Chapter 4: Prisoner

First Part Written by MrsOogieBoogie

Aubrey and Billy walked for about twenty minutes together, him still helping her walk the entire way due to her still weak and tired legs. 

"Um.. H-How much further is it?" Aubrey wondered, unsure of how much longer she could walk on her own, and she didn't want to have to burden him by forcing him to carry her.

"Not that much longer, we're actually pretty close," Billy replied with a smile, Aubrey then trying her hardest to gain confidence that she'd make it without needing assistance. 

Soon, the walk seemed to be worth it when the smell of burning embers and smoke went into her nose from a warm fire waiting for her, Aubrey's excitement growing and the anticipation of being able to rest fueled her.

"Smell that? We're really close, it must be getting cold in the house and one of the others lit the fire. What perfect timing! I love coming home and smelling that, it shows me that we're close, and it's such a comforting feeling, as well.. Don't you agree?" Billy asked and Aubrey looked to him, smirking and nodding at his questions. 

Aubrey couldn't agree more, the smell was intoxicating and her feet even moved a little quicker as the smell grew stronger. It took a moment for Aubrey to realize the camouflaged home within the foliage, a smile then spreading across her lips and Billy smiled as well, happy to be back.

"We'll just go in and I'll introduce you, okay? And it's best to be polite, you don't want anyone within your very first group to be angry with you. It's not good to hold grudges, we always forgive and forget around here," Billy added with a proud tone, keeping his voice somewhat soft and quiet. 

Aubrey was nervous, but she nodded to Billy's words in understanding, trying to calm herself down and hoping to make a good impression. 

Billy guided Aubrey into the home and the warmth of the fire had already done it's job on heating the tiny home. The warmth kissed her skin and her body was relaxed, but soon her nerves kicked in as Billy then continued to guide her into the living room, where Aubrey then saw the two others that Billy mentioned he lived with. 

Aubrey held her tongue as she looked into the dull and aged face of a man and woman, but Billy then touched the small of her back and nudged her along, causing Aubrey to jump slightly. 

"Um, hi.. I'm Aubrey, t-thank you for being so kind as to let me rest here," she finally spoke.

"I'm Abby! And this old man 'ere is Preston, but he don't talk that much, he's a shy ol' koot. And don't worry none about the hospitality, it's our pleasure," the blonde woman in her late 20's sitting sprawled on the floor replied, her voice a little mousy and annoying, not to mention her twang was irrefutable. 

An aged man, his blonde hair streaked with gray, and white stubble surrounding his jawline, sat on an old couch within the room, not saying anything yet as his hazel eyes followed down Aubrey's body and back up to her eyes. Aubrey dropped her eyes the moment they met his, feeling a little uncomfortable as she continued to feel him looking at her.

"I can talk just fine," Preston answered to Abby, proving her wrong that he, indeed, does talk, though his deep voice still seemed quiet and purposely hushed. "Welcome, Aubrey," Preston added after and Aubrey nodded her head towards them both.

Billy spoke again, "I'm going to give her the last can of soup we have, that stuff has too many veggies for me," he told the other two and Abby shrugged, Preston nodding.

"Please, by all means," Preston began, "Give her anything you would like, Billy. She's too skinny as it is, just feed the poor thing," Preston said in a humble tone, though Aubrey was still a little creeped out by him. 

Billy led Aubrey into the kitchen after meeting the others, having her sit at the table while he got her something to eat as her stomach continued to growl. Aubrey looked around the kitchen, it was plain, and nothing really to it besides the large amount of wood that the house was dressed in. 

When Billy opened the fridge, Aubrey leaned slightly to the side to see if she could tell how low they really were on food, but she couldn't see passed the door and Billy blocking it. But, an odor that Aubrey wasn't familiar with went into her nose and she cleared her throat, bringing her hand up and blocking her nose, but politely as to not be rude; maybe they didn't notice the smell because they lived with it all the time? Aubrey didn't know, but she thought best to not mention it at all.

Billy made her the can of soup and it wasn't one of Aubrey's usual favorites, but she ate it none the less, and quickly, too. It tasted like the best food she had ever had, she hadn't eaten anything within the past 20 or so hours since before she was even put into Section F - 5. 

As Aubrey ate, she couldn't help but notice that Billy had been starring at her the entire time, and it was beginning to make her feel awkward; she hated when people watched her eat, but right now, she didn't bother to stop eating her meal that she had been desperate for for hours.

She soon finished the soup and looked to Billy with shifting and nervous eyes, "Um.. Thank you again, Billy.. I can't thank you and your people enough for taking me in," she said to hopefully get him to stop starring at her, but he didn't.

"No problem at all. We're more grateful for you than you are of us, I'm sure," Billy paused and Aubrey didn't know really how to reply, "I mean, we haven't seen anyone in a long time, it's refreshing to see a new face," Billy continued and Aubrey then smirked. "Let's go into the living room so we can all get to know one another," Billy then suggested and Aubrey nodded, joining him to go back into the living room.

"So, Aubrey.. Tell us a little about yourself," Preston requested and Aubrey nodded, yet not really knowing where to start.

"Well.. Um.. I woke up in this Section very early this morning and I've been walking around for hours, all day, actually.. I was so drained and worn out, but then Billy came along," she replied, Billy just continuing to stare at the side of Aubrey's face as Abby and Preston nodded, following her words.

"Oh, so this is your first day? You got no family here or friends yet? You ain't a part of another group? No one's lookin' for ya?" Abby then barraged her with questions and Aubrey didn't even remember the first two she asked. 

"Um.. Well, there's my older sister, Scarlett. But I'm not even completely sure if she's in a Section like I am, or still back at home. Other than that, yeah.. It's just me," she replied with a disappointed tone. 

"Uh... What about you guys? How long have you all been here?" Aubrey asked in return.

Abby smiled and went first, "I got here 'bout.. 2 years ago, I was reborn in F - 5 and I'll die in F - 5 if I have'ta. I coudn't imagine livin' no where else. Sure, we got only each other, and not many people come around these parts, but it's so rewardin' to see a new face after so long, like opening a gift on Christmas mornin'.. I love your cheeks, too! So plump and cute," Abby replied and Aubrey smiled slightly.

"Um, thank you, I guess.." Aubrey retorted, then looked to Preston who was starring at her as well, just as Billy was. "...What about you, Preston?" Aubrey asked and he slowly grew a small smile.

"I've been roaming the Sections for 15 years.. Finally stopped here in F - 5 about 7 years ago though, and claimed this house for my own," he replied, not really going into too much detail, but still answering the question enough for Aubrey to not want to pry.

Aubrey's eyes soon went to Billy who was still keeping his sight fixed on her, then seeing him smirk when their eyes met, "How about I show you what bed you'll be sleeping in? You should get your rest, you look drained from walking all day," Billy suggested and Aubrey hesitated a moment, though nodding gently and standing to her feet with Billy. 

"Goodnight everyone, and thank you all again for helping me," Aubrey said in a genuine tone and Billy escorted her out.

Billy led her back into the kitchen, then motioned with his hand to go into the next room and all that it contained was an old rocking chair, a table and light, and a door that led to another room. Aubrey's heart beat began to quicken, but she didn't know why, the closer she got to the door, the more she wanted to stop and simply request to sleep on the couch. 

"It's just through that door, Preston sometimes sleeps down there, but that's your room now," Billy said with a calmed tone, Aubrey feeling his eyes on the back of her neck and her hair stood on end.

Billy reached passed her from behind, opening the door for her, but there was something off. Aubrey's eyes fell on a wall made of rocks and old stone, the wallpaper corroded and almost all of it was peeled off. There was a smell coming from the basement, too, just like the smell that came from the fridge, but this was way stronger and it stung the inside of Aubrey's nose. Billy shoved her in and she hit the wall, letting out a gentle cry of struggle and she turned around quickly, her eyes wide with horror and her entire body quaked with fear. 

Billy grabbed her wrist and jerked her around to face him, Aubrey letting out another soft cry from his harsh behavior and she looked into his dark, blackened teal eyes, "Billy, what are you doing? You're hurting me! Please, let go!" She requested with a pleading tone, but Billy only starred in return and his mouth curled into a smile. 

"I'm so happy you've come along, Aubrey, I truly am.. We've all been dying to try something young and tender that hasn't been tainted by sickness or disease.. Sweet dreams," Billy replied and Aubrey's eyes widened even more in shock.

With one harsh shove by Billy, Aubrey was thrown down a small set of concrete stairs, falling down into the dark, foul basement.

Aubrey fell down the hard stairs, falling onto her back first, tumbling slightly, and soon her head painfully met the hard floor. Aubrey's eyes circled around, dazed, and the last thing she remembered before fainting was the smell that consumed the basement, and sound of Billy chuckling at the top of the stairs, then walking out and shutting the door behind him, and the sound of the door being locked echoed throughout the basement.

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Second Part Written by LateKnightSimmer

I continue looking in the window, assessing the room, noticing there is one man in the room with the prisoner. I hear footsteps in the distance, approaching me, so I immediately drop down into the bushes I am hiding behind. I lay on my stomach and peek out through the leaves, breathing as quietly as I can. The footsteps approach, and I notice it's one of the men whom I followed here. I wait for him to turn around so his back is facing me and then I make my move.

I get up off my stomach and crouch, taking a deep breath. I quickly jump up onto the man in front of me. I wrap my legs tightly around his waist and put my arm around his neck. I push against his throat and he starts choking, unable to breathe. I stick my finger in his eye socket and poke as hard as I can. The man struggles under my grasp. Blood flows from his eye, he starts to get woozy and loses his balance, falling backwards. With a swift twist, I break his neck as we fall to the ground.

After disposing of him, I quickly go back behind the wall, assessing the grounds again, looking for signs of the other three men whom I know live here. I stealthily peek behind the wall and see the back of one of the other men who received the prisoner when we got here. I see him stop and I hide back behind the wall, knowing he's going to come back my way. I get ready to throw my body weight at him when he comes around the corner. His footsteps get closer and just when he rounds the corner, I punch him hard in the abdomen, one punch landing on his spleen, while the other cracks at least one of his ribs. He grabs his stomach and doubles over in pain.

I kick him in the face to make him lay back and then punch him in the throat so he can't scream. Then I punch him in the ear once, and twist his neck quickly, hearing it snap.

 

With the outside of the grounds clear, I can now attempt to sneak inside. I make my way to the front door, careful not to draw too much attention to myself by hugging the walls as I walk. I carefully peek in the front door and notice a man with glasses standing in the foyer. I crouch down under the windows of the front door and wait till the man walks to the other side of the room. When he does, I open the door quickly and run at the man before he can do anything. I swiftly grab the man's head and knee him in the face, knowing that without his glasses, he will be at a disadvantage. His glasses break from the force of my knee, and I jump on top of him. I put my hands around his neck, using my thumbs to crush his windpipe. He gasps for air, and his breath becomes ragged, while flailing his arms around. I push on his throat harder until his body goes limp.

I slink up next to the wall where the prisoner is being held, and survey the room. The room is set up sparsely, with a single chair, and a table with some torture devices on and around it. There's a single plain sink as well. I keep an eye on the man about to torture the prisoner and when he turns around, I slip into the room. 

I shut the door behind me and quickly make my way along the wall until I am behind the torturer. I drop down behind him onto the floor, and pull his legs out from under him. He bangs his head on the table really hard and before he can react, I'm up and have spun him around so that he's facing me.

"Please, please, don't kill me. I have a wife somewhere in these Sections. I want to find her."

"Oh so sad. Maybe you should have been spending your time looking for her instead of standing here getting ready to torture someone."

"NO, please!"

Those are the last words the torturer speaks as I place one hand on either side of his head and twist, separating his neck from his spine with a satisfying crack.

Now that there is no one left alive except for me and the prisoner, I turn my attention to him. I want to see what information he has that would make these people so eager to torture him. Now that I'm much closer to the prisoner, I find my eyes getting distracted by his muscles. He really does have a nice body, it would have been a shame if his beautiful skin had been marred by these nasty torture devices. The prisoner's awake now, and he's looking at me like he's terrified. I'm guessing he was conscious enough to see that less than merciful display of death I gave his torturer. I make my way slowly over to him, and straddle his lap.

"What? Are you going to give me a lap dance now?"

I chuckle at his smart ass remark, put my hand in his hair, and yank his head back. He winces and opens his eyes wide, afraid of what I'm going to do next. I'm kind of surprised he dared to be a smart ass towards me, given what he just witnessed. He stares at me, and when I finally start paying attention to him, I find myself staring as well. He has the most beautiful, sparkling, sapphire jewels for eyeballs I've ever seen. I can't show him any vulnerability though because I want to have the upper hand, so my demeanor goes cold again as I respond to his question.

"You'd think, but no. No lap dance."

"Are you going to untie me?"

"Nope. Not until you tell me what I want to know. Plus, I don't know what you'll do if I let you go."

I trace one finger down his chest, which is rock solid. This guy is built, and I may even like that. Just a little bit. I tighten my grip on his hair to make myself quit getting distracted by his body even though I am enjoying touching him.

"Ow! Why would I tell you anything?!"

"Because, darling, I am close enough to you to snap your neck."

Fear sets into the man's blue eyes again and he stares at me. I think I see his eyes dart down to my cleavage, but I can't be sure because they moved so quickly.

"Ok, ok. You win. What do you want to know?"

"What's your name?"

"Neal LaForge."

"Why did these guys want information from you?"

"I don't know. Ow! Ok, ok! I know the vulnerabilities of each Section, how to get into each one and the specific dangers that lie within them. This group wanted to know all of the weaknesses so they could go looking for that one guy's wife."

"How do you know all of that?"

"I used to be a Surveillance Guard."

My eyes go crazy as he says those words, and I put my forearm across his throat. He coughs and I press down harder.

"WHAT the fuck do you mean, USED to? Surveillance Guards don't just up and quit! Give me ONE good fucking reason why I shouldn't KILL you RIGHT now."

Neal coughs more and I let up on his throat so he can answer me.

"You're right, I didn't quit. I went rogue. There was one family I had to split up and I just couldn't do it because they reminded me of my own family, a mom and dad and their three little boys. My family got split up in the Sections and they all died. Shortly after I got put in a Section, I was so terrified of dying and I found out that they are always recruiting for the Surveillance Guard. I joined because I felt like it was the only way I could have even a remote chance of surviving. By joining the guard, I'd be guaranteed a bed to sleep in and food to eat. If I hadn't joined, I'd have died a long time ago."

As Neal was telling me his story, I looked into his eyes and felt my fingers relax, stopping the death grip I had on his hair. Once I did, I kept my fingers intertwined within the strands and felt how soft they were. I was amazed how much he was telling me, and I felt sorry for him. His eyes were truthful and I could tell he meant every word he was saying. I think I even may have seen his eyes well up with tears, even though none of them dripped down his face. It is sad that some people feel like they have to work for the Overlord or die. It's a terrible choice, one that I'm glad I never had to make. Satisfied with his answer, I lean behind him, and untie his hands. I'm still not sure I trust him, but I have the feeling he is not going to kill me.

I calmly hand him his shirt and jacket, which have been tossed in a corner of the room, but the Overlord patch on his jacket makes me angry. It's a stupid reason I realize, but I hate the Overlord with a fiery passion and I haven't been able to separate logic from my hate.

"What the FUCK, Neal?! You still wear this piece of shit jacket?!"

"What's the big deal?! It's the only jacket I have, and it's warm. It's not like I can go to Walmart and get a new coat!"

"It's a big deal because-"

"Shh."

"What?! Neal?!"

"I heard something."

Suddenly the door opens and I feel someone behind me. I'm just about to wait for the guy to get close enough so I can flip him over me and stomp on his face when Neal reacts, grabbing a knife from the table with the torture devices and throwing it across the room. 

I'm slightly stunned from how close the knife came to my face, but as I turn around, I find that Neal had perfect aim, and the guy behind me crumples to the floor, grabbing at his chest. He shivers for a few seconds as blood pools around the wound in his heart, and then he lays still. I am surprised that Neal reacted faster than me and he has thoroughly impressed me. Clearly his Surveillance Guard training has proven effective.

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Distance Between Aubrey and Scarlett: 999 miles