouldn't say out." I give him a sideways glance, "Unless you have a death wish of being struck by 35,000 volts of electricity."

He shrugs, the hint of a smile on his lips. "We'll see about that. One day."

"It doesn't scare you?" I ask, genuinely curious, "We've only known this place all of our lives. Everything out there is.....well, unknown."

He has a brooding and thoughtful look, like he's reflecting on harder times.

"Yeah, the thought can be scary, sure." he half shrugs with a nod, "But while we're in the enclosure, no one can ever truly be free. Out there on the other hand everything's up to you. No restrictions, no labels....just people."

I shake my head looking down at the terrain below. "You must really hate it back there."

There's a pause.

I internally face palm myself.

He's an Untouchable Kyla, of course he does.

"Look, I'm sorry. That was stupid—"

"No." he cuts me off, with a stiff shake of his head, "I'm the first to admit that I do."

He pauses.

"And you?" he turns his head to look at me and peers into my eyes, as if gauging my reaction, "Do you like it back there?"

"Well, I mean—" I hesitate, unsure of my answer, "I mean it's home..."

"That doesn't answer my question." he raises an eyebrow, "Can you say that you're truly happy back there?"

I huff, shrugging at him. "Sometimes? I don't know...."

He turns his body so that he's completely facing me. "Tell me this. If you had the chance to leave the enclosure, would you take it?"

I hesitate for a second, words trapped in my throat.

"No." I look down at my feet, softly shaking my head.