Chapter Three - Cheat The Truth

"My name is Elvie. Thank you, Tyler, for saving my life back there." She extended her hand to meet mine, followed by a firm shake.

"That was some strength you showed, keeping me underwater like that. I could hardly breathe! What did you do to get thrown in here?" I asked politely, half expecting her to ignore my question again.

"Truthfully, nothing that deserved this treatment. S.W.A.T. raided my house. Some bastard reported me for hacking." She replied. Her tone sounded truthful, but the absent eye contact and twitching hands showed otherwise. I chose not to pry; after all, I was in here too by stupid means. Instead, feeling the tense atmosphere, I carried on the conversation:

"I was a cop. Well, a detective. After my mum died, I did something stupid and got thrown out of the force and planted here." I tried to sound cheerful, but the words just couldn't come out. "I've been studying this place for ages, learning all the gangs and that one you got caught up in; well, I've never seen them before."

"Ahh, the Renegades! Yeah, I've never seen them before either. I think they're new to the block but dangerous nonetheless. They weren't kidding about the pile of bodies behind the shop. I doubt we will run into them again." Elvie looked at the sky, taking in the bright stars that lit the night with a shimmering glow. "Maybe we should rest for the night. I'll take the first watch?"

I looked over at my rucksack, which was now completely soaked through, much like myself. I prayed the contents were dry! "First, we need to make a fire and strip off. Then, allow our clothes to dry." Again, I tried to sound authoritative; this time, it followed through.

"Strip off? What are you, some pervert?" Elvie looked defensive, her hands covering her breasts and moving away from me. At first, I thought she was acting serious, but she followed up with a playful laugh. "Yeah, you're right. I'll get some sticks, and you do whatever."

"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own? I don't want to have to bail you out again." I mocked, nudging her side. "In all seriousness, we need to stick together. If we start a fire here, the smoke trail will lead the Renegades right to us, and I don't think they'll fall for the river again."

Elvie looked stunned by my instincts and agreed to stay together. I slid my rucksack onto my back, water leaching through my top and onto my skin, and together we searched

for the sticks scattered across the area.

With my arms filled with a bundle of sticks, I quickly searched for a place to call home for the night. The cold air thrashed at my skin, my feet blistering from the chilled water.

"How about here?" Elvie called, standing in a small opening where the trees had yet to grow. I threw the bundle on the floor and began to set up a makeshift campfire, reaching into my rucksack for a lighter to start a spark, but in the process, I had taken out my doll, who was also drenched.

Elvie laughed, "What on Earth is that thing?" She asked rudely.

"This," I began, "is why I held back on fighting those guys. It's why I choose to stay hidden rather than join a gang." I clutched the doll tightly in my hands to prevent Elvie from taking a closer look.

"Do you have kids, Tyler? A wife?" Elvie carefully asked.

"No. It was just me. Look, I don't need a therapist to talk through my history. In the morning, you and I will go separate ways. For now, let's just focus on not getting hypothermia." I started the fire with ease and allowed the warm flames to smother my body with heat before removing my clothes - Elvie did the same, stripping herself down to her underwear.

"You said you were a detective, right? Well, how did you get all those scars! I didn't think you'd be tortured as a cop; shot maybe, but they definitely would not leave a mark like those." Elvie scoured as she scanned my body, analysing my scars.

"I was a cop. I went undercover in a street gang called 'The Nameless', and I got found out. They tortured me until my team raided. Now can we talk about something else?"

"You're very touchy. I'm not saying I believe you, but it definitely strikes some nerves."

From the town behind, a voice called out on the vandalised speakers that dotted every corner and building and filled the dry air with a screeching buzzer, followed by a voice.

'At 0300 hours, three supply drops will be sent over Sobury. Those who take it first will have access to medication and food. Do what you must.'

Elvie turned white, and her hands shook once more. "They treat us like animals in here. We are forced to survive by killing each other! You know what the Government has been saying, right?"

I patted Elvie on the back before sarcastically saying, "I've lived in this place for five years. How the hell would I know what they're thinking?"

"Oh shit, that's right! So basically, they will start pulling resources and watch as we all crumble like it's the wilderness! It's fucked isn't it!"

"How did you find this out? Surely they wouldn't announce it publicly?" I asked.

Elvie shrugged and began to warm her hands against the fire's embrace.

"No, seriously! How did you find that out? That's incredible work and something I can use when I get out of here!"

A long sigh poured out of Elvie's mouth before she finally responded.

"If I tell you this, you have to tell me the truth on a couple of things yourself. Deal?"

"Deal. Now how did you find that information out?"

"I hacked into the Ministry of Defence's conference call. Funnily enough, they aren't as secure as you think. Anyway, all the big guys were there: PM, Army Chief. You name it, they were there. And they were all talking about Project Rapture. They plan to take our resources away and watch as we all tear one another apart. They didn't say a time, I'm afraid, so it could be soon or months. Shortly after the call, I was greeted by some men in black with very big guns at my door who took me away from my home. Next thing I know, I'm in here."

"Elvie. I'm so sorry. But that's some incredible work! I could use someone of your skill when we get out."

"Now tell me, how do you plan to get out? This place is literally a fortress on top of a prison. And where did you get those scars? A cop wouldn't get marks like those."

I took a deep breath before lying on my back and staring at the night sky. "In two weeks, if I keep going at this pace, I will be at the wall that separates us from the outside world. If I time it right, I could theoretically jump and catch onto the leg of the drop-off helicopter and fly myself out of here. As for the second thing, no. I wasn't a cop. But I did serve three tours around the globe. Some of these scars are from my time serving; others are from this place."

"So what, you were Army? Navy?"