The Purge
Chapter 29: Halley

“Many things led to this day, for all of us… Together, they’ve written a tragedy.”

Red Queen; Victoria Aveyard

I woke up to the countless knocks on my door. Although my head buzzed from the liquor and the happenings last night, my body shot up. My heart beat tremendously in my chest. What if the Dark Hour is finally happening? What if the big digi-clocks stopped functioning? What if I open the door and find a Predator at the doorway? Ridiculous. Predators won’t knock. Sanguinarians would pry open my door and kill me before I could even wake up. Besides, the alarm didn’t wake me. There are no blinking warning signs on my display. I don’t feel that nausea feeling in my gut. So I relaxed and I went to open the door.

A frowning Bri shunned me. “What took you so long?”

I gaped at her, not knowing what to say to an irritated commander.

“Never mind. Have you seen Conleth?”

I gaped at her again. Where’s Con? What the hell. Why is she asking me that? Like I would know. Obviously, he is not here. I’m not his keeper. If there’s anyone in camp that has the right to that title, that would be her. Hands down.

The change of expression on her face told me that something was up and it’s not pretty good. But probably the clueless-useless expression on my face had proven her I was innocent. I’m just kind of guessing that it might have sent her head into Insanity Ville right now.

“Bri, what’s going on? Did something bad happen?” Athren appeared in his boxers beside her. I forced myself to just look away. The liquor had sent another wave of hysterics inside my head. I’m never gonna drink alcohol again.

“At least not yet.” Bri sighed and shook her head. “We have to find Con.” She told him as she started to walk in the hallway.

“What has he done this time?” Athren followed her. I grabbed my jacket and I rushed to follow them. Sigourney was rushing towards Athren in the hallway wearing her pink silk robe.

“I hope nothing serious.” Bri answered. Her tone told me she’s worried enough to punch Conleth later if he shows up. Whatever he has done might have sparked a revolution inside her. A war between her head and her heart. Oh. Another war. An emotion civil war.

Athren held Bri’s gaze. They looked at each other like they were communicating. Something they’ve shared together without words and yet they understand each other. Maybe it’s a best friend thing.

“What is it, Bri?” Athren finally said and Bri looked away. Maybe I was wrong. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Bri hid her face in her hands for a while. She was frustrated. “Athren, can’t we discuss this later? I’m not bugging you what I think I saw earlier with you.” Her eyes looked across Sig who looked down at her pink bunny head slippers. I have no idea how she got those things in when we barely got our own things in Battle Camp.

Athren raised both of his hands in surrender. Bri started out of the headquarters only to face an immense amount of crowd in the hall. Soldiers started to make traffic to get out of the main entrance. My heart started to panic. Oh my gosh. This is it. We are doomed. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die.

But there was no fear on people’s faces. They were only hurrying outside to see a spectacle. Athren inserted his way in the crowd while Sig hooked her arm around mine. I squeezed her hand in return.

“What’s happening?” Bri asked one of the Sentinel Pilots.

“Some guy fell off the building.” He answered in a pause before he joined the crowd outside.

Bri hugged herself at the information. My skin prickled at the sound of it. Poor dude. He was probably that miserable to end his life.

Athren started to make his way back to us. Bri straightened herself and she rushed towards him.

“Who died?” she asked him.

Upon seeing her, Athren pressed his mouth shut. Something tells me I don’t wanna hear this news.

Bri’s jaw tensed. “Athren, who is it?”

Athren’s shoulders sulked like he’d given up. But he shook his head. In a heartbeat, Bri moved to the crowd but Athren held her back.

“Bri,” he grasped her arm tightly. “You don’t want to see it.”

Bri pulled herself off of him and she ran towards the crowd. On instinct, we followed her in. The sea of people coursed like brutal waves knocking us down. I have to fight my way out of it. I stumbled out just as Bri did. She had her hands on her mouth. I followed her gaze to find Capt. Fygun Hawke’s corpse lying in a wretched piece on the ground.

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