Trespassers (6)

Nolan and Emma entered Nolan's room.

"What the hell is happening?!" Emma closed the door, "Who the hell are they?"

Nolan stood beside the window and looked outside, "A couple days ago, I and Ethan went for hunting. You know, it's tradition to have a heavy meal the night before the winter search?"

"Hm."

"We came across one of them that time. He also had his eyes on the deer we hunted down. We agreed to split the deer half and leave. Turned out, he followed us and found this place. He then called out his friends and attack this place when we left for the mission. At least that's what Arthur told me."

"Fuck." Emma also stood beside the window, "Will, Olivia, Jack...they are still out there."

"Speaking of Jack," Nolan said, "One of the information in my map was false. One of the exclamatory signed area was mistakenly marked with a circle. It was overrun as you know. We had to abandon our horse."

"We saw it. We also thought that you guys..." She couldn't finish the sentence.

"But why were you there?"

"I don't know. That place was marked to search in my map too."

"But that's the area I chose."

"I don't know myself I told you."

"Where is your map?"

"Wait." Emma took out the map from her bag.

Nolan also spread his map on the table. Both map side by side. As it was mentioned before, each searchable zone was named by alphabets to make it easier for others to understand.

"I chose the place A. See? I even marked it." Nolan put his hand on that spot."

"But the place I chose wasn't A, it was C."

"Yeah, I remember when you said you'd take C."

"But look at mine...it's named C." Emma said, "The same place as yours."

"Wait...what?" Nolan looked at her map.

It was true. In Nolan's map the spot named A was actually named C in Emma's map. So, it didn't matter what they chose. They were heading for the same direction.

"But how this even happened? It's a major mistake." Emma crossed her arms.

"I don't know. It doesn't make any sense." Nolan mumbled.

"You think...Jack actually..."

"no, Jack could never make such a mistake."

"Then who?"

"Emma." Nolan looked at her.

She also looked at his eagle's eyes.

"Let's keep this a secret for now, until Jack has returned."

"You sure? Maybe we should tell Grace."

"No. After all this. I don't trust anyone." Nolan put his hand on the map, "This stays between us for now. Okay?"

She nodded her head, "Okay."

...

James was sitting on Jack's favorite chair in the discussion room. Nia was also sitting there. She was busy cleaning her gun and was humming a song she made up. Brad got the duty to keep a look outside. And Diana was resting in the next room as she was 3 months pregnant.

James look at his hand watch, it was 8:45 at night. It had officially been 2 days since they "own" the place. For him it felt like forever. He already got attached to this place. Maybe he wasn't behind the walls for a long time that was why. He wouldn't leave the place no matter what. He even decided that, if he had to betray any of his mates to keep the ownership of the place. He will do that as long as he can be the leader. But it still wasn't the time to call himself a leader. He knew that, more people were still outside. If he had given the correct information, more 6 people were still outside the walls. After he captures them hostage, it would be done. Nothing would be stopping him anymore.

"Darling." Nia got up from her sit and sit on the table facing James, "I am hungry."

Her legs were crossed and she was constantly shaking them to get his attention. James put his right hand on her thigh.

"Look at you." He bit his lower lip, "You're food. Why don't I cook you for tonight."

He tried to bite her legs.

"Kyaaa! Stop doing that."

"How can't I? You're so hot, baby."

"But not now. What if someone comes."

"Nobody will come here."

"What if?"

"I said no one will come." He stood up and pushed her farther on to the table, "Take off your pants."

"Now?!"

"Yes."

"N-not now, babe. It'll be embarrassing if Brad or Diana shows up."

I told you to not to worry about it. They won't."

"Okay then. At least let me lock the door just for safety."

"Forget the door. Just take off the pants I can't hold it anymore."

"Why can't I lock the door now?"

"It wouldn't be thrilling if we lock the door. Just, take these off." James pushed and made her lay down on her back. He grabbed her pants and pulled it off along with her panties.

"Kyaaa! James! you're acting like an animal."

"Blame yourself for being so hot." He grabbed her shirt, torn it open and slid down the bra.

"My shirt! you've torn it!"

"Don't worry, baby. I'll get you million of them."

He kissed her and took off his pants.

"Don't put it in. It's not wet yet." Nia said.

"Don't worry, baby. Mine is real wet. Imma rub the area."

Just then someone knocked the door, "James, Can I come in? I need to talk to you about something."

"Brad, you fucker! You didn't get any other time to come, you bitch!" James screamed.

"W-why are you shouting? I-I'll leave."

"Don't leave, Brad. You can come." Nia got off the table and started to get dress.

"Baby, what are you doing?"

"Don't worry, babe. See what's he wanna talk about. We can save this for the night."

"But, baby-"

"Shh." She grabbed his penis and started to go backward and forward. She got closer to his ear and whispered, "I will make you suffer tonight. So you should be prepared."

Then she licked the tip of his nose and left the room. James stood still. He could still feel her touch.

Fuck, Brad. Now I have to wait till night.

"James, Can I come in now?"

"Yes! Yes! Come on in." He put his pants on.

Fucker.

"What are you doing here? Who's guarding the post?"

"Nia said she will."

"What's your problem?" He sat on the chair, "What do you want to talk about?"

"James." Brad sat on a chair to the opposite side of the table, "I've been thinking about it a lot now."

"What?"

"Are we..." He hesitated to say thinking that he would get angry, "Are we doing the right thing?"

"What...are you actually trying to say? Say it clearly."

"We came here and took everyone hostage where we could just simply asked them for taking us in. We took over the place without any reason and yesterday, you beat up that kid near to his death. And now we are taking new people hostage everyday. I feel...like..."

"What do you feel like?"

"I feel like...this wouldn't bring anything good for us."

"Why do say that?"

"I can't explain. It's just not... getting out of my head and I can't concentrate at anything. I am feeling like we would be in some deep trouble for this."

"You're thinking too much, Brad. Nothing is going to happen."

"But James, what if-"

"Brad, shut up. I said nothing will go wrong Don't you hear me?" 

Brad looked down, "I-I hear you."

"So there is nothing to worry about." He said, "Or even if anything happens, I will take care of that. I will kill whoever gets in my way. You got that?"

"I...got you."

"Good...Now get out of here."

Brad got up and left the room. But forgot to close the door properly.

This shit.

...

"We are almost here!" Olivia shouted to reach her scream behind.

"Ren, you okay there?" Will looked back.

"We're fine. Don't worry."

Ren along with her daughter was following them with their bike. They had been travelling for few hours now.

After 10 minutes or so, they reached Rust.

"Marco! Open up, it's Olivia. I've also brought some new people."

No response.

"Why Marco always does that?" Will asked.

"He's an idiot."

"Big time."

"You're an idiot too, don't forget that."

"Noted."

"Hmm...you're not switching out?"

"What am I? A kid?"

"You used to switch out hearing stuff like this. You've grown up."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Anyway, where's Marco?"

"Is there a problem?" Ren asked.

"No no." Will said, you don't need to worry about that. Maybe the gate keeper went to take a leak or something. He'll be here."

"Okay, great."

Just then, the gate started to move slowly.

"See? told you." Will said.

As the gate was opening, something felt odd to Olivia.

"Will." She said without taking her eyes off the gate.

"Get off the horse, be on guard."

"Huh? Why?"

"Something's not right."

"How can you tell?"

"Marco never opens the gate without responding first. Never. Something's fishy. get off now."

"O-okay."

They got off the horse and pointed their weapons at the gate.

"Wh-what's going on?" Ren asked.

"I'll explain later. Just do what she says."

The gate got opened. Brad was the one who pulled the gate. James was standing behind him with a gun in his hand.

"Well well well." He said with a smile, "isn't this a lovely weather?"

"Who're you? What are you doing here?" Olivia asked.

"Let's just appreciate the weather first, shall we?"

"Stop fooling around. Just tell me who you are."

James exhaled and said, "Okay okay. But first, throw your guns on the ground and slide them here."

"Why would we do that?" Olivia asked.

"Because I told you to."

"And what if I don't?"

"Then I am afraid, you're friends here will die." He looked behind him.

Nia and Diana was bringing Nolan and Julia.

"Get you're hands off my sister!" Will was shocked.

"Hm"? She's your sister?" James constantly looked at Will and Julia, "But you don't look alike much."

He touched her face but she tried to move away.

"Don't touch her! you motherfucker!!"

"Say...what's your name?" James asked Julia.

"J-Julia."

"Julia...hmm. What a lovely name. What's your brother's name, Julia?"

She looked at her brother's raging face, "W-William."

"William? Tch tch tch. Not so good. But you're one, girl...it's hot." James looked at Will with a smile.

"You damn dog, I'll kill you!!"

"Stop, Will." Nolan said, "Don't do anything stupid. It won't do anything good."

"This guy is smart." James said, "Yes, make you foolish friend understand."

Nolan looked James and then looked at Will again, "Will, we'll work this out later. But for now, think about your sister."

Will looked at Julia and then at James again.

"Please, Will."

It took some time. After thinking too much he couldn’t bring himself to do anything. Eventually, he put down his gun on the ground and slid it away.

"You guys too." James looked at the others.

Olivia and Ren also did as they were told. James collected the guns.

"Good, now the bow and the arrows."

"Tch." Olivia took out the bow and arrows from her bag and gave it to him.

"Good girl. Now you're free to do as you please." James looked at Brad, "bring them in and close the door. And tell Gael to serve the dinner."

"Roger."

James went inside.

...

Everyone stood in the line as they always do. Nolan, Emma, Olivia, Ethan, Will sat around the table under the big tree. Nolan took his time and explained what happened after they were gone. But intentionally kept out the incidents about the maps. 

"What are we gonna do?" Will asked.

"I am not sure. I am still thinking of a plan." Nolan said.

"We could just attack them all at once. I mean we have the advantage in number." Ethan said, "We the whole Rust against them, we'll surely win."

"We would, but..." Emma said, "No one will step forward. Everyone is afraid of them. Plus, they also have guns. One wrong move, straight to hell."

"Emma is right." Nolan said, "No matter what, we are screwed."

Having nothing to say, everyone got silent. After a while, Will stood up and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Olivia asked.

"I am going to check Julia and Lucas." He said, "you guys go stand in the line. I am coming."

When Will was about to enter the house. Something caught his eyes. He went a few steps there.

"H-hey, Ren."

"Oh, Will! Have you had dinner yet? The meat is delicious!" Ren was holding a plate of deer meat. Himari was sitting next to him with her meal. It seemed like she was enjoying it really much.

"No, I haven't. Ahh listen, Ren."

"What is it?"

"I am...I am really sorry to bring you guys here." He sat beside Ren, "I didn't know that we were already taken hostage by some random people. Otherwise, I wouldn't have invited you here. I am really sorry to put you and you daughter in this situation."

"What are you talking about? You've done enough." Ren smiled, "We didn't have a warm meal like this in a long time. Look at Himari, look how happy she is!"

"Yes, she's smiling."

"Himari, do you like the meat?" Ren asked.

She nodded.

"Haha, see?" Ren looked at Will, "Plus you gave us these walls. We'll finally be able to sleep peacefully."

"Oh, have you got a room yet?"

"No, we haven't."

"Come with me. I'll show you one."

"All right. But let's finish this meal. Here you have some."

"No no, I don't want to eat your share."

"I insist."

"No, please. You don't have to do this."

"Brother, eat." Himari also forwarded her fork with meat on it.

...

"Will, you're back!" Lucas said.

"How have you been, Lucas?"

"I am good. Look what Julia brought me." He showed all the books he got.

"My God, where the hell did you get all this??" Will looked at Julia.

"That's a secret." She smiled.

"Whatever, I am not actually interested anyway."

"Wha-, do you even know how hard it was for me to get all this??"

"I can imagine."

"Look at this one." Lucas took a book, "I'll read this one first, then this and this one."

"He seemed really happy." Will said to Julia.

"He really is. He also made a new friend."

"Manny I suppose."

"Hm? How do you know?"

"Well, I was the one who told him to take care of Lucas when we were gone."

"I see, I never knew that you were so caring."

"What? I've always have."

"No, you haven't."

"Yes, I have."

"Lie."

"No."

Yes, you lie a lot."

"I don't."

"You do."

"Anyway, where is Manny? I didn't see him since I came."

"He's been sleeping all day. That's what Lucas told me."

"I see." Will said, "All right. Come out, let's have dinner."

"Bring mine and Lucas's."

"What am I? You're servant."

"Yes."

...

"Doctor?" Will opened the patient's room.

"Will! Juan looked at him with a surprise a surprised face, "¿Cuándo viniste?"

"Umm...I came yesterday."

"Bravo. You're Spanish is as good as ever."

"Thanks."

"Since you came. You've met them, right?"

"Yes."

"estos hijos de puta" Juan mumbled.

These motherfuckers? Is that what he said?

"Oh, you came to see your father? He is still sleeping I am afraid."

"Don't feel bad. You've done enough." Will looked, "But doctor, who is he?"

Juan was removing bandages from a person's face. He was sleeping.

"You don't recognize him?"

Will shook his head.

"Wait, let me took this off first." Juan removed the bandages, "Now do you recognise him?"

After looking at that face for a while. It hit him.

"Arthur??"

"Correct."

"Who...did this to his face? I barely recognized him."

"That guy named James. Beat the shit out of him."

"Why?"

"I don't know the exact reason. All I heard that he was trying to mess around with that monster. That's why."

"He gets this for messing around?" He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Tragic. His mother was crying all day seeing him like this."

"Is he going to get back his old look?"

"Probably. But it will leave some scars."

He exhaled, "By the way, where's Ruby?"

"It's still early in the morning. She is a late riser."

"I see."

"That girl tries to learn a lot."

"I know. I was in her class." He said, "Anyway, I will go check on my dad."

"Okay, Will."

Since David was in coma, he was put in a empty room for special care. This room was beside the patient's room. Will opened the door quietly. David was in the same position as always. Will brought the chair around the corner of the room and sat beside him. He hold his right hand tightly with his both hands. His hand was cold. So he rubbed it with his face to warm it up. Whenever he visited his father, he always sat like that for hours quietly and let the time flew away. That's what he would going to do today too. But someone interrupted him.

"Will, are you in there?" Nolan's voice.

"I am here."

"I am coming in."

Nolan entered the room.

"I've been searching for you."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"We're ending this."

"Huh? I don't get it."

Nolan took out a gun from his pants.

"How...did you get a gun??"

"Shh, quiet." Nolan said, "Walls have ears."

"How did you get it." He whispered.

"They keep the guns in the discussion room. But they don't know that I have a spare key. I sneaked in when no one was these and stole mine."

"What if they find out?"

"That's not gonna happened."

"How are you so sure?"

"There are countless guns. Unless they keep a record of every gun. They..." It finally hit him.

How could I be so stupid?!

He did a mistake. Of course they would keep a list. They were not idiots. But it was already too late. They heard some noises outside the room. 

"Will, hide the gun."

"O-okay." He quickly hid it under David's pillow.

Just then, Brad slammed the door open.

"You're coming with us."

...

Literally everyone was gathered in the front yard. Tension was working on them. James along with his teammates was standing in the middle. He seemed a bit annoyed.

"I brought them." Brad said.

"Put them with the others." James said.

Others?

Will looked on his left side. Julia, Olivia, Emma, Ethan were standing side by side. Brad put them with them.

"What's going on?" Will asked Olivia.

"We don't know either." She said, "They just gathered us without any notice."

James stood still in a place. Brad, Nia and Diana were standing behind him. He looked at everyone one by one and thought about how he should start talking.

"When we first came here." He started to talk, "Everyone was afraid. Well, I am not saying they are not now. They did as I told them."

As it was really quiet, his voice was reaching all the way at the end.

"But a rebellious kid was getting in the way. So, I beat the shit out of him."

He's talking about Arthur.

"Then that day, these two showed up." James pointed at Nolan and Ethan, "This one, he was smart and he played along with my plan but the other one going a bit out of hand."

He paused and started to talk again.

"The day before that, yesterday, two other pair came and one of them was rebellious too." He looked at Will.

"What the fuck are you trying to say?" Ethan spoke first.

"My point is...each zone, friend circle, group, community...all have some rebellious bastards. They rise up at some point and try to mess up with other's plan." He said, "So what's the solution?"

He took another pause and looked at everybody.

"The solution is to get rid of them. And that's what I am going to do now."

Wh-what? What is he talking about?

"Today, one of the guns from the the room was stolen."

I knew it. They do have a list. Nolan thought.

"And I know." James looked at Will and the others, "That gun is stolen by one of you."

"What! How can you be so sure?!" Ethan screamed.

"I am not." He said, "But that's what my instinct says."

"Fuck your instincts!"

"Ethan, keep quiet." Nolan said.

James ordered Brad to bring them forward and keep them standing on a line. He did as he was told.

"Now." James looked at them, "Who stole the fucking gun?"

No one spoke.

"I'll ask again. Who stole it?"

No one spoke this time either.

"So you're going to play it like this? Huh?" He said, "Then I have my ways too."

He grabbed Julia and Olivia and made others back off.

"Don't you fucking touch them!" Ethan said.

"Shh, quiet." Brad pointed his AKM at them.

James made Julia and Olivia kneel down in front of him.

"Now, tell me who did this or I'll blow of their fucking brains off."

"James, please don't." Nolan said.

"Hm? Then tell me who did this."

"It was..."

"Who was it?"

"It was..." He couldn't bring himself to say it, "It was m-"

"It was Me! I-I stole the gun." Will spoke up.

What...are you doing Will? Nolan looked at Will.

"You did that?" James asked.

"Y-yes."

"Will, no." Nolan said, "It was me."

"Huh?" James looked at Nolan, "You?"

"Nolan, shut it. It was me."

"Will, you don't have to do this. Let me carry my own mistake."

"No. It was me I am telling you."

"What's this bullshit?" James looked at both, "Did you do it or not?"

"I did it. I stole the gun."

"Will, stop. James it was me."

"It was me."

"No, it was me."

"I stole the gun."

"Stop lying."

"You stop lying."

James let out a deep breath and rubbed his forehead, "Enough."

He pointed his gun at Nolan and shot. The bullet hit his stomach and he fell down on the ground.

"Nolan!" Emma screamed.

"You fucking bitch, what the fuck did you do?!" Ethan was raging but Brad had him under control.

Nolan started bleeding already. He was losing his sense. Will looked at him. He realized that it was his fault. And Nolan was paying for that.

"Tch." James showed disappointment, "Shot the wrong guy. I liked him."

The bullet was meant for me then.

"You guys...are really tensed. Why are you so afraid? Loosen up a bit." He said.

Will was still looking at Nolan. James's words wasn't reaching his ears.

"Let's play a game, shall we?" James smiled, "What was your name again?"

Will looked at him.

"Yes, you."

"W-William."

"Yes, yes. Willy boy." He said, "Come here."

Will slowly approached him. He was shaking really bad. James touched his shoulders and kneel him down facing Julia and Olivia.

"Willy, you will be the player of this game."

"Wh-what game?" His voice was also shaking.

"Let's name this game..." He thought, "One."

One?

"Yes, one. That would make a good name." James smiled.

"Wh-why are you doing this to us?" Will said, "Why can't you just leave? Leave us."

"Tch tch tch. Don't ruin the mood now, Willy. Listen carefully, "You have two options."

Two options?

"You can save only one."

What is this guy talking about? Save one?

"Either save your sister..." He smiled, "Or this girl over here."

"Wh-wh-what?" His voice broke.

Being under pressure. It means being made to feel forced to do something. When we feel under pressure the nervous system instructs our bodies to release stress hormones including adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. These produce physiological changes to help us cope with the threat or danger we see to be upon us. This is called the “stress response” or the “fight-or-flight” response. But sometimes, people's mind goes blanked when they are under pressure. They couldn't think about the most simple solution at the time. Even the smartest person on the planet struggles with it.

But Will wasn't the smartest person on Earth. He wasn't even the bravest human being. When he had to decide what to do, his mind went blank. He lost in his thought's for a moment. When he came to his senses, he discovered himself kneeling down in front of the monster.

The monster named James.

"I'll ask you again." He started to speak, "You have two options."

Will looked at him. He was holding a gun with his left hand.

"Either you save your sweet little sister here." He pointed at Julia with his gun.

She was kneeling down beside James. Her tears wouldn't stop.

"Or you save your friend." Then he pointed at Olivia. She was also kneeling down beside the monster.

The 2 most important women of his life.

His breathing got unstable as all ways. And he couldn't think. But he knew one thing clearly. No matter what he chooses, he was already fucked.

The monster came closer to him and sit down on his kneels. Will looked at his smiling face.

"What are you gonna do, Willy boy?"

"Please d-don't do this to me." Will was just about to cry.

"Oh no no, Willy. Don't cry now. Just choose who is more important. It's that easy."

His breathing was going out of control. He slowly turned his head and looked at Olivia.

"Will, you don't need to worry about me." She said.

"B-but Olivia."

"Stop, Will. Don't act like a baby now. Stop your tears."

Will tried to wipe away his tears.

"So, what will it be?" James got closer to them and stood facing Will, "I can't give you more time. Decide."

"Please, give me more time."

"You had enough." He looked at his watch, "I will give you 10 more seconds. If you don't manage to make up you mind by then, I'll kill both of them."

Wh-what??

"Ten...nine...eight..." He already started counting.

"N-no stop! Please!"

"Seven...six..."

"I beg you! Please give me more time!"

"Five...four...three..."

"Please! Please! Please" He broke into tears and started to strike the ground slowly.

"Two..." James looked away from his watch, "One..."

Will slowly looked at him.

"You're time is over. Don't blame me now. I gave you a choice."

James pointed his gun at Julia first. She closed her eyes with fear.

"Say goodbye, Willy."

"N-no, Julia."

Not another member of the family!

Suddenly, it reminded him of the time when Ruth died. He couldn't help her. Now was the same situation. History was repeating itself. He was losing another one. All the memories spending time with Julia flashed in front of his eyes. All the sorrows, all the happiness...started to break down into pieces.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

Bang!

The sound of the gun. Quiet down everything. Everyone froze in the moment. One thing was in everyone's mind.

What happened?

Julia slowly opened her eyes. She couldn't believe. She was still alive.

Wait, does that mean? Olivia?!

She turned her head. Olivia was fine. 

Then where did the shot came from?

Will looked, he looked clearly. James head was bleeding like a river. Blood was floating non stop from the hole from his forehead and his whole face got covered with blood in no time. His soulless body slowly fell down on the ground.

Just when his body got out of sight, will saw something behind. His eyes were covered with tears so his vision was blurry. He saw something moving. He quickly rubbed his eyes and looked again.

The beast. A grizzled beard with Long hair. Was wearing the patient's clothes, with bare foots. His body was as still as iron. And his hand was pointed straight with Nolan's gun. Steam was coming out of that gun.

D-dad?

"Nobody fucks with my children."

___