CHAPTER V: ELENA

  Eve meets an enigmatic figure who is more than meets the eye.

  “Whoever you are, we are not infected! We’re not here to hurt anyone!” Gideon shouts, adjusting his weight as Eve’s body sags against him.

  Eve’s a lot heavier than he expected.

  The figure stops. She lowers her rifle and watches them for a moment. Then she pulls off her hood.

  “S… Sophia?” Eve stammers, squinting at her.

  The woman cuts the net with a quick swipe of a knife, and the two of them drop to the ground with a thud. Gideon groans as Eve lands on top of him with a soft oomph.

  “Great,” Gideon mutters, pushing Eve off him.

  Elena steps back with a big grin. She puts her hands on her hips. She’s taller than Gideon and stands like she’s not worried about a thing. The sunlight makes her dark skin glow, and her short silvery hair shines bright. A rainbow bracelet wraps around her wrist. The same rainbow-colored necklace peeks out from under her faded shirt. Her white lipstick pops out against her deep brown skin.

  The woman laughs. "It’s been a while since I had visitors!" she says with a jolly voice. "I’m Elena!"

  Eve blinks, still in shock, and slowly gets off Gideon. "You’re not... Sophia?"

  Elena shakes her head, still smiling.

  “Nope. I’ve never heard that name before.” She offers a hand to help Eve up. “You okay?”

  Gideon groans, rubbing his back, then gets up by himself.

  “What’s going on here?” he asks, his voice still full of suspicion.

  Elena shrugs like it's nothing.

  “Just trying to survive out here. But it's nice to meet someone who isn’t trying to eat me." She chuckles and looks at them both. "What brings you to my neck of the woods?"

  Eve still looks confused but starts to relax. “We were just passing through. Looking for answers."

  “Well," Elena says with a grin "answers are overrated anyway. But I’ve got food and shelter. You two look like you could use both."

  Gideon sighs, not fully trusting her but knowing he doesn’t have many choices. “Lead the way.”

  Elena walks toward the biggest hut in the town, the wooden structure standing out with bright colors painted all over it———blues, reds, yellows. It looks like it’s been here a while, but somehow it’s still in good shape.

  "Mom! Dad! I’m home! I brought new friends!" Elena calls out loudly, grinning like she’s just walked in from the best day ever.

  But there’s no response.

  Gideon and Eve exchange confused looks, staying back a little. They watch as Elena moves around the hut, pushing aside a couple of mannequins with clothes draped over them. She makes sure to give them voices as if they’re real.

  “Oh, that’s good, Elena!” she says, pretending one of the mannequins is her mom. “Why don’t you prepare some lunch for our guests?”

  Elena gives a little laugh and replies, “I’ll be happy to do it, Mom!”

  Gideon raises an eyebrow. Eve looks even more puzzled. They both just stand there, not sure what’s going on.

  “Sit down!” Elena suddenly calls over to them, waving her hands toward the dinner table, which is made of rough-hewn wood. “I’ll get lunch ready for you guys. Make yourselves comfortable!”

  Eve shrugs and sits down at the table, trying not to stare too hard at the weird mannequins in the room. Gideon sits too, but he’s still eyeing Elena, wondering what kind of situation they’ve walked into.

  Elena pulls off her long coat with a quick flick. Underneath, she’s wearing a white bikini top and shorts. Her arms and abs are toned like she’s been lifting heavy stuff all the time. Gideon can’t help but think she probably built the town, and he looks at her a little differently now.

  Elena doesn’t seem to care at all about how she looks. She hums as she moves around the small kitchen, clearly at ease, like she’s done this a million times.

  “You guys hungry? I hope you like beans,” she says cheerfully, grabbing a pot from the shelf.

  Eve leans in toward Gideon and whispers, “Did she just... talk to mannequins?”

  Gideon shrugs.

  “I don’t know, but I’m not eating any beans if that’s what she’s making.” He glances over at the “mom” mannequin. “What’s the deal with that?”

  Eve watches Elena dance around the room. "I... I don't know."

  Elena suddenly looks back at them and smiles brightly. “You two are gonna love my cooking! It’s the best thing you’ll eat in days!”

  They sit quietly, still unsure what to think, but for now, it’s a break from running. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll be worth seeing where this strange day takes them.

  Elena walks over holding a steaming pot. The smell of beans and rabbit wafts through. It surprises Gideon. He didn’t expect it to smell this good… not after everything they’ve been through.

  "Here you go," Elena says, placing the pot on the table with a smile. "Freshly cooked beans with some rabbit meat. It’s my special recipe."

  Gideon raises an eyebrow as he takes in the hearty meal. The beans smell deep and earthy. The rabbit meat shines in the light. His stomach growls despite his best to ignore it.

  "Smells good," he mutters before he grabs a spoon and scoops some into a bowl.

  Eve, sitting across from him, watches in surprise.

  "I thought you said you weren’t eating?" he says, raising an eyebrow.

  Gideon doesn’t answer. He just digs in. The food is surprisingly delicious. The beans are soft, with just the right amount of spice. The rabbit meat is tender and juicy. It's like a little bit of heaven after days of scavenging for scraps.

  Eve looks at him, mouth half-open. “You’re eating it anyway?”

  Gideon just gives him a look, not bothering to explain. He chews thoughtfully, the flavors still sinking in. He’s had a lot of meals in his life, but this? This is something different.

  "Well," Elena says, after a few moments, her voice breaking the silence, "enjoying your meal?"

  Eve nods.

  She claps her hands together.

  Her eyes are wide with excitement.

  “Come with me! I’ll show you around my town! I’ll show you my little piece of paradise.”

  She’s grinning wide, and it’s clear how proud she is of what she’s made. It sure is a weird little town but it’s hers. And that seems to mean everything to her.

  Eve hesitates, the spoon halfway to his mouth.

  "Paradise?" he asks, not convinced.

  Elena nods enthusiastically. “Yup! Come on! I’ve got all kinds of cool stuff to show you. There’s the pond where I fish, and the big tree I climbed last week, and don’t even get me started on my little garden!"

  Gideon watches her, his interest piqued despite himself. He glances over at Eve. “I don’t know what to expect, but it can’t be worse than where we’ve been.”

  Eve nods slowly, still unsure but curious enough to follow. “Guess so.”

  Elena hops up, practically bouncing on her feet.

  "Alright, follow me!" she says, grinning like the world’s about to unfold in front of them.

  As she leads them outside, her enthusiasm fills the air. It’s strange. Everything about her is strange———but Gideon can’t deny that he’s a little impressed. She’s made something here. And that’s more than he can say for most people.

  They step out into the light, and Elena gestures grandly toward the town.

  “This is it! This is my home. Welcome to my paradise.”

  Elena leads them through the town. Her excitement sparkles as she talks nonstop about everything she’s built.

  “This is the main street,” she says, gesturing grandly to a dirt path lined with colorful huts. “I’ve got a shop there where I sell fish and berries. And that building,” she points to a hut with a thatched roof, “is where I grow all my veggies. You wouldn’t believe how many I have!”

  Gideon keeps walking, not really listening. He’s still picking at the rabbit meat, chewing slowly. It’s surprisingly good, but his mind is on other things. Eve follows beside him, his eyes darting around as he tries to take in everything, but there’s something off about the place.

  They pass a few more huts, and Elena happily waves to what looks like a row of mannequins standing along the street.

  “Hi, Mr. Milkman!” she calls out to one mannequin dressed in a faded blue uniform. "How’s the milk delivery going today?”

  The mannequin is dressed like a milkman—complete with a cap and a satchel full of pretend bottles—and its stiff pose doesn’t move, of course. But Elena doesn’t seem to mind. She continues, undeterred. “Oh, I see, it’s been a quiet day? Don’t worry, we’ll have more customers soon.”

  Gideon stops mid-bite, eyeing the mannequin. He raises an eyebrow and glances at Eve. Eve looks just as confused, his mouth hanging open.

  “Elena?” Gideon asks slowly, trying to process what he’s seeing. “You talk to these things?”

  She beams at him.

  “Of course I do! They’re my town, my family!” She gestures proudly toward the row of mannequins. “Here’s the mayor,” she points at a mannequin dressed in a suit, holding a clipboard. “And over here, the children’s section.” She pats a smaller mannequin, one dressed in a cute dress. "This one’s Emily, the town’s youngest citizen. She’s been a bit quiet lately, but she’s a good listener.”

  Emily. Eve remembers his mother.

  Gideon takes another bite of the rabbit, his expression still unreadable, but his eyes flick to Eve. He gestures subtly with his finger, tracing a circle around his temple. Crazy. He mouths it to Eve when Elena’s back is turned.

  Eve looks at the mannequins again———some with painted smiles, some with blank stares. His stomach churns a little.

  “This... this is a little weird,” he mutters.

  Elena turns back to them with a grin that could rival the sun.

  “Oh, don’t be silly. They’re just as real to me as anyone else.” She points toward another mannequin on the corner, a middle-aged man in a tattered shirt. “That’s Doug. He works down at the fishing dock with me. I’d show you, but we’re still walking, right?”

  Gideon doesn’t answer. Instead, he picks at the last of the rabbit meat, chewing thoughtfully. A mannequin child waves stiffly at them, its painted eyes wide and blank. He tries to ignore it, but the whole scene feels... off.

  “Elena...” Eve says, his voice quieter. “What happened to the people here?”

  Her face flickers with confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “Like... the real people. The ones you... you know, used to live here?” Eve asks, trying to be delicate.

  She shrugs, smiling again.

  “Well, I guess they just... they live here… they’re real… I don’t know what you’re talking about” She glances down the street, then at the mannequins.

  Gideon finally sets his bowl down, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “Yeah, enough,” he mutters under his breath, not looking at her. He moves past Elena, taking another look at the mannequin mayor. "Sure is a lively place."

  Eve gives him an uneasy look. “Maybe we should go back to the huts? This feels... I don’t know, kind of wrong?”

  “Don’t be like that!” Elena laughs. “You two are gonna love it here. This is my paradise, and I want to share it with you!” She grins widely, her eyes twinkling.

  Gideon looks at Eve again, and Eve looks back at him. They both exchange a silent agreement.

  Elena walks through the small farm she’s built, humming softly to herself as she bends down to pluck a cabbage from the ground. The soil is rich and dark, and the cabbage is vibrant green, its leaves thick and healthy. She grins, wiping a drop of sweat from her forehead as she stands up, holding the cabbage triumphantly.

  “Look at that!” she says, turning to Eve and Gideon. “Isn’t it perfect? Grows better every time! I’ll make something special with it later.”

  Gideon glances at the cabbage, nodding in agreement but not saying much. Eve, on the other hand, can’t help but feel a little uneasy. Everything here seems so... put together. Like Elena is trying too hard to convince them everything’s normal.

  Elena walks over to the small wooden crate she’s made for her harvest, placing the cabbage inside with great care. She pats it gently like it’s a pet.

  "Everything here needs attention, but it’s worth it," she says with a wide smile. "Just like with my people. They all need a little care to stay perfect. Gotta make sure they feel real, you know?"

  She stands, taking a moment to admire the rows of crops around her. "Someday, I’ll have enough to feed the whole town..."

  Later, Elena leads them to a pond in a small clearing. The water is still and reflects the sky. The sun is setting, painting the water orange. Elena picks up a fishing pole and flicks the line into the water. She sits on the edge, her legs hanging above the water, waiting for a bite. Gideon leans against a tree, arms crossed, and Eve sits beside him. They both watch Elena as she hums softly, tapping her fingers on the ground.

  After a moment, the pole jerks. Elena jumps up and starts reeling in the line. A fish flops at the end, its scales shining in the sunlight.

  “Dinner,” Elena says, grinning like she’s won a prize. She carefully takes the fish off the hook and tosses it into a bucket. “Perfect.”

  Gideon raises an eyebrow but says nothing. Eve shrugs uncomfortably, watching Elena work. It’s like she’s a whole different person here———calm and focused like she’s been living in a dream.

  Elena is back at the hut, her hands busy as she arranges a collection of stuffed animals in a circle on the floor. The stuffed tiger, bear, and rabbit are all propped up around her like they’re real animals having a tea party.

  She leans down and speaks in a soft, playful voice to the tiger,

  “Oh, you’re not gonna believe it, Mr. Rabbit. The bear said the funniest thing today. You should’ve heard it!”

  She picks up the stuffed bear and makes it wave a paw, speaking in a low voice, “Oh, really, Miss Tiger? Tell me more!”

  Gideon and Eve stand at the door, watching with wide eyes as Elena moves the stuffed animals around like they’re alive, laughing with them, and responding to their “questions” as if they were real.

  “This is so much fun,” Elena says to herself, spinning one of the animals in a circle. “You guys always know how to cheer me up.”

  Eve glances at Gideon, his expression worried. “She really believes they’re real.”

  Gideon just watches in silence, his eyes flicking between Elena and the stuffed animals. “Yeah. She’s got her own little world, doesn’t she?”

  Elena doesn’t seem to notice them, completely absorbed in her game. She hugs one of the stuffed animals, her smile wide.

  “I love you all,” she says softly.

  There’s something in her tone———something innocent, almost childlike. But it feels wrong. Something about this place, the mannequins, the stuffed animals———it’s all just too much.

  Gideon and Eve sit at a small table in Elena’s bright shack. She calls it “Hotel Elena.” The walls sparkle with shiny stones in every color. There are old mugs. There are chipped lamps. Some chairs look ready to fall apart. Everything is from the abandoned city nearby. The room looks messy. It feels kind of cozy at the same time.

  Gideon finishes his fish-and-cabbage soup and leans back in his chair. He rubs his belly.

  “Not bad,” he says, wiping his mouth with his hand.

  Eve looks up from his bowl. “Where’s Elena?”

  “Who knows? She’s probably talking to her mannequins or something,” Gideon shrugs.

  Eve looks at the door to the next room. “I don’t know. It’s kind of weird how she talks to them... and the stuffed animals.”

  Gideon looks around the room. His eyes move from one shiny thing to another.

  “Yeah, it is. But it’s not our problem. We eat, we sleep. Eve, we leave tomorrow. I’m going to bed.” He grunts as he stands.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  He stretches and walks to a corner with old blankets piled on the floor. He lies down and closes his eyes. Eve nods, but something feels off. Elena’s been acting odd, disappearing like this. It’s not like her to just vanish when they’re all sharing a meal.

  Eve sets his spoon down. He listens closely. A soft sound reaches him. It’s faint at first but then clear… sobbing.

  “Gideon… something’s wrong with Elena,” says Eve.

  Gideon doesn’t answer. He’s already lying down, eyes half-closed.

  Eve doesn’t waste time. He gets up quietly and walks out of the room. He follows the sound of the crying. It leads him to the living room. Elena is on the floor. Her knees are pulled up to her chest. She’s rocking back and forth. Her face is hidden in her arms.

  “Elena?” Eve says softly.

  She stops rocking but keeps crying. Slowly, she lifts her head. Her eyes are wide like she doesn’t know where she is.

  “I don’t want to be alone,” she whispers. “I didn’t mean to upset anyone.”

  Eve walks closer. He kneels in front of her. “You’re not alone.”

  She stares at him. Then she lunges forward and hugs him tight. Her voice shakes as she speaks.

  “I’m so sorry,” she cries. “I just want everything to be okay.”

  Eve doesn’t move at first. Her grip is strong. He feels her trembling. He hugs her back, gentle but steady.

  “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay. You don’t have to do this alone,” Eve tells her.

  Elena holds him for a long time. Her sobs start to slow. She breathes in and out, shaky. The silence is heavy… as if there’s more to say but no one is saying it.

  “I know it’s not real,” Elena says, her voice quiet.

  Eve frowns. “What’s not real?”

  “The mannequins,” she says. “I know they’re not real. I pretend they are. But I know the truth.”

  She stands. She walks to a mannequin wearing an old dress. She called this one “Mom.” She touches its face lightly. Her hand looks stiff like it doesn’t want to be there.

  “This is all I’ve had,” she says. “For years. I made it all up so I wouldn’t lose my mind.”

  Eve watches her. He doesn’t know what to say. The weight of her words hits him. He feels it in his chest.

  Elena looks at him. Her eyes are red. “I heard you and Gideon talking. You were going to leave me here. I don’t want to be alone again. I can’t go back to this. It’s all fake. It’s all lies.”

  Eve takes a step closer. His voice is calm. “We weren’t going to leave you. You can come with us. You don’t have to stay here anymore.”

  She turns away. Her hands curl into fists. “But I don’t know what’s out there. I don’t know how to live anywhere else. What if I don’t fit in? What if you leave me anyway?”

  Eve shakes his head. “We’re not leaving you. You’ll learn. You’ll figure it out as we go. We’ll figure it out together.”

  She looks back at him. Her face is tight with fear. But there’s something else now. A small spark of hope.

  “You mean it?” she asks.

  Eve nods. “Yeah. No one gets left behind.”

  She stares at him for a moment. Then she nods too. Her shoulders relax. The fear in her face softens. “Okay. I’ll go with you. But I’m scared.”

  “It’s okay to be scared,” Eve says. “We’ll be scared together.”

  The silence feels different now. It doesn’t feel heavy anymore. It feels like something new. It feels like a start.

  Gideon sits on the floor, sorting through his ammo. He picks up a bullet, checks it, then drops it into a pouch. He sighs and rubs his temple.

  “Not enough,” he mutters to himself, zipping the bag shut. His rifle leans against the wall nearby, ready for the road.

  Eve sits at a rickety table, a crumpled map spread out in front of him. His finger traces over the faded lines. He squints, trying to figure out their best path.

  The door creaks open, and Elena bursts in like a splash of color. She’s wearing a bright, patchy dress that flutters as she moves. A huge bag is slung over her shoulder, stuffed so full it looks ready to burst.

  “Are we ready to go?” she asks, grinning like a kid about to start an adventure.

  Gideon looks up, blinking. “What?”

  “She’s coming with us,” says Eve, not even looking up from the map.

  Gideon scowls, grabbing his rifle. “But she’s crazy.”

  Eve shoots him a look that could melt steel. “Gideon…”

  “Alright, alright,” Gideon grumbles, throwing his bag over his shoulder. “We’re heading out right now. But Elena, that dress of yours is a beacon. You’ll get us all killed. Wear something darker or something that blends with the land.”

  Elena pouts and crosses her arms. “This dress is perfect! It’s cheerful.”

  “It’s also the worst camouflage I’ve ever seen,” says Gideon, pointing at her. “Go change before you make me regret this.”

  Elena rolls her eyes but stomps off, muttering, “Fine, party pooper.”

  The sun rises behind them. Their shadows stretch long over the grassy plain. The tall grass waves back and forth in the breeze. Elena walks ahead. Her grey cloak flutters around her as she moves. She seems happy. A rifle bounces against her shoulder. Eve follows in the middle. He holds the map like it’s the most important thing in the world. Every few steps, he looks up to check their path. Gideon walks last. His rifle stays steady in his hands as his eyes scan the land around them.

  Gideon’s gaze lands on Elena’s rifle. Something about it looks strange. He squints at it and frowns. The shiny part of the magazine catches the light. It gleams like metal and looks... like a harmonica.

  “Elena,” he says. His voice is flat. “Is that magazine a harmonica?”

  She spins around to face him. Now she’s walking backward. Her grin stretches wide. “You noticed! Cool, right?”

  Gideon stares. “Not the word I’d use.” He frowns harder. “How does that even work?”

  Elena waves her hand like it’s no big deal. “Oh, you know. I played the music of the universe. Whispered a wish into the wind. Boom. It worked.”

  Gideon’s expression doesn’t change. “I’m starting to think crazy isn’t a strong enough word for you.”

  She tilts her head.

  “Maybe. Or maybe I got bored and decided to mix music and mayhem. Meet the Harmoni-Carbine!” She raises the rifle like a trophy.

  Gideon groans and rubs his face. “You’re out of your mind.”

  Eve glances back at her and laughs. “At least she’s creative.”

  “Creative won’t keep you alive out here,” Gideon snaps. He keeps walking. “A harmonica magazine... what’s next? A tambourine grenade?”

  “Oh, I’ve been working on that!” Elena chirps, completely serious.

  Gideon stops in his tracks and stares at her again. “You’re kidding.”

  She winks. “Am I?”

  The sun beats down on the scorched land as Gideon ducks behind a crumbling barricade. His hand shoots up, signaling for Elena and Eve to get low. Dust swirls around their feet as they crouch.

  Gideon peers over the rubble. Two armored figures tower over a trembling family of three. Their heavy, metal-plated boots scrape against the cracked ground. Massive hammers hang at their sides, and swords glint on their backs. The red crest of the Legion is smeared across their battered chest plates.

  “Who are they?” Eve whispers, his voice barely audible.

  “Legionnaires,” Gideon mutters. “I didn’t know they’d come this far.”

  “They’re hurting those people!” Elena hisses.

  Before Gideon can react, she bolts from cover.

  “Wait! Damn it!” Gideon growls, gripping his rifle tighter.

  He watches in frustration as Elena sprints toward the scene.

  One of the knights looms over the family, yanking a child from his mother’s arms. The boy screams, tears streaking his dusty face.

  “We won’t ask again,” the knight growls.

  His voice is muffled behind his helm. He shoves a crumpled wanted poster into the father’s face.

  “Have you seen this man?” The image is evident———it’s Gideon.

  The father stammers, holding his wife close. “P-please, good sir, we don’t know him.”

  The knight’s grip tightens on the child.

  “If you won’t talk, we’ll make you.” He draws a sword, its edge catching the sunlight, and aims it at the child’s neck.

  “Hey, stop that!” Elena’s voice cuts through the tension.

  The knight turns just as a gunshot cracks through the air. The bullet pings off his armor, but before he can react, a second shot hits him square in the eye. He collapses with a metallic thud. His partner fumbles for a sidearm, but Gideon’s rifle barks and the second knight drops like a stone.

  The family huddles together as Elena approaches, her rifle still smoking.

  “Are you okay?” she asks, crouching near them.

  The child breaks free and clings to his mother.

  “Thank you,” the father breathes, his voice shaking.

  Gideon and Eve rush to Elena. Gideon’s face is twisted with frustration.

  “Don’t ever do that again!” he snaps, his eyes scanning the horizon. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”

  Distant shouts echo across the plains. More Legionnaires are coming.

  “Move!” Gideon barks, scooping up the pistol from the fallen officer. They sprint, the family disappearing into the distance as the sound of boots and clanging armor grows louder behind them.

  Eve pants as they run. “Why don’t they use guns like you?”

  “Bullets are rare,” Gideon answers sharply. “Only officers get guns. The rest fight the old-fashioned way.”

  Elena glances back, her cloak flapping as she runs.

  “Lucky for us, officers don’t always get to use them,” she says with a smirk.

  Gideon doesn’t answer, his eyes scanning for their next escape route.

  The thunder of hooves grows louder, a relentless drumbeat chasing them down. Dust rises like a storm in their wake.

  “Here they come!” Gideon growls, glancing over his shoulder.

  Elena raises her rifle, the makeshift harmonica magazine gleaming under the sun. She fires, the shots sharp and wild. Some bullets ricochet harmlessly off the Legionnaires’ armor. Others miss completely, thudding into the dirt.

  “Their armor is thick and bulletproof!” Gideon shouts, his voice rising over the chaos.

  He slows just enough to steady his sniper rifle. One shot rings out. A Legionnaire slumps forward, falling from his horse with a gurgling cry. The bullet has pierced his eye.

  Eve, running just behind, gives a half-smile despite the danger. “You’re always so precise, Mr. Gideon. Makes me wonder how.”

  “I’ve got my skills,” Gideon mutters, keeping his focus on the riders. He takes aim again. “But for now, we have to———”

  A screech of tires cuts him off. A car screeches to a halt in front of them, blocking their path. Dust swirls around the armored vehicle as a Legion officer steps out, pistol in hand. His dark visor hides his eyes, but his stance screams arrogance.

  “Drop your weapons!” The officer’s voice booms as the horses encircle them.

  The riders slow, forming a tight ring. Their swords and hammers glint in the sunlight, ready to strike.

  “Well, well, well,” the officer sneers, stepping closer. His pistol is steady, aimed directly at Gideon. “What do we have here? A traitor, a little girl, and a lunatic.” His tone drips with mockery.

  Gideon’s jaw tightens. His grip on the rifle doesn’t loosen. Eve’s eyes dart to Elena, who stands with her rifle raised but trembling slightly.

  The officer chuckles, taking another step forward. “I’d love to see you try, sniper. But we all know how this ends.”

  The officer flicks his wrist, and a small cylinder arcs through the air. It lands at their feet with a metallic clink.

  “Smoke!” Gideon shouts, but it’s too late. A thick, choking cloud erupts, engulfing them. The world turns gray and suffocating.

  Elena coughs, waving her hands to clear the air. She fires blindly but hears no satisfying impact. A sharp kick from the darkness knocks her rifle from her hands. Before she can react, strong arms seize her. She thrashes, but the grip tightens like iron.

  “Let me go!” she yells, her voice swallowed by the smoke.

  Eve stumbles backward, coughing, disoriented. A shadow looms, and he’s yanked off his feet. He struggles, kicking wildly, but his small frame is no match for the armored soldiers.

  “Eve! Elena!” Gideon calls, his voice hoarse.

  He drops low, trying to see under the thick fog. Shapes move around him, closing in fast. A soldier lunges from the side. Gideon spins, driving his rifle butt into the man’s helmet. The soldier crumples, but two more take his place.

  A punch lands hard on Gideon’s ribs. He grits his teeth, swinging wildly. His fist connects with another soldier’s jaw, sending him sprawling. A glimmer of hope sparks as he grabs for his knife, but a hammer strike to his back sends him to his knees.

  “Get off me!” Gideon snarls, thrashing as hands grab at him from every direction.

  Gideon elbows one guy and headbutts another but more keep coming. A punch slams into his face. Blood spills from his lip. He swings again and hits another soldier in the throat but there are too many of them.

  They rush at him. All that armor and muscle pile on top of him. He can’t move. His body slows. His breath comes fast and ragged. He tries to push but it’s too heavy. A hard hit to the back of his head sends him crashing to the ground. Everything spins. The smoke starts to clear.

  Through hazy eyes, he sees the officer’s boots step into view.

  The officer stands over Gideon. His helmet shines in the dim light. He gives the order.

  “Take the traitor to the outpost. The king will deal with it.” His voice is cold and sharp.

  The soldiers grab the trio and drag them away. Elena kicks and fights back. Her body is a blur of anger.

  “Let me out! You filthy———” She’s cut off as a soldier presses a cloth to her mouth, forcing her into submission.

  Her body writhes in fury, but she can’t break free. She screams insults at them, the words lost in the air as they march her to the cage.

  Gideon, his face covered in blood, is thrown into the cage with Eve. Elena’s struggle slows down, but she still grumbles under her breath. She curses at the soldiers.

  The soldiers lock the cage and tie it to the horses. The trio is dragged along. The horses’ hooves thud on the dirt road.

  Gideon sits leaning against the bars. His body hurts from the beating. His mouth is dry. Blood still stains his lip.

  “June,” he says quietly.

  The word hangs in the air like a weight.

  Eve, sitting opposite him in the cage, hears it. He leans forward.

  “Who’s June?” he asks.

  Gideon’s gaze flicks to him for a brief moment before he looks away. His eyes are distant, lost in some far-off place.

  “Doesn’t matter,” he says softly. “She’s gone.”

  Eve doesn’t ask more. He can tell it’s a touchy subject. He shifts uncomfortably and looks out at the empty land. The horses’ hooves keep thudding as they ride deeper into the unknown.

  Elena moves restlessly beside them. She’s still cursing under her breath. She slams her body against the bars trying to pry them open. But it doesn’t work. The soldiers laugh behind them.

  A memory hits Gideon like a hammer. His eyes narrow, and the world around him blurs into the dark place he tries so hard to avoid. The scene replays in his mind like an old film, one he can’t stop watching.

  He’s holding June in his arms. Her blood soaks his shirt as she struggles to breathe. The night is freezing. The castle walls are far off in the distance. Soldiers are closing in. Their boots pound on the stone as they get closer. Gideon feels like he’s already lost. The world feels like it’s falling apart.

  June is still beautiful. Even as she fades away. Her skin is pale and delicate. Her dark hair flows like a waterfall but one side is messy and covering her face. Her eyes are weak and fluttering. She breathes shallowly. Her lips are pale from the blood she’s lost.

  She’s wearing a gown fit for royalty. It’s a mix of deep red and black with silver threads sparkling in the moonlight. Her blood stains the dress. Some of her hair clings to the silver threads. It’s like the dress is mourning too.

  Her hand, cold and limp in Gideon's, trembles faintly. The weight of the moment presses heavily on her, and as she slips away, it’s as if she’s still holding onto some part of him, her gaze locking with his one final time before it fades.

  “Why did it have to be like this?” Gideon whispers, his voice cracking as June’s eyes flutter, weak and dimming.

  She coughs, her breath shallow, barely a whisper. “We can’t change it, Gideon... leave me... run.”

  “No, June, I’m staying,” Gideon shakes his head, refusing to accept the reality.

  Her grip on his arm tightens weakly, tears streaming down her face. “Gideon... please... run... I’m begging you.”

  He doesn't leave. He won’t leave her. But as the soldiers close in, her eyes lose their light. Her last breath is soft, and then she’s gone. The cold of the night swallowed her warmth. Gideon stays there, holding her, but it’s too late.

  The memory ends.

  “I should’ve died there,” Gideon mutters under his breath, his words tinged with regret.

  He lowers his head. He stares at the dirt road ahead. The cage rattles as the horses keep moving but inside the cage, everything feels frozen.

  Eve looks at him from across the cage. The silence between them feels heavy. But then something catches his attention. He looks at Elena. She’s crying. Her body shakes as she buries her face in Eve’s chest. Eve holds her gently. His face stays hard and distant.

  Gideon watches them for a moment. His past pulls at him harder. He feels like a ghost. Trapped in memories that never let him go.

  He looks away. He stares at the road ahead. It’s a long way to the outpost. And somehow it feels like the past is about to catch up with them.

  Elena shakes in Eve’s arms. Her sobs break the silence. It’s not just the pain of now. It’s everything she’s lost. Everything she can’t get back.

  “I remember when I was little,” she whispers between sobs. Her voice is so quiet. “I remember the city. It was... beautiful. I used to dance with my mom and dad in the streets. People loved us. They’d watch and clap and cheer.”

  Her voice cracks. She stops for a second to swallow. She holds onto Eve tighter.

  “They’d spin me around, laughing,” she says with her face in his chest. “It felt like the whole world was safe. Like nothing could hurt us.”

  Elena wipes her eyes. She breathes in shallow gasps. For a moment, she’s quiet. Her mind goes back to that day.

  “One day,” she says again.

  Her voice is softer now.

  “The ground shook. It felt like the whole city was alive. Moving. Breaking apart. People screamed. I didn’t even understand what was happening. My parents grabbed me and we tried to run but...” Her words stumble. The memory hurts. “They were caught. I couldn’t help them. I couldn’t do anything.”

  Her voice cracks again. Tears fall freely.

  “I just kept running. I didn’t know where to go. The ground cracked open. Monsters came out of the earth. They were everywhere. People screamed but... I couldn’t help.” She shakes, shuddering.

  “I ended up in a junkyard,” she says quietly.

  Her voice is hollow.

  “I was just a kid. I cried. I cried for so long. Then I saw them... dolls. Broken, abandoned dolls, are scattered all around. It was... like they were waiting for someone. Waiting for me.”

  She tightens her grip around Eve. Her breath shakes.

  “I started building. I built a town out of junk. One house at a time. To remember. To hold onto something. My parents, the city... everything that was taken. I couldn’t just let it go.”

  Her voice fades as she finishes. The sobs turn into quiet sniffles. Eve doesn’t say anything. He just holds her. The silence of her story fills the air. She leans against him. Exhausted from remembering.

  The cage creaks and groans as it’s dragged along a cobblestone path, its wheels grinding against the rough stones. The once-blind horizon now opens to reveal a city unlike any Eve and Elena have seen before. Towering structures of smooth white stone rise, their spires stabbing the sky like the fingers of some great, unearthly hand. The city walls are thick, tall, and marked by jagged edges that seem to have been carved by time itself. Their surfaces are adorned with intricate carvings—figures of men and women locked in eternal struggle, the weight of their endless battles embedded in every groove and line.

  Above them, the sun is darkened by black clouds, interrupted by the bright silhouette of the city’s majestic gates, which swing open with a slow, deliberate motion. The gate’s arch is decorated with stone reliefs of gods, kings, and beasts———almost alive in their ferocity. Beneath these, the street is lined with statues of warriors, each standing at attention, their arms raised in perpetual salute to an unseen force.

  As the cage moves through the city’s towering streets, they pass buildings that seem to bend the very laws of nature. Arched windows gleam with reflective glass, casting fragments of light across the ground, while great, sweeping columns rise like giants, their strength unyielding. Everywhere they look, the architecture is both graceful and imposing———spires that coil into the heavens, sharp angles that demand respect. But amidst the beauty, there is an air of deliberate harshness, a cold grandeur that speaks of power and conquest.

  The streets are bustling, filled with soldiers marching in perfect formation, their armor shining with a polished sheen that mirrors the city’s imposing nature. People move swiftly, their expressions unreadable, faces cast in the shadow of their concerns. The air is thick with the tension of an empire on the verge of war. Everywhere, there is an unspoken sense of discipline, of unity, as if the very bones of the city were built with the weight of its destiny.

  They round a corner and come upon a massive plaza where the heart of the city's military might lie. An enormous cannon sits at the center of it all, its barrel so vast it seems to swallow the very air around it. The metal of the cannon gleams in the light, a monument to the city’s engineering marvels and its ruthless ambitions. A crowd of Legionnaires stands gathered in a semicircle around the great weapon, their faces stern like gorillas, their discipline as sharp as the steel of their weapons.

  At the center of the crowd stands a Tribune, his armor gleaming under the sunlight as he raises his hand high. His voice rings out, carried by the air, firm and full of conviction, like the declaration of fate itself.

  “Citizens of our great city, soldiers of the Legion,"

  The sound of his voice cuts through the tense silence, drawing the attention of the gathered crowd.

  "Today marks a turning point in our history. We stand on the brink of a new era, an era forged in the fires of our strength and unity."

  The Tribune’s words echo through the city like a storm breaking the stillness of a long drought.

  "For too long, we have watched as The Dynasty grew ever bolder, expanding their reach and threatening our peace. Their ambition has cast a shadow over our lands, their arrogance daring to challenge our might. But no more!"

  The crowd stirs, their anticipation palpable, the air vibrating with the shared energy of the moment.

  "Today, we demonstrate that we will no longer be silenced or subdued. We will not bow to tyranny or fear. Instead, we will rise as one, an unstoppable force that will bring our enemies to their knees."

  The Tribune’s arm sweeps toward the great cannon, which seems to hum with a life of its own, a promise of devastation that lingers in the air.

  "This weapon is more than just metal and firepower. It is a testament to our resolve, a declaration of our intent to obliterate those who dare stand against us. With this, we will strike a decisive blow against The Dynasty, shattering their grip on our world."

  The Legionnaires stand taller, their bodies brimming with the silent power of conviction.

  "Let the heavens themselves tremble at our might! Let the echoes of our victory ring through the ages! Today, we write a new chapter in the annals of history. Let this be known as the Last Day of the Dynasty! LEGION GRANT ME STRENGTH!"

  The crowd erupts into a deafening cheer, the roar of their voices blending with the thunderous beat of drums that suddenly begin to pound in the distance. The city shakes with the weight of their rallying cry. The air is thick with the promise of war, the echo of destruction hanging like a shadow over the horizon.

  For a brief moment, the trio in the cage watches in silence, the reality of what they are witnessing settling in like the cold hand of inevitability.