The Rouges

in my damned existence called a life. Instead it smelled funny, like chemicals. And as time pressed on, awareness of my bod

ted

The shock of that realization surprised me. For so long I thought about death and

them at first, but eventually the murmurs started to sound like words. There was one voice I seemed to hear the most. It spoke frequently,

sed to respond and my sight was yet to return. I felt no pain, but I also felt no sense of being. I beg

, first seeing lights, then colors, then finally making out tiles and shoes. I was lying on my s

ng with feeling again, a new pair of beige

n a state of suspended animation to allow for maximum regeneration. Soon, you should be regaining feeling in your extremities, if you're not al

y ears became keenly aware of two diff

longed my life, but saved it. I was not with the Ravagers, that was certain. There was a possibility I could b

e, of that much I was sure. I could remember the feeling of her tiny legs wi

dity of my sacrifice ha

nd self-destructive action. But there was no use in regretting it now. I chose my path, executed my actions and now there were consequences to be dealt with.

ody. As I cautiously flexed my tingling fingers, the sound of hands readju

s mov

ving with great care I lifted my hands holding my palms up as a sign of amenability. When no on

ff a familiar green hue. Instead of finding sterile white tile on the walls as I had expected, th

allo

ng, pulled back in a ponytail. His hand reflexively tightened on his gun as I looked at him. He watched me warily, as if I would suddenly fly off the table and attack at

The dark-haired soldie

rabid animal." With a force I was surprised such a lanky man could possess,

myself further on the table and pu

ust looking at the pile I knew the clothing would be too big, but that was the least of my problems. While h

gaze made my

young, younger than I would have envisioned a doctor being. Fidgeting under my stea

nding to your injuries. If it is alright with you I would like

but he did not yet point the barrel at me. The blonde guar

e afraid

armed and half their size, I sparked fear in these men. Even the leeri

at the man n

d feeling my neck and shoulder. I was careful to keep my eyes on his face, but my foc

life and that man made my scalp prickle. He would pr

g looks good. Your back has healed nicely, your heart ra

g gun charged, the fire as the bullet pierced my skin. Then there was an explosion. I couldn't

further. Her face was long and thin with a sharply pointed chin. Despite the color of her hair, her face was relatively un-aged. There were two faint lines at the corners of her eyes hinting at passed years, but I would have guessed she was probably

pair I had seen not long ago. This was the cool-voiced

not waste my time on you, so you will answer my questions and you will be honest. If I believe y

refusing

s narrowed. "Wh

rrowing my eyes. Immediately

voice sounding su

d and the guns low

from?" She scrutiniz

m allegiance

hat Tribe wer

" The thought disgusted me.

ten as she co

ith those last words she disap

tupid questions and now she was throwing me in

nst him, my legs weak from lack of use. Gathering myself, I pulled away, but

tense. "Go easy on her Maddox, she

your business Doc. You healed her

addox's. Releasing the brute's shoulder, he stepped back

ill be your head I will come for." His face softened as he turned to me. "You need to drink a lot of fluids o

word to the doctor, Maddox dragged me from the room. The other guard appeared at my other

or so the tunnels would split off creating new paths, but the receding hallways all looked the same to me. Naturally, my eyes darted around for any possibility of evas

escape were gr

ytailed guard pressed his palm to it. When the responding beep sounded, I was thrown unc

" He crooned w

l I had not to throw myself at h

y left me unguarded. I stared

n't be t

towards the door. I could se

as e

d, I reached towards

do that if

ows. He was thin, with jet-black hair that was cut closely to his head. Beneath his maroo

a Tac

he Taciturns literally wore their pride on their skin. Their tattoos told of their past kills, personal triumphs o

ut further. Hell would freeze over before I would

I could think to pull my hand away, sparks flew from my fingers and I w

k looking up into the face of the Tac

e offered me a hand. Glaring at his open fingers I rose, refusing his aid.

e palm to it. Came around three hours later and damn near soiled myself

index finger. My brow furrowed. I turned my hand twice, staring at

d I been un

long blonde hair. I had always kept it short, cut blunt with my knife. The few times I ever caught my reflection I knew I looked too much like my mother. She was a beautiful woman, but in Tartarus beauty wa

days." A young man stood in the doorway w

able Tribe markers on him. In his hands was a tray of food. Just as the guard had, he pressed his hand to the panel, waited for th

in here." He muttered, stuff

d was to be my bed. I was surprised when h

r one: tru

urn your back to someone

as he looked at me. His features were sharp, but those eyes were... There was something

c Porters is fascinated by it, he used it to heal your back. One of the side effects, however, is

unable to find

s said you needed to keep hydrated." Looking me over one more time he

nk y

ay, but did not turn ar

disappeared ar

cellmate eyed me o

ent type?" I let a little venom slide into my w

molds we were born in

ts surface. I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten something hot. Reason told me my captors would not waste thei

o eat that I will." Th

ed him, but I was too hungry. Instead I compromised, tossing h

h ease and stuffed it i

shed my bowl and then d

?" We watched each other cauti

Tribe isn't the easiest thing. I was jumped by my own and left for the Scavengers

turn?" I began biting my nails b

than the answers." He shoved another hunk of bread in his mouth.

Tribesman may prove to be a good source of information if not

red as a sign

any more questions the room was cast into darkness as the light went out. I jumped

n they want us up. No point wasting a good night's sleep." The springs of his cot squeaked

on and his presence left me feeling twitchy in the dark. Worse than knowing someone else was in the room with me was knowing there was a door I cou

pressed my back against the concrete wall and braced myself for a long night.

ing for me tonigh

*

YYY

s in just 48 hours!!!!!!!!! I hope to publish

5/21/2017) after just two