I crawl out from under my bed quickly as I hear the familiar thundering footsteps of Mr.Barren, I gulp and quickly sit on the edge of my bed, pretending I had just woken up as he walks in. I look at him waiting for him to speak.
"Its your lucky day" Mr.Barren says "Commander Shockfire committed suicide last night, time to get your tattoos, new commander" he says sneering when he says new commander.
I stare at him for a second before hesitantly get up. "Where to?" I ask.
"This way" Mr.Barren says leading me out, I start to follow him but freeze as I see Terror and Tremor carrying Shockfires body out, blood still trickling from the bullet wound in his head, right in the center of his forehead. I look away, starring at the ground and follow Mr.Barren again. Mr.Barren leads me down the hall to another room and tells me to sit, when I do he takes my right arm and tattoos a fourth stripe on it, I wince from the slight pain as the sharp metal needle touches my skin. The pain was slightly duller sense I wasn't focusing on it as Mr.Barren tattoos four stripes on my other arm.
My mind was set on Shockfires death, replaying what I had heard over and over again in my brain. Could Mr.Barren think that i had something to do with Grenades scheme? Could I be the next one with a bullet through my head? Thousands of questions buzzed through my head, I hadn't even noticed that Mr.Barren was done until he smacked me. I yelp and look at him "yes sir?" I ask quickly.
"I asked if you were ready" Mr.Barren snarls.
"Yes sir I am" i tell him and get up.
"Try paying attention more" Mr.Barren hisses.
"Sorry sir" I nod and look at him. Mr.Barren glares at me again before turning and leading me out.
"Where are we going sir?" I ask.
"Your first real fight" Mr.Barren answers without looking at me.
I gulp at the thought of leading the team into battle.
"Don't look so nervous" Mr.Barren laughs pulling me outside where the team was already waiting "the powered creatures have moved closer, you better not fail" he growls at us.
I look at the others, Terror, Tremor, Cannon, Bullet, Rifle and the two new members, Bolt and Fire, who were siblings, a brother and sister that Mr.Barren had recently found living in the streets.
"You wont need a ride for this one, there down the street" Mr.Barren hisses in disgust at the thought of the super powered 'creatures' that were so close.
I check my crossbow and my quiver of bolts before looking at the others "lets go" I tell them trying to sound strong and fierce. I try to ignore the others snickering when they hear my tone. I grumble to myself before heading off down the street, leading the others. As we head down the road, sounds of yelling and arguing could be heard, I signal the team to stay silent as we approach the sounds.
The mutants camp, because that was about 90% of the people who had gathered. Was a crowed place, people with fur, feathers, scales, colored skin, they were all there, and they were all ready for war. I look at the others "we camp here tonight, we start tomorow, they have the upper hand if we start tonight, probably have night vision" i mutter.
I watch the others set up a small camp. I sit down cleaning my crossbow, watching Bolt climb up a tree, Fire copying him on he other side of the camp. I lay down near a log, almost underneath it as I slowly fall asleep.
