flawed

f o u r t h

District_103
year 02 post great shock
•••

Emma POV

"What do you think he's doing?" Dani asked, watching the boss pace back and forth.

I glanced at her, sharpening my knife on a nearby stone. "Who knows, who cares?"

I had scored big and managed to jump a lone wanderer having just come from the local Farmer, and had victoriously brought back a whole bundle of carrots and a few cabbages, leaving me with nothing else to do all day.

For the past week Vince had been teasing all of us Rattlers with hints of an attack on the Roaches, but by now I was convinced he was just toying.
The truth of the matter was that our gang was still much too weak. We had to grow in size, in strength, and than... than we could strike.

My knife blade glittered and, satisfied, I sheathed the weapon, looking once again towards the shelter entrance where Vince still lingered.
"Shouldn't Logan be back by now?"

"Nah. It's just after noon, the kid is probably still trying to find a target."

"Oh. I guess."

Dani narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing me. "Are you okay, Em?"

I smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. Just tired. I'm going to turn in for a nap."
Without waiting from a response I crawled into my tent, curling into a ball and pulling a patched quilt over myself.
The memories were trying to break free again.

"Mom? Where's Amara?"

"What do you mean? She should be up in her room."

"I checked- she's not there, but there's things strewn around the room like a hurricane came through, not to mention the amount of broken items. Come see."

I quickly sprinted up the staircase, Mom in tow.

I threw open the door to Amara's room, revealing the disaster that was her floor.
Destiny sat on Amara's bed, growling softly.

"Hey, it's okay. It's me, Emma. Where's Amara, Destiny? Where's Mara?"
She just continued to growl.

Mom looked around.
"Amara?!" She called, her hands brought to her mouth as she shouted.
There was no response.

Than a sharp knock on the front door. Destiny began to bark maniacally, growling ferociously as she ran down the stairs and to the front door.

"Emma, can you put her away?" Mom sighed, running a hand over her face as she went to unlock the front door.

I reached for Destiny but she snapped her teeth, warning me not to come closer.
"What is wrong with you?" I huffed, grabbing a piece of turkey and luring Destiny into the nearest bedroom.
When I came back out two men with reflective sunglasses and shiny black briefcases stood before mom.
They were dressed in immaculately tailored suits, that accentuated their strong broad shoulders.

"Agents Johnson and West, security detail to the Head of Humanity." One of the mean introduced himself. I assumed he was Johnson.
West stepped forward into our home, closing the door behind him.