District 17

The moment happened quickly. Skylar’s hand pulled her pistol from her hip, an instinctual reaction. Her brows pulled together as she gripped Eva’s wrist with her other hand, she pressed the pistol against Eva’s temple just as Andrew pulled her back.

Instantly there were three of the soldiers with their guns aimed on Andrew and Eva. Skylar pursed her lips, her eyes were cold. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she stared to Eva, she watched as Andrew knocked her clean out with one swift hit to her head. As Andrew apologized Skylar loosened, she lowered her gun and clicked it back into her holster. She gave a nod to her men whom lowered their guns. She stared to Dr. Knightley as she tended to Eva. Skylar’s eyes stared back to Andrew then void of emotion. She reached up and rubbed her neck slightly, bruises had already begun to form. Skylar let out a soft chuckle when he asked how she knew their names. She reached into her pocket just beneath her pistol and pulled out a wallet and a card. “Glove box.” She spoke, “Your IDs, it wasn’t too hard to figure out.” She looked to Eva as she began to come back to. This isn’t my Eva….or is she? Skylar watched her, curious, “Maybe in another lifetime.” She hooked her helmet to her belt on her waist before she rubbed her neck again. She looked to Andrew as he spoke of her….condition.

Skylar took in a breath and let it out slowly. She then looked to Eva, her eyes focused, “Listen carefully. You could have just gotten yourself as well as your father killed.” She spoke, her eyes never left Eva. “Pull a stunt like that again, I can guarantee that you will lose your life. It will not be my decision.” She paused for a long moment, “I can’t protect you, if you put an officer in danger. Myself? I can handle it, I understand. Another officer?” She took in a deep breath and shook her head, thinking of the child once again. “You’d have a bullet in your brain.” Skylar then glanced to Andrew, “How about you two fill out your forms then? If you’re staying I need you to cooperate with us. I know living under military command isn’t always the most comfortable at first, but I guarantee you, you’ll sleep like a lamb.” She gave a gentle smile. “So, if you’re staying, fill the forms out.” She looked to Eva for a moment, “You have five minutes.” She set the wallet and IDs down on the table, “To answer your original question.” She slid Eva’s ID to her. “Before you jump to conclusions, you should always think of alternative possibilities. It would do you good. We aren’t here to hurt you.” Skylar then stepped away.

A soldier stood not far from the two, his finger hovered over the trigger of his gun. He was ready if Andrew or Eva tried anything else. “Do you really think they should be trusted?” An officer walked up to Skylar. “After that stunt?” Skylar was led over to a chair by Dr. Knightley. She sat down in the chair and leaned her head back, she winced as Dr. Knightley felt around the bruises. The officer crossed his arms, “Lieutenant Greystoke?” He questioned.

Dr. Knightley looked to him, “Give me space would you, Sergeant?” She stepped in front of him as she felt around. “She has a death grip….you’re lucky, Lieutenant.”

“I’m fine.” Skylar spoke and then winced. She looked to the Sergeant then, “Sergeant, I am your commanding officer, am I not?”

“Yes.” He responded, he looked to her through his tinted goggles.

“The girl shouldn’t be a threat anymore. If she is, I will take the blame for it.” Skylar sat up she rubbed her neck again and grimaced. The soldiers on top of the gate aimed in on a few targets and took them out, their guns silenced. The soldier upon the top of the gate a few moments later began giving orders, just as he’d given Andrew and Eva orders to drop their weapons. She turned her eyes as the gate opened and another new comer stepped inside. Skylar stood and walked over to the soldiers that stood around the new comer. She pushed her way through. “Welcome to Ashtown.” She gave a smile and looked to the woman before she gave a nod. “Are you alone?” She asked.

“I…I lost…I…” The woman was breathless, she’d run to the gates from the city a few zombies had followed her.

“It’s okay.” Skylar gave a nod, she took in a breath and glanced over to her desk to Eva and Andrew. “You’re safe now, you don’t need to run anymore, alright?” She led the new comer over to Dr. Knightley and sat her down in a chair. Blood was splattered across the woman’s face and soaked into her clothing. She was sobbing by this point.

Dr. Knightley furrowed her brows as she held the device. She pushed up the long sleeve shirt that the woman wore and paused. “Lieutenant…” She spoke, a deep gash was in the woman’s arm. A bite mark possibly.

Skylar looked to the wound, it was curved, more likely than not it was a bite. She looked to the woman and took in a deep breath, “Check her, Knightley.” She spoke, her pulse rose.

Dr. Knightley bit her lower lip, “Of course.” She gave a nod as she pushed up the woman’s other sleeve. The woman was whimpering now, she knew. Dr. Knightley pushed the device against the woman’s skin and pulled it back. She took in a slow breath and looked to the LCD screen as they waited. It buzzed and the screen turned red. “Lieutenant…” Dr. Knightley looked to the woman.

“You were bitten…” Skylar spoke as she looked to the woman, whom began to sob harder now. Skylar looked into her eyes, a sense of sadness washed over her face.

A soldier stepped forward and grabbed the woman, having her stand up. “Lieutenant?” He questioned.

Skylar stared to the woman, “I’m sorry…” She whispered softly as the soldier zipper her wrists together. Skylar reached to her belt and pulled her helmet onto her face, she pulled up her facemask and took the woman by her elbow. She walked the woman from the tent into another tent that was just a few feet from it.

“Please…please…” The woman began to plea, “Please don’t…I…I…my son…he…he’s out there…please!” She whimpered.

Skylar paused and looked to the woman. “How do you know he’s not dead?” She asked, her voice soft.

“No..he’s safe…please! I was bitten getting him to safety…he’s in the city…please you have to save him…please.” She looked to Skylar.

Skylar bit her lip she looked away from the woman. “I can’t promise you that.”

The woman whimpered for a moment, “Please…you…you must try…please…just try…promise me you’ll do it if you can…”

Skylar took in a slow breath, she was silent for a long moment, the room grew stale. She then gave a slow nod. “Okay.” She spoke as she unclipped her pistol from her belt. “I will try.” She looked back to the woman. “I’m sorry.” She brought the pistol up in a swift motion. Her finger pulled over the trigger and in the next moment the sound of the gunshot echoed through the camp. The woman’s body fell to the ground and blood poured from her body. “I’m…sorry…” Skylar whispered.

“You, alright Lieutenant?” A voice asked.

Skylar turned her eyes to see Alden. She sniffled slightly and took in a few quick breaths. “Y-yeah. I’m good. Clean this up, would you, corporal?” She stepped passed him as she clipped her pistol into her holster once more. She stepped back into the original tent and walked over to Eva and Andrew. She was silent for a long moment as she looked to the forms. She gave a nod, “Follow me.” Her voice was slightly shaky still, she didn’t like to kill. She didn’t mind the zombies, but…to kill someone who was not turned? To kill a person. It ruined her. She led them outside to their jeep. “I will lead you to the impound lot.” She nodded as she turned and climbed onto a jet-black motorcycle. She started it up and took off into the city. Skylar rode through the city, looking to the civilians. They looked to her and stepped from her path as she rode along. Soldiers were everywhere in the streets, posted at their watch points.

Eventually they came to an old parking garage. Skylar wound up the garage to the 2ed floor where she had her own space for her motorcycle. She slipped it into its spot and pointed to a space that was just a few from hers. Skylar waited for a moment before she stepped through the garage. “Ration cards are given out once a month.” She spoke as she stepped inside, she removed her helmet and clipped it to her waist once more. Her assault rifle swung back and forth on her back with her quick movement. She led them into a building that was once a hospital. She stepped up to a woman at the counter and gave a nod. “Two.” She spoke. The woman grabbed two packs that were stuffed full of supplies. She then turned and handed the supplies to Andrew and Eva. “Come on then.” She continued onward. Skylar led them through the city. “Sector 6, it’ll be the best for you.” She spoke, “Sector 6 is where the officers are housed, but…” She paused and looked to Andrew for a moment. “In your case, I’ll make an exception. You’ll be more comfortable this way, have better access to things you may need.” She walked through the streets. The sun was beginning to set.

“One hour until curfew. As a reminder, no one is to be on the streets without proper permit. Those caught on the streets will be punished accordingly.” A voice spoke over the intercoms that were spaced along the streets.

“Here we go.” Skylar stepped into a building. It was one of the better kept buildings. She climbed the stairs up several flights, 12 to be exact. Once she was at the top she walked down the hall to the last room on the right. A key sat in the door. She turned it and pushed the door open. She stepped inside of the small apartment. It had two small bedrooms, a small kitchen and living area. “It isn’t much, but you’ll grow to love it. We don’t need much these days.” Skylar spoke. She stared to Eva then, a long hard moment. “You are my responsibility now, Eva. I have let you stay. Please, do not break the rules.” Her voice was soft, calm, caring. “If you do, it is my head on a chopping block, alright?” She then handed the key set to Andrew. “That being said.” She paused a moment. “I am just across the hall. Room 1202.” Skylar looked to Andrew a moment. “If you need anything further, don’t hesitate to ask. Show up to chow in the morning, I will give you orders and the Brigadier General will give you your assignments. We also have a doctor available, to speak to, a lot of people have been through things that they wish they hadn’t. A lot of people have nightmares. We have a doctor to help.” Skylar gave a nod. “I’ll let you settle in.” She gave a nod and stepped from the room. Skylar unlocked her door, right across the hall and stepped into her room. She stripped herself of her riot gear immediately and dressed herself in black pajama bottoms and a blue tank top. Skylar sat down on her couch and let out a heavy sigh.