CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“So, what’s the plan?” Lindy asked as she hopped with each and every step she took like a little child, I envied how carefree she was. While she had a smile on her face, I had a frown, wondering about how I was going to find my next victim.

Andy and Stacey were walking behind us, whispering about god knows what and I didn’t care enough to pay attention. We were currently walking to another area, from my previous experience I knew that they would send someone to find out about him, Ezekiel.

“We are going to find a place to lay low for a while and then I search for my next target” I explained and I saw Lindy gulp knowing I was going to kill them “Do you have to?” Lindy asked whining, I sighed knowing this was leading “You already know the answer to that sunshine!” Stacey hollered from the back.

I fought back a smile at the nickname that Stacey made for Lindy which she hated “That’s not my name!” Lindy shrieked facing Stacey, who smirked and next to her Andy smiled “Whatever you say sunshine” she taunted licking her lips.

I shook my head reminding myself to not get too attached to them, at that moment I already knew that if they stuck by my side; they would either end up dead or they would leave me. And I did not want to endure whatever feelings they might resurface.

Lindy huffed and started walking faster until she as ahead of us by a long shot, she clearly expected us to follow her and plead to which Andy did causing Stacey to suck the inside of her cheek expressing that she was not happy.

I sighed, so much drama like the shows Ma’ watched. I increased my pace deciding to reach shelter before the sun sets, ahead of me; Lindy and Andy were barely paying attention to their surroundings as they chatted in whispers. And Stacey behind me snickered as she quickened her steps until she was in line with me.

As I mindlessly walked my mind drifted to many things and people, and how I left them. Did they cry? Were they angry at me?

I did feel guilty for using them in some way, but they offered it to me without a second thought, that was my redemption from the thoughts of guilt.

Ignatius, Neil, and Ma’, they offered and I accepted. It was a two- way party, a contract that we both unknowingly signed. In the end, the results were the same. I leave, someone dies and someone is sent to kill me. It was a cycle, that I wandered if it wherever going to end.

“I really didn’t expect it” Stacey said making me glance at her; the red dye in her hair was slowly fading showing her the light hazelnut color underneath, her skin looked clean and had a honey tone to it, and she disposed the brown contacts, gracing the world with the icy blue that her eyes held.

“Expect what?” I asked with a blank space, I was curious to what she had to say. I watched her press her lips in a thin line as she thought of how to say whatever it was “I- mmm” she hummed and frowned, by now I stopped walking and she did to, the whispers from Andy and Lindy fading as they carried on.

She sighed and said “I did not expect this, not the fact that you are alive, but the fact that you’re killing those who stood by you, who called you family- “I cut her off with a glare, there she was twisting words; painting me to be the one who started this act of bloodshed.

“Stood by me? Family?!” I growled. I was angry and filled with so much hatred that my heart felt heavy “what a load of crap!” I exclaimed and she flinched her eyes widening like she did not expect my outburst.

She thought I was still the same Rose I was six years ago; the girl whom took punishment for others recklessness, who apologized for everything even when she was not at fault, and the girl who felt so guilty at things that were not related to her because she was so gullible to believe the words spoken by those around her. She did not know that that girl died. I killed her.

“Look! I have no right to judge you, but you’re a liar!” I started as I took a step forward, I was tired and hungry “once again you’re painting me to be the villain like every story told! Get your head out of your ass! This is reality and bad things happen to good people! Family does not kill and abandon others! Stood by me my ass! I have been taking care of myself for a long time!” I took a breath and she was stiff the whole time.

I sighed knowing it was pointless with her “let’s cut this façade short, I will kill every one last of them” I said and leaned towards her face “and I’ll savor you for last” I whispered and she jumped away from me like I burnt her, her eyes were wide and wild as her mouth parted in shock, but I did not care, so I continued walking leaving her behind.

No one dared to spare a glance at us as we walked through the market place, to them we were normal people just like others were. I scanned everyone out of precaution, most of whom were Maliens but were either power ranked ten or seven with no training, and the rest were humans.

“Let’s find somewhere to rest our feet” I said to the rest as we looked around “I know someone here, come on” Stacey said, I frowned for some reason as I felt somewhat stupid and inferior to her. While she had connections around, I barely had anyone.

I followed behind holding onto Lindy who was jumping around like a child, pointing at flickering bulbs that changed color and squeaking from excitement. I fought back a smile, there was never a dull moment with her, she was like a bundle of sunshine.

“We are here” Stacey said and I looked up to a tall glass building where at the top of it stood a golden eagle “what’s this place?” I asked her as I got a weird vibe hanging around it.

“This Rose is doctor Dargailas’ daughter’s place. She’ll keep us safe” Stacey said, and I tensed as her face flashed through my mind.

“Rose”