Chapter 11 - Weight Of A Bullet

Kelly jolted awake, her pulse hammering in her ears as blaring noise echoed off the canvas walls of the children's tent. The dim gray light from outside seeped through the fabric, casting long, shifting shadows as the other kids stirred. Kelly sat up, hugging her knees as she let her eyes adjust. Above her, Patty leaned over the edge of her top bunk, her brown eyes wide with curiosity. "Rise and shine, Kelly." Patty's grin was almost disarming. She hopped down with practiced ease, her feet landing lightly on the ground. "You're gonna love morning training," she said, her tone laced with sarcastic cheer. "Or maybe you'll hate it. Hard to say. Depends on how mean they're feeling today."

Kelly glanced at her, blinking the sleep from her eyes. "Great,"

Patty tilted her head, studying Kelly with an intensity that was equal parts unsettling and endearing. "You okay?"

Kelly hesitated, instinctively retreating into herself. "I'm fine," Kelly said curtly, shrugging as if that single motion could deflect Patty's concern.

Patty raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "Alright, fine. Be mysterious. It's a vibe," Patty said, jerking her thumb toward the tent flap. "Come on, let's not keep the guards waiting. They love it when we're late." Kelly's gaze drifted toward the tent's open door, pushing herself off the lumpy mattress.

The two joined the slow trickle of children shuffling toward the courtyard. Kelly kept her head low, her eyes scanning the group. Most of the kids were silent, their faces blank or tired, though a few whispered among themselves.

As they neared the courtyard, Patty broke the silence. "So, what do you think they'll make us do today? More drills? Target practice? Or.. oh, maybe a 'team-building exercise.' You know, the kind where they pair you with someone useless and watch you struggle. Fun times."

Kelly shot her a sideways glance. "You talk a lot."

"Yeah, well, someone's gotta fill the silence. Otherwise, it's just... bleak." Patty's expression softened slightly as she glanced at Kelly. "Not that you're bad company or anything. You just... you're quiet. Like, a lot."

"I don't have much to say."

"Or maybe you've got too much to say, and you're just bottling it all up." Patty waggled her eyebrows in mock seriousness. "Don't worry, I'm great at cracking tough nuts."

Kelly rolled her eyes. "I'm fine. Really."

"Sure you are," Patty said, giving Kelly a playful nudge.

Kelly didn't respond, her attention drawn to the courtyard as they stepped into the open. The guards were already positioned along the perimeter, their rifles slung across their shoulders. The sight of them made Kelly's stomach churn. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to breathe evenly.

Patty leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Stick with me, okay? If they split us up, just... don't do anything stupid."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

Patty shrugged, her expression unreadable. "Maybe I like you. Or maybe I just need someone who can keep up. Either way, don't make me regret it."

-_-_-

The courtyard stretched wide, its borders lined with barbed fences and watchtowers that loomed like silent sentinels. Kelly's eyes lingered on the chained walkers along the far wall, their guttural groans barely audible beneath the steady drone of the trainer's voice. The creatures swayed in their restraints, their vacant eyes and decayed forms grotesque reminders of what lay outside these walls. And yet, here they were.. dragged into the Citadel as tools of fear, control, and, apparently, training.

Kelly shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flickering to the trainer. "Simple enough," he said, his tone devoid of emotion. "Each of you will step to the line, take the pistol I hand you, and put down one of these... things. One bullet. No mistakes."

Patty let out a quiet breath and nudged Kelly's arm. "Guess we're earning our keep today," she muttered, her voice light despite the tension in the air.

"Patricia," the trainer barked, and Patty straightened immediately.

"Guess that's me," Patty said, flashing Kelly a quick, almost teasing smile. "Watch and learn."

Kelly barely managed a nod as Patty strode forward, reaching the line. The trainer handed her the pistol. "One shot. Make it count."

Patty nodded, her hands steady as she gripped the weapon. She raise the pistol, the walker directly in front of her strained against its chains, its jaws snapping uselessly. Patty exhaled slowly, her finger curling around the trigger. The crack of the gunshot rang out, sharp and deafening in the still air. Kelly flinched despite herself, her heart pounding as she saw the walker collapse, its head snapping to the side as the bullet found its mark.

A murmur rippled through the group, a mix of approval and indifference. Patty stepped back from the line, handing the pistol back to the trainer without a word. She turned to rejoin the others, her expression neutral but for the small, self-assured smile tugging at the corner of her lips. When her gaze met Kelly's, it was brief but piercing, as if to say, See? Easy.

"Next!" the trainer barked, jolting Kelly from her thoughts.

Her heart lurched as the child next to her shuffled forward, their steps hesitant. "That bad, huh?" Patty quipped, noticing Kelly's pale face.

Kelly bit her lip, her stomach twisting. "What if I miss?"

"You won't." Patty's gaze was steady, her confidence almost unnerving. "Just aim for the head and don't think about it too much. It's easier if you don't think."

The trainer's voice interrupted them again, calling the next name. Another child stepped forward, their face blank as they took the pistol. Kelly watched, her fingers twitching at her sides.

"Your turn's coming," Patty said softly, her tone almost gentle now. "Just... don't overthink it, alright? You'll be fine."

Kelly didn't respond, her stomach clenching tighter with every step closer to her name being called.

The trainer's voice continued, each name sending another child forward, each gunshot pounding in her ears. "Kelly," he finally called.

Kelly willed her legs to move, stepping forward even as her heart thundered in her ears. As she reached the line, the trainer extended the pistol toward her, his face unreadable beneath the shadow of his cap. Kelly hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking it, it was heavier than she expected, the weight of it pressing into her palms like a silent accusation.

"Take your time, but not too much," the trainer said, his voice low but firm. "Aim for the head. No mistakes."

Kelly nodded mutely, adjusting her grip on the pistol. Her fingers trembled slightly as she raised the weapon, her arms straining to hold it steady. The line of walkers chained along the wall swayed before her, their grotesque forms a nauseating spectacle of decay and despair. She swallowed hard, her throat dry, and took a step forward. Her eyes moved down the line, scanning the faces. Each one was monstrous in its own way—rotting flesh, empty eye sockets, jaws slack with hunger. But then, her gaze locked onto one face, and her breath caught in her throat.

It was Joseph. Thr pistol wavered in her grasp. His face, though pale and sunken with death, was unmistakable. The man who had brought her to this place, now stood before her as one of the undead. Memories surged through her mind.. Joseph's kindness when he told her to stay quiet, his guilt-ridden eyes.

Kelly's heart hammered against her ribs, her grip tightened on the pistol. The weight of all she had lost pressed down on her, the image of Justin's terrified face as he was dragged away flashing behind her eyes. "Focus," the trainer barked from behind her, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts.

Kelly clenched her jaw, forcing herself to block out everything but the task at hand. Her breath came in slow, deliberate exhales as she steadied her aim. Joseph's lifeless eyes seemed to stare back at her, hollow and unseeing, and a cold fury settled in her chest.

Kelly pulled the trigger and the gunshot cracked through the air, deafening in the otherwise silent courtyard. Joseph's head snapped back, his body crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap. Kelly's arms fell to her sides, the pistol still clutched in her hand as she stared at his corpse. For a moment, she felt nothing…no relief, no satisfaction, just an empty numbness that seemed to stretch on forever.

"Good shot," the trainer said gruffly, holding out his hand for the pistol.

Kelly handed it back without a word, her face a mask of detachment. She turned and walked back to the line, her movements mechanical, as though she were a marionette being pulled by invisible strings.

Patty caught her eye as she stepped into place. "You okay?" Patty whispered.

Kelly stared straight ahead as the next child was called forward. The rest of the training passed in a blur, the sounds of gunfire and the trainer's barked commands fading into the background. Kelly stood rigid in the line, her mind replaying the moment over and over again.. the pull of the trigger, the recoil, the way Joseph's body had fallen.

-_-_-

Kelly walked alongside Patty and the other children, their footsteps muffled by the dirt path leading to the Citadel's massive cafeteria tent. "Great way to start the first day, huh?" Patty's voice cut through the quiet.

Kelly glanced at her but said nothing, her mind still swirling with the memory of the morning's training session.. the feel of the pistol in her hand, the sound of the shot, and Joseph's face crumpling into stillness. Her fingers twitched involuntarily, phantom sensations of the trigger pull lingering.

"You did fine," Patty added, nudging Kelly lightly with her elbow. "I mean, you didn't freeze up like-" She jerked her chin toward the boy a few steps ahead of them in line. His slight frame was hunched, his head bowed so low it seemed like he was trying to disappear into himself. "Poor kid."

Kelly frowned. "What's his deal?"

"Missed his shot this morning," Patty began, shrugging. "Guess they're giving him the classic treatment.. no breakfast. You know, motivational stuff." Patty said, rolling her eyes.

Kelly and Patty took their places in line, moving forward step by step. Kelly's eyes darted around the room, taking in the oppressive atmosphere. At a table near the far end, two guards stood watching a group of younger kids. One guard barked something inaudible, and the children immediately straightened, their bodies rigid with fear.

"See that?" Patty leaned in close, her voice a hushed whisper. "That's why you don't screw up here. You keep your head down, play the game, and maybe you'll live long enough to get out of here."

Before Kelly could respond, her attention was drawn back to the boy in front of them. His shoulders sagged even further as he reached the serving station, where a teenager in a stained apron stood ladling some unidentifiable gruel into trays. The boy held out his tray tentatively, but the server shook his head, a faint sneer curling his lips. "Not today," the teen said softly, loud enough for the surrounding children to hear. A few heads turned, but no one said a word. The boy hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside, clutching his empty tray like a lifeline.

When it was finally her turn, the server's demeanor shifted. He grinned at her, the overly friendly expression jarring against the grim backdrop of the cafeteria. "Morning," he said, his voice dripping with false cheer. "What'll it be today? Gruel, gruel, or.." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Gruel."

Kelly stared at him, unimpressed. "Just fill the tray,"

The server.. Josh, according to the patch on his apron.. chuckled as he scooped a ladleful of the grayish slop onto her tray. "Tough crowd," he muttered, shaking his head. "Well, enjoy your meal. Or don't."

Kelly's mind still fixated on the boy with the empty tray. His hollow eyes stared vacantly at the floor, a quiet reminder of the punishment for failure in this place.

Patty's hand clamped firmly onto her arm. "Don't even think about it," Patty hissed. "You can't share your food. They'll punish both of you."

Kelly glanced at Patty, seeing the familiar glint of concern buried beneath her usual nonchalance. But it wasn't enough to quell the storm brewing inside her. "How can you just stand there and let this happen?" Kelly whispered back.

"You think I don't hate it?" Patty said, her eyes scanning the room for eavesdropping guards. "But hating it won't stop them. It'll just get you killed."

Kelly's knuckles whitened as she tightened her grip on the tray, her gaze shifted back to the boy, and an idea began to form.

As she approached the food counter, her heart pounded like a drum in her chest. The server, Josh, was busy scooping another ladle of the watery stew onto someone else's tray, his overly friendly tone grating against the grim atmosphere. He barely glanced at her when he said, "Next. Move along, kid."

Kelly swung the edge of her tray upward. The hard plastic struck Josh squarely on the side of his head, and the clatter of utensils hitting the floor seemed to freeze time for a split second. He stumbled backward, clutching his temple. Kelly vaulted over the counter in one fluid motion, her heart pounding wildly.

"Hey! Stop her!" a guard barked.

Patty's voice cut through the din, sharp and desperate. "Kelly, what are you doing?"

Josh's startled yelp reverberated through the cafeteria as Kelly slammed the edge of her tray against his neck, forcing him down onto the counter. His hands flailed, trying to push her off, but she dug her weight into him, pinning him firmly. The guards' heavy boots pounding against the floor as they closed in.

"Stay back!" Kelly barked, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. Her grip on the tray was ironclad, pressing it harder against Josh's throat. He sputtered, his eyes wide with terror, but she didn't falter. "I'll do it! I swear I'll kill him if you don't back off!" The guards exchanged glances. "Take me to Lockheaven! I want to see Briggs, now!"

Josh wheezed beneath her, his face reddening. "Please," he croaked, his voice barely audible. "Don't..."

"Shut up!" Kelly snapped, her eyes darting between the guards.

One of the guards, raised his hands in a placating gesture, his voice calm but firm. "Easy, kid. You don't want to do this. Let him go, and we can talk this out."

Kelly's lips curled into a snarl. "Talk? Is that what you told the last kid who broke your rules? The one you starved in front of everyone? Don't play nice with me."

The guard hesitated, his outstretched hands wavering. Behind him, another guard raised a hand to his radio, his voice low and measured. "We've got a situation in the cafeteria. Hostage scenario. Girl is demanding to be taken to Briggs."

Kelly caught the movement and pressed the tray harder against Josh's neck, making him gasp. "Tell him to hurry," she hissed.

"Kelly, what are you doing?!" Patty yelled out. "This is insane!"

Kelly didn't look back, but the sting of Patty's words sliced through her resolve. "Stay out of this," Kelly said through gritted teeth. "I have to do this. You don't understand."

"I understand that you're going to get yourself killed!" Patty shot back.

The radio crackled, and then, finally, a voice emerged. Deep, smooth, and unsettlingly calm, it carried a quiet authority that made everyone in the room stiffen. "Who is she holding?"

The guard with the scar straightened, his expression uneasy. "Josh, sir. One of the food servers."

"The food server? How... novel."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances as if awaiting further instructions. Kelly felt the shift, the sharp edge of Briggs's cruelty settling over the room like a storm cloud. She tightened her grip on the tray pressed against Josh's neck, her knuckles white with strain. "Please," Josh whimpered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don't kill me."

"Shut up," Kelly hissed, her gaze darting between the advancing guards.

Briggs's voice crackled through the radio again, calm and detached. "Well, stop her. She won't do anything drastic."

The guards begin to move in, Kelly's heart pounds as she adjusts her grip on the tray, weighing the risks. "Stay back!" Kelly shouted, her voice breaking slightly. "I'll do it.. I'll-" Her words falter as one of the guards stepped closer.

"You won't," the guard said simply. "Briggs is right, let him go."

Kelly's chest tightens and considered digging in, pushing harder, making them believe she's serious. But the fear in Josh's wide eyes and the growing certainty in the guards' faces make the futility of her position starkly clear.

Kelly's grip loosening on the tray. With a sharp exhale, she pushed off of Josh, releasing him as she raised her hands in a show of reluctant surrender. The guards are on her in an instant, seizing her arms and yanking her away from the counter.

Josh scrambled to his feet, clutching his neck where the tray had pressed. He stared at Kelly, his expression a mix of anger and relief. "You're crazy," he spitted, backing away toward the safety of the other servers.

"Yeah, maybe.." Kelly snapped, struggling against the guards' hold.

One of the guards gripped her arm tighter, forcing her to stop resisting. "Enough," he barked. "Keep your mouth shut unless you want us to gag you."

Kelly glared at him but fell silent, her jaw clenched as they began dragging her toward the cafeteria exit. Patty caught her eye from the line and Kelly looked away, unwilling to meet her gaze for long.