2050

Arc 1:Part 4

When I woke up I wasn't sore. Which was a first. My body wasn't too cold or too hot and my clothes weren't nibbled on by rats. I was in a bed instead. It was warm. Comfortable and soft too. My head laid on a pillow. I didn't want to get up. Its been so long since I've been this comfortable. But then my mind jolted. My consciousness and senses finally synced and I sit myself up quickly. Throwing the blanket off of me. I need to leave this place. Definitely. These captors are going to torture me or something.

I shook my head. For some reason, my senses were saying to stay here. With a comfortable bed and electricity. But I was stubborn. I know they were going to do something. I just needed to wait. Which I wasn't going to. That would be stupid. I'll climb the fence first thing. But first food. I was getting out of bed when I heard the basement door open. Light peered down into the dark room until the room wasn't dark anymore. The hum of electricity filled the room as the lights turned on and flushed the room in a brilliant white. It was Shirley. She stood with a look of accomplishment at the foot of the stairs. I step out and run through the duffel bag that was lying on the floor. My bat, The army helmet I planned to sell. Along with some other miscellaneous items. I grabbed the helmet. The blood had dried on its dark green grenade textured dome. I felt its texture before clipping it to my belt. then taking my belt and the harness I made for it and clipping it to my waist. I get up and stretch and realize Shirley has still been standing there. With the smile on her face. I sigh and walk over to her.

"You want something from me right? The helmet? My bat?" I scan her. She just scratches the back of her head.

"Your company. Everyone wants to know you and want you to eat breakfast with them." That baffled me. But When thinking about what they would want to know about me I stopped. I thought I only showed them a hard exterior. A stubborn harsh one. Had I slipped in my persona? I'm pretty sure that Kyle what's his face already views me as the violent one anyways. I cross my arms and tilt my head. I've been crossing my arms a lot since coming here. I think I have dents along my arms since they fall into place so easily.

"You mean everyone wants to see me? Even Kyle? You know the dude's arm that was broken because of me?" I push my way past. I was looking forward to having more food but I resolved myself to go off on my own. I wasn't going to attach myself to these people no longer. I have to find Mother so we can, do whatever we were doing before. As I was making my way up the steps she grabs my wrist. I was tempted to shake her away and run, but I don't want another abort plan failing on me. I stood and listened.

"Look I know we got on a rough start. tying you up to a chair and-"

"And I tried to steal from you. Only natural you would punish me. What's your point?" I was morbidly curious. Why was she trying so hard to be, what my friend? Impossible. That's utterly ridiculous. She stood quietly. I turned around and looked at her face. It was darkened. She was hiding something. I most certainly knew it. I poke her on the forehead. Putting force in it so she would fall if she didn't catch herself. She gripped harder on my arm as she yelped and fell. She pulled herself up. Her face was back to its bright self.

"I was just hoping that maybe you could stay and help us? We need more people to help run this place and-"

"Looks like you guys got everything covered though. So I'll be taking my leave."

"No No! the thing is. We need another scout. Someone to keep watch. Look you can leave if you want but if you stay with us we can help supply you with what you need." She said this with a sort of franticness. I pondered it. If I helped them maybe I could steal the plane and fly away from here. I sighed and looked over at her. Before walking up the steps.

"Where's everyone eating?" I could almost hear her excitement. Shirley quickly pushed past me and started hopping over to the recreation room. 

"They are all in here. C'mon let's go!" She then opened the room and walked in. I just stood by the door to the basement. I sighed and shook my head. This was stupid. But what other chance I got. I should give up on my mom. Chances are she already got out or she is dead. More and more people are climbing up the buildings after they realize they are safer up high rather than low on the streets. I remember when mom and I ran into a large group of people climbing up a rooftop. They said they only did it since the streets downtown are flooded with mines. The poor people. I remember how weary they were. With bruises all over. They must've fallen. Either they weren't used to free-running and climbing or the children were a hassle to bring up. I don't know where that group went but I hope they are okay. With a deep breath, I stepped into the recreation room. Everyone was seated at a table, all eating what looked like eggs and bacon. Along with a lot of pancakes. Kyle quickly scarfed down his meal trying not to pay attention to me. Mitch was just greeting and pulling out a chair for Shirley, Mike was eating a stack of pancakes and talking with solar panel girl. Which I think don't think I got around to figuring out her name. But after listening for a  bit I can grasp its something Ruslian. Somewhere in the northern part of the world with the biggest land territory. Word is their country is ever-expanding into Eorupe. 

I quietly made my way over to my seat and sat down. I rested my head in my hands and looked around. Soon the conversations stopped and all attention was on me. It made me sort of queasy. I looked around.

"So what's with me now? You all want something? I gave you a chance before when I asked," I looked over to them. Kyle flinched, solar Ruslian panel girl looked the other way. Mike and Shirley smiled and Mitch just scanned me with a cautious eye. Shirley was the first to speak.

"Well the whole reason I brought you here was because we wanted to learn more about you. Right guys?" Her reply was a bunch of stark and bland agreements. Kyle just nodded but it seemed more like he was nodding to the fact that he might die. I might make it come true.

"You just want me to dump everything? It's going to take more than asking." I leaned back and stole a pancake from Mike. He looked sad but just nodded. I chewed on it waiting for my answer. Eyeing Shirley.

"Why don't we play a game then? Everyone will say a thing they've done and we'll go around. If you can't think of anything in twenty seconds. you're skipped. Seem simple?" Everyone mumbled in agreement. But I just keep leaning in the chair. If I was, to be honest, I wasn't half interested in them. But these pancakes are the blast. I think I've eaten three of Mike's. He won't mind.

"Except Teselia can't be skipped." I almost fall back. But if I can't be skipped then I could keep the game going forever and I couldn't bear sitting here with them. Its just who has more patience. Shirley smirks and I wish I could punch her in the face right now. I tilt my head.

"But then can't I keep the game running for a long time?" Shirley puts a finger up to me.

"Then we can ask you questions. For every question, you answer you get a pancake." She waves one of the pancake up. They were bribing me with food. My stomach was still hungry and my taste buds were craving for the soft sweet bread and syrup. How wouldn't I give in? I groaned and sit up.

"Fine, fine alright. Who's asking first?" I look at each and every one of them. They all looked amongst themselves until Kyle sighs.

"How the hell did you get so good at fighting?" It was an honest question that deserves an honest answer.

"My mother trained me when society collapsed. Next." I rested my cheek on my hand and leaned on my elbows. This is going to be a boring and long breakfast. But I got a pancake so I don't mind. I chew on it as the next question come in.

"How old?" Shirley asks. Mike jumped in.

"She's 16 I believe. She said she was born on the island in 2034." I look over to Mike and watch as he gets a pancake. I snatch it when he wasn't looking.

"Okay so... You planning on staying here?" It was solar panel girl. I scratch my head then shrugged. I honestly didn't know. but a shrug won't be a good enough answer. I don't want to stay here but at the same time, I do.

"Well so far you guy's are charming me..." Another pancake. I'm like a vending machine. Spitting out whatever they want for their 'money'. If you consider pancakes money. Which right now my stomach perceives as money right now.

Mike leans over the table and whispers to Mitch and he nods. He looks over to me. His face has a scar over his eye.

"Ever had a relationship?" He asks. Though it looked like he didn't. I look over to Mike and Kyle was beating him on the head. Mike just gives me a thumbs up and I tilt my head in confusion.

"Well. No, and I don't plan on being in any. I doubt you guy's care since you don't have to do the whole survival thing." I greedily grab another pancake and eat it.

"Well if you stayed with us maybe you could. Trust me its a beautiful thing. Mitch and Shirley are together and Koro and I are too." He chuckles and grabs solar panel girl by the shoulder and pulls her in. They giggle. Mitch and Shirley just look at each other and Kyle seems to become even more lonely. Ah I see what they want me to do. And it pains me to think about it.