The Carnage Trilogy (Book 1): The Carnage [Unbending, Unyielding, Unforgiving]

by Birch, Matthew

  She may be Patrick's partner, but Linda still maintains close relations with the other members of the group. At one point, they wonder if she had been trapped by his obsession for her. "Please keep an eye on Patrick," she asks kindly. Interesting to ask something like that, of Ed anyway for that matter, you'd think she'd ask anyone that isn't Ed for her errand, wouldn’t you?

  "Why choose me?" Ed questions her judgement to rely on him. "You have a keen eye and a kind heart" Linda smiles faintly. "Anyway, please don't hold anything against Patrick. As a leader, he has to make difficult choices and you need to understand that"

  "I know Linda... But-"

  "Sometimes, something has to be done and when no one steps up - he steps up. He bears a weight on his back that no one else could carry" her words hold, a strange hint of warning in them? Ed can't tell, so he watches her carefully. She is sincere about this. Ed deciphers her words and understands what she is asking of him and why.

  Patrick is crumbling under pressure.

  Chapter 32 - The Night Shift

  Ed

  Later that night

  Patrolling back and forth, I keep my pattern. Up and down the hallway. Up and down the hallway. Up and down. Up, then down. Up. Down. Boring. I had to get stuck with stupid guard duty. Ugh, this is so tedious. Anyway, I keep making sure to be checking rooms as I go. Inspecting the kitchen where we keep the last of the supplies is where I stop my patrol route. I do a quick once over to see if any of the obviously placed stashes have been tampered with. Nope, there’s nothing to see here that is out of the ordinary? I repeat the whole process from the beginning. I am so tired. Like on a whole new level. Mentally exhausted is a better way to put it. Patrick had to entrust me with guarding the supplies, didn't he? For some reason he trusts me which raises even more questions. I don't know why he would trust me. Maybe I have the least amount of reasoning to have taken the supplies in the first place. My wounds healed quite well, so I no longer needed any medical help. If push comes to shove, he knows I will back up Marcus. It's like trusting the enemy. The clearly exposed knife I have isn't even at his back, it's at his front. I'd stab him in the front if it meant taking Marcus's side. All metaphorically speaking of course, although, I get that someone had to do guard duty. But, why did he choose me? What sets me apart from anyone else? I bet it has something to do with Linda. She said to keep an eye on him, not work for him.

  Unless maybe Marcus is wrong, maybe someone is stealing valuable supplies. I guess this is testing my loyalty. Staying loyal to Marcus is a no-brainer. But, let's assume Patrick is right after all. I'd be taking Marcus's side and fighting for a cause that no longer exists. I don't know what to believe. I know I didn't take them. I trust Maya more than Marcus. So no way she took the medicine. Besides, I know what she thinks and that is that Patrick has gone and lost the plot. Either way, friction has been building between Marcus and Patrick the entirety of this week. They keep clashing like the alpha males they are. I grin to myself at the thought of Marcus as a wolf. Okay, moving on then brain.

  So, I should check the kitchen again. Anyway, I know I've been over it in my head several times already; personally, I think that the person most likely to take the medicine is-

  Oh shit.

  On the kitchen counter and reaching into a cupboard is a girl who looks a few years younger than me. She knows she's been caught in the act, yet she still slowly withdraws her hand from the cupboard. A bottle of tablets is in her small hand. My hand is inches away from the machete on my belt. The young girl gently proceeds to put the pills in her black, dirty duffel bag. Sighing, I step into the kitchen and withdraw the machete from my belt. Should I do it? No, it’s more of a question of, 'Can I do it?'

  What do I do? She is so young and not in good shape. Maybe she needs the medicine. Our medicine...

  I have never taken human life before. Creatures and monsters aren't human. She is. The young girl suddenly blurts out - "Please don't tell anyone"

  All I can do right now is suspire. What can I do? It feels wrong to take action. I have to uphold some sort of law here at least. "I'm not going to hurt you but, I can't let you go either" I explain while placing my machete deftly on the counter.

  "Please" she begs hopelessly. Shaking my head, I look into her desperate luminous green eyes as sternly as I can. Guilt begins to weigh down on me. I feel terrible for doing this to her-

  "My brother, he's dying. He's horribly ill and I need these to save his life" the young girl whispers. She tucks some of her long, messy blonde hair behind her ear. "Without these, he will die..." she pleads. Her eyes hold the truth. She has survived over two weeks with her brother. Now I feel even worse for having to hand her over to Patrick-

  OH GOD NO. NOW I REALISE.

  Both Marcus and Patrick are wrong. An outsider is stealing from us. Oh no, no, no... Where do we even go from here? Patrick wouldn't... I don’t know. Punish her, would he? "Okay, let me get this right, just you and your brother?" Crossing my arms, I let my gaze drift around the room, only glancing back at the girl when she leaps off the kitchen counter. "I'm sorry but-" I begin to say, but I need a moment to think. It feels wrong to turn her in. The reality is, doing so would be wrong as it endangers her brother who needs the supplies-

  'OUR SUPPLIES' my brain annoyingly reminds me. 'I am sure we can share' I think to myself. I am so mixed. I can't even think anymore. If I were to hand her over, Patrick should understand the situation. He's not insane. Then again, who knows what Patrick will do in his state of mind? He's a broken, unpredictable nutcase. Marcus, on the other hand, no doubt will help her. I think.

  The young girl puts her hands together, as if in prayer as she looks deep into my eyes. Overwhelming guilt rushes over me. This young girl has a brother who is dying of illness. By handing her over, I am effectively killing her brother...

  Footsteps echo down the hall. The young girl begins to shake in fear. "I don't know what to do, okay?" I finally say while avoiding her frightened gaze.

  The footsteps draw closer until they are right outside-

  "What the fuck?" Marcus's tired voice says from the kitchen door. His eyes hold the same look mine do.

  "She's so young Marcus" I have to fight for her. My first choice of words is straight to the defence, nothing more. Any other option seems inhumane!

  "Ed-" Marcus tries. "We can't turn her in Marcus" I turn and look to see the girl looking just as pleadingly at Marcus as she did to me. Marcus places a hand on his forehead and drags it down his face, dragging his wrinkled, dry skin with him. Stepping into the kitchen, Marcus confronts the girl with his kind, 'nice guy' tone. "May I ask why you took the medicine sweetie?" he asks nicely.

  "Please-" her little voice rapidly squeaks.

  "Why?" Marcus pushes on with his question. "Tell him the truth," I say soothingly, but there is the warning in my tone as well. No lying here. She lies and that could change my, perspective of her situation.

  "M-my brother is dying... he needs these or-" the little girl chokes on her words as tears flood her eyes. Marcus nods, understanding her dilemma. "You could've just asked... since you stole from us - it changes everything" Marcus goes cold. I cross my arms, mind made up as well. The circumstances justify the means. She didn't even have to steal. She could've just asked.

  "Wait, that's not true!" the young girl's voice rises. Marcus hums, acknowledging her and giving her a chance to explain herself one last time, which might've just saved her life. "I came here two days ago and asked for help. I explained the situation to a man named Patrick. He was there with a woman and he said no" the young girl explains desperately.

  Hold up! She came here two days ago and none of us knew?! Oh yeah... I remember why. "We weren't here two days ago Marcus. Remember when William got his leg caught in a tree or some stupid bullshit and everyone had to go and get him even though he was fine" I clarify. Oh and, "That asshole I mean" I have to say that little detail. William isn't worthy of being referred to by name. He almost got Maya killed that d
ay. In fact, that was the first day since the disastrous event at the lake that we had been in contact with monsters.

  Marcus nods, having come to his conclusion. "I will keep you safe. You have done nothing wrong" Marcus leaves the kitchen without as much as a glance at her and a word to me. Within seconds, the young girl scurries for the open window she pried open to get into the ranger station in the first place. Fake coughing, I grab her attention and gesture to the gun on my belt. "I hate using it. I know I am not the best shot. But I am not the worst either. I am not afraid to use it"

  The young girl gasps - "You're bluffing!" Oh, sweetheart. I know I am bluffing. I could never kill. We've gone over this (In my head at least). A scare tactic is my best bet here. Because I don't need to look deep into myself to know I don't have the heart to stop her escaping. "Am I?" I keep my words sharp and to the point. She retreats from the window and protectively sits next to her duffel bag.

  "SHE FUCKING CAME BACK"

  "CALM THE FUCK DOWN YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

  Voices and footsteps alike bellow from the down the hallway, the two leaders are in the midst of yet another clash in an intense duel.

  "Oh, shit..." I say under my breath. The young girl looks at me frantically. "Huh?" The now docile, thin girl says.

  Patrick is first through the door. He seethes through his teeth, "Why did you come back?" Without even giving her a chance to answer, he roars, "SO YOU COME BACK AND STEAL FROM ME" Me? There is no individual here. We are a group, right...?

  On instinct, she flinches and grabs the duffel bag, holding it close to her chest. She goes to speak but is rendered useless as Patrick's hard-knuckled fist soars right into her eye-

  Knocking her out cold?!

  Oh. My. God-

  In one swift moment, everything both men have been bottling up explodes. I am useless as I am shoved aside into the table that screeches across the tiled flooring. Marcus grabs Patrick by his shoulders and tugs him away from the limp girl on the kitchen floor. While Marcus wrestles Patrick in a clinch, I kneel down and inspect the girl. Her right eye is black and cut. Blood seeps from her wound. Behind me, Marcus gains a cheap shot at Patrick’s side before he tosses the disturbed man against the wall as hard as he can. In a blur, Marcus's agile fingers reach for, and wrap around my machete. I blink and I miss him pressing the sharp tool right up against Patrick's throat. Sucking his throat in, he stops breathing. "I know you can do it, Marcus. Of all the men and woman here - I know you are the only one who could take a humans life" Patrick taunts like a madman in a single, rushed breath.

  "Don't test me bitch" Marcus literally spits at Patrick, drool grimly slobbering its way down Patrick's scars. Seconds later, all three Officers come storming in and rip the raging Marcus away from Patrick. Marcus struggles against their hold on him, dropping the machete as he does so.

  Leaping to my feet, I jump at the bundle of men in the hopes of getting into the fray and saving Marcus. One click later, and the nozzle of a G29 Glock presses against my left temple. "Don't try it..." A low, dull voice belonging to Officer Miller says. Actually, no, he doesn't deserve the title of Officer anymore. From now on I will call him by his name. Gavin Miller. The same rule applies to all Officers: Gavin Miller, Dave Wilson and Max Davis. There is no system here anymore. We are all one and the same. No one is special. We all do what we do to survive. I don’t care what you did in the past, either we fight together, or stand alone. Patrick and his three sheep have made this very clear in a unfair system we no longer wish to stand by. The unconscious, bleeding girl on the floor is a testament to this. I am ready to flip out and take down every last son of a bitch with me. But with Marcus being wrestled against the wall and put in hand cuffs, and a pistol against my head. I don’t see many options presenting themselves right now.

  Patrick coughs before he recomposes himself by wiping the spit off his dented looks. "Take him outside" He orders while rubbing his sore neck. Marcus, against his will, is manhandled outside the ranger station.

  Everyone has been woken up in the commotion. Ben and Chloe gasp from the doorway. Rubbing her eyes, the tired Maya sleepily steps into the kitchen. When Maya sees the poor girl, she drops to her knees with me. Maya inspects her. "It'll swell. Do we have any medicine left that she didn't take so we can reduce the swelling?" Maya's words indicate for me to search the duffel bag but Cody is already one step ahead.

  "Nope, mostly painkillers now" his eye has ceased all twitching and he has spoken. Something he rarely does now. Maya nods at him.

  "You lot get back to sleep. We'll handle this" Maya orders the others. After Ben, William and Cody have left. Chloe says, "No, I am going outside to make sure Patrick doesn't do anything reckless"

  "Alright let's get to work on her then" Maya stands up to leave. "I'll be back with something cold in a minute. Also-" Maya kneels down and picks up my fallen machete. I'd forgotten about that. "Careful with this" she raises her eyebrows, looking me in the eyes.

  "I know" I snatch the weapon from her hands.

  Scooping up the young girl and looking out the window she came through. I think to myself. Somewhere out there is her younger brother. Somewhere, a little boy is waiting for his big sister. He is deathly ill. Cold and alone... can't fight back...

  Guiltily, I look at the girl.

  "I wish I'd let you go while I had the chance... I will make this right" Confidence in my voice helps me form a forced smile. "Follow me" Maya gestures for me to follow her from the doorway.

  * * *

  We did the best we could to reduce the swelling. The young girl rests painfully on my bed. "Patrick really put all his anger into that one hit" Maya remarks. 'Patrick is an asshole' I think quietly. I can't let him get away with this.

  Maya places a hand on my shoulder. "How are you feeling?" genuine concern in her voice? My heart jumps a bit. Well, I'll give her what I honestly think.

  "Something does not add up here" I admit to her. After I tell Maya everything the girl had said and how Patrick turned her away and how he reacted to her coming back. Maya looks astonished.

  "So, basically, Patrick turned down a young girl" Maya's amazement disappears and, in an instant... anger, pure, unadulterated, anger. "Maya?" Cautiously, I shift away from her. I know this look. It's the same look she had when William almost got her killed. Screw you asshole (Whoops, I remembered he's not worthy of being referred to by name. I'm just so stirred up from all the bullshit that has been today).

  "I'll fucking kill him. He-" Maya looks into my eyes. "Ed, He-"

  "I know, Maya"

  "I'm going to kill him!"

  Leaping forward, I wrap my arms around her. Maya squeaks, letting the rifle she had placed beside her slip from her grasp. Then, she goes placidly. "Let me go!" Maya calmly fights me. "Ed, I will not ask you again" I know her. She's better than this. Soon enough, Maya stops protesting and relaxes into me. She breathes on my neck - "Why would you ever risk touching me again? You might die..." Maya half-jokes, her tone growing soft, moving more comfortably into my arms, she truly relaxes.

  "I know you'd probably go and kill Patrick so... yeah" Is all I need to say to convince her. "Like when you almost killed William" I point out playfully. Maya kisses my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. "I think you mean how you almost killed him..." Maya wraps her arms around me and buries her head into the crane of my neck. She whispers, "The ranger station is meant to be a small community of safety for anyone and everyone who needs it. Now it's a place of lies and deceit..."

  Maya breaks free from the hold. "Patrick is killing her brother in a nutshell," she says sadly.

  "It's wrong" I admit verbally instead of mentally. "There must be a reason" Clenching my fist, I say, "And we are going to find out"

  "That is what I like to hear" and for the first time. Maya's badass tough girl smirk is needed. Shit is about to hit the fan...