*Updated 01-05-2018*

Chapter 21 - Home?

Tiptoeing up the steps, Rosa pressed herself against the wall. She could hear voices within the temple.

"Citra is dealing with her now." one muttered as another replied but Rosa couldn't hear him.
"I don't know what she is doing. Now shut the fuck up, I want to hear the bitch die."
The other man mumbled something again.
"Do you really think that Citra is going to let that girl become a warrior? You dumb fuck."

Rosa had grabbed some powder from Citra's pouch and was ready to escape. Weak, but ready. She threw a rock which startled the men.
"What the fuck was that?" one said and they both walked towards the noise. Perfect.

Rosa crept in and slit one of the men's throat before turning to the other and stabbing him in the neck, silencing any call for help before they could react. She tossed the body aside and took a deep breath. Rosa smirked, her hands coated with sticky blood. If only Vaas was there with her, they would have slaughtered half of the tribe by now. Shaking her head, she tried to concentrate; she knew she had to get out.

Rosa continued through the temple and made her way through the darkness, trying to navigate herself out. She wouldn't be able to fight them all, especially in her condition so she decided that the shadows of the temple would be the safest route. A couple of Rakyat stood on guard but she blew the powder at them and they were out like a light. That stuff was fucking strong; knowing Citra she'd have doubled the dosage for Rosa. Rosa had managed to make her way through the temple and out of the doors without being spotted. She pushed the door open and she walked out, Mali by her side.

Free.

A noise went zooming past Rosa's head as she only heard the impact, having no time to react. She turned suddenly and spotted Dennis. Without hesitation, she threw her knife as hard as she could, her aim making so it stabbed Dennis in the chest. He collapsed to the floor, clutching at the knife, his last bit of life draining. Blood gargled from the wound as Rosa watched Dennis go limp. Good fucking riddance.

In Rosa's victory, she hadn't been able to notice that Mali had fallen to the floor, an arrow sticking out from her side. Rosa fell to her knees in shock, staring at her injured leopard as she didn't know if she would be able to comprehend another loss.
"No, Mali. Not you too." she whispered, putting her head against the leopard's.
She was bleeding out rapidly and Rosa knew that she only had minutes left with her beloved pet.

"Mali. You can't leave me. Not after everything. Please."
Rosa cried onto Mali's fur as she looked into her eyes. Mali tried to lift her paw, feebly attempting to place it near Rosa's. She managed a weak smile.

Rosa watched as Mali's breathing slowed as she looked into her leopard's eyes one more time.
"Thank you for everything, Mali. You saved me."
The leopard took it's last breath; Mali had died. A few tears escaped Rosa's eyes as she sighed.

Why must her life get so fucked over in the space of a few days?

"HOLY FUCK, SHE'S ESCAPED!"

Rosa had stayed sat with Mali as she didn't want to leave her. But knew she had to so leave so got to her feet, starting to run through the jungle, her bare feet pounding against the floor. The branches hit her in the face as she aimlessly ran, not knowing which direction to go.
The compound is North, she thought, her heart pounding in her chest.

Rosa didn't stop running until she was certain that the Rakyat's voices could no longer be heard. The moon was starting to rise in the sky and Rosa finally sat down on a rock, near a cliff edge. She could just jump. End it all. Life without Vaas and Hoyt was not a life not worth living.

"Raul told us to look this way." a hushed voice said, causing Rosa to jump.
It sounded like a pirate.
"She's probably fucking dead you know."
"I know, but just keep looking."

As quick as she could as to not lose them, Rosa slid down the slope opposite the cliff, her unexpected presence causing the pirates to scream.
"SHIT! SHE'S ALIVE!" one of them called.
"IT'S A ZOMBIE!" the other yelled.
"No, it's not you idiot fucks." replied Rosa.
The pirates just blinked, like they had when Rosa had arrived at the compound that very first day.
Fucking dumb asses.

"COME ON, ROSA, QUICK!"
The pirates started running, beckoning Rosa to follow until they got to an outpost. A small group of men sat around a fire, looking like they had seen a ghost when they saw Rosa. She must have looked a sight.

"We found her, you guys. We found her! Not any of you fuckers. We did. We need to get a jeep back to the compound now!"
The pirates jumped up and starting grabbing equipment and cigarettes. A jeep pulled around the corner, halting in front of the outpost.
"Get in, Rosa!"

Everything was moving so fast again and it made Rosa's head hurt. She climbed on top of the jeep, suddenly realizing her thirst.
"Water." she gasped as a young pirate passed her a canister.
"We thought you were dead, Miss Volker."
Rosa's heart stopped at being called that name. She didn't say anything. It was too painful.

The cool night breeze ran through her hair as she felt at peace for a moment. She gazed into the stars and remembered when Vaas had told her about the constellations in the sky before they had made love for the first time. That was the first time they had told one another that they loved each other. Rosa didn't notice the jeep stop and the journey seemed so short and she climbed out, followed by a gaggle of pirates. The compound seemed different, emptier without the presence of her pirate king.

Once Rosa had entered the compound, Raul ran over to her, looking shocked but happy to see her.

"Rosa, you're back." he mumbled, "We thought you were dead."
"I wish I was." whispered Rosa.
Raul opened his mouth to say something but Rosa stopped him.
"I'm gonna go to my room, I'm tired and I just want to lie down."
"But, Rosa, there is something you need to kno-"
"Raul, please."
Raul nodded and left Rosa to walk to the warehouse. The big rose stared at her and she blinked back to the tears. Vaas wasn't waiting for her now. Her prince was gone.

Rosa went into the room and closed the door. She entered slowly, a long drug needle crunching under foot when she walked. Staggering over the to bed, she collapsed, the smell of Vaas flooding her nose; cigars, weed and cologne. She began to chuckle which then turned into tears and then fiery rage.
"I love you, you stupid man, and you're not even fucking here. I never got a chance to tell you properly how much I love you and how much you mean to me."

Rosa punched the pillow and curled up in a ball on the bed, waiting for the darkness of sleep to encompass her. She was gladly welcoming it. Being asleep was better than being awake and having to deal with the emotions of Vaas and Hoyt's deaths. The silent hum of the lights in the room gave her something to focus on but it was cut short with a cough. Rosa jumped up, looking around but couldn't see anything. A voice broke the silence.

"Princesa?"

Woah, tension alert! I hope you guys are still enjoying the story and thank you for my first review! Come on, I want more:). I wonder what will happen now? Next chapter up tomorrow. Happy reading!