s a m e story n e w chapter {Atherians vs. 2 appa}

We need to get the fuck out of dodge. The flying beasts have done a number on us, the shallow wounds slowly draining an already weakened body; something deep within my gut tells me the others are as well of as I. My mind refuses to focus on anything but getting them out of here. We've survived this far, I'm not letting my family die by the hands of some stinking oafs. The hand not holding my weapon searches for another, heart pounding within an empty chest until shaking fingers have finally wrapped around rough skin. My eyes find theirs, Soap. 

Colgate O'leary, the boy who got a 12. As scared as I am of this man, I trust him with my life. "We can't kill the other one." whose voice is it that leaves me? Torn with desperation and fear, I can feel the blood rise like bile where shrill cries have broken the flesh. "Run-" is all I can manage before another canon sends a shrill ringing in my eyes. If not for the adrenaline keeping me upright, I would have collapsed there and then. Burying my head in the blood soaked grass and let the bison finish me there and then. 

Four cannons. Four fucking cannons. 

Hadn't the death which has taken place over the course of four, long days been enough for the capitol? Is turning children into murderers and innocence into madness simply not satisfying anymore? What am I doing wrong as to not satisfy their bloodlust? Did the girl's life that I took mean nothing? They wanted more. 

More, more, more! 

They weren't going to take me. Not Savannah or Claude, or Soap, whose hand is still limply grasped within my own, shaking fingers. I'm not ready to die just yet. My mouth hands agape, the tenor tones of the canon still ringing in my ears. Still sending me into a state of shocked paralysis. As hard as I tried to take the weight of the world upon my shoulders, I can only die once. I can only take the fall for one person, and then be damned to an eternal darkness. My only hope is that it's for someone whom I care for. 

I've long since given up on surviving. I'm not ready to die, but I'm willing. That's as close as I will ever get. My eyes find the toes which the fan had severed earlier in this brawl. I give Soap a small nod, dashing towards the fallen bison. A quick swipe with my fan and I've lobbed off a chunk of meat from the fallen prey. not even bothering to shove it into my pack, I turn towards the others. "Follow me!" it's more of a scream than a shout, but all I could manage given the circumstances. I was a coward for running, for not staying to finish off the dying beast. It had to be close to death... right? It had to be. Before I take my leave, I notice Savannah stumbling. And suddenly, I'm on the verg of tears. Throwing the raw meat into my pack I wrap my arms around her, making sure she stays upright. "I got you." i flash her a smile, using all my strength to heave her upward and escape the battle we had undoubtedly lost. 

As hungry as I am, I'm not hungry enough to chew the uncooked meat within my pack.  The enticement of food only brings me further into a sprint. How long has it been since I ate? Stuffed myself in that hotel room full of luxuries and lies. Pretending to be civil to those I knew would soon be my enemies, and keeping the persona of a fearless volunteer. 

I don't know who I am right now. I'm certainly not putting up any act, not pretending to be a damsel or a whore, or even a career wannabe. Did it truly take throwing myself into death's embrace to finally coax Lyric Woulf into the open. A desperate murderer, barely hanging on the the fringe of sanity. A girl who cares more for others than for herself, but only for the most selfish of reasons. For the need to not be alone. If this truly is her, I loathe who I am. I loathe what I have become. 

Slipping the, by now, staling food out of my pack I gently begin to chew on the meat. I'd leave the bison for Claude or Savannah, they seemed to have much more... luxurious tastes than I. Or the fact that I would not eat what I had killed. 

I lay her down, when i'm finally sure that we are somewhere the monsters can't find us. For now. I rummage in her sack, taking out the supplied I know must be in there. "You're gonna be okay, you hear me? Just... just." I take in a shaky breath "Let's wait for the others. "