Chapter 8 - Walls Closing In

"You think killing four of my men was a victory?" Axel snarled. The harshness of his tone made Kelly's stomach churn, though her head was covered by the scratchy fabric of the bag. She couldn't see him, but she could feel his presence, a simmering storm of fury. "If you weren't just a kid, I'd have put you in the ground already."

Kelly said nothing. She focused on her breathing, steadying it.

"D-dad?" Justin's muffled voice broke through, shaky and hesitant. "What's going on? Where are you taking us?"

"Justin, it's for your safety. The Citadel is... it's where you'll be safe. Just do as they say."

"Safe?" Justin's voice rose. "You're working with them! These people are-"

"Quiet," Axel snapped, his voice cutting off Justin's protest. "Jason, get them moving."

A rough hand gripped Kelly's shoulder, shoving her forward. She stumbled, her wrists straining against the ropes that bound her hands. Justin let out a yelp as he was pushed too. The heavy footsteps of their captors fell in sync with the rustling leaves beneath them as the group began their march through the dense woods.

"Kelly.." Justin said heistantly. "What do we do? What's going to happen?"

"Stop talking," Kelly hissed.

"But-"

Kelly stopped abruptly, causing Jason to shove her forward again. She stumbled but caught her balance, turning her head slightly toward Justin. "Do you know how to keep quiet?" Krlly hissed, her voice icy. "Because if you don't, you're going to get us killed. Is that what you want?"

Justin swallowed, his footsteps faltering for a moment before falling back into rhythm. He didn't speak again.

-_-_-

"Keep moving," Jason barked behind Kelly, shoving her forward when her pace falters. She stumbled, biting back a sharp retort that would only make things worse.

"Stop." Axel suddenly ordered. The group halts abruptly, Kelly braced herself as Jason's heavy hand clamped on her shoulder. "Bags off."

Jason muttered something under his breath but complied, yanking the rough fabric from Kelly's head. The sudden flood of dim light is disorienting, and Kelly squinted, her eyes struggling to adjust. Blinking rapidly, her surroundings slowly come into focus. Ahead of her looms a massive, gray structure.. towering concrete walls topped with layers of barbed wire. Armed guards patrol the perimeter, their rifles glinting dully in the overcast light.

"Welcome to the Citadel," Axel said, gesturing toward the walls. "This is where you'll find out what you're really made of." Kelly glared at him, her jaw tightening. "Don't get too comfortable," Axel continued. "Briggs doesn't take kindly to people like you. You'll be prisoners until you've proven yourselves useful."

"Useful?" Justin's voice wavers. "What does that mean?"

"It means you'll train and work," Axel snapped. "It's simple."

The imposing front gates of the Citadel groaned as they creaked open, revealing the fortress within. Kelly narrowed her eyes, the sprawling compound was bustling with activity—armed guards patrolled the area, their faces set in hard lines, while workers moved crates and supplies under watchful eyes. She stumbled forward, her bound wrists aching.

As they crossed the threshold, a man stepped into view. Kelly felt his gaze linger on her, but it was Joseph who seemed to catch his attention. "Joseph," the man called. "So you've finally returned."

Joseph flinched, his discomfort as visible as the sweat on his brow. He straightened, though his voice wavered when he replied. "Briggs... I got permission to, sir."

Briggs stepped closer, his calculating gaze shifting briefly to Justin. "And this boy? He's your son?" Joseph hesitated, glancing at Justin, who was visibly trembling. Briggs raised an eyebrow, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "Joseph, I asked you a question."

"Yes," Joseph finally whispered. "He's my son."

Briggs hummed, his eyes narrowing as he studied Joseph. "Interesting. Does this mean you're finally willing to work in the workshop, or are you here to waste more of my time?"

Joseph looked away, his shoulders slumping. "I'll do what you want,"

"Good." Briggs' smile was cold, calculated. "Then get to it. You know the way."

Joseph hesitated, his eyes darting to Justin. "But-"

"No." Briggs cut him off with a raised hand. "Your son stays here."

Justin's head snapped up, his wide eyes darting between his father and Briggs. "Dad?" he said, his voice cracking. Joseph nodded stiffly and began walking toward a maze of buildings. "Wait!" Justin cried, struggling against Jason's firm grip. "Dad!"

"Stop yelling," Jason growled, yanking Justin's arm. "You're not helping yourself."

The gates of the Citadel groaned shut, the sound like a death knell to Kelly's ears. "Welcome to the Citadel," Briggs said, his tone almost mockingly warm. "I hope you'll find our accommodations.. suitable."

"What do you want with us?" Kelly asked sharply.

Briggs crouched slightly, meeting Kelly's defiant stare head-on. "What I want," he began, his words deliberate, "is for you to learn your place."

Justin flinched beside her, his breathing shallow and rapid. "Please… we didn't do anything," Justin stammered, his voice cracking as he glanced between Kelly and Briggs. "We're just-"

"Quiet." Briggs's single word cut through the air like a whip, silencing Justin instantly. The boy shrank back. "And you," he said, his voice almost gentle. "You're Justin, aren't you?"

Justin hesitated, his eyes flickering toward the direction his father had disappeared. "Y.. yes," he mumbled.

Briggs nodded slowly, as though confirming a suspicion. He turned to Axel and Jason, who had been standing silently nearby. "Take them to Brandon, get them check out."

-_-_-

Kelly's heart thudded heavily as Jason's broad frame blocked most of the light spilling into the small medical shed. Jason didn't bother looking at them as he growled out an order to the doctor. "Brandon, check them out. Make it quick."

Without waiting for a response, Jason stepped outside, slamming the door shut behind him. The man Jason had called Brandon rose from his desk, the chair scraping softly against the floor. He was middle-aged, with short, salt-and-pepper hair and round glasses perched precariously on his nose. His white coat was pristine, the kind of clean Kelly hadn't seen in months.

"Alright," Brandon said gently. "Let's get this over with. You can both sit over there." He motioned toward two narrow beds on opposite sides of the room.

Kelly hesitated, her eyes darting toward Justin, who stood frozen in place. His hands were trembling slightly, he was chewing on his lower lip as though trying to keep himself together. With a sigh, she nudged him toward one of the beds. "Go on," Kelly muttered under her breath. "Let's get it done."

Justin climbed onto the bed slowly, Brandon approached him first, his steps slow, as if not wanting to startle the boy. "Relax," the doctor said softly, crouching slightly to meet Justin's wide-eyed gaze. "This is just a routine check. I'm not here to hurt you."

Justin nodded slightly, his hands clenching the edge of the bed. Brandon began his examination, he checked Justin's eyes, ears, and throat. Kelly watched warily from the other bed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"You're doing fine," Brandon said quietly as Justin flinched at the cold touch of a stethoscope against his chest. "Deep breaths for me." Justin complied, his breaths shaky. After a few moments, Brandon stepped back and offered a smile. "You're healthy. A bit on edge, but that's to be expected."

Justin's lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but he quickly shut them again, casting a nervous glance toward Kelly. She avoided his gaze, staring instead at Brandon as he turned his attention to her.

"Your turn," Brandon said, gesturing for her to sit on the edge of the bed. Kelly's body tense, before reluctantly sliding over. "I'll make this quick," Brandon assured her. "Let me know if anything I do makes you uncomfortable."

Kelly said nothing, her lips pressed into a thin line. She sat stiffly as he worked, his hands steady and impersonal as he checked her vitals. When he reached for her arm to feel her pulse, she flinched slightly but didn't pull away.

Brandon wrote something on a clipboard. "Alright. You're in good shape, all things considered." Brandon stepped back, giving her space, and set the clipboard down on his desk. "That's it," he said, his voice steady but kind. "You're both fine. No injuries, no illnesses. You're cleared to go."

Kelly turned toward the door, where the sound of Jason's heavy boots outside reminded her of the world waiting beyond the shed. Justin followed her, his shoulders slumped and his eyes darting nervously toward the door. As Brandon opened it for them, the cold air from outside rushed in, biting at Kelly's skin.

Kelly stepped out of the medical shed, her boots crunching against the gravel path.

"Move it. Now," Jason barked, his tone brooking no argument. He stood a few feet away, his expression stern as his hand gestured for them to follow.

Kelly glanced briefly at Justin, he was already trailing after Jason like a scolded puppy. Sighing, she fell in step, her mind racing as she tried to map out the Citadel's layout from what little she'd seen. The guards stationed nearby didn't miss a beat, their gazes fixed on her and Justin.

Jason didn't slow his stride, weaving them through the sprawling grounds. The Citadel was massive, a hive of activity with armed guards patrolling and workers hustling about their tasks. The buildings rose like monoliths, their concrete walls stark against the gray sky.

"Eyes forward," Jason snapped, his voice a whip crack in the tense silence. Kelly glared at his back but complied, her steps falling into rhythm with Justin's.

They reached the Citadel's main building, a hulking structure that seemed to loom over everything else. Its shadow stretched long, swallowing the smaller buildings in its path. Kelly swallowed hard as Jason pushed the heavy double doors open, revealing a stark, sterile interior. Inside, the walls bare and the floors polished to a mirror shine. Their footsteps echoed ominously as Jason led them down a seemingly endless hallway. Kelly's eyes darted around, taking in the identical doors lining the corridor.

"Where are we going?" Justin's voice was barely above a whisper, trembling as he dared to break the silence.

Jason didn't look back. "You'll find out soon enough. Now shut up and keep moving."

Eventually, they stopped before a heavy wooden door. Jason rapped on it sharply, his knuckles striking the surface with a deliberate rhythm.

"Enter."

Jason pushed the door open and stepped aside, motioning for Kelly and Justin to go in.

Justin shuffled forward, Kelly had no choice but to follow. The room was large but sparse, dominated by a massive desk that sat like a throne in the center. Behind it, Briggs rose to his full height, his eyes locking onto them the moment they entered.

Briggs waved a hand dismissively, not even sparing Jason a glance. "Jason, you've done your part. I'll take it from here." With a curt nod, Jason turned and exited the room and the door clicked shut.

Briggs leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled before him as his piercing gaze swept over the two of them. "Well," he said, his voice smooth and measured, "let's see what we're dealing with, shall we?"

Kelly's fists clenched at her sides, holding his gaze. Justin shifted uncomfortably, his head dipping.

Briggs' eyes lingered on Kelly for a moment longer before his lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. "Sit down."

Kelly and Justin hesitated before sitting in the two chairs in front of his desk. The room was oppressively quiet, the faint hum of the overhead light amplifying the tension.

"The Citadel is not a place for chaos," Briggs began, his tone carrying a weight that commanded attention. "It is a community built on structure, discipline, and order. Those who contribute thrive. Those who don't.." He let the statement hang. "Our system is divided into three distinct parts," Briggs continued, his eyes flicking briefly to Justin, who avoided his gaze by staring at the polished surface of the desk. "The first is the adult prisoner compound. This is where we house those who are new to the Citadel, individuals who have yet to prove their value or loyalty. It's a place of observation, where we determine their potential and assess their willingness to integrate."

"What about.." Justin gently interrupted. "What about us?"

Briggs shifted his gaze to Justin. "The children's compound serves a similar purpose," he said smoothly, his tone almost kind. "It is a safe place, where younger members are given a chance to learn and adapt. We provide food, shelter, and protection. Everything they need to survive."

"You mean a cage," Kelly cut in.

Briggs's eyes snapped to hers. "A cage," Briggs repeated, his tone now dangerously calm, "is a place without purpose or hope. What we offer is structure. Discipline. A chance to rise above the chaos of the outside world.. The third part of our system is the working compound. This is where those who prove their worth are given jobs and integrated into the community. Everyone contributes. Everyone earns their place. In return, they are provided with homes, security, and the knowledge that they are part of something greater than themselves."

"Jobs?" Justin asked hesitantly. "What kind of jobs?"

Briggs leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "The kind that keep this place running," he replied. "Maintenance, farming, medical work, defense. Everyone has a role. Even you, eventually. But first, you must prove your loyalty. Your willingness to follow our rules."

"And what happens if we don't?"

Briggs smiled faintly. "That would be… unfortunate," he said. "For everyone involved." Briggs stood, walking slowly around the desk. He stopped in front of Kelly and Justin, looking down at them. "Loyalty and discipline," he said, his tone shifting subtly to one of condescension. "These are the cornerstones of the Citadel. Embrace them, and you will find a place here. Reject them, I'll reject you." Briggs studied Kelly for a moment longer, then turned his attention to Justin. "Do you understand what I'm telling you, boy?"

"Can I leave?" Kelly quickly interrupted.

"No one leaves," Briggs said, shaking his head. "Not unless they are trusted members of the community. And I decide who earns that trust.. You're not the first to ask, and you won't be the last. But the rules are the rules. This place is a sanctuary—our sanctuary. The world out there is chaos. This," Briggs gestured to the walls around them, "is order. You don't get to leave unless you prove you're worthy of it."

"I don't need your 'sanctuary'," Kelly said coldly. "I just need to get out."

Briggs's smile widened slightly, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "Oh, you'll get out.. eventually. But not on your terms. You'll do what's required to earn that freedom. But don't mistake the Citadel for a prison."