Chapter 32-Last Day on Earth
The doors to the cafeteria swung open and lively music spilled out. Fancy tables and chairs were set up, each with a bouquet of wild flowers as a centerpiece. Usagi's face lit up when she saw Seiya rearranging the flowers.
She was about to walk over when a cold hand grabbed her at the wrist. She turned around and stared into Rubeus' not-so-amused face. "You are going to the table there. Come. Don't give me any trouble."
Usagi nodded and tried not to look scared. She scanned the room quickly for her friends. She could see Mako pushing in a trolley loaded with food, Minako and Michiru helping to pass out the plates. Ami was talking to Elsa, Haruka and Rei in another corner. No sign of Setsuna or Hotaru.
Chibiusa tugged at Usagi's hand. "Everything will be okay." The small child looked at Usagi and shared a look.
Usagi squeezed that tiny hand and prayed that she was right. "Stay behind me, okay?"
Rei grabbed a few bites of food from the trolley and smiled at Mako. "Too bad I will be missing dinner."
"Already saved you a plate. One for you and one for Elsa." Mako winked.
Rei rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall. "I could've done this myself." Admittedly, Elsa's lie sounded better. Instead of sneaking out in the middle of the dinner, Elsa "volunteered" herself and Rei as patrols. So, they would be walking around the compound and making sure everything was secure and safe from the zombies.
Conveniently, a mob of zombies had arrived outside the gate two days ago. People were feeling anxious about the monsters so close to their home. So, Elsa's excuse was perfect. One had to wonder if the new zombies were lured over by Elsa on purpose…
"Hey, you ready?" Elsa appeared with a piece of ham in her hand. She took a big bite and then chewed noisily as she stared at Rei.
Rei nodded. She caught Minako's gaze from across the room and she smiled at her girlfriend. Minako frowned and stopped working. Rei quickly waved goodbye and then turned to leave. She did not want to make a big deal out of this. She knew Minako was worried, since last time the sniper job turned out to be disastrous. Rei knew the risks. As soon as she fired the first shot, she would give away her position and drawn fire upon herself. Yet, this was her duty. She would just have to be better than last time…
Dinner went on without a hitch. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. The soldiers ate and drank and sang merrily. News had travelled quickly and everyone knew this was to celebrate the development of the new vaccine.
Usagi watched the crowd with a sinking heart. Most of these soldiers would get sick from the stew soon, and the coup would start. What worried her the most was that Demande and Rubeus didn't touch the stew at all.
Saphir gave her a look earlier. She couldn't tell what it meant but she trusted that Saphir was still on their side.
Usagi kept staring at Minako, afraid to miss her mark. Demande's hand reached over and startled her. "Why do you look so nervous? Are you planning something? Wiseman said you are a tricky woman to handle."
Usagi's breath caught in her throat. She blushed and then shook her head. Forcing an awkward laugh, Usagi blamed it on the zombies outside. Demande stared at her for a few seconds and then returned to his eating.
Minako was playing with her hair now, twirling it as she talked to the soldier beside her. That was the signal.
Usagi wiped her mouth and kicked Chibiusa under the table. The kid got the hint. She clutched her tummy and whined. "Usagi, take me to the bathroom. I need to… you know..."
Immediately, Usagi felt Demande's hand over hers again and this time it was not a gentle squeeze. She turned and forced a smile. "She is just going to the bathroom. Can I please go with her?"
A crooked smile appeared on his face and then he stood up. He used his fork to clink on his glass. "Everyone, can I have your attention?" He waited as the room settled down. "Now, please give a warm welcome to the kids from the school. They have prepared a special performance for us."
The doors swung open and twenty odd kids walked in, led by a teacher. They stood in front of Demande's table and turned to face the rest of the crowd. Usagi's face paled.
Hotaru turned around briefly and flashed a happy smile at Usagi and Chibiusa. That poor child had no idea she was in direct line of fire. If Demande remained seated, Rei wouldn't be able to take a clear shot when needed.
The kids started to sing and Usagi could feel her heart breaking. She could see Michiru and Haruka exchanging worried looks, she could see Minako burying her face in her hands...Ami's fists were clenched...Mako and Seiya looked like they were about to burst in anger...
Demande leaned over and whispered to Usagi. "I thought you wouldn't want to miss this very special performance. If Chibiusa needs to go, I can get one of the female soldiers to escort her."
Usagi shook her head violently. No way she was going to separate from her sister.
Suddenly, a loud commotion was heard from the far corner of the room. A soldier got up, clutching his stomach, knocked over his plates as he rushed out. Another soldier started to throw up...
Usagi's heart started to race. She was supposed to be not here when people start to get sick. Demande stood up and looked around the room. A smirk appeared on his face.
"So, I see." He pulled out his gun and aimed it at Usagi. "Tell me, Usagi. Why are you betraying me?" Rubeus also pulled out his gun and aimed it at Chibiusa.
The twenty odd kids start to cry as the soldiers roughly shoved them closer to the head table. The teacher protested and was promptly knocked down.
Usagi looked towards her friends in despair. The room was tense and everyone had their guns drawn. Some soldiers weren't too sick, and managed to raise their guns with shaky hands...
Saphir finally stood up and turned his gun at Demande. "Colonel, please step down. You have lost your way."
Demande snorted and pressed the gun harder against Usagi's temple. He turned and hissed at Saphir. "After all the sacrifices I've made, this is how you all repay me? A few pretty women wondered in and immediately your loyalty shifts? Tsk tsk..."
All of a sudden, a red dot appeared on Saphir's forehead. Before anyone could react, a shot was fired and Saphir fell backwards. Usagi gasped in surprise. They had snipers too.
More shots were heard from the distant. No doubt Elsa and Rei were fighting back...
Minako gripped her gun tightly until her knuckles turned white. She held up her hand and told her group to wait. "Demande, let's talk. You don't have to keep killing."
Usagi yelped as Demande roughly tugged her closer. He let out a roaring laugh. "I have to admit, when Wiseman first told me about your coup, I thought it was stupid. Now, I think it's super retarded. How are you guys going to get out of this?"
"To be honest, I was hoping all of you guys would get sick. We wouldn't have to kill..." Minako slowly lowered her gun. Her friends gathered closer to her, while Ami shot her a weird look. "So, who is this Wiseman? Is he your boss? Maybe I should talk to the highest ranking officer."
Demande frowned and shot an angry glance at Minako. "I am the highest ranking officer here. Wiseman is just..." He paused and chewed on his lips.
"What? Who is he? Maybe the rest of your group would like to meet him too. Seeing how wise he seemed..." Minako could see the opposite team getting nervous. Some exchanged confused looks...
"Shut up. Wiseman only talks to me." Demande pressed the barrel harder against Usagi's skull.
"Oh, like a lover?" Minako felt a nudge from Seiya. She knew she was taking a risk here, but Demande seemed to be getting confused himself.
"Do you want me to shoot her? Do you? Do you?" Desperation reeked out of Demande and his hand started to shake.
"We all know you wouldn't shoot Usagi. She is the love of your life and your ticket to world domination, isn't it? I call you bluff. Let her go and we can all put down our guns. We will talk it out."
Rubeus leaned in and whispered something to Demande. The colonel smiled in return. "You are right. I wouldn't. But, the little one over here, she is disposable, no?"
Chibiusa put on her brave face and held her head high. "You stupid cowards."
"What?" Rubeus flared in anger and yanked Chibiusa's hair hard. "You little brat." Tears welled up in her eyes but she kept her lips tightly together. Chibiusa stared at Rubueus in defiance.
Suddenly, Colonel's walkie talkie crackled. "We are ready, sir." A soldier reported.
Demande yanked on Usagi and then they were walking. "Why don't we move this stalemate outside? I have something to show you."
Awkwardly, the entire group filed out after each other. Minako's heart was pounding. That awful feeling had returned.
Demande led the group to the zombie pit. From afar, Minako could see two figures suspended over the monsters. Her face paled.
"Rei! Elsa!" Panic rose inside of her and her hands started to shake. Not again.
Demande stared at the group with his cold eyes and then sneered. Without a word, he raised his hand and then made a gesture. A soldier near the pit fired a shot and Elsa's rope snapped.
Elsa fell into the pit with a piercing scream. Rei turned away and closed her eyes. The group watched in horror as Elsa was devoured within seconds.
Demande turned and then smiled triumphantly. "Surrender now! I promise I will let you all die peacefully. Or..." He raised his hand again but paused in midair.
Minako shook her head in disbelief. What have they gotten themselves into?
A.N.
"Last Day on Earth" was the episode title of The Walking Dead season 6 finale. Negan murdered some of Rick's people, marking it as the last day on earth for those people. Similarly, it was the last day on Earth for Saphir, Elsa...and perhaps Rei? Stay tuned for the next chapter :P
I promise I won't let you guys wait a ridiculous amount of time before you find out (unlike the walking dead producers...cough cough)
