Chapter 2 Squad Z

Olivia's breath hitched from the deadly glares she was getting, all eyes were on her, and their gazes were 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 burst into fits of laughter.

Olivia's 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?"

Their eyes locked on each other's, neither willing to back down.

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 excited chatter. "The flame wielder."

Olivia stared at her in awe, she had heard of Alexa, the flame wielder. 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, with a sword hanging at her back.

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

"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' spines.

"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 stood frozen. 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, making her gasp in shock. Immediately, she turned, her widened eyes locked with Alexa's gaze, which burned with intensity, "Don´t be a coward, you are stronger than you think."

Olivia unconsciously nodded her head, although her lips parted, but no words came out. Meanwhile, her hand trembled slightly beside her from nervousness.

"Now go suit up!"

Olivia turned without looking back, and ran towards the suiting room, she wiped her tears away.

She nervously tried to buckle her belt, but she couldn't get it right.

"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 suit up. "I'm 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 wrapped 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, with its engine already running. Their eyes turned serious, yet fearful.

They sat inside the van, hearts hammering in their chests.

The smell of dust and oil invaded their nostrils.

"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 into a thin line, she nudged Olivia who seems to be in an emotional spiral of her own.

"Are you scared?"

"Aren't you?" Olivia asked back.

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

"I'm terrified," she muttered under her breath, trying to hide her emotion.

"I understand, I have been trained since childhood, although I'm 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 onto hers. "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's voice sounded from outside.

Dread etched on their faces.

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

"Let's go," Anna nudged her.

As 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 paused. "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…