Chapter 2 Squad Z

Olivia's breath hitched from the deadly glares she was getting, all eyes were on her. Their gazes full of disdain.

" Perfect, another dumb ass from section 27" a girl with short blonde hair said, her voice laced with annoyance.

" Don´t say that Tinya, that is rude of you" a boy said, his voice laced with sarcasm " At least her death will serve a purpose for us" he added.

They all bursted in fits of laughter.

Olivia fist clenched, her knuckles white. " We have to see who will come back alive first, before laughing".

The boy with golden brown hair walked towards her, a smirk tugged on his lips " Do you want to bet on it?" he growled at her.

Their eyes stared in fierce combat. Olivia was not willing to back down, neither was he.

The door suddenly opened, and a lady soldier walked into the room.

The eyes of the chosen squad widened in surprise.

 The silence soon broke into a chatter. " The flame wielder."

Olivia eyes stared at her in awe, she has heard of the flame wielder, Alexa. Alexa was a soldier from section 22. She was poor and had no resources to train, but she was one of the most powerful soldiers who had killed a level-18 monster.

Alexa's blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, her curves were perfectly complemented by her black leather pants and jacket , a sword hanging at her back.

Her cold blue eyes stared at the chosen squad, her eyes glinted with something unexplainable.

" Hello everyone, welcome to the headquarters," her powerful voice boomed across the room, silencing every noise.

" As you all know the system, every year, teenagers at the age 17 are chosen by the system, depending on the number being drawn," she paused, her eyes staring at every single one of them.

" This year, you 12 are the chosen ones to fight against the monsters within the level of 1 to 5, so try your best to make it out alive, squad Z. The survivors will be trained to become part of the Elite squad" her cold voice sent shivers down the teenagers spine.

" We depart in 20 minutes, so get your suit on and every single weapon that you can carry," she clapped her hands, urging them to hurry up.

They all began to run towards the suiting area, they began to wear their armour. The rich kids came with their own armour ranging in level 5 tiers.

Olivia's legs stood frozen to her spot. Her heart hammered in her chest, bile rose up her throat, her fingers slightly trembled.

" So this is really happening?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

A hand shook her shoulders, Alexa gaze burned with intensity," Don´t be a coward, you are stronger than you think".

Olivia´s head nodded without her consent.

" Now go suit up!"

Olivia ran towards the suiting room, her hand wiping her tears away.

Her trembling hand tried to buckle her belt, but wasn't working.

" You can do this, Olivia," she encouraged herself.

" Let me help you?" a soft voice called out behind her.

A girl with brown hair smiled at her, she helped Olivia with suiting her " I am Anna," she smiled brightly at her.

" Thank you," Olivia smiled subtly at her.

" You are welcome, you should relax," she mused. " Take it as an adventure, we get to kick the ass of those dumb monsters".

" was she fearless…or just clueless?" Olivia thought inwardly.

Her hands reached out for the twin blades, although she had no idea of how to use them. She took a gun too.

She smiled at her, but was startled by Anna's next move. Anna's arms wraped around her shoulders.

" Let's stick together. Friends?".

Before Olivia could answer her..

" Everyone get in line, it is time to move out," Alexa's stern voice commanded.

The air felt thick, as the weight of reality rested on their shoulders " Remember if you encounter a high level beast ... .Run" she advised.

Olivia´s throat went dry, as anxiety was coursing through her veins.

" Move out!"

The teenagers began to run outside the bunker, entering a van, whose engine was already started. Their eyes, serious, and fearful.

They sat inside the van, their hearts hammered in their chest.

The smell of dust and oil invaded their nostrils.

Sniffle.

" Are you crying dude?" Tinya asked the chubby boy, who was sitting beside her.

" I don't want to die," he wailed.

" What a disappointment to your lineage.. And manhood" Tinya scoffed.

Anna pursed her lips in thin line, she nudged Olivia who seems to be in an emotional tumor of her own.

" Are you scared?"

" aren't you?" Olivia asked back.

" I am, but you look pale, Olivia" she said, her brows furrowed.

" I am terrified," she muttered under her breath, her eyes closing to hide her emotion.

" I understand, I have been trained since childhood, so I am scared but I am more thrilled" she tried to make her feel better.

" Are you boasting that you are from one of the top sections?" Olivia frowned.

" yes I mean I'm from section 3 " her eyes widened as she realised what she was saying "No, no I mean…" she quickly tried to correct her statement.

Olivia shook her head in disappointment.

" I mean I can protect you," her eyes lightened up " yes, I will protect you," she assured her.

Olivia's green eyes locked in her " Thank you, but I am good".

The hour drive felt like a minute drive to Olivia.

The van came to a halt " Come out everyone, we are here," Alexa voice sounded outside the van.

Dread etched on their faces.

Olivia's throat bubbled up and down, cold sweat dripping from face.

" Let's go," Anna nudged her.

They stepped out of the van, their eyes scanned over the deserted land.

" This is the border between the monsters and us." Alexa walked around them " this is also our meeting point," she added.

" This is the time to show your potential, for every monster you kill, you earn a point." she pauses " The system will record every point, and you will be upgraded by it".

" Come back alive everyone," her voice held a mix of sadness and anticipation.

The heavy gate creaked open….