Chapter 02

*FLASHBACK*

"These bastards just don't quit, do they?" Max said between gritted teeth, yielding a shotgun. "I wish I could shoot them all dead, ya' know?" 

Leo saw a team of uniformed men, all in black, with helmets that covered the wearer's entire face, walking through the rubble. 

Moments ago, he seen a little girl with wide, longing eyes fixed on a stray candy wrapper. Leo's fists clenched as the girl's terrified cries pierced the air. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to take action, but logic chained him in place. He was helpless—and he hated it. For a while, Leo was caught in his own memories, but his momentary escape was cut short by shouts in the distance. That's when he moved, just to find Max, his best friend, calling him from behind the shell of a abandoned car. Leo looked in the direction of the child, but when he didn't see her a certain relief formed in his chest. 

Looking back at the threat, he recognized the men. Those were the Sentinels, official machine guards that roamed the neighborhoods looking for people in a deplorable state who could fight in the so-called Arenas. And they didn't distinguish between gender or age. The Sentinels didn't go out looking for anyone, unless there was a good chance of finding their prey. Wandering around looking for victims without an official order was the job of the Hunters. 

From what Leo could see, some people had fought against the Sentinels and ended up on the ground, losing their lives. He couldn't say he was sorry, after all, they were still free there. Once captured, they would be nothing more than slaves. 

A faint sound caught Leo's attention, and he saw the little girl under a car. She accidentally kicked a can, and that was her mistake. 

"Under the car!" the muffled, robotic voice of one of the Sentinels sounded and the girl tried to get out from under the car and run, but she was quickly caught. 

"Max, do something!" Leo urged. He was out of ammunition, a scarce item in that world, so only Max could do something. 

"Damn it, Leo, we can't fight all of them!" Max complained. They had few bullets left, and, of course, being two skinny men, how could they fight against tough and armed machine men? 

Seeing the look on Leo's face, Max knew there was no point in continuing to refuse to help. He let out a low growl and shot the sentinel holding the little girl. 

Max cursed under his breath, his hands trembling as he reloaded the shotgun. "Damn it, Leo. You owe me for this," he muttered before stepping out of cover. "Get out of here!" Max pushed Leo's head down, indicating that he should crouch down and crawl away. Max's knuckles whitened around the shotgun as he stepped out of cover. Fear twisted in his gut, but he'd be damned if he let Leo down. 

"No…" 

Max ignored his friend's plea and aimed his gun again, shooting at another sentinel. Leo knew there was no point in staying there and ducked under another car. 

The Sentinels were soon on top of Max, who shot as many as he could, but was apprehended. Leo looked at the enemies and rolled to the side. Their car seemed empty, but Leo knew at least the driver was in there. He pulled a knife from his boot and crawled out of hiding. He crept up and stabbed one of the Sentinels in the neck, giving Max space to kick the other. 

"Come on, big guy, it's two against one," Max said in a provocative tone, and the Sentinel pulled out a gun, but shot the Sentinel in the head. 

"Here!" a female voice called, and she waved at them. She was at the driver's door of the Sentinels' vehicle. The dead body was restrained only by a seatbelt. 

Leo looked back and there was no sign of the child. He shook his head and followed Max, who was limping. 

"I thought you'd be with another team, Nia," Max told the woman with narrow eyes and short black hair. 

"Look at you two, playing heroes and getting shot at. Thought I'd save your asses before you won the Darwin Award," she said with a smirk, her tone dripping with mockery. 

Leo cleared his throat, trying not to meet her eyes. "Let's see what's in the car and get the hell out of here." 

"Yes, Captain!" Nia snapped a dramatic salute. "Your bravery is inspiring," she added, her dimple flashing as she suppressed a grin. 

The three of them searched the car, and all they found was ammunition, as expected, new weapons, two clean uniforms, boots and a few food ration bars. 

"It's not much, but it helps," Nia commented, and the three of them walked away. 

They couldn't use the official cars because not only did they have tracking devices, but it would also give them an idea where the rebels had gone when they abandoned the car earlier. 

Leo glanced back one last time, searching for any sign of the girl. The street was empty, but her faint sobs still echoed in his ears, haunting him. 

They walked for what seemed like forever to Leo, until they reached an old metal door surrounded by a pile of junk. Max pushed aside a square metal plate and a peephole was there. He pulled aside a lock of his dirty blond hair and looked closer at one of his clear blue eyes. Soon, they heard a mechanism being activated and the door opened, allowing the three of them to pass through, then closed. 

The camp's air was thick with sweat and stale hope. Metal walls groaned, echoing their fragile existence. 

"You better take a look at that leg, Max," Leo said, and Nia nodded, pulling the blond guy away. 

Leo kept walking until he reached a metal door. He took a deep breath and knocked on it. "Leonardo Massey." 

"Come in!" the deep voice on the other side rang out, and Leonardo opened the door, stepping into the office. A woman with short, light hair looked up. "Mr. Massey." 

Lexi Gallagher was around forty years old, but the wrinkles on her face were almost imperceptible. Her greenish eyes were always alert. 

She signaled for Leo to start talking. He reported what had happened and placed on the table what had been acquired on that excursion. Lexi sighed. 

"Thank you, Mr. Massey. The girl must still be around that perimeter, but we can't go back there now. The Sentinels will definitely go after the convoy that hasn't returned to our headquarters." 

Leo nodded, even though it weighed heavily on him. The girl would be caught sooner or later if he didn't go back there. 

"Don't even think about going there. It's an order," Lexi said, and Leo looked up. "I know you. I know it seems unfair to you, but you know how things work, Mr. Massey." 

Leo exhaled, dissatisfied. 

"She couldn't be more than seven years old, Commander. They'll finish her off." 

That is, if she survived. How would she eat? Would she have a family, someone to care for her? Leo doubted it, or she wouldn't be wandering around recklessly, all by herself. 

"We can't be back for at least two days, I'm sorry. She's a kid," Lexi muttered, her voice softening for a fraction of a second before hardening again. "But we can't save everyone, Massey. You know that." 

That was something Leo liked about the Commander: despite having been in the military and being a bit strict, she didn't hold back on saying a curse word or two when necessary. Especially when she was being sincere. 

"Yes, Commander. May I be dismissed?" After looking at Leo, Lexi nodded. 

"See if Mr. Sullivan is okay," 

Leo bowed slightly and left, heading for the infirmary. 

Max was laughing, while Nash Wade, the nurse, took off his gloves and discarded them. It was obvious to Leo that Max was flirting, but Nash was a tough nut to crack. 

A light tap was all Leo needed to do to make Max stop grinning like an idiot and sigh loudly. 

"I wanted to tell you that I'll be back tomorrow, but I don't think that would be a good thing," Max said, and Leo helped him off the stretcher. "See you around, handsome." 

"Not if I see you first, idiot." Nash's tone was flat, but Leo didn't miss the faint smirk tugging at his lips. 

'Maybe Max still has hope,' he thought. Dating wasn't forbidden, but most were determined not to give free rein to their hearts. No one knew when their partner would go on a mission and not return. Especially when the air wasn't very reliable. You either got killed, or captured, or sick. 

Later, after washing up, it was time for the meal. It wasn't like they had much, but even if they looked at the empty plate, it was better to eat it together. It was a time for sharing, and everyone participated. 

"Did you hear about that new shipment? The elites think they can stop us with their empty threats!" shouted Nia. 

The fire in her eyes sparked something in Leo. The rebellion wasn't just about survival; it was a relentless pursuit of dignity, of reclaiming their place in a world that would rather forget them. Spurred on by her enthusiasm, Leo approached, interested in the discussion that was unfolding. 

"Keep talking," he said to Nia, who had a mischievous smile on her face. 

"So, here's the thing. We all know most of those shipments have goods for the Elite and, of course, real food. It is always guarded heavily, so scum like us won't have access," Nia said. 

Leo nodded. Real food was something all survivors dreamed of. A far cry from the rations they ate. When they had it. 

The rebels tried to grow crops, but the quantity was scarce, due to the terrible soil and little available water. Not to mention sunlight. They rarely had a 'decent' meal, having to be happy to get their hands on the ration bars they could get. Or canned goods that were still good and available, something very rare to find. 

"If it's about food, why are you so happy talking about it?" Leo asked her. 

Nia looked at each one around her. 

"I've heard whispers about something else. Whatever it is, the Sentinels are guarding it like it's their most valuable secret.!" 

"The Commander needs to authorize it," Max said, taking a very small bite of his bar, in order to save what he could, eating slowly, in an attempt to trick his own stomach. 

"I don't think so," Nia shook her head and took a map from inside her clothes, opening it on the table. "The Sentinels are guarding it like it's the key to their future. If it is not food or goods, Lexi won't authorize it." 

"So what, you want us to go on our own account?" Max asked, frowning.