Life After: Dead

 

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Chapter One


"All Community members to the main tent. Important Notice". It was our leader David Burkes's voice that had rung out all over the camp on a clear beautiful morning. I grabbed the twins , Lily and Matthew's, hand and rushed to the main tent, hoping to make it to be in front of the crowd. "Why so early." Lily and Matt complained simultaneously. It was early, but I had been up for hours. "Early bird catches the worm." I chirped. It was something my dad use to say. My eagerness paid off. We were one of the first ones there. The rest rushed in quickly too. All of us wondering what David had to say, because it was almost always good news.

"Everyone here. Good. Well gather 'round." The whole group chattered with excitement. We all kinda idolized David. Most of us even thinking him as a savior. He found a lot of us and brought us together. Which I guess what he was doing right now. Bringing the community together for something he thought we important and needed to share with us. 

 "People, I have gathered you here today because I have carefully planned a new mission. Which I assure is much needed and I wouldn't do this if it wasn't what I truly thought what was best for this community. His smile was charming and he took seconds to look people in the eyes and tell them this. Like his words could make anyone be convinced of anything. But I got slightly uneasy. Why would he say that. What he thought was best?

 "I want. No I need the following people who I see as brave, courageous, healthy, strong, and young to please come to the front of the group. Sean Adams, Rose Hughes, Jack Diaz, Ethan Conners, Maya Williams, and Skylar Garcia.

" I froze, but I waited anxiously as the others made their way to the front. They were all teenagers like me. Only Sean was newly turned 20 but the rest of us were 19. We stood next to each other in line but I still managed to be holding the twin's hands. David took a moment to examine us all closely. "I need you six to go on the most important mission for this community. For your community. You six need to go out to the world to find a group I have been communicating with and along the way collect supplies. I promise you this would be in the best interest of community which is why I approached you as a community.         Not just as a group. I want you to see the whole picture not just the little things you'll have to leave. But only for awhile.

" I couldn't think for awhile. I felt frozen much like the whole community. The tent was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Matt and Lily got closer know clutching at my leg and staring up at me with big tear filled eyes. "Now may I have the room with the group I called. Few staggered out of the tent. Others nodded dumbly and blindly followed. I heard someone crying. It could had been any of the others family members. I tapped Ruth's shoulder and wordlessly handed the twins to her. She didn't say anything either just took their handed and pulled them away. The rest were silent for awhile  as they hugged family members. Finally alone in the room with David he gave us his classic reassuring smile which was doing nothing for me. "Listen I know what I'm asking here. But I need you to do this for me. For the community. You kids are the future." Jack cut him off right there. "You do realize your're like five, six years older than us." David's eyes softened, "Yes, Jack I realize this and I want you all to know I would do this myself, but I have a growing community to run." "So you send out young adults who have family here to take care of, instead of doing the job yourself." This time is was Sean who had questioned David. "Look I know you. You all have family, but this is why it's gonna be personal and why you have to do it. For your family. Besides can't this be a way of paying for the protection I've given you and your families." David's response was personal and in the process of speaking David had put one hand on Sean's shoulder and he looked like he wanted to grab Sean's hand but Sean didn't look so keen on the idea. He even shrugged David's hand off after his little pep talk. David sat back on the podium and gestured for us to sit down on the floor.  "Look. I can keep your families safe. That isn't the problem. This is a duty you need to do for your community. So please pack up your stuff and get ready cause you all leave in three days." He stood up rising high above us. Almost like a small show of power. "You can all go start packing and explaining to your families." He looked as if he was gonna leave himself, but hesitated and turned back. "Sean, please stay back. I, um need to talk to you." Sean held back slightly surprised but didn't say a word. I left the tent even though I was curious of what David was going to say to Sean, but I had to tell Lily and Matt what was going on. 

Lily Matt, where are you guys." The cabin where we lived wasn't that big. A living/sleeping place combined with a kitchen area and one bathroom. Lily and Matt were sitting next to each other their backs against the bed, holding hands and their eyes cast down towards the floor. "Hey guys." They both looked up at me with tear stained faces. I sighed knowing what I was about to say would hurt them even more. I sat I between them clutching their hands in silence for a few moments before Matt spoke up. "You're really leaving us aren't you?" "Yes" I whispered softly. Lily who had been silent spoke up. "We will be fine Skylar. We're 15 and it's not us you should be worrying about. You're the one who's going out into a dangerous world with people who are practically strangers. So, please just promise us you'll keep yourself safe." "Yeah yeah" I stuttered, but Lily's speech shocked me. "When do you leave?" Matt asked. I took a deep breath knowing I be dropping another bomb on their heads. "In three days." Another long moment of silence when all the twins did was hold onto me and each other. Matt rose first holding his hands out to us. "Come on. If you're gonna be safe, you have to be prepared. I scrambled back down again reaching under the bed for my fathers old "gym bag". "Okay you'll need extra clothes and a canteen and a few other supplies that might help you out." Matt and Lily rushed around the room as I stood their dumbly amazed of how well my siblings were taking it. I thought how we'd been on our own for awhile before we met the Archangel community and even now we kept to ourselves save for some few close neighbors. By the time I realized it they had packed up Dad's old compass, Mom's blade, clothing, and supplies. The bag looked half full but they knew I probably pick stuff along the way. We sat on the bed looking at the bag knowing how close and quickly everything would change. Maybe we were anxious, but the news ruined the day. Maybe even our lives.


Three Days Later

The last few days were a blur. All three of us spent late nights talking about what we do when I got back and how I probably wouldn't be gone long. I knew this was just hope, but that's what we needed. Again David's voice called out into the speakers to be heard all over camp. "The chosen six will be leaving in the next 15 minutes. Be ready. "It doesn't feel right. It feels like he's making you do this." I blanked flashing back to what David said while getting very close to Sean. I had been too focused on his closeness to Sean that I hadn't realized what exactly David said. "Besides can't this be a way of paying me back for the protection I've given you and your families." "Of course not Lily. It's just what's best." I don't know why I lied. Maybe I need Lily feeling safe or I didn't know what to think of David's words myself. "Look Skylar-" but Matt got caught off at the sight of Sean. "Listen Skylar we leave in 10 minutes so get out here. Were loading up." I nodded to Sean and got up from my spot on the bed. Lily and Matt sat still. "Come on,  don't you wanna wish your sister good luck and goodbye. I grabbed the bag and left the room. Not checking to see if Lily and Matt were following because I didn't  have to. David decided to make a big show of us leaving and had the entire community spread out into a large circle. Maya, Jack, and Rose were already in the middle of the circle not five feet away from David. I put Lily and Matt next to Ruth and Edith knowing they be safe. "Skylar. Promise us your coming back" Matt demanded. I was on the brink of tears and my voice cracked as I spoke"I love you guys. And I promise I'm coming back." "Just be safe" Lily whispered. "I will." I kissed both their heads before pulling them into a tight bear hug. "I love you. Be safe." With those words I parted from them and headed toward the others. I wasn't the last but close because as soon as I got there so did Sean. Which was weird because I thought he be ready to go. "You six strong Archangel soldiers are about to face some dangers in the outside world. And challenges I'm sure you can come. Just know your families as safe. Good luck." We walked to the main gate where people were already pulling it open. I glanced back at Lily and Matt to catch them now fully crying. We mouthed one last goodbye and I love you. But Lily and Matt wasn't  the only thing I saw. Sean and David held back and the end of the group and discussed quietly. David seem to be getting upset while Sean was the picture of calm. We were outside the gates about ready to get in the car waving goodbye to family members for the last time when Sean hugged David. It was awkward and lasted three seconds and then Sean patted David's back and turned to us. "Let's go." The goodbye ritual began. It was weird but sort of good luck. It was just clapping but ordered. Like 1-2-3-4-5 pause. This happened over and over. The car engine drowned it out temporarily, but that was the last thing I heard from the camp as we drove away. Away from the safety of the camp. It take long but it happened like a sign of showing us the reality that we were really leaving. 

Silence filled the air.

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