Human Nature (Book 4): Human Nature IV by Borthwick, Finlay (book recommendations website .TXT) 📗

“I don’t think I caught your name?” Rajan asked, realising that Alek had only introduced Emile.

“It’s Alek, sorry.” He introduced himself, and now he was the one apologising for lack of manners, “Pleasure to meet you.” He offered his hand out for a shake.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Alek.” Rajan gratefully accepted Alek’s handshake.

Emile had resumed staring at the window, though he was not looking outside. Instead, he was gazing deep into his own guilty-looking reflection; whatever happened now, it would change the rest of both his life and his relationship with Alek forevermore…

Chapter 19: Recrudescence

As the sun began to set on that day, people were beginning to depart from the main gate, believing that the threat of danger was decreasing. Mac and Dawn, however, stood firm to the spot. The only other person who remained at their side by the time the sun had completely gone down was Rylie.

“This is Cora, we’re activating the lights.” As she had done at this time every single evening, Cora announced over the open frequency the activation of the lights within the safe zone.

Due to the southern solar farm being out of action, only the northern side of the safe zone would light up each night now, powered by the solar farm on its’ own side.

“God, I hate this fucking tunnel.” Mac comically remarked to Dawn and Rylie.

“Yeah, me too.” Rylie agreed.

“I kind of like the dark, actually.” Dawn rebutted.

Both Mac and Rylie gasped at her in unison, “What??” Although this was partly because they were themselves quite afraid of the dark and foreboding tunnel behind the gate, they were also surprised that the mother who had lost her son was so fearless.

“If you can walk into it and live,” Dawn explained, “Then you know there’s nothing to be afraid of. But if there is, then you’re dead before you can even realise that.” Although it sounded like she was speaking from experience, neither Mac nor Rylie felt brave enough to ask her why she thought this, afraid that it may trigger memories of her son.

Back in the armoury, Marianne was still stroking her newly acquired revolver. All the murmurs and inserting of magazines around her had been completely fazed out by the adrenaline pounding in her ears.

“Don’t come up these stairs for anything, okay? You’ll be safe down here, Tia, I promise.” Adela had escorted her sister down into the armoury, which was going to be locked up once everybody who was willing to fight had armed themselves.

At the mention of Tia’s name, Marianne had zoned back into reality; the next few moments for her happened in slow motion. As she menacingly turned around, holding the revolver firmly at her side, she fixated her eyes on young Tia who was cowering down beneath an empty rifle rack, completely terrified.

“But sis, why aren’t you staying with me?” Tia frightfully asked Adela.

Her sister sighed, “I have to fight for the future, Tia. I have to fight for—For any other little boys and girls that would be born.” She cryptically referred to her pregnancy without flat-out stating this fact to Tia.

Still feeling the extent of every little thing that happened between one heartbeat and the next, Marianne began striding over towards Tia.

“As soon as we win,” Adela told her with confidence, “I’ll come back for you. I promise. I will never leave you behind, okay?”

Slightly sobbing, Tia nodded and trusted in her sister.

“Look after her, will you?” Adela softly asked two other residents who were staying in hiding as well; they both nodded without a shadow of a doubt in their minds.

After Adela had ascended out of the armoury, Marianne loomed over Tia, “You…” She addressed her with stern eyes.

 “Marianne?” The terrified Tia asked, “Is—Is everything alright?”

Marianne’s grip on her revolver began to loosen as her second thoughts regained control of her conscience. But then, she remembered Emile’s threat.

“I will go back in there and tell Alek that you knew I cheated on him all along. Do I make myself clear?” His ominous words replayed through her head several times.

“Marianne? What’s wrong?” Tia prompted her once more, watching as she continued to stare down at her.

As Marianne slowly lifted her revolver, still pointing it downwards, she pressed open the six-chamber cylinder and loaded in a single bullet before gently snapping the cylinder back into place in the firearm.

Tia’s lips began to quiver, afraid of what exactly Marianne was playing at it.

Now that all the fighters had departed from the armoury, the doors thumped shut behind them, leaving all the residents who were unwilling to fight safely tucked away inside in the darkness.

As Marianne’s pupils dilated in adjustment to the sudden lack of light, she fixated back on Tia, “I only loaded one bullet into this revolver…”

TWELVE HOURS LATER…

The sun was quickly rising over the city again.

Whilst Rylie had succumbed to the desire of sleep and was currently resting underneath a nearby tree, Mac and Dawn had been awake the whole night keeping watch. As such, they were both extremely tired by now.

“Mac I—I can’t do this anymore.” Dawn professed lethargically.

“Go wake Rylie up,” Mac requested as he yawned deeply, “I’ll take the morning shift with them.”

Dawn shook her head and refuted, “You—You need to sleep as well.”

“No…Not yet.” Mac’s eyes were bloodshot, but he would very soon be wide awake again.

Having woken up and smelt the ashes bright and early, Rob and Michelle were trekking towards the gate.

“Michelle! Rob! Wait up!” Nate called out as he caught up with his two friends.

“Nate? What the hell are you doing up here?” Michelle questioned him.

“Yeah, shouldn’t you be down in the armoury with Vivi and Yelena?” Rob further questioned of him.

“They’re