Apathy

My heart pounded in my ears as I watched the two men talk back and forth.

Bryce, no doubt, shooting questions and trying to get answers and information. Trying to string together the evidence for his decision. Some sort of wicked court case where the jury decides the fate of 4 people.

I couldn't hear any of it though.

Deep inside, my stomach twisted something fierce. The stress began to get to me and it felt like my wounds were beginning to ache just a bit more. My eyes trailed to the bandages on my leg and remembering the damn near sacrifice the others made to save me from that horde. All those weeks ago. Was I really prepared to throw them away? Just based on the words of one other?

Why should I care when I don't even know any of them?

But something in me snapped.

Like a tight cord, straining and taught, soon being cut. Both threads whipping out with such force that it pained my insides. All the emotions I felt, all the pain, anger, confusion, and fear just fell through. Everything left me until all that remained was a deep sense of apathy.

I stared blankly as Vince hurried to clean himself up. To fix the loose bits of hair and to wipe the spit that left his mouth. Sniffling came from his being but I couldn't tell if any real tears left him.

My gaze turned to Bryce who, just like me, held a blank expression on his face. Almost as if he was contemplating what do to next. I'm sure he is more invested as to the choice that will be made which reminded me, I have no need to be so worked up about this. I don't remember these people, that is a fact. Whoever I was that they remembered is dead and gone leaving me behind.

"I Am Not Who I Used To Be." The voice cried once more as a shaky sigh left me. A pit of darkness swirled in me as I looked up at Vince.

"I'm in. I don't trust you, but I'm in."

Both men snapped their heads up at me yet I could feel the cold expression on my face. It took a second for him to jump-start but he let out that maniacal laugh again.

"You don't trust me? I don't fucking trust me, but whatever!" He said, ending with a sigh as he turned to Bryce. His eyes narrowing as a near snarl pressed itself against his face. A silent command for the other man to make his decision. Bryce, himself, closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. Whatever war that raged inside his mind settled as he peaked at us.

"Fine..." He sighed out as he stood up, "I'm in. Gives me an excuse to shoot that son of a bitch Richard."

With that Vince growled, stalking over as he hissed his words.

"If you touch him, I'll rip your arm off to beat you with it until you're a pile of gore. And unlike back at school, nothing is stopping me from doing it now..."

Vince turn back, shifting through the pile called his bed, to grab his weapons. Bryce stood, gawking at him, as we both watched him gather his gear.

"The fuck!" Bryce exclaimed, "I thought you wanted to kill that fucker!"

"Watch your mouth. He's my brother. Albeit an insane and derange one but a brother no less. This is for his own mercy."

I pursed my lips as he gathered the last of his supplies. Pulling bags from out of his bed and strapping them to his person. It made me wonder how long he's been planning this escape but I was given no time to ask. Hurrying to even stand as Vince walked right out, his head cocking down each hall to make sure no one was near. Bryce reared behind me, his arms crossed and face scrunched in anger, as he mumbled obscenities to him. I was sure I heard doubts of our new 'mission' as we followed.

The trip was short but the intent was a clear as day light. Without so much of a warning, we were pushed deep inside the weapon's room. The door silently shut behind us with Vince outside, readying his gun as he guarded the door.

Silence befell between Bryce and I, neither of us making any sort of movement to get going. I gulped dryly as I scanned the abundance of weapons, the shiny objects and sharp edges, and felt the tips of my fingers begin to numb. It felt... surreal to be here. All of this was happening too fast.

One wearily glance was all I needed to tell that Bryce felt the same. His face hasn't stopped tensing since the moment he entered the mail room. By the looks of it, guilt and regret was slowly beginning to seep into the cracks. With a nudge of my elbow, I motioned for him to pick his choosing.

"Marie wait..." He said softly, a tinge of fear seemingly rang with his voice.

I hummed as acknowledgement but it didn't stop me from finding my weapons. Strapping the holsters back in their positions and testing my bat for familiarity. It having been too long since I've wield.

Bryce gulped behind me, the sounds of shuffling indicating he begun to search too, but I could tell he wanted to say something. It was when I reached for another bag of marbles did he break the silence.

"Are we... Really going to do this?"

I didn't know what to say.

"I... I don't think... Like I know they're doing some really fucked up things but hell... Dylan, Dylan's my friend for godsakes! Elles too! I just... Are we really doing this tonight...?"

With a shaky breath, I slowly nodded my head. Turning around to face him and seeing the damn near tears that welled in his face. I smiled sadly as I grabbed his face, watching as he avoided making eye contact with me as he tried to compose himself.

"We... The best we can do is to prevent them from becoming any more of a monster than they already are."

"But..."

"It's going to be hard but we have to. If we stay here, we'd just end up like them. Now's not the time to be a hero Bryce. We can't let them keep doing this."

He nodded sadly, grabbing my hands and slowly pulling them off his cheeks.

"I just... wish I could take them with us."

With that, the door opened. Vince's face was expressionless as he motioned for us to get going. I shot my companion one last look before complying.