Contradicting Worlds

Minutes later, after the director"s little "surprise", I found myself dealing with these phonies. They shake hands with me, we exchange pleasantries, I smile back and say thank you form time to time. But deep down I know, when we finished smiling fakely, they are making disgusted faces and asking questions like "why her?", honestly? I wonder why too. Although Aimee and Lia have given me head-ups about what was going to happen, it is still very shocking. But I regain my composure fast enough, remembering what Aimee told me. I should be smarter and more than capable of playing her games.

As I continue to talk with everyone who"s stopping from going to my destination (which is the bathroom), I can feel someone staring dagger at my back. I turn my head towards the direction which--I found out--is should be the most secluded area in this place since the shadow of the indoor balcony fell over that place but I can still feel that she"s there. So I smile sweetly in her direction before turning away and walking towards the opposite direction.

As soon as I am inside the bathroom, I lock the door and went to look at my reflection in the mirror. Few strands of my hair stand up, my hairline is pooling with sweat. And most importantly, I look like a hot mess but I couldn"t care less so I just shrug it off then gaze at the same eyes that"s staring right back at me.

When did my life got so messed up? How did I get into this position? I mean, obviously, it was because I stepped foot in the defiance but still, HOW? From being the most wanted exile-criminal to being a famous powerful Commander in Call. If I was doing this willingly, I would"ve been happy but I am not so I am not. Happy, I mean. I am not happy.

The dove speaks.

My head snaps up as the phrase came into my mind so suddenly. Mica said it, Aimee told me that I would know the plan on how to escape when I heard the dove speak. I subconsciously touch the ribbon tied in my hair. I am not dim-witted so I know what they were talking about instantly. I look from left and right, then check the cubicles to make sure I am alone. I begin to untie my hair when I remember what Aimee told me when we can"t talk in the dressing room.

Bugs.

I stare up at the ceiling to search for any CCTV, there"s none but there sure are bugs. I bit my lower lip as I try to process what I am going to do next.

Finally, I came up with none so I decided not to do this here besides, I don"t know if this bathroom is soundproof enough in case the dove--literally--started speaking.

A loud bang on the door startled me from my thoughts. I open the door to see a regal-looking woman. She smiles as soon as she saw me so I return the favor. I a.s.sess her silently. She is tall, at least taller than me. She is different from all of the people here. She doesn"t wear a cotton-candy-looking wig or a clown make-up or the balloon dress-code (that makes two of us, three if you include the director). Her hair is tied up in a low ponytail and she wears a white businesswomen attire. "If it isn"t the new Commander in Call!" she said with sugar-coated tone to my much delight.

"Uhm, hi."

"My name is Belinda. I am the in-line General." My eyes widen at the word General and I shook her hand eagerly. Her rank must be higher than me.

"My name is Ellie, ma"am."

It is now her turn to wide her eyes and she scoffs and waves her hand in the air, looking dismissive. "Don"t call me MA"AM. I should be the one calling you that! You can call me Bee."

"I"m sorry," I said, hoping my eyes do their thing about looking really sorry instead of being sarcastic. "I really don"t know anything about the ranks here. You know, since I was an exile." I shrug.

"Oh, you don"t need to worry, you can treat us just like how we treat people like you. Oops," she covers her mouth. "Sorry I forgot that you are not like them anymore. It is just a slip of tongue. I hope you forgive me." As if I believe her. If she wants to hurt my pride she gotta try harder than that.

"It"s okay. I am getting kinda used to it by now. People tend to say those words especially when they"re jealous." Her nose flared and now, she doesn"t bother hiding her hatred towards me. My eyes turn large and I cover my mouth, copying her expression from earlier. "Oops. Did I hit something? I am sorry, please forgive me, it is just a slip of tongue." I smirk at her then charge past her. Leaving her fuming with rage.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

For once, in my stay here in the castle, I was grateful to come back. My heels were killing me already. When we reached the bedroom, I immediately plopped down on the bed. Moaning at the feel of the soft and fluffy covers underneath me. I am fighting a losing battle with my heavy eyelids as I remember that I am going to talk with Aimee and Lia now but I am too tired and it is too late. It is already two in the morning so fudge all of my appointments in the following hours, I need sleep!

So I slept, finally giving in to the temptation.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

A low growl from my stomach and the smell of food is what made me snap into consciousness. Aimee wasn"t saying anything, just watching me ravish the soup she brought in earlier.

When I woke up, the remnants of yesterday"s memories came into my mind. From the unsurprising surprise of the director up to that b**** who is probably plotting an act of revenge against me from behind. I noticed that I hadn"t change clothes last night and my hair is scattered in heaps all around my head. I am a mess but I don"t care.

I eat silently. My two guards are here so basically Aimee and I can"t talk. I don"t know when will we get to talk to each other again. I inwardly heave a sigh.

Once I was done eating, Aimee gets the tray from me and startles me when she speaks, "We will come back in a few hours to dress you up for your first visit in the barracks. You leave in ten." With that, she walks out of the room.

I lie back down on my bed, silently wishing, hoping, and praying that this is just another bad nightmare that would go away once I wake up.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

An hour or so later, after my oh so short nap, Aimee and Lia finally walk in again. We carry on our usual routine. Bathing and clothing and all.

When I am all set and done and ready to go, Aimee stopped me from exiting the room by hugging me tightly. Then I learn the purpose of it when she whispers in my ear. "You"ve got a month to think of a plan after that, I am afraid we have to take you with us by force and leave your a.s.sociates here."

"But I thought---" I started but she cuts me off.

"We thought so too. But something had changed and you need to start planning so we can help you." I open my mouth to say something but she instantly said. "A month. Before everything got messy." She pulls away just in time for the door to burst open and my guards were dragging me by my arm. I look back at them and they smile and wave.

A month. I can do this.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

After a few hours, I found myself being led into the barracks by walking in an underground tunnel located in an unused subway.

I ask them earlier if there could be a shortcut or other way for us to use but they just snap at me and I instantly shut my mouth. We don"t want to be on the bad side of two silencers, do we?

We continue to walk in silence, the sound of our boots coming in contact with the ground along our heavy breathing are the only things that can be heard inside this dark tunnel.

I was almost sure that we are lost when suddenly we saw a light coming from the end of the tunnel.

When we finally made it outside, I let my eyes readjust themselves under the blazing gaze of the sun. Once my vision cleared, I saw that these barracks were full of warriors, bustling from everywhere.

They momentarily stopped moving when they saw me. They cease whatever it is they are doing to stand up and acknowledge me.

They formed lines in front of me with one person in front. She shouted, "SALUTE TO OUR NEW COMMANDER-IN-CALL!" They salute at me and I nod awkwardly. They drop their hands and went back to work again.

"Well, well, well. If it isn"t our new commander visiting us in the middle of a bright sunny day!" The least voice that I was expecting to hear sound from beside me. I turn to look at her with a smile plastered on my face.

"Nice seeing you again, too. Bee," I used the nickname she insisted that I call her with.

"So what made you visit the barracks?" She strides to me until we are face-to-face.

"Just want to get to know my new comrades," I lie smoothly. She opens her mouth to say something but was interrupted by the lieutenant.

I can tell that she is a lieutenant base on her uniform which a suit that has its edge colored with gold. She salutes at me and I nod. Then she salutes at Belinda who returns the same gesture before turning to me again and says, "The director asked me to show you around, ma"am. And I am also supposed to escort you to her office once we are done with the tour." She speaks fast but I catch up. She then turns towards my two guards. "You two are now dismissed from your post by me. I will call on you when the commander is ready to go home." My two guards salute at her and she dismissed them by waving her hand. She smiles at me and says, "let"s go, shall we?"

We rounded the barracks for a few hours since it is so big. Apparently, these buildings are only exclusive to warriors, high-ranking officials, and the director herself. No one knows about where this is aside from them, or us. But I am pretty sure that this is not their secret hideout because there are too many warriors who know this place. They are simply residing here.

Lieutenant McCartney--as I learn was her name--took her time in introducing me to some warriors. I nod and smile while she does the talking. I pretty much know where the main building is and which exit to take when there"s an emergency.

When we finally finished exploring the barracks, she then escorted me to another building which is the director"s current office.

That"s how I end up standing while watching the director do her homework. I am starting to be irritated because after she dismissed the lieutenant she hadn"t said a word to me. And it"s been freaking 10 minutes!

"So am I to just stand here and watch you or are you gonna tell me why the h.e.l.l you brought me here in the first place?" I"ve had enough patience for her att.i.tude.

"Patience, my dear, patience." She said, not even bothering to look up from her work. Another minute had pa.s.sed and I simply had enough so I turn to leave when she finally spoke up again. "Isn"t it obvious? You are the Commander now. That means you have to do what a Commander does. That includes checking on them daily, rounding the barracks or the city walls, and training them."

"Training? I thought you have some Chief to do that?"

"Yes, I have." She sighs before continuing. "But I want you to train them personally because I"ve seen what you can do. You need to prepare them in case of a battle break out." I just rolled my eyes at her, knowing better than to argue. "And don"t even think about disobeying my orders or you know what will happen." I sneered and glared at her.

"Are you done now?" I snap at her. "I have some things to discuss with you."

She looks up from her work and leans back on her chair, looking cozy. "What is it?"

"I want to walk around again," I started. "Without tour guide this time. Alone. Without those guards following me. I would know if they are following me."

"Okay," she simply said, startling me.

"Okay?"

"Yeah, you won"t be able to do anything. We"ve got our whole place full of CCTV and there are bugs anywhere. Besides you are surrounded by your enemies so I doubt that you are going to do something stupid." She"s right, I simply want to explore the buildings myself. I am not going to do anything stupid. At least not yet.

"You"re right. I want to ask you about another thing. And answer me honestly." She shrugs. "How are they?"

She eyes me curiously before answering. "They are fine. So far. You are not breaking any rules yet so they are doing just fine."

"Are they eating? Are they being mistreated?"

"They are eating." I heave a sigh of relief but then she takes it back. "Except for one. He"s been asking for you, saying that he won"t eat unless he knows that you are okay. My warriors a.s.sure him that you are alright but he refuses to believe them not until he gets to see you."

"Then let me see him!" I insisted.

"No." She curtly answers.

"Please," I hate to beg but if Raven isn"t eating anything, he will likely die from starvation. "I won"t do anything stupid. I swear. I can take the two guards with me if you want to. Just please let me talk to him, so he can eat." I will go down my knees if I need to.

Her eyes narrowed into slits, I"m almost afraid that she can"t see anything. "Fine. The silencers will accompany you to the dungeons tomorrow." I almost cried in tears when she said that and I almost said thank you but I held myself back and just nodded in acknowledgment.

"I will go now," I stand up and make my way towards the door and stop in my tracks when she speaks again.

"You have an hour and a half to round the barracks yourself. After that, my silencers will come and get you."

I walk around the barracks in leisure steps, taking my time to observe the structures. Whenever I found a corner, I would turn in hopes to find an escape route but found myself being led into a weapon room or another training ground or a nursing room where the warriors lying in om the beds salute at me even though they struggle.

I smiled at them then nodded and told them to take a rest and not to abuse themselves in the meantime. They looked shocked to hear it from me but they all nodded shyly.

As I exit from there, I realize that some warriors are shooting me weird looks. But I just brush it off and continue on my little "patrol".

I need to find something useful here. I don"t know how many minutes have pa.s.sed and I still got nothing.

I continue to follow an unidentified path until I stop dead in my tracks. I saw a wall that has a small cave-like opening. It is small enough just for a person to walk through. I started walking towards the wall when a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

I turn around and came to face my two silencers. "The Director said to escort you back to the castle."

My jaw drops. I have been dawdling for an hour and a half! And when I finally found something interesting, these two stopped me.

I huff in annoyance and cross my arms over my chest and decide to just follow them.

We drive and walk back to the castle in silence. When I reached my bedroom, I immediately order them to get some nice comfy clothes to change into. Once done, I plop myself on my bed, bouncing slightly.

I throw my arm over my eyes, sighing heavily. My life has turned upside down within the span of a few months. I peek to see my two silencers standing by the door, guarding me as always.

Funny, I am the Commander and I still can"t get some time alone by myself.

"Could you please," I begin. "Could you please just give me some time alone? Just time to think."

"I apologize but we can"t do that. We"ve got strict orders from the director not to leave you." G1 said. Her tone is monotonous.

"But you left me! Earlier in the barracks!" I whine.

"That was an order from the director as well," she said stubbornly. I groan in frustration.

"Just give me five minutes or ten to organize my thoughts."

"We can"t do that." Familiar anger threatens to rise inside of me but I push it down, determine not to get on their bad side. So I try different tactics.

"You do realize that I am your commander now, right? And you have to obey my orders just like you obey the director"s orders."

"The director is the only one we receive orders from."

"Yeah, yeah, I get that. But I can still punish you from disobeying mine, can"t I?" I ask tauntingly.

They exchange looks, conversing through their eyes. I thought they still wouldn"t budge but then they turned to me and nod. "You"ve got ten and after that no more," G1 said. I breathe a sigh of relief and said thank you. They got out and I instantly jump out of bed when the door close. I scan the room. There is no CCTV on the corners of the ceiling but I am sure they are located in that freaking chandelier.

Ugh, I don"t care anymore. I rummage inside the room, from the table beside my bed to my bed, and covers. I throw all of the bugs I discovered onto my bed. I already broke them so once I was done, I begin going to my walls. I know that the CCTV in the chandelier is watching my every move and I"ve got minutes, maybe seconds before they come running down to here.

I continue on my journey of touching the wall, trying to find any secret pa.s.sageways or something. Maybe there are no secret doors here or a thing like that, besides why would they put me in a room with a secret door when there could be a chance for me to escape? That makes sense as I think about it. And it crushes my hope into pieces. Just as I was about to give up, the door burst open. Instinctively, I turn around, press my back on the wall and put my arms up in surrender.

"Oh," G2 said. "Don"t worry, I won"t hurt you." She smiles at me then walks toward me, hand stretched out. "I am Daniella by the way. You can call me Dani." I shake her hand, awkwardly. Partly because she"s a silencer and mostly because she wants to suddenly be friends with me.

Up close, I can say that she has the jolly aura that reminds me of Mice. Her smile reaches her eyes as it eats up her whole face. Her eyes are the color of forest green which will simply take your breath away.

"Ellie," I finally said. We stop shaking hands. She grins when I said my name.

"I know who you are. We are here for you actually."

"We?"

"Oh, you know. Those two maids who always come in here to change your clothes."

"You mean, you are--"

"Acquainted," she finishes for me. "Yep, we were sent here to help you guys escape. Just like what Aimee and Lia told you."

"Who sent you here?" I can"t really think of anyone that has interests in saving me. She rolls her eyes before saying the name I have totally forgotten.

"Samantha, of course."

I slap myself mentally. Samantha is my long time friend aside from Mica. She came from the organization who took me in after they learn of me. After Mica rescued me, I"ve made up my mind that starting that day I will save the lives of the exiles. A month since then, my name as a black hunter has been echoing through the woods. And I have been number one on the warriors" wanted list. I have been listed as "the most dangerous criminal" of the south. They couldn"t print a proper picture of me since I always come out at midnight and I always cover my face just in case.

One day, while I was out hunting for food. A woman named Haida came for me. She offered me the basic necessities which are foods, cloths, weapons, things like that in exchange for me working for them. I refuse at first but they just wouldn"t leave me alone. Day after day she sent people to persuade me. I refused each time until one time I almost got myself killed and Samantha was there to save me. She told that she worked for Haida and that was when I agreed to work for them to return the favor.

They call themselves "the saviors" in general and their camp is called "Hunters" Camp". In Hunters" Camp, we have different teams and different teams have different names that they carry with them whenever they fight. I fell in a group that called themselves "the panthers" because I ask for it since Samantha is the one leading that group.

As I continue to work for them, I get to know them more and we all get along really well. They are amazing people, they make me forget about the grief I have been holding for Chelssey.

I continue to work for them and gradually build a reputation for myself. Soon, I have my own team and I named us "The Black Hunters". We became the most valuable a.s.set the saviors have. When I became part of the defiance, I wrote them letters since I have no phone and it is the only way we can communicate without the government knowing.

I thought that joining the defiance was another step towards getting the revenge I wanted for Chelssey. Oh G.o.ds, since when had I become a foolish person?!

I bid my goodbye through my letters and a letter of reply came for me after a few days. They told me that they are letting Samantha take over my team and that they would be waiting for my return and if I need them I could always come to them.

I hadn"t realized that they would really come to my rescue after I told them that I don"t want them to be involved just in case things didn"t work out with the defiance. But after all of the things I told them, they still want to help me and my friends escape.

The realization sends warmth in my heart and I have to fight the urge to broke up in tears.

"Wait, are you crying?" Daniella"s voice broke me out of my reverie.

"No, I am not," I said in a hard voice. "Which team are you?"

"Well, we were the new recruits of Samantha. We were under Samantha but we were under your team, we considered Samantha as our team leader since she is taking care of your team. But now that we are here and you were technically supposed to be our leader so we are waiting for your orders so we can finally carry on without escape plan, which is up to you by the way--" she keeps on blabbering until I cut her off.

"Wait, you mean my team wasn"t demobilized?"

"Nope because they were hoping to find the chance to make you come back home." Home. I thought I"ve lost the moment Mica died but I still have it and it is with them.

"How did you know I was here?"

"An ally came to us and told Haida, then she told Samantha then Samantha made her decision to help you then she told us, your team, but only the three of us are willing to take the risk because she said that if you can"t think of a plan within a month, we"ll either drag you--only you--back home, or we will all be stuck in here because they won"t be sending us backups since you told them that you don"t want them to be involved in your business. So our escape and future lives are up to you."

"Okay," it didn"t take me long enough to process and agree to her words. "But first thing"s first. I need to have a word with this effing dove."

"Don"t worry, I"ve got you covered. The other guard with me was sleeping peacefully now. I will take her to the clinic and lie to them and that should buy you time. When the director heard about my lie, she will surely send someone here so I will lock the door from the outside so that you"ll know when to stop, okay?" She starts to walk away.

"Wait," I called out. "Aren"t there any CCTV hidden behind those chandeliers?" I ask warily.

She looks at the chandelier, tilting her head from left to right before answering, "No, there"s none."

"How do you know?"

"Oh, I forgot to tell you about my power. Well, my power is electricity so I can easily detect if there"s any CCTV in here but I a.s.sure you that there"s none left aside from the bugs on your bed."

"Thank you," she nods and smiles before exiting out and locking the door. As soon as I heard the door locked, I push away all the bugs on my bed, sending them scattering on the ground. I sit on the bed and untie my hair. I stare at the ribbon while thoughts form in my mind. I will not just get my revenge for Elisa, Chelssey, and Mica. No. I have decided. I will fight for their lost lives including the other exiles who suffer from the government"s wrath. I will be their fighter, their hope, their hunter. I will fight for my people. I will fight for them until my very last breath until we reach freedom and escape this prison. We will rise from the ashes of our past and from that will stand the empire of our victory.