Pride, Freedom, and Humanity

We all started running as fast as we could through the tunnel. I could feel my muscles tensing
up as we moved and I wanted to stop for a break, but I knew we couldn’t.

Then we heard a loud explosion that caused the whole place to shake. “Push forward! We are
almost there!” Ner yelled.

I could see the end of the tunnel glowing lighter. Within a few seconds, we emerged into a
forest with the sun beating down through the trees. I had to cover my eyes at the brightness. I hadn’t
been around fresh air in years. We didn’t stop though. We kept running further into the forest.
Branches beneath us crunched as we smashed it and bugs buzzed around all around us.

Eventually we hit a lake that had a waterfall dropping into it. We quickly ran around it until we
reached the waterfall. Ner set Aaron down and then he wrapped Aaron’s arms around his shoulders
so that he could hold him easier. He set his back against the large rock and wall then walked along it
and disappeared behind the waterfall.

Tod nodded at me then motioned for me to follow. I cautiously copied what Ner did and then
lost sight of the group behind me. All I could hear was the loud water rushing down into the lake as I
pushed myself to keep walking. The rocks beneath me were slippery and covered in grime that made
me move extra carefully. It also made it easier on my bare feet. There was a rock or two every once
in a while that was jagged enough to cause me to pause as my foot would cry out in pain, but I had
to push on.

Soon enough I reached another open tunnel completely made of rock. Ner had Aaron lying
against a rock further in the back with a blanket wrapped around him.

“Manuel, do you copy?” Ner was speaking through the earpiece. “Manuel, can you hear me?”

“Is he dead?” I walked over to Ner.

“I don’t know. He may have been caught in the explosion…”His voice trailed off.

I hadn’t known Ner for very long, but I did not like seeing him this sad. I set a hand on his
shoulder and smiled, “He died a hero.”

“Lord Ner! We have trouble! We need more time to get everyone into the cave without being
seen!” James ran over to us and pointed at the small group who had emerged.

Ner looked at me. “You have a good shot?”

“With a gun?” My eyes widened.

“Yeah, come on. Just point and shoot.” He smiled at my lack of confidence.

“Fine. Let’s go.” I grabbed the gun from James belt and we ran out to the front of the cave. As
much as I didn’t want to hurt anyone, I had to help protect the group.

A group of guards came running through the forest in search for us. Ner nudged my shoulder
then pointed at the first man. He shook his head then pointed at the tree above them.

What was he saying? Hit the tree? How is a bullet going to take down that big of a tree?

That’s when James handed me a bow and arrow with a grenade attached to the arrow. Ner got
ready to shoot the arrow then turned toward me. “This has to be perfect. I’m going to shoot this and
I want you to shoot it with your gun. Understood?”

“What? Are you crazy? I’ve never shot a gun before!”

“We don’t have time. You have enough time to shoot twice. Don’t fire until it’s above their
heads. Ready? Go!” He aimed then released the arrow and sent it soaring through the air.

Each second the arrow got closer and closer to the group of guards. They kept walking,
completely oblivious to everything. I took aim then fired the gun. When nothing exploded, I took a
deep breath and aimed again then fired only to have another miss. The courage in me slowly went
down then James ran up beside me and took a quick shot that led to a huge explosion.

The grenade burst just as it hit a tree in front of them. Smoke picked up and covered the
guards. All I could hear was groaning and coughing. Then I heard a loud creaking right before the
tree fell. The guards all cried out and then there was silence.

“Good job!” Ner said to James.

I looked at him. “Good job? For killing innocent men?”

He froze then glanced down. “They were guards though. The bad guys!” He yelled bad guys and
everyone around us cheered.

I shook my head. “Wrong! Isaac Newborn is the enemy! Those guards. Those people just do as
they are told.”

“Anyone working for Newborn is our enemy.” Ner mumbled.

I looked at him and frowned. “Clearly I am with the wrong team.” Then I walked toward the exit
of the cave.

“Chloe! Where are you going?” Ner grabbed my shoulder and pulled me to a stop.

“To check those men. I am giving them a choice if any of them are alive.”

“But Chloe-“

“William, what if they have a chip too? What if it’s not by choice?”

His eyes widened and he paused for a bit. “I’ll go with you. Tod get me the med bag.”

“Yes, Brother. I shall come too.”

“Very well. Meet us there and tell James to keep an eye on Aaron.”

“Yes, Brother.” Tod ran off.

Ner held out his hand toward the exit. “Shall we go?”

I nodded then walked along the edge of the rock wall until we reached the grass. I was so mad
that I was able to ignore the pain coming from my feet. I didn’t bother waiting for Ner because I was
still angry at him.

“Chloe, wait up!” He ran up beside me. “Why are you so mad?”

“Why am I mad? Oh I don’t know!” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“You were right though, Chloe.”

“Yes, I know I was, but I had to explain myself for you to listen.”

“Chloe, I’m sorry.”

I shrugged. “Why would I care what you believe?”

“Jesus, quit being so cold about his.” Now Ner was mad.

I instantly stopped in my tracks and looked at him. “You know what? Go back. Tod and I can
handle this since you clearly don’t care!”

“I do care! You know this world is a lot different than it used to be!”

“Right, blame the world for your problem.” I scoffed.

“I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you of all people.”

“Why? Cuz I’m a woman? Those men tortured me and did things that will forever be searing in
my head along with the physical reminders as well. I am still trying to help them!”

“Chloe…” He mumbled.

“I don’t need your sympathy, William.” With that said, I stomped off toward the guards with him
trailing behind me in silence.

As we got to the fallen tree, I noticed a man struggling to get out from underneath it. His right
leg was lodged clear up to the knee. When he heard a branch snap, he faced us then instantly
panicked.

His eyes were a deep blue, almost as blue as the ocean itself. His hair was a dark chestnut
brown that was cut short enough that he had maybe an inch or two. He was dressed in an army suit
with the camouflage colors most of them war. Cuts and bruises covered his hands and face from the
impact of the explosion, but most of all he looked like he was innocent.

“Please! Let me go!” he cried out. As he moved to get away, his leg cracked causing him to
scream.

I looked at Ner and saw the true sorrow in his eyes. Almost like a bottle being emptied, my
anger flooded out. I sort of felt bad for what I said to him.

“Sir, calm down.” I knelt down beside him and took his hand. He flinched at my touch, but he
didn’t try to scramble away anymore.

“You…aren’t going to kill me?” the disbelief in his eyes was horrible.

“I’m here to help if you will listen,” I smiled at him.

He cautiously nodded and waited for me to continue.

“I need to know. Do you have a chip in you?”

Almost instantly his body froze and he winced in pain. I knew it wasn’t because of his leg.

I turned to New and gave him an I told you face. He shrugged and motioned for me to continue.

“Let’s wait for Tod.” I looked at Ner.

“Whatever you say, Boss.” I rolled my eyes at him.

“You’re the boss?” The guard asked me.

“No, he is. Ner, check around. I’m getting nervous.”

“I’m the boss and you order me around.” He scoffed as he pulled out his gun and left from my
view.

“What’s your name?” the guard asked.

“Chloe, what about you?”

“That’s a pretty name. Mine is Shawn.” He kissed my hand.

I laughed, “So we have a charmer.”

“I don’t meet many angels. All the girls in the jail are mainly sluts. They think all we want is
their body.”

“Don’t you?”

He laughed, “You know, there are still some decent guys in this world.”

“I-“

“Chloe! Get down!” Ner was at my side with his body sheltering over mine. “Some guards are
checking the place out.”

“Alright, Men. Search the area for any survivors.” I heard a deep voice say.

“What do we do?” I whispered.

“Run, both of you. I’ll handle them.” Shawn whispered back.

“Wait, they are going the other way to search first. Chloe, help me lift the log.”

I nodded then got to my knees and slid my fingers under it till I had a good grasp.

“No, wait!” Shawn choked out.

“What?” Ner and I both said.

“Don’t drop it, please.” He smiled. “But, this thing needs to-“ He groaned in pain.

“He’s talking about the chip.” Ner whispered.

“Give me a knife.” I said while pulling back Shawn’s shirt till I saw the red flashing light shining
through his skin.

Shawn pulled a knife from his suit and handed it back to me. “Careful, it’s—“ I dug the knife in
and began pulling out the chip. Ner’s hand covered Shawn’s mouth to muffle his sounds.

When I finally got it out, I took it and threw it in another direction to stall the guards who would
trace it. “We need to go now!” Ner whispered harshly.

I looked at Shawn, “On the count of three we are going to lift it off. Right when I say three I
want you to take a deep breath, okay?”

He nodded and gave me a lopsided grin.

“Okay, one, two, three!” Ner and I lifted the log up and tried to put it aside, but we couldn’t
move it.

“Shawn,” I said with strain in my voice. “Try and crawl back. It won’t move.”

I could feel my arms and legs beginning to burn. My whole body was trembling and I didn’t
know how much longer I’d last. I watched Shawn trying to kick himself back, but he was going too
slow.

“Chloe, let go. Pull him back and do it fast! Go!” Ner said through clenched teeth.

I did as he asked. As soon as I let go, the log nearly fell back onto Shawn causing him to
jumped before Ner caught it. Ner had just enough strength to hold it up by himself.

I placed my arms around Shawn’s chest and pulled him back. With one final jerk, he was clear.
Ner released the log then fell back, panting and trembling. He smiled at me then got to his knees.

“Ready…to…go…?” He panted.

I nodded then helped Shawn up to his feet. That’s when I got a good look at his leg. It was
completely smashed. Odds were no bone was intact or in the right spot place at least.

“Ner, we need to hide till they leave. There is no way we can get him back unseen.” I looked at
him.

“Pssst! Guys! Over here!” Ner and I both looked over and found Tod. “Brother! Over here!”

Shawn had his arms around our shoulders as we dragged him over to Tod. We set him down
against a tree that had surrounding bushing hiding us.

“What happened?” Tod asked us.

“We found this guy then the guards came. What took you so long?”

“I saw the guards and hid. If you follow me I found a way to get back to the cave without being
seen.”

“No. Let’s wait a bit. Did you get the med kit?” I asked him.

He nodded then handed it to me.

I set it down on the ground then pulled out some wrap. “Find me two branches the size of his
leg.” I looked at them.

They disappeared into the bushed which left Shawn alone with me.

“My leg hurts so bad…” He groaned and threw his head back.

“That’s a good thing. If you didn’t feel it then I’d be worried.” I reassured him.

“I guess you’re right. Why are you helping me? You’re a woman and I’m sure you’ve been
mistreated at least a hundred times.”

“I am not one to judge.”

“Bullshit.” He laughed. “Everyone judges.”

“You’d be dead if that were the case.”

He shrugged, “Maybe you’re right. That still doesn’t answer my question though.”

“I only have one enemy.”

“Newborn.” He concluded.

I nodded. Newborn was definitely my number one enemy. Thanks to him we were like this.

“Need help?” he asked.

“I’m sorry?”

“With taking Newborn down.”

“Why would you help me?”

“You saved my life. No way in hell am I going to go back and fight for the wrong side.” He was
assuring that I could trust him.