Meanwhile

  July 20, 2075

  1820 JST

  Inside an Alnitak House

  Rachel Cooper's Point of View

  “All peasants deserve death!” A young woman’s voice shouts out in hatred from another room.

  Gunfire?

  Gasp! Run! Run Rachel! Adrian needs you!

  “Woah,” the Death Angel quietly mutters as Adrian shrieks in horror.

  This is… the Askers family’s main bedroom. It’s just a simple bedroom, like any other. Dimly lit, a queen-sized sleeping mat takes up the majority of the room, and there’s a baby crib beside it. But the blood… so much blood.

  “What is wrong with you?!” I yell at the Death Angel.

  “I… I didn’t,” she softly replies as she takes off her helmet. “Earth is… filled with nothing, but monsters. I-I was ordered to kill monsters. I… I…”

  She’s just a teenage girl like me! Hispanic, with long black hair, and a look of horror on her face. But… I can’t. Not this time.

  “Those were that baby’s parents! You… you killed them for no reason! I bet they were just trying to hide from you! Look at what you fuckin’ did! He’s lyin’ in his dead mom’s hands because of you! If you think Earth is filled with monsters, then fine! I’d rather be a monster than a Royal! You turned Adrian into an orphan, you bastard! When… sniffle. When will you stop killin’ innocent people?!”

  “No,” she denies as she shakes her head. “Earth is filled with nothing but heartless monsters,” she continues as her body shivers, followed by her dropping her gun.

  “The only heartless monster here is you!”

  Attack, Rachel! Push her against the wall!

  I knocked her out! She should be lucky that all I gave her was brain trauma. She, just like every other Royal, doesn’t deserve to live! I’m so sorry, Adrian. If only I arrived sooner, but I’ll take care of you now. I’ll strap you onto my back, so we can reunite with everyone at Alnitak mountain. You’re not even a year old. Sniffle. You don’t deserve to suffer like this.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Christina, we must leave immediately!” Another young woman’s voice yells as she barges through the house’s front door.

  Just another problem to deal with. I’ll hide behind the door and wait for her to come in. I’ll get you to safety soon, Adrian, even if it costs me my life.

  “Christina?” She asks in confusion as she enters the room.

  Push her, Rachel!

  Damn! She spotted me!

  “Sniper!” She yells out in hatred above Adrian’s cries of terror as I tackle her to the ground.

  I managed to knock off her helmet!

  “Why won’t you just leave us alone?!!” I scream.

  “You killed my sister, Rachel Cooper!”

  No! She… she cut m-my old wrist wound!

  Ow, she kicked me in the gut!

  Gasp! Don’t land on your back! Stay on your feet!

  “Karma says, hello!” The green-haired woman declares in a vengeful tone as she reaches for her pistol.

  Thank you, Captain, for teachin’ me how to be resourceful.

  “Hands in the air, Royal! Now!”

  “You stole my gun? Fucking peasant!” She seethes in anger as she complies.

  “Li?!” A male Death Angel calls out from outside the hallway.

  Be smart, Rachel.

  “A peasant has me, hostage, at gunpoint, Abass, but it’s only a matter of time!” She answers in an arrogant tone.

  She’s smart!

  “Shut up!” I order.

  Ow! This… this is way too much blood! Think, Rachel, think! Solve… the problem!

  Shoot her.

  “You fucking monster!” Li screams out in severe hatred.

  “Christina’s gonna suffer from that new piece of jewelry that I just put in her mouth, but… there’s also the chance that Adrian’s parents will finish her before that even happens! You can prevent that by lettin’ me and Adrian go peacefully! Please! I don’t want to do this!”

  “You’re just a murderer, Rachel Cooper!” Li responds in frustration.

  “I know I am, and I’ll fuckin’ do it every time you try to hurt the ones I love!”

  “Your resistance is futile! Death is inevitable, and my gut is telling me that yours is fast approaching!”

  My arms… my head…

  “Tell your friend and anyone else who’s out there to drop their weapons immediately! You of all people should know how good of a shot I am.”

  “Stand down, Abass! Let the peasant pass through! She doesn’t even realize the magnitude of the shitstorm she’s about to walk into!”

  Finally.

  *

  Outside the Asker’s Family’s House

  *

  Ok, Rachel. Diagnosis time! You’re sufferin’ from burn wounds, a massive headache, dehydration, blurry vision, inconsistent breathin’, and severe blood loss, but… you have to keep pushing through it. You’ve wrapped your headband around your cut, but now you can barely see anythin’, and it’s not because of the tear gas. It’s because of your stupid bangs! What an embarrassin’ way to die. Somethin’ terrible must’ve happened! The Royals are nowhere to be found, and the kingdom is filled with more zombies than there were villagers, and they keep pourin’ in! Gulp. At least… Adrian calmed down. Coverin’ myself and a baby in undead guts is somethin’ that I’ve never ever dreamed of doin’. This… might be it. No! You… have to keep movin’ forward! It’s not just your life in your hands, it’s Adrian’s! He’s relyin’ on you! He needs you! Just… get to Alnitak mountain. Don’t die… Rachel… Cooper. O-oh… you’re getting… dizzy.…