Hey! So . . . it's been a while. Um . . . I don't really have an excuse. So, here we go!

Kim's POV

As Jack led me down into the darkness, I felt myself fall back into the darkest part of my mind. I could swear I felt my memories and thoughts from the past swarm around me like an angry hive, pushing, pulling, and stinging, flinging me back and forcing me to watch the horrid things I went through in a different type of darkness . .

Flashback

I sat in the closet, trying my hardest not to make a sound. I could hear the laughter of my Father and his guests as they swept through our abode. I knew that Father would show them the pictures of me: me and my first sword, my first training session, my first kill, and so many more. Then, Father would call for me and I would spring from the darkness, surprising our visitors and maybe even scaring them a bit. It was a routine I knew well as it had been drilled into me soon after I had received the honor of residing here in Father's house. If I failed to complete it, well, let's just say that Father had a unique way of showing his disappointment.

Kim's POV

I yanked my hand back away from Jack and fell to my knees, wiping nonexistent tears from my face. I had never admitted it to anyone but, my nights in that closet had planted a seed of fear deep in my subconscious. Fables and bedtime stories had left me with an unexplainable fear of the shadows. Of course, I was unable to share this with anyone, not even my Father. Fear was for the weak and that was something I was not.

Jack turned and looked at me, confusion and frustration evident on his face and in his eyes.

"Come on, Kim. We have to get to the bunker. It's not safe here"

I looked at the boy, this child who had no idea what he was up against. He really had no idea that, when this little notion of being free ended, he was going to die. No one had ever made it out of the clutches of my Father. Father was a ruthless, cunning, and cruel man. That was the reason Father had gained control over the Earth. A friendly, merciful leader would not last long in holding court over the land. That was why Father became what he is today.

"Jack. You know you're fighting a losing battle right? That He will never stop coming for you? If not, then you're looking at your life, hiding in underground bunkers, looking for children who will only be ripped away from you by the cruelty of this new world. You will never have a permanent home," I said, " you will constantly be running from the chaos that has engulfed this place. And just when you think you're safe, when you think you'll be okay, He'll find you again." By this point, I was screaming. Could Jack really not see how bleak his future was? How hopeless this futile attempt at rebellion was?

"Do you not realize that He will take every damned person you've ever cared about? You're going to lose everything! You'll try so fucking hard to protect your little 'family' and they will all end up murdered! If that man is anything, then it's a cold bastard who knows what He's doing."

I dropped my head as the sobs started to escape from me, my anger and frustration flowing out of me like tidal waves. I was so tired. I couldn't handle another second of this madness. I just wanted to go home. And there was only one way I could do that.

Jack, to his credit, had not been put off by my rant. He simply sat down and placed his arm around me, muttering senseless things into my ears and promising things would be okay. He rocked me back and forth, clueless as to what was running through my head at the moment.

I lunged at Jack, determined to rid myself of this anger that seemed to choke me in its roaring flame. But, he seemed to be ready for this. He grabbed my arm and allowed my momentum to carry us down the slant leading into the safety of the bunker. I kicked my legs out and tried to stop myself from rolling down into the dark with Jack. We finally stopped and, unfortunately, Jack had me pinned down. I bucked my hips, trying to throw Jack off me. All that accomplished was a condescending smirk from the brunette above me.

Fucking bastard.

"Are you done now?"

I growled in response. The little shit had me. I ducked my head into my chest, refusing to look him in the eye. I heard a sigh and felt Jack shift his weight on top of me. He was now sitting on top off me, keeping my legs immobile but freeing my arms. I used my elbows to prop myself up and kept my eyes downcast. I was fuming that a refugee, an untrained one at that, had outsmarted me.

Jack moved off of me and offered his hand. I ignored it and pulled myself to my feet. I heard Jack snort at my childish mannerisms. I simply walked away, sauntering towards the steel door that led into what I assumed to be a safe house. I continued to walk until a tremor made the sturdy ground under my feet shake violently. Behind me, I heard Jack swear.

"Fuck!"

Just to be clear, Father is Him. So, I hoped you enjoyed and I thank all of you for reviewing and adding this story to your favorites! Bye ya'll!