"Aaron, if you could stop being an arrogant ass and actually help us out, that'd be amazing," I say sarcastically. 

Aaron's currently teasing Brian, Alex, Lea and I for getting ourselves stuck in a booby trap, obviously either left from previous Escapees, or Sentries to lead us into this lovely situation-slash-setup.

"Aw, you should be a little nicer than that. I am, after all, capable of leaving you here, trapped."

"I'm sorry, I suppose I should have used this earlier. If I have to get my friends and I out of this, rope isn't the only thing that my knife will be cutting through, Aaron."

He grins at me. "Your threats would be a lot more convincing if you weren't in a giant net, Bryna."

"You don't want to piss me off, boy. Because I will get myself out of here. And when I do, my threats won't be so easily dismissed."

"Aaron," Lea says, ever the level-headed one, "I will off you myself if you don't help us out of here."

Aaron cackles. "This is too good. I hope you know you're not living this down." 

"And when I have you pinned to the ground with my knife at your throat, you won't live that down either," I reply sweetly.

Brian grunts. "Dude, I will personally murder you."

"Ah, the silent one's on you now. Good going, Mr. Oblivious. You've managed to piss us all off now," I mutter. 

Aaron grins again. "Happy to be of service."

I sigh, moving. I grip the top of the net, pulling myself up. I position myself so I'm hanging horizontally across the top, and grab the knife from my belt. "Brace yourselves," I call down to them as I start cutting at the rope.

When we fall down, I'm the first one to get to Aaron with a sickly sweet smile. I tackle him, knife at his throat. "You're not gonna live this down, hon," I tell him.

He chuckles. "Caught me, love. Congratulations. But I'm not grief stricken this time." He shifts his weight, trying to roll me. I grip his collar, rolling myself back on top.

"And I may be injured, but I'm not stupid. Nice try, though."

He nods. "Smart indeed. I apologize for being arrogant. It wasn't cool, and I won't do it again."

"Doubt it. But as I can't really afford to kill you, apology accepted. Mostly." I get off of him and we walk back to the group.

"Ready to head out?" Brian asks.

"That's my line. But yes."

We had gotten Aaron and Lea their supplies, officially making them one of us. Currently, we just exited a town close to what would seem like the border of the current state we're in.

Talking amiably to Lea about any topic of her choice, I barely notice the ruined sign stating that we're no longer in Ohio, but in Pennsylvania. It's late night; we need to stop and rest soon. We have to walk to find cover, though, so we follow the asphalt road - its paint has long since faded and worn down. It's our best way of finding a Ghost Town - what we call towns and cities emptied by long forgotten citizens. 

Lea yawns suddenly, breaking off her monologue about what her life would have been like, had this war not taken place ten years ago. 

I give her a small smile. "Tired?" I ask.

She ducks her head. "Yeah. I'm not used to so much walking. We usually found shelter by sundown."

I shrug. "We try to, but sometimes we're not that lucky. Just be glad we have weapons, and that all animals have probably died from radiation or are being stored in Communities."

"And that the Sentries are somewhere behind us," Brian adds.

Lea nods, somewhat sleepily. "Yeah." 

We walk for a bit further in silence, but pause when Lea stumbles. Aaron catches her.

"Sorry," she mumbles. 

"Don't apologize for being tired. You're injured. Extreme activity's bound to wear you out," I tell her.

"You're injured too," she points out.

I shrug. "Yeah, but I've been doing this for six or so years. I know how to tolerate it. You're unused to being so severely injured, whereas I've been susceptible to it since I escaped. Your tolerance level, while undoubtedly high, is still not as advanced as my own."

"I suppose you're right..." She frowns. "How long until we can sleep?"

I laugh. "A few more miles." I look at Aaron. "Carry your poor sister so she can rest."

"And you can tell me to do that because...?"

"Because as the leader, you have to do as I say, and you can bet your sorry ass there'll be hell to pay for negligence."

Aaron looks at me, amused, but picks up his sister and carries her bridal style so that she can rest.

~~~

We finally find a place to rest. 

Brian is hesitant at first to sleep, because he wants me to rest, but he's obviously exhausted. So I pull my Alpha card and tell him to get to sleep. In more colorful words, but, the point was the same. 

Since I'm far from tired - for whatever reason - I sit by the door, carving into my wooden stake, creating the outline of a bald eagle head - the symbol of our old nation. I've done plenty of woodwork in my time as an Escapee, and have copied many eagles down. I can't do anything too intricate, but I can do something simple, like this. This consumes my time for my entire watch.

~~~

I wake up to a strange smell. Like... Sulfur. Uh oh.

I stand up, slinging my pack onto my shoulder, and grabbing my knife. The others stir soon after, and I shake Alex - who was supposed to be keeping watch, last time I checked - awake. We walk from the shelter, out into the open, and straight into... an army of Sentries. 

Army's a strong word. There's only about thirty of them, but they're all armed to the teeth. Lovely. 

Aaron stands in front of Lea, hiding her from view. My knife is in my hand instantly, and I wish I could go for the gun still in my pack.

"Oh, look-y who we have here," a familiar voice asks. Sabrina.

I smile bitterly. "Lovely to see you, after such a long time, Sabrina. You're looking well, I do have to say."

She giggles with glee. "My favorite Escapee. I'm sure, in another life, we could be best of friends."

"Doubtful. I tend to veer away from low-lives such as yourself."

A few sniggers behind her. Dunno if it's because of my humor, or if I was reading their minds with my words.

Sabrina the Witch glares at me. "Brat. You don't know who you're dealing with."

I bark out a laugh. "Sorry? 'Brat'? I'm your age, bitch. And where'd the playful banter run off to? Are you just unable to keep up with my wit, or is your tolerance for my quips as low as your I.Q?"

Sabrina growls. "You'd best stop raising my ire, girl."

"That's what I do best, hon. It's how I win battles like this." I wink at her. "Your ire will be your downfall. I'll make your end as painful and long-endured as possible, promise."

"You little-"

"'Rina, enough," a voice barks. "She's trying to upset you so you'll do something rash. It's how she works."

I go cold as he comes into view. Justin.

"Ah, the treacherous toad," I mutter, turning my onslaught to him. "I wondered if you were betraying us by leaving." I motion to his allies. "Looks like my assumptions were correct. How long did it take you to be pitted against us? Not long, I assume. Have to care for your little sis and all, what with both of you being orphans now. I hope it pays well - hunting down and taking out the people who've cared for you the past few years."

Justin looks wounded. "Brie-"

"Nope. You don't get to call me that, Justin. That's a name only my friends and allies can call me. You're officially neither of those anymore." I shrug. "Ah, well. Everything comes to an end, I suppose."

"You've added to your collection, I see," Justin notes, nodding to Aaron and Lea.

"Yup!" I say. "The newest additions. Definite upgrades to what we had two months ago, I'll tell you now."

"I hope they're aware of what's in store for them."

"Dunno why it's any concern of yours," Aaron says. "You left and literally switched sides. Whether or not we are comfortable with current arrangements is none of your concern. You literally are supposed to want us to be as uncomfortable as humanly possible. That's what you've been hired to do."

"But it is my concern. I still care for your comrades, and-"

"Still care for us," Brian barks out, laughing ruefully. "That's rich, coming from you. You played us all, Justin. And the part that stings the most is that you betrayed us after promising that you wouldn't let our story be forgotten. How sad, that now you're trying to end the story in the middle of it. Cruel, too. I hope you know that any trust and respect I had for you before has completely diminished."

"Ah, well, time to get this show on the road, Just-y. You can reminisce with them later. We should take them in."

I look at the Witch. "You disgust me. I thought you revolted me before, but major gag points, Sabrina. And you actually think you're going to catch us." I bark out a laugh. "That's highly amusing."

"I've been with you for five years, Bryna. I know what you're capable of."

I sneer at him. "You know nothing, Justin. Because I've changed since you departed. And I won't hesitate to kill you, or any of your idiot Sentry pals. And do you really think I'd let you leave without taking necessary precautions?" I inquire. "Hon, I'm flattered to think that you tried remembering my methods, but there's nothing I can do that you will see coming. And you don't know my newest members. Trust me when I tell you that even though we're outnumbered, it's going to be one hell of a battle."

Justin now looks visibly worried. This isn't going as he expected it. 

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," I growl softly, my sneer turning deadly.

I actually got that line from my mom, after she took on an armed-to-the-teeth Sentry, saving my life. Works, though.

"And are you really willing to kill your friends?" Brian asks. "The ones who've been there for you since this battle started? Because we'd rather die than be put into captivity like you've allowed yourself to. Do you really have that in you?"

"Maybe I don't," Justin says. "But they do." He motions to his Sentries.

"You're a damned hypocrite," I growl at him. "You go and tell me that you don't want to see us die or hurt, when it's because of you that we're going to die. I hope you rot in Hell when your time comes."

Weapons are raised. I feel Brian dig into my pack discreetly, going for the gun I have. He finds it and presses the side of the barrel against my back, leaning in to whisper to me.

"I'm going to get Aaron and Lea out of here. Do you think you and Alex can cover for me while I get them to safety?"

I shake my head. "No. You four go," I murmur back. "If I'm not there in an hour, consider me compromised and move on without looking back. If I don't find a way to you within three days, you take over as leader and do everything in your power to get them to our destination."

"Brie..."

"This is what it's down to, Brian. And I'm going to bet that every ounce of you wants to run, but you're only staying because I am. I admire that. But I'm giving you a chance out, and if you have any respect for me, you're going to comply. Please?"

He sighs. "Damn it, Brie." I take the gun from him, knowing that he has another one in his bag. He taps Aaron, Lea and Alex on the shoulders discreetly. They get the message.

I look at Justin, in time to notice him observing me. I tuck my knife into my belt as well as the gun, and slip the pack from my shoulders, handing it to Brian.

"I'm not letting you touch my friends. But if you can get me, I'm all yours. No struggle, no argument. You can try any means necessary. The only rule I have is that your lackeys and girlfriend have to stay away from the others, and it's only you and I," I tell Justin. "Or, you can just let all of us go and not risk humiliation when I beat your ass. Oh. And if you kill me, it's on you. Not this deal. I hope you can live with my blood on your hands."

"Probably. He's heartless as is," Lea murmurs beside me.

I don't respond, not looking from Justin, who's deciding my fate.

"Alright," he says finally. He looks at my team. "Go. We won't go after you today. You're home free, as of now."

I feel them step away reluctantly, before turning and running away.

I smile at Justin. "And the games have begun."

With that, I bolt into the house.

:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:
Hey! Sorry I'm late. I'm moving and things got complicated. I'm currently posting this from my phone.

So. What did you think of Justin betraying them? Did you expect it?

Feedback is welcome and accepted.

Off to relax for the night.

-Musical_Author