Survivors

Chapter 39: Xain

Chapter 39: Xain

          The alarm goes off as we get dressed and armed to go into the woods. We gave anyone who was going into the woods a silent alarm watch in case there was an emergency. If they pressed yellow, they were hurt. Red alert, the blaring one now, is for an attack.

          I’m the first to run into the woods with a set of swords, my spear, and some knives. Kandi and Sugar, though advised to stay and protect the outpost, have tagged along for the “real” action. In the back of my mind, I hope they don’t get killed.

          Clearing the woods, we see it. There are hords of carnagions attacking Izzy, Tanzi, and Jada. I freeze at the recognition of these creatures. They are familiar with the ones from C-5. Kandi doesn’t hesitate to shoot a specialized flaming arrow through one’s skull. And Sugar nearly decapitates one. I’m proud they didn’t freeze, but have no time to beat myself for doing so, because now they’re after me. I extend my spear and lengthen the blade tip as I twirl and fight through the horde to reach the others.

          These things are viscious, but thank goodness they are built like humans. I have no hastle with killing them, but I have to watch all around myself since there are so many. I don’t see her, but I think Kandi may be cover firing for me. I see arrows flying and killing the creatures as I move forward.

          The rest of the crew comes running in just as I reach the girls. A bomb is thrown and sends many black bodies flying through the air as Mason slashes many other bodies with his sword. Alestra has a crossbow that is self loading and automatically fires arrows with precision. Her other weapons are on her back.

          “What happened?” I ask Jada as I continue to fight off carnagions.

          “I don’t know,” Jada slashes and stabs with her sais, “They appeared out of nowhere.”

          I hit one with the electrofied end of my weapon and cut off one of their hands as I continue fighting. I put up the shield and block one from slashing me and in the process manage to knock it into a group of others. These things don’t stop coming.

          Jada seems to be doing alright with her sais. She’s taking many of them out within a second of approaching them. I have her sword strapped to my back, but something tells me that she’s not needing it for a while. I try to not become distracted by her fighting as one nearly takes off my head. Before I can react, there’s an arrow in its skull and another one appears inside of one closing in on me. This one becomes frozen almost instantly in an icy statue. I look back to see Kandi winking at me.

          “Might want to pay attention,” Kandi smiles as she shoots an arrow behind her without looking, nailing the monster square in the throat. “It’ll keep you alive.”

          “Don’t get cocky,” I say and throw my shield behind her, which both blocks a knife being thrown and knocks one of the carnagions in the head. Kandi stabs it through the heart with and arrow as the shield returns to me.

          I keep the shield up and pull out my sword. To be honest, the shadow was more of Xania’s thing. I was fond of my twin blades. I use the shield and sword combo, effectively blocking and slicing at the monsters as they come. So far, it makes my life easier. Now I don’t have to block everything with just my blades. I smile, thanking Tanzi silently for the upgrade. I look at her as she fights with her shield and sword shaped batons. She’s having no problem with taking them out.

          I smirk and continue fighting, trying not to become distracted. This is a battle for our lives, not some game for the Capitol’s enjoyment. As I’m fighting I come across a thought: these carnagions only have swords. Nothing else, just swords. I saved Kandi from a knife and had an arrow hit my shield a few times. I look in a tree near me and see a short arrow protruding from it. Oh no!