Four: A Bit Of Temper

Aurelia

The floor rushes up, and it's Cherry's arms that catch me, not the floor.

She steadies me. “What is going on here? Zeke? I heard yelling.”

“He wants to lock me up in here!” I cry out. “He’s crazy. Take me away from here, please.” 

Cherry glances between us and sighs. “Zeke, there’s no need to lock her in. She won’t leave this room.”

“I will.”

“Honey–” Her gaze turns pitiful. “Just…just stay in here for a bit, okay? I promise, he actually won’t lock you up.”

My stomach sinks. I know what this is. They’re ganging up on me. Zeke, Cherry, and the other people that are in this tiny…home? Place?

She leads me gently back to the mattress and walks over to Zeke.

I sit with my heart in my throat, watching as they whisper heatedly to each other.

“Her father fucking killed my sister and your sister too, Cherry!” He suddenly yells. “Fuck this shit! They have to pay, and I won’t have peace until every single one of them is fucking rotting in jail!”

Everywhere quietens.

His jaw clenches, and he sets that fallen chair back in its right position, slowly, almost carefully, like it's a habit. Like even in a rage, he can't stand to leave something broken on the floor.

Then, he storms out, the door slamming shut behind him. Cherry gives me a smile that looks too forced to be on her face. “Sorry about him. He’s got a bit of a temper.”

“You don’t say,” I mutter dryly, then huff. “I didn’t kill anyone, I swear. My father did, with his research, but I was never a part of it.”

“Did you know his research was killing people?”

My tongue suddenly feels heavy in my mouth; still, I answer. “I only just found out recently.”

Her lips pinch, eyes dimming. “Just…stay in here.” She pats my hand. “I’ll bring you food.”

“I’m sorry, Cherry…about your sister.”

Another forced smile is her response, and she heads out.

With all the files I saw that day, I can only imagine the number of people that have it out for my dad…and me, by extension.

God, why did I wake up?

Being unconscious was starting to sound like the better option.

My thoughts wander, and my chest aches. My parents didn’t want me; they’d prefer it if I died out there. After all, they locked me out of the bunker, choosing my fiancé instead.

And now, here I am, three months later with strangers who hate me as much as they hate my father. Strangers who have lost someone because of my father.

The only person who didn’t hate me because of my father was Walter. He died trying to save me. Tears well up in my eyes, and I hug myself and just let go.

I sob.

For the pain and hurt I feel. 

I sob.

For the guilt. For Walter… Walter Bell.

And I make a silent vow: I will find his son. I will help Walter complete his mission of turning my dad in.

Unfortunately, that flash drive is lost in the throes of destruction. But that’s alright, I’ll find another way.

The door clicks open again, and I whimper, assuming it’s Zeke coming to yell at me again.

“It’s me,” Cherry says gently. “I brought food. You need to eat.”

I sit up, patting my wet cheeks. She catches the moment and sighs. “Ignore Zeke, he won’t hurt you.”

“He rescued me because he wants justice. That’s how much he hates me.”

The tray of food is pushed into my hands. “He doesn’t hate you. He’s just…hurt. We all are.”

“But I didn’t hurt anyone. I’d never.”

“But you knew.”

“Only right before the destruction hit.” That’s a lie. But how can I tell them I knew a month prior? It’ll only pose the question…why didn’t I do anything? “I’m so sorry, Cherry.”

Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Eat up.” And she walks out.

Only then do I look down at the tray, and my body suddenly recalls it hasn’t eaten anything in months. How they managed to keep me alive with limited medical equipment makes me respect them more.

I appreciate being alive. Being given another chance.

There’s a whole platter on the tray. From rice to chicken to pancakes. It’s like a five-course meal on here.

Do they have access to food supply? This is a lot.

Still, I shovel food into my mouth with shaky hands. The more I eat, the hungrier I become. My taste buds explode as I eat. It’s an array of well-cooked and well-seasoned food.

I’m more than halfway done with the food when Zeke walks in. “You didn’t even question the authenticity of the food. What if it was poisoned?”

He’s right. What if?

But something tells me he wouldn’t have rescued me if he wanted me dead. I’ll be no use to him if I’m dead.

Ignoring him, I reach for the water bottle. My weak hands struggle to turn the cap. It doesn’t budge. I try again and again, and give up, going back to my food.

Zeke clicks his tongue and grabs the bottle, twisting and popping the cap before handing over the opened bottle to me. “Here.”

I eye him carefully and take it from him wordlessly.

“You can’t even say thank you?”

I roll my eyes. “I didn’t ask for your help. I’d have opened it myself.”

“Sure. After being a vegetable for the last three months. I made sure you were wiped down and comfortable.”

“Again, you could’ve let me out there to die, Zeke.”

“Why?” He scoffs. “When you’re the daughter of the man who has ruined many lives? You’re useful to me alive, not dead.”

Ha.

I knew it.

He turns the chair facing him and sits astride it. He watches me eat and drink until his stare begins to burn the side of my face.

“What?” I snap.

“What do you know about your father’s experiments? The research?”

Oh, so now he wants to have a normal conversation? What happened to screaming as a way of getting information?

Unfortunately for him, my time for cordiality is over. I owe him nothing. If I want to take down my father, I can do it by myself. I can get justice for all the people hurt by myself.

“Why?” I stare at him.

“Answer me.”

“I know enough.”

His jaw ticks. “Do you know how many people have died?”

“I don’t know, Zeke.”

“His research was harmful, and from what I know, he was warned by some of his scientists. Is that right?”

I shrug and swallow the last bite of food. I can’t believe I finished everything.

A harsh breath leaves his nostrils. “Are you going to cooperate, Aurelia?”

“Do you want to lock me up in here? Scream at me or perhaps—” I eye his white-knuckled hands, “threaten to kill me if I don’t?”

“I don’t kill people.” He stands to his feet. “I’m not you or your father.”

My lips tighten. “I didn’t kill anyone.”

“Are you ready to answer my questions?”

Who exactly does he think he is?

He saved me to use me, to prove a point to himself. If he wants me to cooperate, he’s going to work harder than that.

“Fudge off, Zeke.”

His nostrils flare, eyes hardening in annoyance. When he parts his lips to speak, something crackles. I find the source immediately.

The radio beeps and a red light flickers on.

Zeke picks it up, turning up the volume.

“It’s been a while, but here are some updates post-apocalypse!” The news anchor’s voice comes through, cracked but clear enough. “The city’s now under construction. It’ll take a while to get it back to how it was, but we’re grateful it can be restored.”

At least some good news.

“Meanwhile, rumours are that the Hayes family will be marrying off their daughter, Ashley Hayes, to Sebastian Sinclair while still mourning the death of their daughter, Aurelia Hayes…”

My heart sinks to my stomach.

Aurelia Hayes.

That's me.

I'm not dead.

I'm right here…yet my family is already replacing me.

What?

Zeke heads toward the door.  "Seems your family's moved on." He studies me, and something in his face is almost unreadable. "Funny. Mine didn't get the chance."