Chapter 14: Together Again

Aria's POV

"Don't mind the fall." One of the men holding me said, throwing me into the dark white room. As my back hit the floor, I felt every nerve burn and my body tremble from the indescribable pain. I wanted nothing more than to pull my hair out from the stinging feeling that erupted in my back, the gashes carved into my flesh being the worst pain I have felt.

Once the door closed with a loud clank, I felt Thalia near my hurt body. "Aria?" Her voice was small as she turned me on my side, gasping at the sight of my lashed back.

Seeing Harry was a joy beyond words. I thought I wasn't going to see anyone else ever, but seeing his curls and those changing green eyes made me feel better. That one man though with the dark hair and the tattoo sleeve made my skin crawl. He was dirty and definitely not level-headed; two very bad qualities.

His fingers on my skin and his nose against my neck made me want feel sick to my stomach. Obviously, I wasn't going to let him see me shake under his touch and give in; I had to stand up for myself. But that earned me over 15 lashes on my back.

"Don't touch it." I gasped as I could feel my sister-in-law's shaky fingers against the gashes.

"Sorry!" She moved back. I could tell she wanted to cry just by the sound of her voice. "Here." I heard shifting behind me and soon pressure on my back from some type of cloth, making me cry out and actually let a few tears release as my hands clawed the cement ground.

"Stop!" I tried to move away, but she applied more pressure.

"No, I have to stop the bleeding. There's so much." Thalia kept applying pressure to my back and I finally let the sobs and tears leave me. I couldn't be strong forever. Every now and then I had to collapse and let it all go or else I wouldn't be human anymore.

"It hurts." My eyes shut closed hard. I bit down on my trembling bottom lip as Thalia applied more pressure. After taking care of her, she was finally doing the same for me and I was so grateful.

"I know, I know." She cooed to me, sniffling as she tried to stop my back from bleeding anymore. One of her hands rubbed my arm in a motherly way and I felt myself slowly calming down. The sting was still there but it wasn't as bad.

"I saw Harry." I said once my sobs faded away, leaving my face dry from tears and my eyes staring off into nothingness.

"Really? What do you mean?" Thalia asked, moving away whatever she used to stop the blood from leaving my body.

"They brought me to their leader's room and he was there, sitting in a chair and tied up. I need him to keep me sane, Thalia. I don't know why but he makes me feel better. Better than anyone could during this hell." I whispered. Harry, Hunter or not, kept me from losing my mind even more. I thought I only needed my brother or Thalia, but after meeting Harry, I realised I needed him more than my own family. He was like the drug I have become addicted to and need at all times.

"That's how I felt about your brother," Thalia said. I moved so I was on my side facing her. "When he saved me from almost being hit by a car on the street, I immediately knew I had to have him. I could barely speak English, but he took his time with me and taught me. I fell in love with him after only a week." She giggled, living in a memory that made her whole life change.

"He said he fell for you the day he met you." I smiled a bit, trying to ignore the pain in my heart and back. Tom always brought back the day he fell for Thalia and I always loved listening to him go on and on about it.

Thalia giggled a little and rubbed her swollen stomach, her own short gown covered by a coat someone had provided her.

It's only been fifteen minutes before the door to our room opened and we both tensed as we watched one of the men that brought me to his leader's room approach.

"The Captain would like to have dinner with you." He grunted, lighting a match and firing up the end of his new cigar.

"She can't move. She needs medical help." Thalia spoke up, but she quieted once he stood right in front of her, towering over her sitting frame.

"She'll be wheeled in." He nodded as someone brought in a wheelchair, the wheels squeaking as it stopped near me.

"I'm not going." I protested and curled up more on the floor, my back arching and hurting.

"I don't think you're in a position to ignore his command. You're lucky you're even alive and breathing." I felt hands grab my arms and lift me up, my stupid small gown was falling off me and I only had my underwear underneath. My bra had gone missing and I bet one of these bastards took it.

"What about her? She needs food for her baby." I said through gritted teeth and the hands pushed me against the seat, my back hitting the leather and making me bite the inside of my cheek.

"Fine," He went to her, blowing smoke against her face and making her cough as he pulled her up, keeping her steady as she almost toppled over. "Come on."

"She needs rest though. She just got back." Thalia wasn't an arguer, but when she was desperate she usually tried to get her way. She moved her auburn hair away from her face, her almond eyes pleading as she followed as they moved me out of the room.

The Hunter didn't answer her, only continued on his way as one of the others pushed me through the dark hallway. I had the urge to hop off the chair since they didn't strap me down, but I knew there literally was no point. I wasn't in a condition to actually run let alone walk.

"What about my back?" I was scared to move my body at all since my torn flesh was pressed against the leather of the seat and if I moved just an inch, I was sure to gasp out in pain.

"If you behave yourself during dinner, you may get the medical attention you need." He said in my ear, his breath fanning against my cheek and the smell of tobacco filling my nose.

When we finally made it into the room, I took in the sight before me. A long table was decorated with plates and silverware and dripping white, wax candles on tiny stands. I was surprised that they even had this fancy dining ware since there really is no point of it. A table cloth made of red silk lay underneath everything in a mock luxurious fashion.

"Up you go." I felt arms once again lift me up and steady me towards a chair that sat in front of a plate already filled with food-- legs of lamb, vegetables, bread, cheese, everything really.

My mouth watered from the food I haven't seen since the world died and I realised how long it's been since I've had a proper meal.

Thalia sat down, too far away to make me feel comfortable and I could tell by the look on her face that she too was shocked by the arrangements.

"Sorry about earlier," A voice said and as I looked up, the man who whipped me walked in, changed into a simple black shirt and jeans. "Had to make sure my boys knew that no one, not even a woman as yourself, can cross me."

He sat across from me, making his chair scrape against the cement floors before pulling himself to the table. He grabbed a fork and stabbed it into a thin piece of meat, slowly bringing it to his mouth.

"Where did all of this food come from?" I asked. It was strange to see such good food during times like this that it had me wondering.

"We know some people that are doing well in Texas. We trade with them and they give this in return." He motioned to all of the filled plates on the table.

"What do you trade exactly?" I raised an eyebrow. I might as well get all the information I can.

"You're just stock full of questions, aren't you?" He sighed but answered, "Do you really want to know?" He gave me a look as if I should hold my tongue, but me being curious and demanding, I nodded. "Women. Girls we find on the streets that are Outsiders or stragglers. Usually those." He shrugged and I closed my eyes and shook my head.

"You're a monster." I breathed out as I glared at him, hoping my grey eyes were intimidating, but I knew he only saw it as a little girl's angry stare.

"Never said I wasn't. You see, the world hasn't changed. It's the same as it ever was. The weak get taken and the strong rule. Monsters still rule the planet, that's how you survive. If you become weak or cower, you die. Don't expect me to loosen up because a girl tells me how cruel I am." He pushed his hair back as I watched him, feeling threatened by his words.

"But being stupid and reckless can make you end up with a one way ticket to hell. Letting your soldiers leave right under your nose was pretty stupid and reckless." I was playing with wildfire here and I knew that. I just wanted him to get aggravated, to see his mistakes and become frustrated. He had to feel that.

"A simple mistake that can be made better. I know you're trying to get under my skin and I admire that, but if you want your back to be treated, I suggest you watch your tongue before I cut it out." He smirked and picked up a knife from the table, twisting it in his hands.

He was trying to make me feel small and scared, but I knew better. Of course I did feel a little bit afraid, but I couldn't show that.

"Where are my friends?" I asked. I wanted to eat, don't get me wrong, but they could have done anything to my plate and Thalia's. My sister-in-law was picking at her food, obviously imagining the same thing. Also, I had to make sure everyone was alright--my appetite was small compared to the worry I had for them.

"You mean the traitors and that ex-military scum? They're safe for now. Although, one wrong move and I slit their throats," He shrugged and broke off a piece of white bread, chewing as he watched me with his dark eyes. "Please eat."

"How do I know you haven't done anything to it?" I asked, making him laugh.

"I promise. Poison is a bitch weapon. If I wanted to kill you I would do it more spectacularly." He chuckled and smiled as he chewed on his biscuit.

"You almost did." I moved my back a bit, wincing as it touched the wood of my chair. Hopefully it would heal because just walking would be a struggle.

"No. I know how to kill someone with just one lash. Your punishment was only a warning," He filled a cup with some dark liquid and drank from it, gulping loudly. "I wouldn't dare kill a beauty such as yourself. You can be put to better uses."

"I wouldn't succumb to whatever you're insinuating." My voice was monotone as I carefully plucked a piece of meat off the leg on my plate and brought it to my lips. It smelled good, everything did and I couldn't help myself as I took it in between my teeth and chewed. It was bland but definitely better than anything I've had in the past five years.

"Has anyone told you that you lack manners?" He leaned forward in his seat and tilted his head, as if I was some interesting creature.

"Do you think I care about that nowadays?" I fought back and I thought I made him angry from the look in his eyes until he bellowed out a laugh, causing the lines around his mouth to deepen.

"I guess not. Running away from Infected can make you forget what used to be important," He leaned back and looked over at Thalia, raising a brow her way. "What's your name, lovely?"

"Thalia." She said in a quiet voice, her eyes cast down and her hands lightly rubbing her stomach.

"Where are you from? I can hear a hint of an accent." I didn't like how he looked at her but I can tell he watched every girl like this.

"South Korea." She answered and took a bite of the food that was on her plate.

"What happened to the father of your child?" He asked. My eyes snapped to Thalia and I saw the tears wanting to spill from her almond eyes as she tried to answer properly.

"He's dead," I answered for her. "He was my brother and her husband. We lost him back in the hospital." His eyes went back to me and nodded, but something in his eyes held something different as if he knew something I didn't.

"Well that's a shame," He waved his hand at the food and immediately people began clearing it. I didn't care as much since I was already losing my appetite at the mention of my brother. "Losing someone you love isn't easy; in the old world and this new one." He shook his head.

"Have you lost someone?" I asked. My back was starting to hurt and I knew that if I didn't get it treated soon, it would cause an infection.

"My wife, my son. Lost them to a pack of Infected during the beginning of this whole thing." He nodded. I was actually surprised he answered since it was a personal question.

"Captain," I turned my head slightly to see the same Hunter that took us when we were retrieving the jeep, his tribal tattoo black as night. "Styles is requesting to see you. I told him you were busy but he won't have it."

"He can wait a bit longer." The Captain flicked his fingers uninterested.

"He stabbed Carter in the leg." The Hunter shifted on his feet and tried to avert his eyes as The Captain glared up at him with questioning eyes.

"How did he get a knife?" His voice was so calm it was scary and intimidating. It was like the quiet peaceful state until the storm disrupted it and caused havoc on everyone.

"Carter went in to try and quiet him up, but Styles managed to trip him and pull his knife out of his holster. Carter is in medical care right now and we sedated Harry, but I'm sure he'll still want to speak with you." The man looked at Thalia and me. "He kept yelling out her name." He nodded to me.

"Such an impatient young man," The Captain sighed. "Fine. When he wakes up, I'll talk to him. As for you, you will get bandaged and treated." He pointed to me and he seemed upset that our dinner was cut off so shortly.

"May I see Harry when he wakes up?" I asked. The fact that Harry was calling out my name made my heart skip a beat. I was still confused on what was going on with us, but I knew I had to see him at least once in order to feel okay. Like I said, he keeps me sane.

The Captain thought a moment before he nodded and stood up. "Once he awakens, you will be brought to his cell for ten minutes. After that, I'll need him for something important." He grinned at the guys behind me and I felt my stomach churn from the look. Whatever he had planned, it wasn't good and I knew Harry was going to go through something terrible.

"Oh sir, we also moved the other prisoner to their cell," He nodded to Thalia and me. "He was a bit unstable in the last one."

"Okay, fine." The Captain turned and left, signalling our dinner over quickly as he fast walked out of the dining room.

I was placed in the wheel chair once more and Thalia was made to follow after. I wonder how bad the prisoner in our cell was and if he would be harmful. I wasn't too excited to find out in a few seconds and I wasn't crazy about having Thalia in the same room as him.

As we made it back to the room, I wasn't thrown in this time, but wheeled in and left in the chair as Thalia came up behind me holding fresh bandages and a cream I'm guessing that would help with stopping the infection. They expected us to put it on ourselves.

"There he is." Thalia whispered. I looked to where the shape of a man sat on the only bed, shadows covering him so that his features weren't visible.

"You stay where you are. Don't come near us." I warned.

"Don't provoke him." Thalia gasped. I mentally rolled my eyes at her, but watched as the form moved, allowing me to see full lips and eyes a deep brown, the same ones I lost in that hospital.

Tom.
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a/n: hello :) how was your day?
this chapter was a bit of a filler but yeah tom is here :) you'll get the whole story next chapter hehe

i feel like stuff happened way too quickly in this one ugh