The shouts and shrieks came when the first gunshot flared, bouncing on the smooth wall and resonating through their eardrums like an endless rhyme of a chiming bell. The two men in red and black had shut the door behind the last civilians, forming a barricade of their own. Side by side, they stood, keeping their hands on their weapon and looking anything but funny. Next from the east, towards the other side of the room, two other garrisons placed their shoulders on the northern door, blocking the back entrance. There was no possible way of escape, even if Carlos wanted to try, he would need to fight his way through. And given his current predicament, he was not in the position to. They were hiding behind the counter. Tina was nowhere in sight, the girl had disappeared, perhaps with the rest of the civilians. Her claims of being a lone wolf that was unfazed by gang threats spoke negatively of her. For one who claims to be tough, Carlos ha
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ELIXA CHAPTER 48
Vick moseyed through the flight of stairs, chest sitting up in the air as if she saw and knew what no one else did. She was on holiday or had retired, so it was difficult to ascertain her current status. The Dwellers had paid some of them off, laying them from their duty. Since there were more people—young fresh blood—willing to serve their country, it was time to travel to the prominent Wetland continent and settle down with the man of her dreams. She didn’t have one in her life, but she was sure she would find one if she searched. The last man she had tried to love had cheated and betrayed her. She had killed him though, she had rid the land from the infirmities of fools who would stop at nothing but bring disaster upon the earth. Not that she was bent on following the law, no, far from it. She was the law herself. Every Dwellers was, especially the Shaleks. They were the ones who killed and brought to justice any off
ELIXA CHAPTER 49
Hoisting the bag over her shoulders, Vick walked out of her room and started towards the only door on the far side of the hall. A female voice was speaking from one of the speakers, reading out the daily reports. It also encouraged some of the Dwellers within the hall to have a nice life while they waited for the result of some sports they had placed their bets on. White marked the ends of the walls, and grays were on every side the sculpture of a wolf was. It was etched on the edges of the wall, looking down on the people that went about their business. This was the Dweller’s quarters, spacious and harbored about three hundred and fifty-six apartments. Three hundred and fifty-six men and women had retired from the hunt. It was supposed to be a space for resting and spending the rest of one's days while one watches the world fade away into emptiness and memories. It was a home of comfort, a comfort that has thorns in its teeth.Vick tugged down her black face cap as she hurried down t
ELIXA CHAPTER 50
THE PLOWMAN WAS HERE. After days and months of dreading to see its ugly face, it’s no wonder that it had finally shown its hooding white cloak and cold sharp fangs. Trees had lost their green and were bending their heads in subjection, wailing with the blistering winds that dusted the white fog. There were no sands, stones or anything that could contrast its challenging tuff. This time of the year was a time Kristen would have wished to be in the comfort of her bed. If this were Freetown, she would have used the heater to keep her room warm, and since the emperor normally declares holidays, she would have had every single moment to herself. Even if she wanted to work, it would be indoors, within the comfort of a nice hot coffee, and a warm fire to keep her body from these angry white fangs. And with Cazlin cracking one of those silly jokes of his. Cazlin. She breathed in as the thought walked through the edges of her mind. The man was full of jokes and would make her life until her c
ELIXA CHAPTER 51
Walking into the cave brought a different feel and added a natural warmth to their soul. Though the heater heated their body, it was the sudden warmth on their faces that made Kristen lick her lips. She rubbed her hands together, swallowing and remaining at the entrance of the cave, without zeal to continue. There was something about the cave that made her heart skip. It was a hunch, one she wished she could keep at bay. On days like this, she would have avoided the occasion and walked far away, until the feeling stopped. She hugged herself, eyes, searching the winter-plowed land they had just stepped away from. Even if she wanted to try, it would be suicide walking away from the group. It was true that the heater kept her warm, but she didn’t know how long its power would last. The only way to survive was to follow Kenish and his compass. God help them if they find the wall. “This would do,” Kenish lowered himself and dropped the brown bag on the cold floor, “We could continue our j
ELIXA CHAPTER 52
It was the ringing in her ears and the dust in her mouth that made her realize she was no longer spinning in the air. Coughing, she tried to raise her head, but her hands and feet were suddenly numb. There was even a thump at the back of her head, pulsing slowly like a second heart. Swallowing was difficult, and the dust in her mouth caused the side of her lips to burn terribly. Everywhere burnt. From her nose, the side of her face, and her ears. She must have brushed her face on the surface of a stone. And the ringing in her ears was becoming too loud that she could barely hear herself think. Why did it hurt so bad? The first fall had been better. The ground had cushioned her and had prevented her from getting aching muscles. What has changed? Why did it hurt so badly?Coughing, Kristen tried to return to her feet. She could move her head, and it seemed the stiff neck had regained its grace. However, the rest of her body kept their mind, preventing her from even moving her fingers, f
ELIXA CHAPTER 53
At first, the force pushed the Darkeel to the other side of the field, causing it to create a trail as it rolled over the grass of green, side by side, with tentacles, feet and antenna, swerving in a whipping motion until it stopped at the far side. Its breath was steady; falling and rising like a collapsible balloon. She had expected the gun to kill it, but it ended up knocking it off, perhaps, not that she was going to dwell in comfort, their chances of survival were slim, and unless they acted fast, she doubted they could get away. Darkeels were never lone packs. This one must have slipped through the wall unnoticed. If it was here, then another might be lurking around somewhere. And she wouldn’t want to put Kristen in such trouble. She had the skill herself, but it would take more than skill to fight a darkeel and kill it. Battling one was difficult enough. If another showed up… “Take my hand,” Vick’s face tightened with an urgency as leaned forward and tilted her free gloved ha
ELIXA CHAPTER 54
Despite having the hood on, they kept their heads down as they walked through the seas of people, swimming to the far side and hoping to beat the crowd or be swept by its unfavorable tides. Smells of sweat followed their hasty feet, blending with the shouts and screams of excitement. Catherine had said something about a game that was held once in four years. At first, Damian’s curiosity had piqued him into thinking that it was the world cup. But after Catherine had explained that the ball was not played with the foot but with hands, he had lost every interest. He was not a fan of sport but had loved football at one time. It was a long time ago. Handball was his least favorite. He had always wondered why adults would engage in children’s activity and call it a sport.“Towards the alley,” Catherine coughed and nodded to the other side of the road. Damian pulled her in, shading and guiding her by the shoulders towards the lone street. That didn’t register well, especially since they were
ELIXA CHAPTER 55
“Is something funny?” Catherine said and studied Tom's searching eyes. He was at it again. He was wearing one of those looks which say 'you have all the freedom outside, but not here. Catherine shifted her weight. She hated those looks, she hated the fact that she had allowed him to use her like a stash bag all these years. She hated that he had the control and will and always tried to control her as if holding a magic wand that could create an invincible cage.Tom coughed twice before gulping the last content on the bottle. Those looks in his eyes were still searching, waiting and perhaps judging. She was not his little princess anymore. She had grown into a woman, a tough one, and not something he could toy around with any time his whim was of course. Sauntering languidly, he tossed the empty bottle by the side, before walking forwards to stand beside her. He held that confident composure of his, with a glee imbuing the sides of his eyes. She had come begging for his help, even aft