Chapter Twenty Four:
Jacob and I crept into a back area pretty sure we hadn't alerted anyone. Towards the far back of what seem to be a shipping and receiving part of the factory, we're two men who was adorned in far off disgusting clothing. The two men had been engaged in a conversation.
"Like I was saying I had a minor thing to tend hope I wasn't missed." Suddenly they turnt their heads to face us as if they been waiting.
"My partner and I been wondering what kept you two." Said the first male, the ringleader.
"What?" I gasp.
"You heard him. How stupid do you peg us for?" Spoke up the second man with a gruff voice.
"Now, now Spanner, their only kids after all can't expect them to be smart like us adults." Said the first man with a soft but serious tone. He tapped his fancy cane that he was holding and strolled closer to get a better look at us."We've been in this for a long time it allows one to be on alert even amoung friends. You can't afford to not be paranoid when you're in charge of this here factory." He said stopping just out of reach of us. His friend kept his distance, toying around with his gun.
"We noticed our guard dogs haven't return when we called them for dinner. They sure do love that taste of WICKED operatives, caught and sliced why just two nights ago. Our boys are picky eater's so we marinate them for a day. I assume your friends gotten to them first, a pitty. We'll be replacing them real soon..." He spoke while ending it with a sinster smile, follow by cracking his neck.
"You two must be Cranks, just not crazed. It's the only way you got the others to guard the junkyard without being eaten." Jacob said pointing towards the men. The leader was around my height and the pyscho with the gun was way taller and more built then Jacob.
"Incorrect. Out here everything is about power. You're a nobody if you ain't got none. And those creatures respect power, they are the sheep and we are the shepard's. We are strong so we command over them with an iron fist. In return we provide structure, purpose, housing and nurishment." He spoke with authority as if to scold us like students.
"Enough of the chatter, Wrench I say we teach them a lesson they can take to the grave." The pyscho said getting pumped up to attack.
"Easy partner I just have one question." He said putting up his hand to pause his friend. "I'll let you kiddos walk right now if you answer me a simple question."
"Sure anything to avoid a fight. We only came to find supplies to get make a compass, had no idea you'd be here." I lied.
"Wise kid. But not wise enough, I know a lie when I hear one, but I'll let it slip depending on how you answer. "Who sent you!?"
"Our friend told us it be the best area to find supplies. I swear."
"Come on Wrench I don't buy it there sent by Jorge to distract us."
"You might be right, but would he really send children? It not his style."
"Wrench I read the letter in your office, but I assure we're not with that person. What does it look like kids coming usurper your throne."
"Wrench, come-on you're not going to let them live after going through the note you wrote, they know too much."
"Why don't you shut the hell up and let your partner think for himself!" Snapped Jacob.
"I know… But killing kids don't feel right. Leave now, gather your pals out in the yard and pray that we never meet again, I won't hesitate to kill you if we do, am I clear?" Demands Wrench.
Jacob and I turn away to leave when outta nowhere came a loud, BANG. Seeing that both of us turn back neither one of us was hurt, but there on the ground was Wrench.
"You've gone soft, not really leadership material. If not me Jorge would of gotten you. And you two, stay right there. I got something you'd like to see. "Initiate bring the thing!"
Out from the other half of the area was row of people bound and gag who was force to walk to what seen like a stage and place to kneel. It was the others, they've been captured but how. This Spanner character been plotting something behind his dead partner back.
"It's is done." Said a monotone voice. Then they step out from the shadows. It was Tesla. I knew he was up to something.
"Damnit! I was right to be cautious around you, ever since the Grove!" Screams Jacob.
"I expected nothing less from you." I said with confidence that he was up to no good. "Don't worry guys we'll get you out."
"You know nothing about me, who wouldn't choose survival. Once Spanner caught on to us, he wanted to kill the group, but I assure him that keeping the others alive was of benefit seeing how we murdered their guard dogs. After that it was no problem to proving my worth. With them following behind me as I held up Spanner gun I lead them to be bound and gaged just for you three. But it looks like Socrates did the smart thing to ran. He'll be caught soon." He boasted.
"Enough Volt, you still have one last thing to completing your fealty to me. You have to take a human life.
"But sir. You didn't say anything about that before." He said mumbling in confusion.
"Yes but that's was when Wrench was in charge, but now I am. Prove to me your fealty and your in. But I don't expect you to take both of them on, I'll handle the big mouth you get the know-it-all."
"I suppose we don't need all of them, when ever you command sir."
This was happening the others we're trying to break free, and forced in a close quarters fight in such a enclosed space was hard. And Spanner had a loaded gun. I have to fight Tes, and I really don't peg him for a fighter but it doesn't mean I'll take him likely.
"Relatively we're both unarmed, using a gun in fight what kind of coward are you big guy. Scared of a fair fight?" Laugh's Jacob getting in a defensive stance. "You blabber about power and commanding over it. Prove it! Stop hiding behind that smoking pistol." Jacob said smirking as he was antagonizing the man.
"Alright brat, hell if you manage to kill me first, Volt here is permitted to free your friends seeing he hasn't dispatch that know-it-all. But we all playing for keeps. Let's go Volt." Spanner tossed his gun to the floor.
"As you wish sir. You must have the worse luck going up against me Ross, hope you ready to die?"
Shit Tesla was fast as hell. He charged at me like a bull as Jacob and Spanner are evading another trying to exchange blows. It would be a bloody battle, but I must focus on Tesla. I leap back but he's faster getting behind me, knocking a hard hit into my ear, sending me off balance. Quickly I regain my footing. I soon counter with a kick to his shins but he isn't fazed as he swing again for my other ear. He nearly connects but with my fast footing I land a quick kick into his gut which sends him back to recalibrate his attack pattern.
"I'm done playing with you." I shouted charging full force readying to zap him to death with his own inventions. Tesla didn't expect me to react as fast, but I did. left arm I swing a heavy fist. Which in hindsight he dodges perfectly, as he swoops under my arm. Although doing that allow me a close rang hit with my right hand. I gloves would extend the electricity to shock him to death as the glove reaches his face. I grit my teeth as I think I got the hit.
Tesla stood standing forcefully grabbing my wrist so I can't make the impact. I struggle to break free. Quickly I leavarge myself to use my left hand to swing and connect. Yet this time he uses his free arm with razor like precision and landa hits on my shoulder, paralyzing it. I can't move it or better yet feel my entire left arm. What did he do?
"C'mon you'd really think you could use my own inventions against me? I created them, I know their blind spot stupid." He said with arraggont pride before charging a heavy shot Into my upper chest. I've never been hit there before, but I know he connected with a pressure point. With that one hit he knocked all of the air and movement out my body, before shoving me to the floor. As I fell I saw Jacob having an hard time with Spanner.
My head hit the ground as my ears started to ring. Move Ross, he's coming. I tried willing myself. It was pointless my arm was still paralyzed. I started to get up with my good hand but as I did, Tesla kick me straight in the chin sending me to the floor. I bit my tongue really hard when my head connected with the ground once again. Tesla struck fast like a snake doing the same thing to my other shoulder followed by both my thighs rendering me completely paralyzed to the ground.
"Damn it, I should of figured you weren't a push over. Damm it, I can't die here."
"You can and you will, but you're going to wait patiently, seems Jacob's giving Spanner a run for his money." He said right into my face. Before stuffing my mouth with a gag.
Tesla then dashed forward to Jacob getting up behind him reeling in a punch into his spine setting him off balance and off guard. Spanner massive fist connect with Jacob's face, in the matter of nanoseconds. Yet he stood there trying to counter the next attack. When Tesla was in striking position to paralyze his shoulder. But that's when Spanner stop him. "Don't! Go and finish what you started," he growls.
"What for he's of no danger, I did what I do best and that's preventing his body from moving." He smirked.
"But he isn't dead and I said dead! Finish it."
"Fine…."
During the short conversation Jacob caught his breath and headed back Into the fight, but his ability to evade was altered. Once again Tesla went for me, with the more excitement. Tesla quickly straddle on top of me bring his weight on me, as he lift up my face by the chin up to his. I cursed everything under the sun beneath the gag. "What lovely face you have, soft like a baby's. Innocent and unbroken sucks I gotta ruin it," He said just before punching me just above the bridge of my nose. He wasn't out to make my nose bleed. "Boss man said I gotta dispatch of you, but that's no fun. This is your moment. It's special, it's a once in a lifetime experience. We should enjoy ourselves."
"Mhmmhhh." I grumble about.
"If you gonna speak like that I might as not bother to ease your passing on." He says so calm. Like this wasn't a matter of life and death. Jacob was getting battered as I can see once Tesla turns his head before facing me once again with a wide grin."He's dead boss, think I'm gonna go toy with our pets.
"Sure, it won't be long till I'm done." Spanner said landing another blow to Jacob's head. Why'd he lie I wasn't dead. He's delusional. Tesla walks over to the other to do whatever he please but something was different.
Then everything went into a standstill as he went behind where they stood. Next things was just this. BANG BANG. Rang out the sound of Spanners pistol. Just like that Spanner fell to the ground like bricks but Tesla wasn't around and Jacob was bleeding by the wall.
"Well you sure took your time damnit!" Tesla sounding pissed off as he walks back with a bolt cutters.
"The moment didn't arrive until you attacked and threw off Jacob's balance, from there the big guy dropped his guard giving me the chance to make it down and snag the gun." A voice said. It was Soc.
"What's going on? Jacob said confused and dazed from the battle.
"Soc saw the predicament we was in from the upper window, the timing was spot on giving me the chance to walk away to find him upstairs and give him the situation we faced. He was going expose Spanner to Wrench by showing him the others all tied up. But it came down to acting once he killed Wrench. Now be a dear and cut our friends lose." Tesla said like a normal person.
Tesla walked over to me and pulled the gag out, as my face had stark blankness with simmering anger. "Will he be okay?" Asked Jacob.
"I'd worry about myself if I was you. I knew what I was doing." Tesla reply as he does four precise strikes again at the same areas as he hit. Instantly I was able to move my body with minimal pain. He then carefully removes the gloves and helps me up. "I didn't hurt you too much did I? You left me no choice but to make you temporarily paralyzed. If I didn't you would had ringed my neck In anger not knowing help was on its way. So no hard feeling right?"
I store blankly at him for a moment then thrust my head forward heading butting him as hard as I could and walk away. "No hard feeling right?" I threw back at him as I went to help Soc.
"Alright I had that coming."
Jacob sat on the ground, trying stop his bleeding nose. Finally the others we're freed and unharmed as he gather around him. "This is bad. I don't know what they did with our stuff." Curie said.
"Don't worry I'll retrieve it, I know where he put it, and where's your supplies Ross?" Tesla ask.
"By the huge window on the second floor, hurry."
"I'll be back ASAP, Soc toss me the gun in case the people upstairs are up."
Tesla left once he was given the gun. We did our best to tend to Jacob who wasn't looking so good. He had a black eye but upon looking nothing was broken. Everyone was just shocked. Jane was good mending injury's so we went to explore the back area for something of had what see wanted and put together a compass with Soc's help. Leon and Nyx wander aimlessly. I brought over Wrenches cane giving it to Jacob to use when it's time to leave.
Tes was taking his time as a half an hour passed. And still no return. There was no gun shots nothing adding up to him being in a fight with the people upstairs.
"You don't think?" Leon said.
"I don't know what to think only he's taking forever." Replied Nyx.
"He wouldn't had ran off with our supplies?" Curie added.
"I hope not? I said. Then out of nowhere ten different men swarmed the back area and in front leading was Tesla.
"Sorry to keep you waiting but there something I have to announce." He said speaking the same way he was with Spanner. "Relax guys, you have nothing to fear. But you should know that I've taken over the remnants of this gang. We're not going to harm you, but offer you a choice."
"What are you doing Tesla, I thought you was only acting back then. What's this about? Asks Soc with mild confusion.
"I knew it he was up to no good from the start. So did Jacob." I responded.
"Ross you really are a know-it-all, but alas he's correct. At first I thought I was doing what was best for the group. But the siren's call of power, I need to keep this feeling. The control over who lives and who dies. But I'll bring no harm to you. I'm just keeping everything you've gathered and brought."
"You mean to strand us? Don't you? Questions Nyx.
"I trusted you, so did Curie. You were our mentor. What's happened to you."
"Correct I was your mentor, but there was one thing I couldn't teach you. You've been naive and no matter how much you think you know me, I can say with full honesty that person I was is dead. This is life post apocalypse, get with the times friendship isn't going to save the day."
"You're a bastard!" Cries out Curie who goes to charge him with a screwdriver.
"Not so fast missy," he warms raising his hands which his gang each aim a gun at her us."
"You'd shot a child. I thought Jacob was evil and scum of the earth, but he's a Saint compared to you!" Leon says his blood boiling.
"Spare me your anecdotes. I can be merciful and end each of your suffering, rid the Flare right outta ya. Or you obey the fact I'm running this show and let me make my offer."
"Stop. We don't have time to disagree he has our stuff."
"Correct. Now first off know that you're not getting your weapons back, can't have you being reckless. Now here are your options I hope you weigh them before deciding." He said walking closer his gang following just behind. He holds up the his hands and direct five men to raise up our food and water.
The other five are holding each a medical item. "Life or death this is my domain now. On your left is your lifeblood, food and water. On the right first aid as well Jacob's not going to last without it. So as collective I want you all to decide. I'm giving you this chance over life and death this once, because it pertains to the group. You'll have sixty seconds to decide."
"With the food and water we can continue onward hoping to find more medicine out there. Or we let him keep the food and water and we can tend to Jacob." Nyx said to all of us as we huddle up."
"Take the food and water, forgot about me, atlest the rest of you can make it to end. And you'll need what we have left because you're friends are In danger Ross."
"There are but I'm sure they will hold their own. You're the one In danger." I said sullen and drained.
"Can we really let him die?" Leon and Curie ask."
"It isn't fair but he's right it be pointless if we don't make it to the end." Soc adds
"This is why I'm here, this my chance at redemption. I put most of you through hell and back inside the Drone. It has be this way."
"Times up what will it be? My boys want to keep everything but I'm a giving man." He scoffs.
"Keep the food, give us the first aid!" Nyx said what we all was thinking. "We stick together no matter what."
"Spoken like a true leader!" I said patting his shoulder.
"You'd condem yourselves for just one person. Strange but it is what it is. You five go pack the Jeep with food and start her up. The rest follow me."
Tesla walked over to us as his boys went to exit while the remainder keep their aim on us. He grabbed the stuff from their hands and shoved it into Soc hand.
"It's all here. Now go!" Soc said furious.
"It's been a education folks, I'd would offer my luck but luck ain't going to get you out the hole you've dug." He said walking away to other exit. "Oh one last thing. Come with us Soc, I would hate to have my student suffer in vain. You were against the medicine anyway."
"No! I'm not you're student any longer, you've lost the tittle teacher by becoming this new person. But if you would take Curie in my steed, what's about happened she doesn't need to wither away."
"What about the Flare?" She asked
"Cue you're to smart to let it eat away you're intelligence. I believe In you." Soc said
"Nope not happing the offer was for you only. Sorry not sorry. Welp enjoy your friendship to the bitter end which won't be too long."
"What'll you do now?" Soc asked
"There are plenty of lost souls look for purpose and butt load of factions around that we can bend to our will, don't worry you'll never see me again."
Like that he and the men were gone. Jane went to work cleaning Jacob injury's and applying small drops of iodine on gash across his face, before applying gauze. "Why? You should of let me die, we have zero chance of surviving."
"Not true, there has to be stuff out in the world and a water supply. My friends took off without any so if they can make it we can too. We got roughly 12 days too reach our destination." I mention.
"Power drained Tesla foresight, he left us with a factory and ton scrap outside. With the forge which I assure is still active can be made to make weapons. I'm sure Curie can find items to make a fast way to get around. Food is the only thing to worry because I found a running sink upstairs and tin cans to hold water." Soc said as he did have more time to explore the area.
"Alright what we waiting for? Jane you can stay with Jacob, everyone search the yard and building for anything." I said finally speaking.
Just like that Curie went upstairs with Leon, Soc, Nyx and myself went outside towards the all the scrap at our disposal. In the background was the sound of a vehicle taking off towards the south. Good riddance to Tesla.
Making sure to not cut myself I pulled out what seem to be semi pumped car tires four to be exact. I rolled them towards the area where we'd put our collective findings and headed back. I found a child's wagon with faded red paint but still capable to hold two people if they sat although mildly cramp, but if they stood three could fit. It had it working wheels and the latch you can pull with.
'How's things on your end?' I call out to Nyx in my head.
'Chains and other stuff, a rowboat and but could use work.' He said rather positive despite what occurred.
'Alright.'
Oddly I bumped into Soc who was bringing in metal and iron to test with the furnace. I help him with his load but he reamins quiet. Can't say I blame him, after what Tesla did. That was his mentor. From what I gather by snippets of conversation is, after the incident with Jacob he needed a outlet to feel of use. Despite his mild blindness he intends to keep pull his weight through this. I admire his resolve. If anyone can come up with sound plan to rescue Thomas and the others, it would be him.
Three hours after toiling in the sun baked scrap, we gather everything together and devise our next move. These next step leading to our completion of the Scorch Trials have to be solid and well thoughout. It was no more worrying about the savages and harsh element's nor the time frame set. This is the desert and without water or food our chances of survival has gone down to ten percent. No longer can we let our guard down or be concerned with morality. Nyx sees that now, we have to do what's best for us if we wanna see a tomorrow. It not likely WICKED going to do a delivery supply for us. We're just a means to end. I wanna do more then just survive, I want to live!
"I've taken liberty of restoring the power to the factory and fixed the irrigation system. Meaning we have running water, but it's not for consumption. It has to be purified and that takes twenty hours, even with the water tablet's I found in a locked case." Curie goes explaining.
"Bad news first." Soc cough to clear his thoart preparing to speak. "There isn't any food left neither is the inventory of guns and ammunition. They took them when they left. Good news is I have enough material to make weapons off the forge, there was a guide on metal working upstairs. I've also made traps to snare the rodents inside and out. If they work, it's rat for dinner."
"Rat seriously?" Leon said confused. "Their diseased ain't they?"
"It's a risk, but if we cook them over a fine heat source they do pack protein and that's something fruits and bread we took with us been lacking.. Beside in the first months of Grove, that's all we had live off of." Jacob said weakly sitting on a chair.
"Listen we can't complain, this is serious. At this point whatever keeps us going is just doable!" Nyx said rather upset he needed to reiterate something so minut.
"We'll I did find some items able to be made into a vehicle. A wagon and tires. Nyx found chains and rowboat and paddles. If I dig more I'm sure what I have in mind could work."
"There are seven of us, what do you hope to make with random junk?" Leon asked.
"I might not be skilled in crafting but I do have enough training to remember something that work centuries ago. Horse draw carriage. Minus the horse.
"I understand. With that we use the environment to our advantage. With it we can cover more distance in a day which means the trip can go faster. But you understand we're going to need two days to put it all together including the water purification and weapons creation." Curie said getting very intrigued.
"If this does work, its worth it. We can make up two days of travel In one. So we stay put and make the necessary preparations. Any objections?" Ask Nyx as he completely understand his undertaking of being leader.
There isn't any. With that set in stone, it gave time for Jacob to get back up on his feet and sleeping underneath a roof for two nights ain't half bad. With the power restored we can open and close the main factory gate keeping us protected. Insides these metal walls have become a test ground for our two geniuses. To them nothing else could be considered a holy ground. Their sanctuary of science, Curie and Soc our patron deity's.
"I'd get comfortable inside, no need for the blanket apparel. We deserve this break. Alas I'll start gathering water and that long process of using the tablets. There is a working bathroom and shower upstairs but just the one. Once I've finish its up for grabs." Curie said walking up the steps prepared to get straight into action. This was going to a be a interesting two days, that's for sure.