The Dark Days Series | Book 2 | Sanctuary

by Cole, Christopher

  I went up to McKenzie, grabbed his arm in an armlock under my left armpit – by wrapping my left arm around his right arm with my right hand grasping his wrist, all I have to do is pull his toward my chest and I’ll break his arm. He let a cry of pain as I kept pressure holding his arm back.

  Patch and Warren saw what I was doing and got in between to stop any kids from intervening.

  “It hurts doesn’t it, McKenzie? That uncomfortable pain, like you’re about to break. Well, imagine that and the feeling like you can’t breathe at the same time. That’s what life as an outsider feels like! That’s what it’s like every day!” I said, in his ear.

  Ellen showed up with a confused and worried look. She tried to stop me but Patch and Warren stopped her.

  “Nate! Stop! You’re gonna break his arm!” Ellen yelled.

  “That’s the point,” Patch said, holding her back.

  I explained, “Here’s the thing, if you keep bullying other people . . . I will make you experience worse pain. You leave everyone alone; you won’t have to deal with me or my friends ever again. Do you understand?”

  McKenzie didn’t answer.

  I pulled his arm and yelled, “Do you understand?! Answer me if you understand!”

  He yelped, “Yeah I understand! Let me go! You’re breaking my arm!”

  “You gonna leave those kids alone?!”

  “Yes!” McKenzie gasped.

  “Am I ever gonna have to do this again?!”

  “Nate! He got the message, let him go!” Ellen cried, trying to get past Patch and Warren.

  I looked up at her and said, “I need to hear him say it. McKenzie, am I gonna—”

  “No, I promise! I-I learned my lesson! Now-now let me go, Nate! Seriously, my arm—”

  I released him and got up.

  Before I got off of him, I made him look at me in the eye and said, “Don’t ever forget this, because if this happens a second time . . . there won’t be a third.”

  The fight was defusing as I got up. I looked around and saw the girl with mismatched eyes looking at me. She had this expression that said, ‘What the hell?’ I didn’t say anything or make a face. I’m not sorry for what I did and I’m not gonna hide from it. The silence lasted for a few seconds until the instructors came storming in.

  “Hey! Everyone step back! Now!” Sensei David ordered.

  Sensei Indiana and David stopped when they saw McKenzie’s bloody face – his face was in worse condition than everyone else’s. The commotion grew really quiet and one by one eyes shifted from McKenzie to me. Sensei Indiana looked at me with great disappointment.

  “You did this?” Sensei Indiana asked.

  Everyone looked at me, Patch, and Warren.

  “Yes, I did,” I answered.

  Sensei Indiana looked back at McKenzie, then back at me. He marched straight towards me and grabbed me roughly by my shirt.

  “What are you doing? That’s not how I taught you,” Sensei Indiana said.

  I roughly shook his arm off and stated, “I hurt him because he’s a useless bully and – he likes it.”

  Sensei Indiana’s eyes widened and asked, “A bully? That’s what this is all about? You think that makes you justified? Instead of coming to me or any other instructor you took matters into—”

  “We already came to you for help,” Warren interrupted.

  Sensei Indiana turned to him.

  “Twice and so did the kids that were bullied and each time you didn’t do anything to make them stop. So, don’t lecture us on chain of command. This is only the option we felt was left,” Warren continued.

  “That’s no excuse. You don’t get to decide how to handle this!” Sensei David shouted.

  “And you do? Because we can count on you to handle this?” Patch asked.

  “Alright, everyone sit down on the benches now!”

  We all sat down, but my friends and I along with those mainly responsible for the fight sat upfront investment bankers back into the main building to get parents and guardians.

  “Whatever reasons, right or wrong you need to understand something. There are rules! People have to follow a ‘rule of law’ – without it, everything disintegrates! If you don’t follow the rules, we’re no different than the animals outside the walls!” Sensei Indiana barked.

  “Animals like us you mean,” River stepped in.

  The instructors turned to her.

  River continued, “Do you have any idea what’s like to be us when we come here? Surviving by the skin of our teeth with a knife to our throats and be treated like outcasts simply because—”

  “The rules apply to everyone regardless of where you come from, class, or race! We can’t afford any anarchy when civilization has fallen apart. People have to be governed and follow the rule of law,” Sensei David stated.

  “When the rules aren’t applied fairly, sticking to them is the excuse of every tyrant in history. From Nero to Napoleon to Hitler to Stalin. If you truly believe in rules then apply them fairly – why do bullies like those little shits get away with what they’ve done?!” Cody objected.

  “Oh, I can assure you they will be punished – just as you’ll be. As you all will be!” Sensei Indiana stated.

  “Us, too?!” Troy yelled shocked.

  “His nose is broken!” Michael yelled.

  “Shut up!” Sensei Indiana ordered.

  Sensei Indiana walked up to me and I looked up at him.

  “I still can’t understand why you would do that. You were always such a good student and I’ve seen you help other people, it’s so out of your character,” Sensei Indiana said.

  “What exactly do you know about me, Sensei? You think you know what kind of a person I am based on what you’ve seen for a few weeks? By now, you should know I hate bullies more than I fear punishment because they get off on hurting others. They enjoy it, and you’ve allowed it to happen,” I stated.

  I didn’t look away as I stared at him.

  “You think we control everything? You expected us to stop all the fighting? All the terrible things? You’ve hurt people. You think that makes you better than them. It makes you almost the same as them. We don’t want to hurt anyone. That’s why the rules stand and why we teach you, so that people don’t get hurt,” Sensei Indiana stated.

  “Someone has already gotten hurt, more than once turning a blind eye isn’t going to stop it, it encourages it – emboldens them because they get away with it. There’s no accountability see – we’re just ensuring accountability,” Warren added.

  “We’re talking about it right now. Beating someone for what they’ve done is not the answer, you sink to their level for doing that. You have to be better than that. People learn by the example others set for them. That’s the whole reason for teaching, to help people learn to be better. It’s not about individual competition, it’s about looking after one another. The world out there is a very different place than before, some of you know that from personal experience, but we can’t fight each other. We go down that road it’s a place of no return. Don’t hope for change, be the change,” Sensei Indiana stated.

  I spoke, “Tell that to the kids continually bullied and hurt by these assholes. Kids like Billy, Dominic, and Stanley.”

  We didn’t say anything more.

  It didn’t take too long for our parents and guardians to show along with the principal. Everyone explained their story, the principal saw Stanley and the others, and once all the facts were assembled, McKenzie and his gang were suspended for a month. Our punishment was detention, by cleaning the gym and extra homework. So, that sucked but it could have been worse. McKenzie and the bullies’ parents argued but finally left grudgingly. We didn’t really get a chance to talk to our families, they were told to leave while we cleaned out the gym.

  “You know when Will said you guys didn’t want any trouble, I was assuming that meant you weren’t looking for any trouble,” Ellen said, wiping the mirrors.

  “I did what I thought was right. W
ould you have let them continue to bully those three kids?” I asked mopping the floors.

  “I’m not gonna defend them or in any way say they don’t deserve a good smack or two for what they did to those boys, but what you did was way over the fucking line!”

  I sighed while shaking my head.

  “You broke his nose and you were gonna break his arm! What were you gonna do next? Kill him?”

  “Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Molly said, under her breath mopping the floors.

  “He was giving him a very serious warning,” Patch defended wiping the sinks.

  Ellen scoffed, “Jesus, I don’t believe this.”

  “Warren is right, bullies don’t stop until they’ve been stopped. When you do nothing you’ve emboldened them,” I said.

  “Oh agreed. I’d give those shitheads a knuckle sandwich for each of them, but these people aren’t bandits! You start breaking limbs and threatening to kill them, you’ll scare them into doing something crazy. People do crazy things when they’re scared!” Ellen said, seriously.

  I stared at her; she actually has a point. Maybe I went too far, because they’ll see me as a threat and if they’re serious about their survival as I am, they may actually try to send their own message, or just kill me.

  “That is a good point,” I said.

  “There! You see? Maybe cool it down and not kill anyone for a change!” Ellen argued.

  A domestic kid spoke, “McKenzie didn’t start that fight!”

  This got everyone’s attention.

  “Oh, they didn’t?” Shaun asked.

  “Yeah, you saw it. It was crazy psycho over there!” a domestic kid jabbed at me.

  Carrie grabbed the kid by the throat and shoved him against the lockers.

  “One more word and I’ll fuck you up,” Carrie threatened, grimly.

  “Carrie enough,” Ashley said, getting Carrie to let go of him.

  “You know it isn’t about you guys. When you polarize everything you cause sides to be taken, and who wants to be on your side if you treat us differently because we come from outside the walls? That isn’t fair,” Scarlet stated.

  Warren spoke next, “You guys seriously think this place will last forever? Why? Because of those big tall walls? The city of Troy had walls to keep the Greeks out and they still fell and were slaughtered. The same thing can happen here and if it does, who’s gonna be there to save you? What makes you worth saving? Huh? The thing about us is we fight for each other . . . we are prepared to die for each other – we’re still prepared to die for each other. That’s what it means to be true friends, and loyal to the end.”

  I looked at Patch and he looked at me. We knew that we should say something. Warren and his friends get it. It felt like we’re among our kind. I felt a little proud.

  “There’s still some good left in this world and that’s worth fighting for,” Patch said.

  “But do you have what it takes to go the distance to protect what’s good in this world like your friends and family? I know I do; I’ve killed people for my friends. My friends have what it takes to go the distance, they’re killed more zombies than I can count,” I stated.

  “If you don’t show your worth or what makes you worth saving then why should anyone help you when you need it, when your life is threatened! I’ll tell you what though, when the time is right and the chips are down and the cards are played when there are no soldiers around to protect you or your friends . . . if you show your worth and if it’s enough . . . I’ll come save you, or maybe you’ll save me,” Patch said clearly.

  Molly crossed her arms and stood next to me and asked, “What’s life worth living if you got nothing and no one worth fighting for?”

  The domestic kids didn’t say anything as they let our words sink in. We went back to cleaning silently. Although, when I looked over at my friends with a smile and they smiled back.

  A domestic kid asked from around the corner, “So . . . you guys really are from outside the walls?”

  “Yes, we are,” Ellen said, cleaning.

  “And it really is crazy out there?”

  I hesitantly answered, “Yeah . . . it is.”

  “Is it true that there are cannibals out there? People that eat people?”

  “Yep.”

  “And is there—?”

  I interrupted, “Hey kid . . . if it gives you chills just thinking about it, it’s probably true. Everything you’ve heard, all the blood, all the death, all the unspeakable horrors you don’t wanna know, it’s probably true.”

  Ellen gave a slight look of shock, “Jesus, you really did kill people, didn’t you?”

  “Four, I killed four men. Don’t say people like I’m a mass murder,” I said firmly mopping the floors.

  “And is that the . . . the distance you went for your friends?”

  “Yes, it is. I’m not proud of it, but I did what was necessary.”

  “So, you’d do it again if you had to.”

  I nodded.

  “Mmm,” Ellen muttered.

  “I don’t look for trouble, Ellen, but I won’t apologize for standing up for what I believe is right. You can disagree or criticize what happened – I won’t take that from you, but I did what I felt I had to do,” I stated.

  “Well, let’s hope no trouble happens.”

  ****

  Meeting the adults outside after detention was a little unexpected – I was expecting perhaps a lecture over what I had done like back at Fort Drum. Clara and Jonathan hugged me and Ellen, so naturally I hugged them back. Will and Kayley hugged my friends.

  “You’re not mad?” I asked.

  “Why would we be mad? You stood up against bullies for three young boys. That’s character. Maybe you went overboard by breaking his nose, but . . . I’d probably do the same,” Clara stated.

  “Really?” Carrie asked.

  “Yeah, those boys had it coming for what they did. So, I’d say you did good by me,” Kayley said.

  I looked up at Jonathan and he said, “I’m proud of you, but try not to push too hard. Always make sure that you know all sides of the situation before you get involved. Okay?”

  I nodded.

  Ellen didn’t say anything.

  “Who’s hungry?” Will asked.

  We got on the monorail to head for someplace to grab a bite, but before we headed off, I saw the girl with the eyes. She was leaning against the wall on the second-floor balcony looking at me with her arms crossed. All I could do was stare back. Who is she? And what’s her deal?

  Chapter 6

  Grim

  “Grim! Wake up! Rise and shine!” Amara said, nudging me.

  I groaned.

  “Come on! You can’t sleep all day!”

  “Sure, I can, watch me,” I said, through a pillow.

  “Nope, it’s beautiful today, you are not missing out on this. Get up! Get up! Get up!” Amara said, shaking me.

  “Alright, alright, I’m getting up,” I said, rolling out of bed.

  “Get dressed, I’ll make breakfast.”

  Amara was both animated and spirited – she was special, and people noticed. I honestly don’t know where she gets all that joy. She has more energy than a room full of three-year-old's! And I don’t have a problem with that – it’s part of her irresistibility. I love her enthusiasm for simple things, sunsets, walks, falling leaves, sand between your toes, sharing intimate moments – with her, there was never a wasted moment. I got dressed and headed downstairs with my nose already smelling something delicious – bacon and eggs.

  “Remind me again, why your cooking skills haven’t earned you your own restaurant?” I asked as I entered the kitchen.

  “I don’t want to spend all day working in some greasy kitchen, you know I love gardening!” Amara answered.

  “I’m just saying, with your skills— “

  “Well, I’m saying I love flowers, sunshine, and those beautiful green leaves. Just like you love music.”

  “You had me a
t sunshine.”

  Amara giggled.

  We finished breakfast and she was antsy.

  “So, what do you want to do today?” I asked her.

  “I don’t know, I just want to get out of the house,” Amara answered.

  You don’t know? Okay, that’s not exactly well thought out, but okay. We can explore a little, maybe someplace new.

  “Oh, and don’t forget the camera,” Amara said, before she walked out the front door.

  “Got it,” I said, picking up the Polaroid Spirit 600 CL.

  “Hold up, let’s take one of us here.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, come on! Take the picture!” Amara said excitedly.

  “Okay, here we go,” I said, holding the camera up and snapping the picture.

  “Hey, we look good together,” Amara purred.

  “You look good, you always look good.”

  That made her blush a little and I leaned in to kiss her.

  “I, on the other hand, look like aged leather left in the sun too long.”

  She quickly punched me in the chest and said, “You’re just rugged and rakish, and I like it.”

  God, I love her. She looks more like an angel as each day passes – her beautiful blonde hair, soft lips, deep blue eyes, and the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard. The sunlight on her face made her smile even brighter. It’s hard to believe we’ve been married five years, it literally felt like only yesterday. Being so happy made it pass that much faster.