Six: Not A Dog

Aurelia

“W-what?” I sputter, flabbergasted. “I’m not coming with you.”

Even though I do want to get the heck out of here, I’d rather not be attached to this grumpy butthole who absolutely hates my guts.

“I didn’t ask.” He deadpans.

“The news said you need a reason—”

“You’re a Hayes. That’s enough reason.” Whiskey colored eyes stare blankly at me. “Whether you like it or not, Aurelia Hayes, you’re coming with me. I’d advise that you get ready.”

And he walks out.

Get ready?

I scoff. I don’t have any belongings except the few clothes we get every month from the government alongside food and other supplies.

Flopping down on the mattress, I try not to cry as the news plays over and over in my head. My family moved. They left without a care, they don’t even want to know if I survived.

They just believe I’m dead.

My lips tremble.

And Ashley, she’s getting married to Seb. Over the months, I’ve grieved my now-destroyed relationship with Sebastian. His ring is still on my finger, and every day I look at it, I mourn.

Hurt squeezes my chest even tighter, and I curl into a ball and try to think happy thoughts. It’s been nine months… it’s fine.

There’s a soft knock on my door, and I fake a wide smile as Cherry enters. The only person in this bunker who doesn’t hate me.

“Hey, girlie.” She smiles and settles beside me.

“Have I told you how much I despise your boyfriend’s brother?”

“Yes, but you can always tell me again.”

At first, I was skeptical about Cherry. She lost someone too because of my father; her niceness was jarring. Eventually, she became my only companion here, while the two brothers did not fail to show me they disliked my family and me.

“He says I’m coming with him to Haven City,” I sigh.

She frowns. “I know. I tried talking to him—”

“He’s a stubborn man, he’s not going to listen. I get why he wants me in Haven City, it’ll lead him closer to my family.”

“But, Zeke aside, don’t you miss your family?” She asks. “They think you’re dead, they must be grieving.”

My lips pinch together, and I shrug. “Well, I guess I’ll see them in Haven City.”

I haven't told any of them what really happened at the bunker. They don't know my family left me outside to die. I've kept that pain to myself, along with the anger that's been growing inside me.

If my father could abandon his own daughter, then I do not doubt what he's capable of doing to the people who worked for him.

So, I stand with Zeke—even though he has no idea—they need justice.

“Has he said when you’re going?”

I shake my head.

“Ugh, I’ll miss you.” She crooks a smile. “You know I don’t think you’re responsible for my sister’s death, right?”

Something pulls at my heart, and the room blurs.

Cherry shuffles closer. “Zeke…he’s hurting. He lost his sister to the research. Then he lost his father in the apocalypse. He's been carrying too much for too long, Lia.”

I don’t say anything.

“Right now, he’s lost in rage, in his need for revenge and justice. I don’t think he has properly grieved. He hasn’t cried once. Brandon and I are worried about him.”

Lord knows, I get it. I understand.

Despite my hatred for him, I notice the dark bags under his eyes. I notice the overgrown stubble, his dark, ink-black hair that always looks like he’s run his hand through it multiple times.

I also see the pain in his eyes. It doesn’t make me hate him less; it only makes me pity him and understand where he’s coming from.

“Lia,” she continues. “I just want you to know that I don’t blame you for those deaths. You don’t strike me as someone who would want people to die, so I don’t blame you.”

My throat thickens with emotion. “That means a lot, Cherry. Thank you.”

She pulls me in for a hug, and I sink into it.

For the first time since I got here, the guilt, the pressure, the weight…it all feels a little lighter.

If one person could look at me and only see me—not my father, not the Hayes name—then all hope isn’t lost.

Cherry’s hug and her words spur something in me.

I’ve always thought that my father and all those behind him need to pay for what they’ve taken from people.

But now, I’m ready and willing to be a part of whatever is needed to take him down.

I don’t need Zeke to do it. I can do it on my own.

After all, I have my own personal vendetta against him.

So, Haven City, I’ll be coming.

***

[Two Days After]

With a heavy heart, I step out of the little room I called home for the last nine months. Even though Zeke hated me, he made sure I was comfortable.

Of course, he did. He needs me whole and healthy for his use.

Cherry, Brandon, and Zeke stand in the kitchen that looks more like a cubicle, murmuring to themselves.

“Hey,” I greet.

Zeke’s head snaps in my direction first before the others follow. He drags his gaze down my body, eyeing the small backpack on my shoulder.

“Is that all you’ve got?” He asks bluntly.

My lips curl in irritation. “I didn’t know we’re going on vacation, Zeke. If I’d known, I’d have made sure to pack three suitcases.”

“We’re not coming back here, hope you know that?” He turns away.

I ball my hands into fists. “Really? I’ll go pack up my remaining bags of clothes. Oh, wait! I have no other clothes because I was rescued six months ago and have only been living off the supplies. How silly of me.” I palm my forehead for dramatic effect.

Cherry snorts and bends over into fits of laughter.

Brandon, her boyfriend, gives her an unimpressed look. “I guess you can get her more stuff when you get to Haven City.”

“I hope he doesn’t try.” I click my tongue.

When I get there, I’ll sort out my stuff myself. On top of everything, I’d hate to owe him. It’d be very…tactless of me.

“I’m going to miss you.” Cherry laughs and pulls me into a brief hug. “Be safe.”

“Thank you, Cherry. You too.”

Brandon ignores me the way I ignore him, and Zeke’s jaw tightens as he gives me another once-over. “Let’s go.” His head jerks toward the door.

“I’m not a dog,” I frown.

“Didn’t say you were.”

“You just jerked your head at me.”

His lips press into a thin line. “Let’s get fucking moving, Aurelia!” His hand shoots out to the door. “Is that fucking better?”

No, it’s not.

I glare at him, and he glares back, both of us unwilling to back down.

Brandon sighs loudly. “I hope you two don’t fucking kill each other.”

Thank you, Brandon. I hope I don’t throttle him in his sleep.

The sound of the bunker hood opening snags our attention as a woman climbs down the stairs with a basket propped between her hip and arm.

“Ezekiel!” She holds out the basket of supplies. “Hey guys—” Her eyes cut to me and stop. She points with a sneer. “You…Hayes? You’ve been hiding her?”

Zeke tenses.

“Err…hi?” I try.

“You killed my husband. You and your family!” She lurches toward me, but Zeke blocks her path, her hands smacking him across the face.

A gasp leaves my lips, the color draining from my face in horror.

“Come on, Mrs Felix,” Zeke mutters, leading her up the stairs with a firm hand.

My ears ring, my pulse racing because it has just dawned on me how much I’m hated by people I don’t even know.

I have inherited the sins of my father, and those who’ve been hurt have it out for me.

Zeke returns a few seconds later, a red handprint blooming across his cheek.

His gaze settles on me.

For once, he doesn't look angry. I can't tell what he's thinking, and somehow, that bothers me more.

“We leave at night,” he says.

“Why?”

“Because the fewer people who see you leave with me, the better.”

My stomach tightens.

Apparently, being a Hayes is about to make my life even more complicated.