1 Chapter 1

Justine

I'm standing, 50 meters away from the abandoned Ferris wheel, gripping the rifle I'm holding. A blow of wind creaks the hinges of the rusty metal support of the Ferris wheel. I'm afraid that one day, it will collapse, and I will be crushed by it. The reason why I am standing up here isn't just to relax. I'm safeguarding the entrance while my other team scouted the Northside of the park, finding food and clothes. As I check my watch, it's already been an hour since they left me here; that's why my legs are starting to numb. Suddenly, I heard a shout from afar.

"Hey! Justine," Bethany shouted my name, carrying a bag of plastics.

It's them; they are finally done scouting for food and other necessities. As they come closer, I can see from their expressions that they are tired and exhausted.

"So far, there are no threats or even ferals around," I say, grabbing one of the plastics.

In our decaying city, there are two kinds of enemies. The first one is the feral, savage individuals who kill innocent survivors for their consumption; they're the reason why the population of the city crumbles. Second are the threats, destructive individuals who always use explosives instead of guns. They are responsible for the bombing and exploding in some parts of the city, and neither is safe.

"That is good news then," Carl said, casting a smile.

We each carry one plastic bag containing the basic things we need to survive and thrive in this city.

"Let's not waste time," Clint said

"C'mon, follow me," he added.

Running is now an essential aspect of our lives. Every day we run, we scout, and we fight to be alive; that is why we get used to it.

"Can we at least just walk for a while?" Adrian complained.

I had to admit that he is correct; we spent so much running that we forgot the importance of walking, but Clint, despite having striking features on his face, is now getting annoyed.

"Are you complaining?" Clint replied.

"Is in it obvious?" Adrian responded.

The tension between them is getting thick. Both Adrian and Clint fist their hands tightly, and if they continue, a fight will break off.

"Can you two stop being a child?" I say, getting in front to separate them.

"If you keep fighting, you will going to risk our lives," I added.

They seem to have understood me since both of them are now calm and relaxed.

"C'mon already!" Bethany shouted.

We each run in unison out to the park. Clint, who is in front as always, is our leader since he is a veteran in terms of hand-to-hand battle. Bethany is next to him, the mastermind of the group who always comes up with excellent strategies and tactics. Next to her is Carl, the fast fighter of the group; he is also a veteran in the hand-to-hand fight but quicker. In the back of him is me, the sharpshooter, since I'm an expert on killing enemies even if it's far away. Besides me is Lolita, who is small in height but incredibly strong and fast in killing off enemies using her sledgehammer and of course, in the group, there is always the black sheep which is Adrian, who is next to Lolita. We call him sweet but violent since most enemies he fights don't make it out alive. All of them are now part of my circle ever since they salvaged me in the city three years ago, and despite having different skills and beliefs, we all treat each other as a family.

"Umm. Guys?" Adrian stopped.

The moment he stopped, we all stopped, just like a machine.

"Yeah?" Clint catches his breath.

Adrian takes a deep breath. It takes him a few seconds to answer.

"I apologize for my temper awhile ago," he stares at the ground.

"I'm just really drained from all of this running," he added.

I felt pity for Adrian; he keeps staring on the ground like a child an adult has recently scolded. It makes me want to comfort him.

"We are all family here, Adrian, even though we don't come in the same flesh and blood," Clint said as he approaches him.

"We are the only ones who are left in this destroyed world. There is no one to help us; that is why we need to love and care for each other just like a real family would do," he added.

My tiredness is gone on those striking words he said. He is correct, there is no one to help us but ourselves, and instead of fighting, we should offer affection and compassion to each other.

"Thanks, guys," Adrian raised his head.

"I feel like we should hug," demanded Bethany.

She raised her hands as far as she can extend them, embracing us. We hugged for at least a couple of seconds; their mere presence is the only way that keeps me motivated and alive in this rotten world.

"I love you guys," I said.

They look at me with teary eyes. I embrace them again, but this time tighter and meaningful. I feel like I will never going to forget this wonderful moment.

"C'mon, let's go," Lolita said as she wipes her tears off.

We continue to run until we reach the end of the park. Suddenly, we heard a loud siren similar to a tornado warning echoing in the park. We immediately knew that we are in the lair of the threats as the sounds are an indication that they are there. One by one, all of them came out in different gate areas and carried their signature weapons- explosives. A large tank that was used in the Millennium War showed up. It looks badly damaged, but they have managed to work it.

"Well. What do we have here?" a man peeking his head in the hole above the tank.

I'm guessing that this is the leader as the threat shouts and aims their hands high in the air. They sounded like they have caught something deserving than any valuable.

"This is our place, and that stuff you're holding is ours," he says, holding tightly as the tank stop few feet from us.

We are deadly silent. I can tell from the breathing of Carl, he is terrified and wanting to run away, but he can't, just like the rest of us.

"We don't care. This is a place for everybody," Clint answered coldly.

His voice is firm like he is about the fight them all. We can take them down, but the problem is that they are carrying explosives, one throw at our position will kill us.

"Really?" he jumps out in the tank.

"Aren't you aware what we will go to do to you?" he asked, approaching Clint.

I know why the threats selected him as their leader. He has a broad, muscular body, almost proportionate with Adrian but more well built, he has tattoos on both his arms and lots of piercings on his face that I lost count of, and he also has long black greasy hair. I can't imagine why the threats pick him. He is imminent, serious, and terrifying to stare at.

"We just stole a small bit of your stuff," Bethany said calmly.

The way he observes Bethany is like garbage, waiting to be thrown. I expect that he has high standards towards women; I mean, Bethany's profile is striking. No one, even me, who is sexually attracted to same-sex can't resist her beauty. She is tall with long wavy hair matching her green celery eyes, and she has perfect body definition.

"Oh, where are my manners," he said.

"I'm Dean Brown, the leader of the Stronghold Clan," he said, offering his hands.

"Nice to meet you," he added.

I can tell that Bethany is scared, I haven't seen her having so much sweat on her forehead, but she forces herself to be calm. I guess that's the perks of once being a psychologist.

"Can you just let us through?"Lolita demanded.

"Please?" Bethany added.

I can see no remorse in Deans' face as he laughs so hard that it sounded like a demon possesses him.

"Hmm. What do you think, Drake?" he calls a name inside the tank.

Drake goes out in the tank. He looks like Dean but younger. It takes me seconds to realize there are brothers.

"They can move but in one condition," Drake says as he approaches us.

Despite being brothers, Drake is the jellyfish version of Dean. They don't have the same height, well build body, and frightening aura—no wonder why Dean was selected to be the leader of Stronghold Clan over his brother.

"What is the condition?" I shouted.

Drake approaches my place. The closer he gets, the more I get scared, so I force myself to be confident as much as possible to avoid being the prey. The moment he is in front of me, I stand still, fixing my eyes to his.

"Negotiation," he said, smirking.

All of us are dumbfounded. We don't know what the negotiation will be.

"What do you want?" Clint said.

Dean stays in front of me. For a moment, he looks so familiar, like I've met him before. "Was he a friend of mine back in normal days or a classmate?" thoughts gathering in my mind as I stand still, unable to let out the courage in these times of danger.

"So, it is like this," he started to walk around us.

" If you're yearning for freedom, we will take one of your mem-,"

We didn't let him finished as we are now acting violently. Shouts came out in our mouths, indistinguishable. It prompted Dean, who is in front of me, to take my gun and shoot it high in the sky. I wonder how he learned to use that kind of weapon when he is trained as a threat.

"As I was saying, I will select two members of your group. Each must possess one special ability that we can use in our clan," Drake retorted.

"We will lead them to be one of us," he added.

My heart is pounding like never before. I can feel its beating to my ears. I'm sure that they will take Clint and Bethany, the most important people in our group, and without those two, we will break away.

"So, do we have a deal?" Drake hisses as he stares at Clint.

"What if I don't want to?" Clint said, almost spitting the words.

"What will you going to do to us?" he added, turning his hand into a fist.

Dean's eyes narrow. At that angle, he's like an average guy a person sees every day, but this time, he looks like a psychopath who executes people just for entertainment.

"Well, BOOM!" You will go to explode," he laughs so loud all of his followers laugh back.

Clint is just standing there, unable to think while fisting his hands. I can barely imagine if the two of them are gone, we will rot here. One of my fear is to lose them, and now it is happening. I let out a groan and cover my mouth to silence it. They are my family; they save me from certain death. I must find a way to end this situation but look at all of them. Our chances to escape are pretty slim.

"I'm so sorry, guys," he cried.

"I don't know what to do anymore," he added as he slowly kneels to the ground.

I feel like I'm about to explode from the emotions stirring inside me. I will find a way to end this. I must.

"Can you just take the six of us instead?" I suggested.

I can't believe I could make their forehead puckish as if they didn't expect me spat that suggestion.

"What do you propose?" Dean asked.

"We all have skills and abilities that can assist your clan throughout battles, like me who can shoot a person 1km away from me," I explained.

"And others can fight a single battle without any means of weaponry," a little boastful in my voice.

"I bet all of you wanted people like us. We can help you control other cities," I added.

All of them stare at me, probably deciding to keep us or to kill us all. Dean and Drake are interested, as I can see their eyes glinting in awe.

"So, do we have a deal then?" I offered my hand.

I don't know why I'm full of courage all of a sudden. It is like something that encourages me to be brave when tragedy strikes. I guess this is the power of being together with them.

"Okay. Fine," Dean rolls his eyes.

I didn't expect him to believe me, I mean, we are experts, but we need the training to perform our skills properly. I hope they will not notice it.

"But in one condition, If you failed to impressed me in your mentioned skills," he scratches his neck.

"We will going to kill you, and there will be no mercy about that," he spits on the ground.

I felt like relief is spreading to my body. I thought the threats would take Clint and Bethany, and we end up being alone in this city.

"Why did you do that?" asked Clint.

"You could save yourselves," he added, wiping the tears on his cheek.

"Always remember, family unites together," I said, looking at them.

"No matter what," I smiled.

He abruptly hugged me so tight my back hurts; then others followed to embrace me. My fears and affliction are suddenly gone. I hope this will never end.

"Thank you very much," Bethany said as he holds my hands.

"It's what you do for family," and I mean it.

Drake takes our guns and throws them somewhere else. He escorted us into a bus that once was used for students' service. I can still see the yellow-coated lining in it; they used it as an escape vehicle.

"You should be thankful that my brother is in a good mood," he said while opening the door of the bus.

"If he's mad, you should be extinct by now," he added, grinning.

I don't care about what Drake said. As long as we are together and safe, everything will be fine. I hope so.

"You all sit there," he points in the metal platform below.

"And be good," he added.

We all sit together on the platform. Clint is popping his knuckles, and Adrian is lying down. I realized that all of us needed to rest.

"Our trip will be three hours long, so I suggest all of you rest to prepare your body for the practice," the driver said, looking at the front mirror.

The bus started to wiggle then moves. We each have a different place to sleep. Bethany and Lolita are at the far back, while Clint and Carl are in the middle. I get used to this way of separation in sleeping. I respect the girl's sense of space and privacy as well as the others, so I sit down on the right side of the bus; as I watch others drifting off, Adrian sits beside me, his large body almost shakes the bus.

"Do you know what will happen to us?" he asked, touching my shoulder.

I lean at his shoulder, not knowing that he gets uncomfortable when someone does that to him. He looks at me as if telling me how foolish to be forgetful about his dislikes.

"Sorry, I forgot," I said.

"It is okay," he responds.

He stands from where he sits. I know that he already knows what the answer to his question is. As I watch him lay down opposite of me, I noticed how muscular and broad his body is than before. I wish he feels what I feel about him. I lay down and close my eyes, thinking about what will happen to us. I push that thought away and rest my body on the platform, and after a while, I find myself sleeping.