Where the Villain's Heart Lies

RO

It's the year 2050.

The memory of Earth from my childhood now totally erased by the tyranny of the extra-terrestrials. The past grandeur of the planet vanished but its beauty remained preserved in my head, a sanctuary I go every now and then as an escape.

The shiny, diamond-like bodies of water now's replaced with crumbly soil and debris from buildings and houses. The colorful flowers bathing in the sun has now withered and the meadows became plains of emptiness. The forests, with its rich wildlife and abundant fruits now's a barren area for old and abandoned trees. The playgrounds, churches, markets and even the schools that used to be buzzing with people now's as quiet and creepy as everywhere.

There's only one place which stands out than the rest: the Aenelus, the city of the damned as we refugees like to call it. Half a year has passed now, 6 months since the human race has faced its biggest ruin. In the hands of the Aenelus, the humans faced their downfall. Lives were taken, families were killed. However, that wasn't the entirety of it. For those who survived the great attack, freedom was not a choice as well. Same as the dead, their lives were stolen from them. Only in a different manner, as their will was influenced by a special implant which made them succumb to the whims of the Aenelus.

As for me, I'd rather die than be with the ones who made me an orphan. I was there, just few meters away. I was there when one of the Aenelus soldiers lined 15 persons up. On their knees, they were asked to surrender one by one and by surrendering, that means they would be rallying to the enemy's side as an ally. My family knew to turn their backs from the last living humans would amount to death and chose to die instead. I was there when they were held at gun point, my parents and my two brothers. I was hiding behind a column as I managed to escape, only acquiring a horizontal scar below my left eye as an eternal reminder of the great attack. I watched... I watched as the soldier pressed the trigger, assassinating my family one by one after every answer of no to their question of allegiance.

"Hey, Ro. Here."

My miserable reminiscence was interrupted when someone occupied the fallen log with me, poking me on the left shoulder. I turned to see the smug face of our group's leader, Benz George Reynolds. Like me, he was also one of the few survivors of the great attack. Well-skilled in battle and quick-witted, he and I gathered the rest of the humans and formed a group to defend ourselves. We lived in the middle of the forest, underground, with weapons made of old knives, arrows and wooden spears.

"Thanks, Benz." – I said, opening the food he gave me, wrapped in a paper tissue. It was rectangular in shape, giving me an impression of a sandwich. I shoved it down on the pocket of my hoodie. I don't feel like eating yet. I had my dinner late.

"You can sleep now. It's my shift for the watch." – he said, taking the binoculars I put down beside me. I stopped him by holding his wrist.

"no. You can sleep if you want. I'll stay here for a while. I don't feel any sleepiness yet. I can cover your shift if you want."

Benz looked at me in disbelief. I covered his shift last night as a lookout, and the other night. Tonight, I'm also planning to do the same. I don't know, when the night strikes, I find it hard to sleep. Whatever I do, the thought and the sight of my family being killed still haunts me. And I don't see it going away soon.

With the bonfire in front of us, the color of Benz' messy brown hair looked maroon-ish. His almond brown eyes flickered with the glow of the flame.

"Ro... what's wrong? You've been acting different lately. If there's something you wish to share, I'm willing to listen."

I nodded, but I wasn't looking at him. I can't. I know he's concern as a friend. However, I knew as soon as I opened my lips to share my haunted thoughts, I know I'll lose it. The silence was the only thing I hold on to these days. It's the only thing I know would not make me appear weak. On this world of chaos, I cannot afford to be vulnerable. No. never.

"I'm fine, Benz. Let me stay up with you tonight, then. As what I said, I'm not sleepy at all."

"okay, then. I know I cannot convince you otherwise."

"no one can convince me otherwise." – I clarified.

The trunk we were sitting on was spacious enough for the both of us and I decided to let him accompany me this evening. Usually, our everyday activities were a routine. Because our group was diverse, containing men, women, girls, boys and even small children, we have to make sure everyone is safe. We do everyday trainings for those old enough to fight. We hunt, we build armors, we continue to improve our small sanctuary away from the Aenelus. Here, far from their reach, we get to live with lesser fear. Here, it feels a little safe.

...and then something moved in the distance. The stillness of the night made every small movement echo. Benz and I stilled.

"what was that?" – I whispered. My heart pace doubled, as if instantly.

"I don't know. Do you have your gun with you?"

"always."

"okay. on three, fire on that figure behind the tree. Right there. do you see it? it's moving."

Benz pointed on a huge Acacia tree that's not far away from where we were sitting. I nodded to him, seeing something ,moved behind it. Nope, I'm sure that wasn't just caused by the wind.

"one..."

I slowly pulled my gun from my customized belt.

"two...."

Breathe in Ro. You got this.

Breathe out.

"three. Shoot!"

Baaaang!

The sound of the gun startled Benz but to me, it sounded like music. As it went off, both of us rose on our feet and ran towards that direction. Something fell on the grass. I hit it. Whatever that was.

"nice shot!" – Benz said

"of course. When did I miss?"

He chuckled.

"you never miss."