Humanity Gone: Facade of Order (20 page)

Chapter 27: Sara

              Gunshots? I charge out of the room with Caitlyn, and we run down the steps to our rooms. For a moment I consider calling her name, but I know it would be futile at this point. I double check that the pistol is loaded and I run out the screen door and into the night.

             
The gunshots hurt my ears as the inferno in the distance lights up this small town. Where would I go that will be the safest for now? This place is starting to look like a battlefield. I need to find somewhere safe.

             
I jog along the street and step over a few dead bodies. I need to go where he will find me. If I go out the exit and away from the town, I can come back when the gunfire has ceased, and they are a lot less likely to accidentally shoot me.

             
That should be the safest option for now. I head for the woods, but a hand grabs my shoulder.

             
David.

             
“Sara, where are you going? We need to get to the school. The helicopters might be here soon, and they will find you if you go out there in the open.” he grabs my hand and pulls me in the other direction. No. I don't want to go to the school.

             
I don't want to be here anymore.

             
That is why I stole the radio and set the gas sheds on fire. I knew roughly where we were and the billowing smoke told them exactly where we are.

             
Find me Cole.

Chapter 28: David

            
 
“Come on, we need to get in there. The school is the only safe place.” I grab Sara's arm and hurry her to the door. She seems to drag her feet. “Come on let's...”

             
I turn to see the hold up. She stands a foot back. Her black hair slowly sways, and her bright blue eyes reflect the fire of the nearby building. It peers down a gun's sight.

             
Pointed directly at me.

             
“Sara, what? What are you doing?”

             
“Sorry Dave, I liked you. But my place is not here.”

             
Flash.

             
My chest feels like it explodes, and I drop to my knees. I reach up with my hands and clutch the hole in my chest. Blood runs between my fingers and runs down my stomach.  I try to ask her why, but no words come out. Blood builds up in the back of my throat. She stands above me.

             
My vision is hazy, but she gets closer. The pain overwhelms my senses, but I can still feel the warm barrel press against my forehead. I close my eyes and wait. Up until a second ago, I had survived three gunshots in my life. I wasn't going to survive this one. Guess the jokes on me.

             
I wait.

             
I wait.

             
Finally, I work up the courage to open them. She is gone, and I fall to my side.  More explosions and gunshots ring out around me. How could I have been so naive with her?“I'm afraid they are going to take me back there, Dave. I need protection, Dave.” she said. I'm an idiot. Doesn't matter anymore. God, this pain.

             
I struggle to look up and see if anyone is around. A few souls run past me; they are obviously concerned about their own skin.  Can't say I blame them. Then I see
her
; she's coming back to finish me. My hand leaves the hole in my chest and goes to my back.

             
My knife. I won't let her get away. I bet she is the one who who blew the gas reserves. She ruined everything I made with Ryan these past few years. She gets closer and starts to come into focus. Oddly the gun is missing. She has a bow and arrow. She gets closer and closer.

             
Just as she kneels down I thrust the blade forward towards her neck.

             
She easily blocks the knife and pins my arm.

             
“David, what the hell are you doing?” Sara yells.

             
No, that's not Sara. Caitlyn.

             
I concentrate on speaking. She has to know - even if it is the last thing I do. I spit the blood building in my mouth.

             
“Sara... she... shot me.” Caitlyn instantly moves backwards.

             
“What? She shot you? Why?” rushes out of her mouth.

             
I simply can nod my head. My vision fades out. When it comes back she is gone. The pain takes over, and everything starts to become dark.

             
I can't die yet. Not like this.

Chapter 29: Caitlyn

              My legs carry me as fast as they will go. I know where she is headed – towards
them
. I'm not going to lose her. I have to talk sense into her.

             
I push past people trying to dodge the gunfire on their way toward the school. I am the only fool going the other way. I need to find her.

             
Slam.

             
My body runs into someone, and I nearly fall to the ground. For a second, I run right past her, and then I see that it is Paige.

             
“Where they hell are you going? You can't stop them alone.”

             
“Sara's headed that way.” my words fly out of my mouth in near screams. “She wants them to find her. She shot David.”

             
“Is he...?”

             
“I don't know. I think he's...”

             
“Okay, I'm coming with you.” I have little time to argue, and we both run between houses and head for the main street. Fewer and fewer people run past us in the other direction as we walk across a driveway on a side street. Where did she go?

             
“There!” Paige yells. Thirty yards away Sara rushes into a backyard of a yellow brick house. The one beside it is on fire and illuminates the surrounding grassy area. Paige runs ahead of me and into the back yard. She rounds the corner a few seconds before I do.

             
“Paige wait...” I begin while turning the corner, Paige has frozen. In front of her is Sara, her blue dress flaps slowly in the wind. Her outstretched hand points the gun at Paige. I quickly bring up my bow.

             
And point it at my twin sister.

             
“Sara, what the hell are you doing?”

             
“Just leave me alone.”

             
“We aren't letting you go.” Paige adds slowly lowering her hands. “We want you here.”

             
“Shut up. I don't even know you,” Sara yells. I take a step closer to Sara, an arrow still taut, but now pointing away from her.

             
“Sara, I have spent the last five years looking for you. Why are you leaving me?”

             
“I was happy back at the capital. I fell in love. I had a family.”

             
“You're wrong. They kidnapped you. He does not love you!” 

             
“He does. He's says he'll be my husband one day.”

             
“It's not what you think...” I begin.

             
“He doesn't know yet, but I'm having his child.”

             
My heart stops for a second.  I struggle to find the right words. Her free hand moves to her stomach. If she is pregnant, I certainly can't tell.

             
“Come with us. Let us raise it. We can do it together.” I force out a small smile.

             
“You're going to be nothing. For years, I thought maybe you were still alive, and I waited for you to find me but you never came. I moved on. I thought maybe it would change when you found me, but it didn't. I don't give a damn about you, or Jocelyn, or Carter anymore. None of you matter; my chapter with each of you closed five years ago. I have a real family. A real life and you pulled me from it. If I have to, I will shoot her. Or you.” She moves the gun briefly over to me.

             
I pull the bow back tighter and aim at her.

             
“I can't let you leave.” I beg of her. Tears are building in the corners of my eyes.”

             
Paige joins in. “You shot David. You are staying-”

             
My eardrums nearly explode as a spent casing flies from Sara's gun. I see Paige dropping to the ground, her white blouse already turning red as she falls to her knees and then to the grass. My finger tips already have released the string. I immediately wish I could recall it, but it's too late.

             
The arrow plunges deep into Sara's chest. I drop the bow and sprint toward her. I am already beside her by the time her body touches the ground. Her gun silently falls to the grass, and I grip her empty hand. She gazes forward blankly. My sister may already be dead.

             
"Sara... how could you?" My whisper changes to a scream. "Why did you make me kill you?" Her child...

             
This... this can't be real... it can't be...

             
Her eyes turn and focus on my own. She struggles a few breaths. Sara's lips move, but nothing comes out. I want an explanation. Something. Please. None of this makes sense. I thought we were okay yesterday. Was it all an act? It couldn't have been. God no, it couldn't have been. I feel the tears running down my face and into my mouth. The right words escape me, and I simply bawl as I pull her light body into my own. Every moment of the past five years has been about finding her.

             
Keeping her safe.

             
The quiet sounds exiting her mouth cease. I feel her muscles release, and she is gone.

             
I killed her.

             
My mouth shakes and I wail. What... how could everything have come to this?

             
My sister. Sara. I killed her. The rest of the world doesn't matter anymore. I hold her as if it will bring her back to me.               Please... I need you.

*   *   *

              At some point, a few of Ryan's men found the three of us and brought Paige and me into the school. I sit alone against a wall on the side of the room. I stare blankly at the ground. Nothing matters anymore.

             
Sara.

             
The gunshots outside fade and I hear some men saying that they managed to drive them back. I don't care. I kept hoping a stray bullet would find a home deep in my brain.

             
I am not that lucky.

             
After what may have been hours, Carter comes over and picks me up. I don't fight him. I wrap my arm around his neck as he carries me onto one of the cots. He sets me down and pulls a blanket over me. He stands above me with a blank stare. His face looks flushed. I finally manage a few words.

             
“Paige? Is she...?”

             
“She lost a lot of blood. We were able to get the bullet out and stop the bleeding, but her pulse is faint. I wanted to check on you.”

             
“I'll be alright...” I begin in a mumble.

             
Sara...

             
Carter moves in close to my head, and runs his hand through my hair.

             
“You’re my family. Considering the pain I feel, yours must be unimaginable. It's okay to need help.” He inhales as if to continue, but exhales slowly through his nose. Carter seems to be at a loss for words. “We are in the medical part if you need anything. Kevin was put in charge around here so ask him if you need anything.”

             
He stands in front of me. I finally notice all of the blood covering the front of his shirt. Paige's blood...

             
He walks slowly out of the gymnasium, passing several dozen people lying on on cots and blindly walking around. He is soon lost in the crowd. I lie back down and stare at the ceiling.

             
I fall asleep faster than I thought.

             
And I dream about dogs made out of snow.