The Purge
Chapter 3: Bri

“We’re trying to save the world, not heal the wounded heart.”

Orson Scott Card; Ender’s Game

I was seeing my mom getting hit by a bullet from behind. It wasn’t a stray bullet, it was meant to hit her that day. The world suddenly blurred in chaos and I was suddenly incapable of hearing anything. I saw her sank to the ground on her knees. Her eyes met mine; they were filled with horror as she watched me. She shouted for me to run but my small feet were rooted firmly on the ground. My instincts had screamed for me to run and help her. But the moment I remembered how to move, strong arms held me back.

And then I woke up.

I turned to the ceiling where no clouds had ever been seen. I checked my digital clock and it said 4:30AM. I squeezed my eyes shut painfully. I was drenched in a pool of sweat and my body burned like lava. I kept thinking about my nightmares. Of the memories that haunted my mind ever since they came. I couldn’t keep them away and so they kept on coming.

I forced myself to get up and clean the remnants of the nightmare off my body in shower. I made my drills just like routine. The Gates will soon open and they will come for us. And when that time comes, I will be ready for them. My nightmares wouldn’t haunt me ever again.

I hit the dummy square on the face and its head exploded into a million pieces of grain on the ground. The exhaustion to get back to sleep never came to me. There’s just this darkness building more and larger than I thought it would be. It started to consume me and the nightmares just intensified my lust for revenge.

Colonel Black and the others wanted to control me. They wanted to contain me. They told me to wait. Haste will make waste. But I think it’s pointless. Even if I managed to kill them all, the aliens will never return the lives I have lost.

“Bri,” I turned to see Agatha Ross in the doorway of the Wyvern Training Room. I raised my eyebrows in question to her. Formalities have never been an issue between me and Agatha. Since I got in the military camp, Agatha had been the one taking care of me. She had been doing a great job raising me than the Republic. Although she doesn’t tolerate my bad manners at times, she still reminds me that I am still a lady in a soldier’s uniform no matter what.

“Colonel Black has asked of your presence.” She said. I looked down at my red, bandaged hands and then I nodded up at her.

“The nightmares are eating you up again?” Agatha asked. I shrugged.

She sighed. “I can give you the pill if you want.”

“I don’t need it.” I retorted. Pills are meant to control me. I don’t like to be controlled. Even the chips get broken inside my head. Anything virtual doesn’t pass my body so they use pills and bribery to manipulate me.

“I can manage.” I added sternly.

“Bri, you know the Zenith have to put that chip in your head anytime soon.” She said and I scoffed at the sick thought of it. Well they can try and my body will resist their efforts once again. “You’ll have to allow them to—”

“Control me?”

“No.” Agatha’s eyebrows creased. “I was meant to say guide you, Bri.”

I rolled my eyes skyward. “And if I refuse?”

She sighed in exhaustion. “Bri, we don’t know what’s out there. The chips are to help you. The Gates will be vulnerable soon. We need the chip to monitor you.”

I snorted. “As if the Republic cares about us.”

“Bri,” she chastised. “The Republic wants what’s best for its people.”

“Children like us should not be the ones to go to war. Your grownup Republic should already know by now.”

“You are Addonexus. We don’t have what you have. That is why the Republic chose you to defend earth.”

“Yeah,” I shrugged. “We have what you will never have. This is our path to take but your future. But it also means the end of our world. It shouldn’t be just us. Together we must save it. That is what you grownups don’t understand.”

I looked away and I only found the door to the colonel’s office. Agatha coped up with my speed.

“We’ve been fighting for a long time.” She said. “We’ve waited for a long time. Don’t let the Resistance fall apart. Humanity needs you, Bri. Not just us.” She said.

I sighed heavily like I’ve been shouldering earth for that long time. “It’s never about us, right? It’s about them.”

She held my arm. I gave her a tight smile before she opens the door to the colonel’s office.

Colonel Black was a hollow man. Sturdy and strict looking but a pawn to the Republic. He has his eyes set on me the moment I stepped into his chambers like I’m somebody’s special toy. I am the Republic’s favorite Addonexus, he would say to me. I am by far more advanced than the others that’s why they took me in early than retire me to the orphanages. I am far more valuable to be placed in the streets.

“Commander Tyranica,” he acknowledged my presence with a casual bow of his head. “Always a pleasure to see you.”

I saluted.

“At ease.” He nodded as he waved a hand to a reserved seat beside him. But I preferred to stand before him.

“You wanted to see me.” I made sure it sounded more like a statement than a question.

“Yes,” he bent down on his table. He was checking my training scores. “You never fail to impress me, Bri. Perfect scores in a row.”

“I’ll pretend that I am flattered by your appraisals, sir. But I already know that. It’s the reason why I’m here to serve the Republic.” I retorted.

He grinned at me. “Ever the strong personality. Well, I’m quite sure your army’s doing fine as well.”

“My soldiers are doing fine with or without your help.”

His lips twitched into a sneer. “You know I can cut that sharp tongue of yours.”

“You can try.” I smirked at him. “If you can.” I turned towards the door which was a few steps away from me. “So…What am I doing here?” I asked. I was very eager to leave because I would rather train with my squad than be inside this dim witted colonel’s office. “Is it my brother?”

He waved his hand to dismiss that topic. “I called to inform you that another set of Addonexus has arrived in the camp. They just have finished their exams and some of them are heading to their armies.”

I nodded bluntly, not to show my disdain.

“This will be the last batch entering the military camp.”

I didn’t expect that. Perhaps they want to pressure us because the hours left before the Barriers weaken are almost done. I held my chin up despite my own worries.

“We’ll make do. I’ll have them ready before the Gates are opened.”

“Good. Because we’re gonna need you in less than a hundred days.” He sat on his desk and drummed the edge of it with his index finger. Making a ticking sound. “The clock is ticking, commander. The Gates are weakening. Your time has come to prove yourself if you really are worthy of saving.” He prompted and I almost swallowed my ounce of pride. For deep down I know I was scared.

“It is my soldiers that will die in battle not yours.”

“More reasons for you to train them well. Try and stay alive if you can.”

I tilted my head to the side as I studied him as if he’s some boring biology specimen. “Sometimes I wonder if this world is truly worthy of saving.”

“Dismiss.” With that he turned his back to me.

“If I may, I wish to see my brother, sir.” I said.

He looked at me from his shoulder. “I’m afraid visiting hours are done, commander.”

I bit the inside of my cheek as I felt the anger surge into my veins.

“You promised.” I said through gritted teeth.

The tension around us mixed with the air. I felt its strength like invisible waves. The lights began to flicker and the television screens behind the colonel went into static.

His face bore the strain of anxiety and fear. “All right.” His jaw tightened as fear danced in his eyes like glowing lights. “15 minutes. No more, no less.”

Good to know that an agreement is still an agreement. I saluted. “Thank you, sir.”

“Dismiss.” He pressed and I left his office before he could change his mind.

It was my brother’s arms that pulled me out of that nightmare.

He tore me away from that chaos without any hesitation. I was struggling to get free but he tightened his hold on me. I remembered the fear that was encasing me for the rest of my life. The flashbacks of my mother sinking to the ground on her knees, watching me with the same horror of that day. But it was my brother’s arms that saved me. He was the only living family I have left. But he was also the very first person who wanted my head on a silver platter.

And I don’t know why things had suddenly changed.

I entered his cell with the clock ticking in my ears. He was in chains, it draped all over his body like a blanket. He hunched on the ground, whispering words I cannot hear.

“Garreth,” my voice was a piece of paper in a steady wind.

A pair of sharp, narrowed eyes stared back at me. They were as cold as ice.

“Monster.” He said it like a curse to me.

I took a step forward as I tried to reach for him. But instead, he lunged for me. I took several steps backward and my back hit the wall. The pain immediately screwed me to my place. His chains rattled beneath him as he crouched down like a Predator.

“Monster,” he repeated. His voice howled to me and it pained my ears like broken glass pieces. “I’ll kill you.” He threatened me. “I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you!”

He lunged at me again but I raised my hand to protect myself. An invisible wall stopped him and pushed him back to the ground. I hate to hurt my brother that way. But things have changed between us.

“They will know.” He told me. “Soon they will know what you are.”

I felt tears burning at the brim of my eyes. I blinked them away. “Garreth, I am family.” I approached him. “Let me help you—”

His hand came flying at me, I was able to avoid his attack but my arm sure didn’t. It left a long scratch up to my elbow.

“Don’t touch me! You monster! You murderer!” he shouted. His words had left another scratch and it targeted my heart.

“I didn’t do anything!” I shouted back as my tears started to fall.

The guards then came in and restrained him. I saw an injection come out of a suitcase and I panicked. But before I could argue, they have already injected the serum to my brother’s neck. He sank to the ground on his knees just like our mother did.

He looked back at me with eyes burning with rage. “You shouldn’t have been born.”

I never got the chance to know why my brother hated me so much to the point he wanted to kill me. It was all too strange to me, the violence he was now equipped with. He never meant harm to anyone. Since I was placed under the care of the Republic he was left out in the streets. When I was old enough to look for him, he was covered in dirt and maddened by rage over me. I wanted to know why, but I was afraid of the answer myself to even ask.

My brother and I were inseparable. And then they came. Every time I think about their arrival I remember the cries of mankind, the buildings crashing down on earth and the lives that I lost. My brother who almost saw and experienced the same things that I did thinks I am a monster. But the Republic, who practically took me in, raised me like a pig for slaughter.

There was no one left for me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. On impulse, I raised my fist for a punch but I have been graced by an immediate block. I turned to face my attacker. He grinned mischievously at me.

“You’ve been jumpy.” He noticed. “What’s up, chief?”

I corrected myself. “Con, don’t ever do that again.” He snorted. “I almost killed you if I didn’t know it was you.” I chastised.

“Why? Were you carrying a knife with you?” he leered at me and I narrowed my eyes at him. It wasn’t a joke to attack people like that.

“No. But you know me, I act on impulse. What if I’m carrying a weapon, I would have no doubt slit your throat if I had the chance.”

He whistled. “Creepy. But I’m sure you’ve taught me well to defend myself.”

I sighed in exhaustion. Conleth had always been my exhaustion but he sure does know how to get my head off of terrible things.

“Well, not from me.” I prompted. “Why are you here?”

“Because this is Wyvern’s property.” He waved his hand along the halls.

I bit my cheek on the inside and I raised my eyebrows at him.

“You forgot our private session.” He said.

I gaped at him. “You mean our private training.”

He rolled his eyes skyward and I had to shake my head.

“Why don’t you rest for now and I’ll deal with you later?”

He shrugged. “Can’t attend for later, chief.”

My eyebrows met. “Explain to me, soldier.”

He sighed. “I would love to be in your presence but then your second in command, which is of course, Athren, informed me nicely that a new group of Addonexus will be arriving. I guess we should be ready to greet and meet them.”

I raised my eyebrows again and I let go of a brittle laugh. “We?” he nodded. “Con, since when did you start speaking in plural?”

“Bri, you can let go of me. I can take care of myself.”

I huffed. “Really, as far as I’ve remembered you just reminded me that we still have a private session.”

“So you preferred to call it private session.”

“Don’t change the topic, Con.”

He sighed as he placed his hands on his waist. “You know how much I love our private sessions, chief. But the thing is, this is our army. We are running out of time.”

“I can train them if that’s what you doubt.”

“But I can help.” He pressed.

“No.”

“What?”

“You heard me, soldier. My decision is no.”

He gaped at me. “But I’m ready.”

I snorted as I regarded him from head to foot. “No, you’re not.”

He smirked at me. “You can just admit that you don’t want to get separated from me.”

I scoffed at him. “I demand some respect, soldier. I am still your commander in chief and I base my decision exactly on your performance.”

“You’ve trained Athren for only three weeks.” He reprimanded. “Why do I have to train with you for three months? Do you still think I am incapable of defending myself?”

I snickered. “Con, I know you’re upset but this is not about you, okay? My decision is final.”

“I am better than Athren.” He said when I started to move away from him. “You know I am. Why do you still keep me?”

“I’m training you to be better.” I retorted. “Are you questioning my decision?”

His jaw tightened. “No.”

I started to walk away but he held me back. I felt the heat of his emotions connect through my skin, burning me in the inside. I swallowed back the feeling of uncertainty.

“I can control my stigma, Bri.”

I turned to face him. “Really?” I cocked a challenging eyebrow at him. “Show me then.”

He let me go.

“Set out your fire to me without burning me.”

He sighed and for a moment he squeezed his eyes shut.

“All right then.” He leveled his eyes with mine. “As you wish, chief.”

Conleth rubbed his hands together, as if warming them from the bitter cold. He blew on them and then he released a small ray of flame from within. It was like a snake making its way to me. The heat engulfed me as it touched my skin. Its flame crawled on my body like silk but I wasn’t harmed. I turned to Con and his eyes were concentrated on the flame. It went up my face, coaxing me to trust its master. The warmth settled on my cheeks just as his eyes met mine. But with one snap of his hand, the flame went out in smoke.

I blinked fast as if I just went out of a dream. I looked back at Con who was grinning smugly at me.

“You have to trust me as you have trusted me now.” He said. “I can do it. I can train them.”

I sighed. “You don’t even know how many will they send us.”

He shrugged freely. “I can manage.”

“I trust you, Con. It’s just that this isn’t a game. We’re saving mankind from the things we don’t even know of. I don’t want to take that risk of failing if it means our world will fall into their hands.”

He held my hands. “That’s why we need to trust each other.” I looked down at our hands and I felt that heat inside of me again. “I wouldn’t ask to help if I know I cannot do it. You trained me well. All I’m asking is that you trust me with this. If I fail, then you have failed training me as well.”

I nodded as I let go of his hands. His warmth was distracting me… from everything. “Point taken, soldier.” I sighed. “Very well…”

“So, is that a yes?”

I nodded once again. “But you know the consequences, Con.”

“Of course.”

“And I still have to test your neophytes. You understand?”

“Well that is kind of unfair.”

“I’m the commander.” I said. “I have every right to be fair and unfair.”

“I thought it was already the agreement. You allow me to train them.”

“Yes.”

“Bri, no one can beat you.”

“I know.”

“Then this is totally unfair.”

“Fine. I’ll train them then.”

“No, I’m fine with the set-up, chief.” He smirked at me.

“Then what are you smirking at?” I frowned at him.

“Nothing. Just starting to think that you really don’t want me out of your sight.”

I grinned at him. “Learn you limits, soldier.” I started to walk away. “Let’s see if you can walk the talk.”

He matched my grin. “Challenge accepted.”