Notes:

Hi people! Hope everyone's doing okay, considering everything going on in the world right now. Sorry for the long wait but had a lot of uni work to do and I probably will be very inconsistent with updates because of this. Anyway, hope you enjoy and leave a review if you want more :)
WARNINGS: Brief descriptions of gore near the start and at the end. Also swearing because Eve likes to swear.

Your move Eve.

Eve blinked, snapping out of her trance.

"Sorry," she murmured, peering down at the chessboard. Sweeping her gaze over it, she slapped her piece down after thinking for a second.

Caesar raised his brow at her. Are you sure?

Quite sure, she replied the corners of her mouth curling into a smug grin.

They were in Caesar's home, playing on the chess on the board he had made. Sky was snoozing in Eve's lap, snoring softly. Eve wasn't surprised – chess wasn't the most exciting game to watch for a lot of people, not to mention a kid.

It hadn't been that long ago since Caesar introduced Eve to chess and already she thought she'd mastered it. She had seen Caesar and Maurice playing one night, immediately figuring out what it was when she saw the crudely traced squares and stone carved pieces on the table between them. Noticing her looking, Caesar asked if she played. Shaking her head, she was reminded of the chess club they used to have at her school. At the time it'd seemed to her that only the super-smart genius kids played it, which could have been the case she guessed. She'd tried the club once but as soon as she walked through the door she immediately backed away, intimidated by how complex the game looked.

Do you want to play? Caesar offered. I could teach you.

When she made a face at that he laughed. Don't worry, I will help you. Will taught me how to do it.

She still wasn't convinced but she relented anyway, not wanting to be rude. Besides, it was the first time she heard Caesar mention his adoptive father and she wanted to know more about the man that was responsible for creating the virus running through all their veins.

It took some careful watching and listening but in no time at all, she learnt how to play chess like a professional, able to picture the board and plot her next moves in her head. She'd learnt faster than either her or Caesar anticipated and soon she found herself able to predict his moves with ease, actually beating him half the time. She wasn't good enough to beat Maurice yet though.

Caesar looked thoughtfully over the board. I was told that you and some of your troop went into the woods yesterday, he said, moving his piece. You were gone all day.

Crap. Blue Eyes must have blabbed. Not that she really blamed him.

You watching me? she asked casually, trying to hide her irritation. Not that she had a right to be since she technically had been up to something. But then they hadn't been the ones that to bash someone's brain in.

Caesar lifted his head at her. Luca and the Gorilla Guard watch over the gate to protect the Village Eve, he reminded her. It's for apes' safety.

Yes, to keep them safe from me, Eve signed cuttingly. She usually behaved herself around Caesar but after what happened yesterday, she was too angry to hold it in.

Human. The blood under the rock had definitely been human. Sniffing at the gore, Travis had been certain that it reeked of a human. The other apes agreed, their sense of smell much better than Eve's.

While the others fretted and gibbered amongst themselves nervously, Eve and Travis examined the rock while Yolanda and Olive made sure Sky was tucked out of sight and distracted. Inspecting the bloody clumps of brown hair and pieces of brain caked to the rock, she felt alarmingly unfazed by the gore, only registering the cold drop of her stomach as she realised Travis had been right. Something was going on. The only question was what?

"You were right," she murmured to Travis. "You were right the whole time. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

Travis' chest swelled and he almost looked happy that he'd been right about Eve being in danger. "It's okay," he said. "We know now."

"But what do we do?" she wondered. "Do we get all the troop together and tell them? Do we tell Caesar?"

"We should go," Travis said. "While we still can. Who knows what they are doing here?"

Eve frowned. "But where would we go? How would we get everyone together without raising suspicion? And how do we know they won't follow us?"

Travis grunted. She had a point.

"Besides we don't know what happened," she insisted. "How do we know everyone back at the Village is in on this, whatever this is?" she said, throwing her hands out in the direction of the rock.

Travis sighed. He thought she was making excuses again.

"You're right about one thing though," she continued stubbornly, ignoring Travis' look. "There is one common denominator here. And it's ..."

"Koba," they finished.

Koba. He was the most obvious suspect. Had been all along. The only ape that had the most motive to kill a human and then hide it. It was obvious. So why did the thought that he still wanted her dead hurt so much?

"It has to be Koba," she admitted. "But I don't think Caesar is involved. He could have killed me a long time ago. All of the apes could have. But they didn't because he didn't let them. So whatever Koba's done, he doesn't want anyone else to know, especially Caesar. Koba knows how Caesar would react if he killed a human. That must be why Cloud and Rain are too scared to say anything. They saw what Koba did and he told them to keep their mouths shut or he'd hurt me. Maybe hurt them too."

Travis clenched his jaw. "Would never!" he vowed dramatically, making Eve laugh despite the seriousness.

Eve touched his arm. "I know he wouldn't. He'd have to get through you first!" she chuckled softly, peeping at him teasingly.

Travis laughed, giving her a small smile.

His face hardened again. "We tell no one of this," he asserted. "Only troop know. Don't know who to trust."

Eve nodded reluctantly, hating the thought that their new home, somewhere they were finally supposed to be safe, could be a lie. Could they trust Caesar? Cornelia? Could they even trust Maurice?

All feeling more than a little uneasy, they headed back to the Village, not wanting their absence to be noticed. Obviously it hadn't worked.

Caesar stared at Eve, surprised by her outburst. No, he said, appearing hurt by what she said. You have proven you are a friend to apes. Maurice and Cornelia always speak very highly of you and you help apes in any jobs that need doing when you can. The younger apes love you and you are a very good teacher. I am only concerned for you and your family.

A tell-tale flush flooded her cheeks and she felt pathetically grateful for his compliments. Meeting his stare, she wanted so desperately to believe him. Seeing nothing but compassion in his eyes, she relented.

Thank you. I know, she conceded. But that's not what the others think.

Caesar caught on. Like Koba? Has he said anything to you?

No ... Catching Caesar's disbelieving look, she sighed. He has said some things. Nothing terrible. It's just hard being seen as this evil monster all the time. I know what humans have done to apes but I hoped they'd see that I was different. I'm not saying they all have to love me ... I just don't want to be the bad guy for once.

Caesar's face softened. I understand, he said sincerely. He paused. When I lived with Will and his wife Caroline, I would feel the same way sometimes. They cared for me but it didn't change how other humans would see me. Even them. No matter what I was or what I did, they could not look past what I really was – an ape.

Eve's cheek twitched at the mention of Will. Before, all she'd known of him was that he was Dr Rodman, the man that single-handedly doomed the human race. The man who created the virus that had been jabbed and pumped into her body more times than she could count. To say her feelings for him were mixed would be an understatement.

Caesar noticed her look. You have heard of Will before? You have that look every time I mention him.

Eve chewed on her cheek. She needed to be careful about this. Back when everything started, everyone knew who he was, she signed eventually. He was the one who created the virus, gave you more intelligence. A lot of people hated him because of that.

And you? he prompted.

Eve looked down, avoiding Caesar's stare. What was she supposed to say to that?

I don't know, she confessed. I understand that he wanted to do something good, to cure Alzheimer's and other disorders like that but at the same time ... he was handling something he didn't fully understand. And he experimented on apes to do it. And when it went wrong, well ... the human race was over. Everyone I knew at school ... my uncle John ... my mother. She sighed. But at the same time, he gave apes like you, Mama, Sugriva, Travis and Bad Ape the power to stand up for yourselves. But even then, if the virus hadn't killed most of humanity, you'd all still be in captivity anyway, whether it's a zoo or the labs.

Caesar regarded her sadly, sympathy writ on his face. But your family would still be alive. You would have your life back.

Eve chuckled bitterly. Yeah. Yeah, I would. But then I would lose Sky and everyone else. She swallowed, her eyes tingling with tears. She smiled sadly up at Caesar. It seems like every time I get something I have to lose something as well. I just wish things could be different.

Caesar shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what to say. Everything she was saying felt painfully familiar to him. He'd gained freedom for him and his apes but he'd had to lose Will and Caroline to keep it. He didn't regret his decision but he sometimes had pangs for his old life and human family. He wondered what had happened to Will and Caroline, whether they were able to survive the virus, though in his heart he knew they were long dead. It was the same for Eve – she'd saved her troop but at the cost of being rejected by her species and losing her brother and sister. It made him realise how much similar they were.

We are very much alike, I think, he said, pensive.

Unexpectedly, Eve laughed. I appreciate the compliment but no. You're too good to be like me.

Caesar frowned in confusion. 'Too good'?

You have no idea, she thought to herself. I'm ... she started, her mind silently filling in the blank: selfish, cold, rude, arrogant, a liar, a murderer ...

I'm only human, she finished, satisfied with the answer. It told Caesar nothing and everything about her.

Caesar watched Eve warily, troubled by the knowing look on her face. He wasn't sure what to make of it.

You are as much a part of this Village as any ape, he said finally. Human or not. I want you to know that if any ape is making trouble for you or your family that I will handle it myself. He gave her a hard, meaningful stare. If anything has happened, you can tell me.

Eve swallowed. She wanted so badly to confide in him about Koba and the blood and show that she was more than a murdering liar. But she couldn't. She'd promised Travis. Besides, that wasn't the only thing she had to hide ...

Nothing happened, she said. Everything's fine. Koba can be grouchy with anyone at the best of times.

Caesar nodded slowly, still not convinced. If you say so. But if anything happens you should tell me.

I will, she signed quickly. Switching her attention back to the board, she chinked her piece against Caesar's, knocking it down. "Checkmate," she said aloud, hastily scooping Sky into her arms and scrambling to her feet. "Thanks for the game."

Without further ado, not even waiting for Caesar to dismiss her, she turned and darted out the door, practically racing down the stairs.

And straight into Cloud.

You told Caesar! he accused, his eyes wide with fear.

"I didn't 'tell' him anything!" Eve snapped, just wanting to getaway. "What could I say? You didn't tell me anything!"

Can't! he signed, hands flapping manically. Not safe!

"I know, you've said that before," she hissed in frustration. "Look, unless you tell me what's going on, I can't help you!"

He shook his head miserably. Can't. I'm sorry. I want to tell you ...

Eve bit her tongue. She could see the pure terror and panic in Cloud's face and knew he was telling the truth.

"Okay," she said.

Okay? he questioned, confused.

"Okay," she repeated. "If you can't tell me, it's fine. I won't make you."

His body deflated in relief. Thank you. He paused, looking at her hopefully. So you won't tell anyone?

She groaned. "No, I won't. But I can't promise this is over."

His face fell in disappointment but he understood. Good. He played with his hands, glancing around nervously. I should go, he blurted. I've been talking to you for too long. He might be watching.

Eve ducked her head around discreetly. Apart from Maurice and his class in the distance, there were few apes in the courtyard, let alone Koba, and they were well hidden by the trunk of Caesar's home.

"I don't think –" she started but he was already edging away. "Wait!" she hissed and clasped his arm.

What? he said, trying to pull away from her.

She shoved her other arm in the pocket of her coat, rummaged through it. Finding it, she thrust out her hand to Cloud, uncurling her fingers. He couldn't help but give a small smile when he saw what it was.

"Captain America," she said almost shyly. "Luna nabbed it after Koba threw it away. I thought you'd want it but forgot to give it back to you with everything going on."

Cloud reached out for the figure but hesitated.

"It's okay," she encouraged. "It can be our secret."

He gave a brief little grin and quickly snatched up the toy. Thank you, Eve. Must go now.

She watched him scamper away, worrying at her lip as he went.

What the hell do I do now?

Caesar watched Eve go as she rushed out the door, feeling a sense of dread curling in his belly. She'd been acting strangely since the supplies trip with Koba and the two young apes, suddenly avoiding other apes and staying close to her troop.

Blue Eyes had told him about Eve and some of her troop going into the woods yesterday, complaining that he had not been allowed to come. Curious, Caesar had asked Luca whether he had seen them and he confirmed that Eve and a handful of the troop had gone into the woods, under the impression that they were just exploring.

Caesar had been taken aback when he heard that she had brought Sky with her, especially as she'd only been in the woods once before. But then she had become increasingly confident over the last few months, encouraging the children to go into the fields, fending off a mountain lion with her bare hands, insisting that she go with Cloud and Rain on their first trip.

Things had definitely changed since the attack. Whereas before they looked at her with disgust, some of the apes now regarded Eve with a kind of awe as well as fear. In Caesar's eyes, it had been an incredibly brave thing to do, to put her life before apes, let alone kill it all by herself and with no weapon. However, to other apes, it proved that she was more dangerous than the average human, making them even warier of her. The fact that she had bone-white hair and piercing green eyes did not help her case.

In any case, it had at least brought her more respect amongst the apes, with some even dubbing her 'lion slayer'. He'd heard even Koba call her that before although it was never said to her face. Probably so she wouldn't get the satisfaction.

Exhaling, Caesar got up, meaning to go after Eve when he heard the soft murmur of her voice below. Leaning forward so he could see, he spotted Eve and the young ape Cloud talking at the root of the tree, Cloud with his back to the trunk. Cloud was waving his arms frantically at her, repeatedly looking over his shoulder as he did. Eve was saying something to him but Caesar couldn't quite make it out from this height. Leaning in close to Cloud, Eve handed the ape something before he hurried away, leaving her standing by the tree. Caesar watched as she stood there, appearing to contemplate something before swiftly walking back to her hut.

That was enough. Something had happened on the trip, something between Koba and Eve, and what he had seen confirmed it. And he wanted to know exactly what had happened.

Grimly, he signalled for an ape in the courtyard below to summon Koba.

A few minutes later, Koba stood before Caesar, holding out his hand in submission with his head bowed. Caesar watched him squirm, the scarred ape unable to meet his eye, before swiping his palm.

You wanted to see me, Caesar? Koba signed, his face decidedly nervous.

Caesar gazed at him levelly, seeing that he had been right to suspect something. He got straight to the point. Something happened in the woods between you and Eve. What was it?

Koba's face twisted angrily and Caesar could see the betrayal and hurt there. "She say something?" he barked. "She lies."

Caesar motioned for him to calm down and sit with him. No. Eve said nothing. But the way you two and those young apes are behaving tells me enough.

Koba huffed, reluctantly sitting down. "Koba knows he failed Caesar. Was late and did not get many supplies."

Caesar shook his head. You didn't fail me, Koba. I only want to know what happened. The truth.

Koba twitched, almost like a spider. We were getting supplies, he finally yielded. The lion slayer was distracting apes, telling them stories and trying to get them to take human rubbish. Koba threw it away, telling them to get on with job. Lion slayer followed me, saying she was sorry and we got separated from young apes. He faltered and Caesar nodded encouragingly. Koba scented human. Went to look. Left lion slayer behind.

Caesar was dubious. Are you sure it wasn't –

"No. Not her," Koba spat. "Other human. Was sure of it."

Another human? Caesar signed, aghast. Why didn't you tell me?

Caesar friend with her, Koba signed bitterly. Not sure if Caesar would believe Koba.

Caesar winced at that, both of them knowing that he had very been attentive to Eve compared to other apes, trying to make her feel welcome. It was what that game of chess was meant to be.

And didn't want to say in front of her, Koba added quickly, seeing the look on Caesar's face. Didn't want her to know.

You didn't tell her? Didn't tell Cloud and Rain?

No. Didn't want to scare apes, Koba explained. And lion slayer ... Eve ... was gone for long time. Koba went to look for human but didn't find anything. Went to find Eve but she was gone. Found young apes but she was gone for many hours. Came back only when Banshee led her and the wolf to us.

Caesar sat back, absorbing this. Koba had scented a human in the woods and went to look for them, Eve having disappeared by the time he got back. Could the two things be connected?

Where did she say she went? he asked urgently.

Koba shook his head. Didn't say. Just said she got lost.

Caesar ground his teeth together. It was a plausible explanation considering Eve hadn't been in the woods since she arrived and she had been unconscious anyway. But why did he feel like there was more to the story? And how were Cloud and Rain involved?

Eve went into the woods yesterday with a number of her troop, Caesar revealed. Sky too. They went when the sun came up and came back when it was coming down.

Koba hissed. Told her not to go into woods! And she took her child too! She's just as crazy as all the other humans.

Caesar ignored his last comment. Saw her talking to Cloud today as well. He seemed scared. How were Cloud and Rain when you were last with them?

Apes were happy at first. Were happy Eve was with them. Interested in her human nonsense. But had changed when Koba found them. Were afraid. Koba bowed his head guiltily. Koba failed them. Failed family. Abandoned young apes, left lion slayer alone and didn't find other human. I am sorry.

Caesar grasped Koba's arm reassuringly, tilting his head up with his other hand. No, he assured him. Koba is loyal to apes. Should not be ashamed of what happened. Koba only wanted to protect apes.

But you must tell me in future, he added reproachfully.

Koba nodded eagerly. I will Caesar, I promise!

He broke off. What about her? he asked ominously.

Caesar looked away, thinking. He didn't want to see Eve as the enemy but if she wouldn't tell him the truth, then there was nothing else he could do. Apes' safety had to come first.

Tell the Gorilla Guard to report whenever she leaves or enters the Village, he said eventually. I will have the council keep an eye on her. No one else needs to know until we find out if she has something to hide.

Koba bowed his head in assent. Holding out his arm, Caesar swiped it and Koba turned away, darting out of the room as soon as he could.

But not quickly enough to hide the gleam in his eye.

2020

Private Taylor sighs, standing stiffly, trying not to pace. She's been on watch duty for hours now, waiting for the convoy to come. There are always military vehicles heading in and out of The Ark, going out for supplies, 'rescuing' people, but this is no ordinary convoy. No, this convoy comes every month or so, usually with doctors and scientists. Sometimes they bring people with them, people that are 'sick' so that they can 'help' them.

Except that the people that they are supposed to be helping never come back.

Eve has heard all their excuses: the patient died, the patient needs long-term treatment, the patient wants to stay ... but even that isn't the most interesting part. It's what happens to the people that don't come with them.

Sometimes they disappear. Sometimes they run away – though escape is what they actually mean. Sometimes they inexplicably get attacked by a wild animal even though they'd never had a history of wandering aimlessly into the woods, let alone cutting through the barbed wire fence to get there. Either way, if they want you they'll get you.

Only Amber believes her. They've noticed how aggressive Breck has become, how he's constantly hounding Amber into going with him and his doctors. Eve always makes sure that she is there when Breck comes so that he can't conveniently 'misunderstand' Amber and take her with them. He's tried to catch her out before, visiting their little box while Daniel – yes Daniel, not Danny – and she was training but Amber makes a point of not being home when they're out, sneaking through the holes in the fences and walking the woods with Luna until training is over.

Daniel thinks they're paranoid. He thinks that they have trust issues and that the only reason Breck is getting annoyed is that they won't let him help Amber. He's a good little soldier, asking no questions, obeying every command that is given to him. He won't even let them call him Danny anymore – it's Private Daniel Taylor because the Colonel said so. Evie's had to go too, changing into Private Eve Taylor, not because she likes it, but because it would be confusing for the Colonel to call them both Taylor.

It must be peaceful, Eve thinks, just going with the flow, trusting everything you're told. She almost understands why Daniel is like this; after all, it's easier to believe that everything is okay, never holding accountability for anything, never questioning whether what you're doing is wrong. Yeah, she gets it but it doesn't stop her hating him for it.

She plans everything carefully, down to the last detail. She knows that there is a convoy every month that shows up at the front gates of The Ark and that no one knows where it goes or the people on it. She knows there is a facility, a place where Breck wants to take Amber. And she was told that Mama, Sugriva and Travis were taken to a place for apes. So would it be so crazy that they all are the same place?

Amber and she discuss the plan in secret, signing to each other where they know they aren't being watched. They don't tell Daniel, knowing that he'll probably rat them out, intentionally or not. He knows something is up but he's not sure what it is and they keep it that way.

The plan is very simple – the night before the convoy arrives, Eve will smuggle a gun and her knives out of training. It may be hard but since she is friendly with John and the Colonel (or respected by him at least) she hopes that will make her less suspicious. Next, she will join a watch on the gate and wait until the convoy arrives. When it does, under the pretence of following the Colonel's orders, she will join the convoy and find out what and where this place is. Then, she will go back to The Ark, get Amber and Luna and get the fuck out there. Daniel will come or he will not. At this point, she doesn't care.

So here she is now, scanning the road for any sign of the convoy. One of the privates with her, Boyle, the creepy leery guy that doesn't shut up, says something about wishing there were some raiders to shoot. She glares at him – it's the last thing she needs.

Suddenly she picks up the faint rumble of engines. You can hear all kinds of sound from miles away now that there is no constant hum of people or cars. It's eerie, listening to the distant calls of animals echo unchecked or the occasional screech of tires and the chatter of guns. She can see why people in the past made up monsters and ghosts, but if you asked her, people were scary enough without adding the supernatural.

Finally, a line of trucks appears down the road and Eve mentally sighs with relief. Not raiders. The convoy stops in an abrupt screech and soldiers come spilling out the doors. A stream of people follows them, all looking around in wonder and fear. The latest catch. The soldiers direct them through the gates to be processed. She notices that not everyone has left the trucks, guarded by some of the soldiers. Her skin crawls. So they're next, she thinks. She doesn't even want to consider what that means for them.

Now's my chance. Glancing at Boyle to see if he's looking, she walks to the stairs slowly, trying not to go too fast. Seeing he isn't concentrating, she skips down the stairs, not daring to look back. The soldiers still in the trucks are packing up so she rushes towards them with purpose. One of them holds out a hand, stopping them in their tracks.

"What is it?" the soldier snaps at her.

"I've been assigned as extra security to the convoy sir. Colonel's orders," she declares, cringing at how false it must sound.

The soldier looks her up and down disdainfully. "We don't need extra security. What's your rank?"

"I'm Private Taylor sir. With all due respect sir, after the trouble last month the Colonel wanted to be sure that everything is taken care of this time." The trouble she's referring to is a supposed raider attack on the convoy last month but she's willing to bet that the soldiers know differently.

The soldier's eyes flicker. "Very well," he says. "Get on Taylor."

Eve scrambles into the truck before he can change his mind, buckling herself down next to another soldier. Opposite them, a couple of civilians stare at them hopefully, looking for reassurance. Three of them are old while the other two include a girl with a rasping cough and a man clutching a makeshift cane. Eve averts her eyes from them, unable to look at them directly. I'm sorry, I can't help you, she thinks. I don't know if I can even help my own sister.

The engine roars to a start and the truck lurches forward. Eve's throat dries up. Holy shit, it worked. We're going. She leans back, trying to look relaxed despite the writhing in her stomach, and stares straight ahead.

It takes around half an hour by her estimates but eventually they arrive. Fighting the urge to look out the windows, she waits patiently to see what the other soldiers do. As the convoy halts, the soldiers get up, herding the civilians off the trucks. She reluctantly follows suit, pushing them as gently as she can off the truck. Clambering out, she finally sees the place she's always dreaded.

The massive concrete compound stretches out in front of her, surrounded by rings of barbed wire. She can see several posts built into the fences, soldiers with guns towering over the grounds. In front of the compound, the civilians (about thirty, Eve guesses) are pushed towards a massive gate overshadowed by armed guards watching from above. The civilians are murmuring nervously now, whispering amongst themselves. Eve sees one of the older people from her truck murmur comfortingly in the girl with the cough's ear and she feels a strong wave of self-loathing.

You can't help them, she tells herself. You have to save Amber. Amber is the only thing that matters. You can not let them take her, you can not fucking let them have her. They can take Dad, Mom, Kate, Big Poppa, Mama, Sugriva, Travis and Danny but they can not take her.

The soldiers begin driving them into the front gate and Eve follows. As they pass through, she hears a low hum and realises that the fences are electrified as well.

What the hell are they keeping here that is so important?

They push on through the compound entrance, shouldering through thick metal doors, also guarded. Avoiding the glower of the guards, Eve slips past, forcing herself to walk through the doors. They walk into what would look like a reception, except that it is empty of any desk or chairs, the concrete walls bare and damp. Three metal doors, one on each side and one straight ahead beckon. A line of people in hazmat suits awaits them, some of them holding clipboards. The civilians are shoved towards them by the soldiers.

One of the hazmat people approaches the girl with the cough, asking her questions. She answers them in a raspy whisper and the hazmat man ticks something on his board. "Take her to lab 2," the hazmat man drawls in a familiar tone. "She's no use for breeding."

Breck. Shit.

Eve's heart stutters and she's desperately thinking of a way to get away without Breck seeing her when two of the soldiers rush forwards. Waiting for them to grab her, she gapes in surprise as the soldiers shove past her and seize the girl by her arms. Breck nods and without further ado, the soldiers drag her to the door in front. Eve and the civilians both stare blankly for a moment, unable to comprehend what is happening. Then the shouting starts.

"What are you doing? Where are you taking her?" The man with the cane demands, staggering towards the girl. One of the soldiers blocks him and, without any hesitation, slams the butt of his gun onto the man's head. Eve watches in disbelief as the man crumples, blood slowly trickling down his head. Unsurprisingly, the civilians begin to panic, shouting and screaming.

"What the hell were you thinking you stupid fuck?" Breck snarls over the chaos, his cold sophisticated tone now dark and nasty. "We need them alive and with their heads intact! Get them into line!"

The soldiers flank the civilians, thrusting their guns at them and ordering them to get back. The soldiers holding the girl carry on, yanking her towards the door. She struggles but she's getting weaker, gasping for air.

Eve hesitates. She knows she should be playing along but she's rooted to the spot. The girl manages a croaky cry for help and Eve flinches, seeing Amber in her place.

The soldier that butted the man notices Eve standing apart from them. "Get over here!" he yells at her. "Don't just fucking stand there!"

Eve stares at him for a moment and then nods. She walks to him sluggishly, as if in a dream, everything hazy and detached. The shrieking and crying fade into a quiet hum in her ears.

The soldier's voice suddenly booms loud and clear. "What the fuck are you doing you useless bit–"

He doesn't have time to finish. Eve's bullet catches him in the throat before he can.

There is a stunned silence. Eve watches calmly as blood streams down the soldier's neck. He tries to speak but it comes out as a horrible gurgle. His eyes plead with her, swimming with tears, but it's too late. He slides down onto the floor, his feet desperately kicking, trying to get back up. A few seconds, one, two, three, and his feet stop kicking.

Eve stares vacantly, her whole body numb. Then it hits her.

I've just killed a man.

She's never killed anyone before, only hurt them to defend herself. And now that she has, she realises how disturbingly easy it is.

Breck shakes his head mockingly. "Oh Miss Taylor. That was a mistake."

Notes:

So on the behalf of Eve, I'd like to issue a massive FUCK YOU to Koba and Breck. Poor girl never gets a break lol.
Even though I say this every time, please review if you want more, it will more or less guarantee that I'll keep going since I'll then know people actually want more.
Stay safe everyone :)