Burnt nuts.

Many, many burnt nuts.

They are scattered all over the floor in no particular pattern, varying in dust levels and scavenging marks. With no particular weight or flavor, not a single soul would dare to ingest such an obscure, rock-hard "food".

Theron had gone and made a game out of these nuts. Building a ring in the center of the store floor with peanuts, he absently kicks almonds into the center and see's how close to the pebble he marked it with. Like an old game of Marbles or a similar experience to shuffle boarding without the brushes.

I'm stuck here watching him because Remi and Daniel decided to hunt down clothing and food and the giant baby wasn't willing to look for anything. No one should be left alone.

So here I am, babysitting the brat.

"You don't act 24," I mutter angrily, walking to a broken vending machine and punching my hand through the glass. Reflective shards shatter to the ground around me, a sharp chime ringing in the air.

He flicks one more almond into the center and freezes, giving me a once over and staring in awe at the floor and the bag of chips in my hand. "What the- Aren't those going to be stale?"

"I don't really care, I'm bored."

Popping a few of them old Doritos in my mouth, I crunch down on them and make sure to hold direct cold eye contact.

Theron rolls his eyes and gets up, coming to look through the options.

"I said I don't care because I'm a God, Theron. I don't suffer from stomach aches and illness. This isn't going to make me throw up in a few minutes. I could be eating mold and nothing would happen to me."

He cringes at the mention of mold and turns away, grumbling to himself. "So, you're never going to have hardship then? No matter what, you're just... Perfect?"

I laugh a little, dark pain twisting along my features. "Theron, I don't pretend to be a saint but can you tone it down a little, just so you stop making your friends uncomfortable? No, I'm not perfect. I'm bound to the same life force as someone else. I get sick when I use Mana or Magic as your kind so quaintly puts it. I cough up blood, I pass out, I die. Every creature has their own downfall, the human's being their immune system."

"Why should I? You kill for sport, you act like life is a game, it's all-"

My fingers latch tightly around his throat and dangle him three feet off the ground where he stood, the force of my movement sending his back into a wall. His legs kick feebly and his hands pry at my own. The shades of red his face turn are new to me, unique in a sort of way that I don't normally cause this kind of injury to others. I'm not the monster he makes me out to be.

Waiting for his lungs to give out, I lower him to a sitting position on the floor and lean in close, my lips brushing his ear lobe. "I am the Goddess of Balance. I am the order within Death. I guide souls, I do not abuse them. I do not treat life as if it were a game, however... Your race has killed me for 96 years Theron. 96 years have I been starved and trapped in a cage because your people want power, wanted money, wanted fame... 96 years have I been kept from my other half because we would not cater to the likes of a weak, flawed species... 96 years and you think that I haven't had it with the human race? I've done nothing to you compared to what you continue to berate me with. Watch. Your. Tone."

His eyes are wide as I spit on his cheek and stand up, finally letting him breathe in full, deep breaths.

All the maps are burnt. Any paperwork or money has either been stolen or seared to a crisp. The only thing that remains in this tiny lobby is the broken vending machine, these nuts, and us.

Daniel and Remi step back into the room, each carrying plastic bags of water, clothing, and batteries. Many batteries. I give them a puzzled look when their are no replacement blades, guns, or weapons of the sort. I don't see anything resembling a flashlight or a fire starter.

Inching forward wordlessly, I pluck Remi's bag from her grasp with little effort and begin rummaging through it. Jerky sticks, a small tarp, and zip ties. Some sub-par duct tape. Nothing that overtly screamed survival.

Does anyone know how to survive in today's condition?

I sigh and hand the bag over.

"Why is he on the floor?" Daniel asks with eyebrows furrowing in Theron's direction.

There is a muffled cough that follows behind me and I throw a careless glance over my shoulder, crossing my arms. "You alright over there, Theron?"

"Yeah," he barely manages to groan out. "I'm just... peachy..."

Remi and Daniel exchange a look of disbelief and then continue to set the goods down on the floor. I lean out the door to check for unwanted guests and roll back against my shoulder blade to face the three in front of me.

"I think," Theron says, trying to clear his throat. "It would be smart to sleep here tonight and work on getting to the coast and finding a boat tomorrow when the sun rises."

The sun is setting in the distance and I frown slightly. "I disagree, it's smarter to travel at night. Your body doesn't burn as much water, it's cooler, you'll have more energy and in the end, we'll reach our destination safer and faster."

Daniel seems to consider both of these options, looking between us and then back at Remi. She says nothing.

Nodding to himself, he turns to me and sighs. "The only problem with traveling at night is the Hunters, I think we can all agree that's our real reservation about it."

"I asked about the Hunters and no one explained to me what's to be feared, especially with me being around."

There isn't a single peep between the three of them.

I absolutely don't have the energy to use any of my Mana right now. Searching through their crowded minds could be a waste anyway if I don't locate what I'm looking for in time. Each of them has their own past with their own demented problems to work through and I don't have time for that.

My glare hardens, intensifying on each of their figures and analyzing them sharply.

Remi gets uneasy first, swaying awkwardly in place. "Someone should explain, it's not like she'll find out any other way..."

Theron scoffs indignantly, keeping his thoughts to himself. I smell the fear on him now, whereas before it was merely an afterthought. The handprint has left a red mark on his throat now. It's only a matter of time before it bruises that way and the others catch on.

This leaves Daniel. He doesn't look unhappy or at the very least unwilling to tell me. The only thing I see is an overwhelming confusion like he doesn't know where to begin or how to explain it. His breathing slows down a little as he thinks, walking closer to me and searching my face for something.

I straighten up and meet his eye line, searching for something more in the brown eyes.

"We were originally a group of five, led by a couple in their late forties. They were combing through South America to find participants in a new society, an expedition to get to India where everything can be solved. It's part of how I know about New Delhi. About a month ago, the Hunters came... I explained how they were the real anarchists... But really, they just kill for fun."

"They killed Mary and Keith..." Remi whispers, voice cracking. "They broke into our camp and started dragging Mary and I away by the hair... Daniel and Keith stepped in, fighting them off of us and sending us sprinting into the forest. Theron followed..."

Theron's lips part and then close again, a subconscious hand grazing his neck.

Dan sighs and looks at the floor, trying to find the words. "We got away too, at first. But Keith left his pack and was insistent on getting something from it, turning back when I wasn't looking. When Mary found out she went berserk and tore off back towards the camp..."

"I heard her scream..." Theron says softly. "But my first instinct was to grab Remi and keep running. Dan caught up with us a mile away with what he could carry."

"Keith has to be dead," Daniel finishes. "But only God knows what they did to Mary."

I bite the laugh back, now wasn't the time for God jokes.

I nod to myself, thinking about what I know and going to sit on one of the more burnt trunks in the corner. "So these Destroyer's pillage, rape, and murder whoever they like? They travel at night when people are the most vulnerable and they make a game out of survival, yes?"

"Yes."

All three of them answer me at once.

"Will you hate me if I kill them?" I ask again, curious about my guidelines.

Daniel smirks slightly and shakes his head, growing thoroughly amused by my antics, I'm sure. The other two have to think for a second.

The sweet girl in the corner - god bless her soul - scrubs away the tears in her eyes and looks awkwardly at the floor. "I don't want anyone to get hurt... But... If anyone deserves it, it's them..."

My eyes flicker over to Theron and he smiles wickedly at me, the first sign of any approval I've ever seen growing inside his features. "Burn them alive for all I care."

I smile back, a devious aura taking over. It's been a long time since I've been given permission to sear someone. Even longer since I've had the opportunity.

"So then, may we leave tonight?" I ask, looking back and forth. "I'll kill anyone who gets in our way."

I see a small percentage of relaxation spread through the room, but it isn't enough to reassure me about their emotional well-being. To be afraid is to be crippled by that of what you are afraid of. Though, somehow they survive.

There is a silent agreement, a couple head nods and a pair of doe eyes.

"We'll leave when the light fades behind the plains then," Daniel says. "That's plenty of time to make sure we have everything and rest."

This gets a quiet acknowledgment from everyone. Tired eyes going to respective areas and resting, I go stand outside and check for people again. This town is truly dead as of now. Those few girls likely only dwelling here for the free resources that no one else claims.

These hunters, their reputation proceeding them...

The possibility of them having any sort of Mana on their side concerns me. Protecting these three will be challenging if the hunters can disarm me in any way. Letting them believe I'm invincible for now is the safest considering otherwise we might not be leaving at sundown, but it doesn't bode well for me should they find out.

Flexing in the sun, I drink in the last few moments of orange and pink before the stars begin to etch themselves into a dark cloak of black.

I take a deep breath and turn, finding that I'm not alone.

Daniel leans against a metal post outside of the door, watching my back literally. He rests rather peacefully, just alert enough to move if necessary but also gaining strength all the same.

Wearing different clothes than before, I observe the long sleeved white shirt and regular jeans in contrast to his tanning skin and coal black hair. It seems fresh enough, no obvious staining on the front. I suppose the long sleeves were a good choice given the color and a great tactic for avoiding a sunburn.

I nod slightly in his direction before heading back inside, trying to find a pack of some sort for myself.

Forging a makeshift satchel out of the remains of a leather messenger bag and a torn up denim jacket I shove inside to cover the holes, I take it in my hands and go around to a few neighboring stores.

I grab two flashlights, a lighter, some various medicines that I'm sure just looked like candy to them, and some granola I can tell is still manageable. Even if not for them, they pose a good snack for me.

Most of the water bottles have been taken from the refrigerator doors, but I get on my hands and knees to find a few fallen in the very back.

Tugging them out, I drop them in the pack and keep going around, collecting various other things I find helpful, like rope and scissors. Even though they seem too ordinary to be necessary, anything is possible. Finding items that aren't destroyed or burnt to a crisp is a useful resource one way or another.

Once I feel like I've grabbed a decent amount of supplies, I find myself grabbing a ton of random things off the racks at Old Navy again and hustling back to the lobby without one important thing.

Shoes.

I still forgot to find some shoes after that woman stabbed me in the back.

"Are you ready, Iridian?" Dan asks from the other side of the room, holding up his duffle bag.

I purse my lips and think about my opinions.

I could say to hell with it, find shoes later, and look like a strange outcast with no shoes or I can just go spend ten more minutes solving what I'd more of a vanity issue than anything else.

"Actually, I think I should find myself some pair of shoes before we go anywhere far."

Theron casually walks up and points over my shoulder and behind me. "I think I saw some over there earlier if you want to check."

Surprised, I blink a few times and then follow his finger. "Thank you," I reply, unsure of how to respond.

I think I hear you're welcome behind me, but it's so quiet it almost doesn't exist.

The store he pointed to is rather untouched and fairly masculine. It doesn't take me long to rush in and grab a pair of high tops from behind the counter. They're solid black with a rip off Converse logo, but they'll do just fine.

Stomping into them, I tie the laces and tuck them under the tongue of the shoe. It's slightly uncomfortable, but they aren't supposed to feel like heaven.

There is nothing left to accomplish besides leaving.

I come back in and swing my arm back down in the lobby, scooping up my bag. Giving everyone a quick once over to see if their ready, I gather an interesting image. Remi is still getting ready on the floor, organizing stuff from piles into places in her own bag and the boys are talking about something in the back.

The energy around them is very intense, but I've walked in towards the end given they begin to separate naturally with a certain level of frustration between them.

Without a word, Theron leaves out the front, barely brushing past my shoulder. It's gentle and non-offensive, the fear slowly dissipating in him.

Daniel bends over to help Remi pack up the rest of her stuff, whispering something very quietly in her ear and getting up. "You ready?" he asks, scratching the top of his head.

I nod, slowly analyzing each of them and their new strange, submissive behavior. "Yes."

"Then let's go."

They both push past me and take lead in the front.

Curious and slightly amused, I stay in the back, observing. Theron has shifted to being complacent, Daniel grew short and cold, and Remi isn't talking. Something changed.

Walking out of the city limits, I establish one thing.

I'm going to find out what. 

Hey everyone!

Today's Dedication goes to Somerlea for being my first real reader. She was there for me long before I had friends on this website and read my work even when it sucked miserably. It's been four years and I really want to show my appreciation for one of the most awesome writers on Wattpad. 

Thank you Kim, I love you <3 You're the best!

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