2. Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Iris

I flinch as the rays of sunlight slowly penetrate the trees, waking me from my slumber. I open my eyes to look around, ensuring no one is watching me and my weapons are all still in place. It's been four days since my departure. The traps I set have managed to catch three rabbits. And I've had the displeasure of fighting off two people in the process. I slowly look around at the lush paradise that has bloomed outside of the blight.

Since humanity's eradication, the world has had plenty of time to heal and grow. Since the departure of cities, planes, cars, and every other toxic element humanity managed to create, forests have overtaken most of the land. It's beautiful. It makes me wonder what type of creatures the Leviathan are. They leave no trace of their existence other than their Utopian cities .

I shiver as a gust of wind breezes past me. Even though the sun is rising, there's a chill in the air. I don't know what month it is or even what year it is. But I know this kind of weather signifies it is nearing autumn. That information means food will be scarcer and disease more prominent. We have everything to fear in the coming months, in addition to the Leviathan.

I make my way through the forest, keeping an eye out for enemies. I have not only wild animals to fear but also humans who could be lurking to steal the food I've caught. Out here, they are my worst enemy. My exhaustion, mixed with my hunger, is more than I can bear. The only thing that keeps me going is the idea of heading back empty-handed. They need me. Even chewing on leaves all day does nothing to staunch my hunger.

The day is spent trying to find more food, but I once again come up empty-handed. Once the sun begins to set, I decide to cut my losses and head back to the blight with what I have. It may not be much, but it will give us a little energy and keep us from starving to death until we can make our next move.

The trek back to the blight takes a day and a half. My heart is pounding as I try and force my legs to move faster. It's crucial that I get back before dark. Being around the border of the blight is dangerous, especially with food.

I'm pulled from my thoughts as I hear something unsettling in the distance.

Screaming.

Suddenly, the scent of flames reaches my nose. I break into a sprint, willing my body to move. My footsteps immediately falter as I gaze up at the place I've called home for the past few years. It's up in flames. My eyes widen as I take in my surroundings. The homes that were once here are burning piles of ash. I quickly scan the area but see nothing out of the ordinary. I tense as more screams flow in my direction. They're coming from deep within the blight.

I take off, my adrenaline spiking as I make my way deeper into the city, my hunger all but forgotten as I make my way to our hideaway. Tears begin to form in my eyes. The closer I get, the worse the condition of the city is. There are bodies everywhere of people, both dead and dying. Every structure that once stood has diminished into nothing other than rubble and ash.

We're under attack.

As I round the corner, I say a silent prayer that humans are attacking and not Leviathan. My legs immediately halt at the sight before me. Nausea hits as I take in what's left of our hideaway. What was once a small building is now a pile of rubble. I run toward the crushed rubble, falling to my knees in front of it. I don't hesitate to reach for the boulders, pulling them back.

"Margot! Leah! Chrissy!" I shout the names, begging for someone to respond. I pull back another boulder and gasp. Chrissy. Her entire body is crushed under the rubble, her eyes still open with a look of shock etched into her sunken features. I reach out with shaky hands to touch her face. She's cold.

Flashes of my parents barrage my mind from the sight.

"No…" My sob fills the air just as another explosion comes from the distance. I instinctively reach up, squeezing my necklace as I search for guidance. I open my eyes, reaching for the boulders still surrounding Chrissy's body, trying to find strength. I don't know how long I spend digging through the rubble. Or how long it takes me to dig Chrissy's frail body out. There are still explosions in the distance and the screams of my own people. Even through my pain and sorrow, I know the world as I know it is about to change.

I take my time burying her. Even when I realize my fingers are bloodied and torn, my nails broken, I don't stop until her body is safely tucked away, and I feel she is at rest. I stare at the mound of dirt, letting my tears fall.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

Turning, I grasp my makeshift weapon, making my way deeper into the blight to search for any survivors. Chrissy may not have made it out, but that doesn't mean that the others didn't. As I make my way through the city, the blazing flames spiral out of control around me. My chest aches at the sight of the bodies, bodies of people both dead and alive. Some are holding their loved ones while others are crouched, paralyzed in fear. None of these faces are familiar. It seems like the deeper I get, the louder the screams grow. I don't want to approach them, but I have to. Screams mean living. And living means there's a possibility of whoever is left being there.

As I get closer, the shouts become more clear. They are mingled with foreign words as if someone is giving a command. My eyes widen when I move from behind a pillar to see a man standing with his back to me. My mind instinctually knows this isn't a man standing before me. He's one of them . His uniform matches the alien uniforms I saw in the park years ago. My eyes drift to the foreign weapon in his hand. It's definitely from their own armory.

It takes me a moment to realize he's approaching a child. Tears streak the boy's dirt-ridden face as he stands over what remains of a corpse. The boy's back is to the stranger, completely unaware of the threat. My mind ignores all fear and consequences as I tighten my grip around the machete in my hands. I don't know what happens to prisoners of the Leviathan, but none of them have ever escaped to tell the tale. I let my adrenaline fuel me as I focus on the alien's lower back, launching from my hidden position. I grip the machete directly in front of me, ready to strike, when an invisible force suddenly throws my body back.

I cry out in pain, the machete flying from my grip as I collide with the ground. I grit my teeth in pain from the force, but I'm not able to open my eyes before I'm hauled up by my tattered shirt. My hands immediately fly to whoever is holding me with such an intense grip. Icy fear seizes my body, staunching any instinct I had to fight.

This must be one of them. The invaders that took over our world. I've never seen anyone—no, anything like him.

He's a tall Leviathan. He has to be well over six feet as he holds me up, especially since my feet dangle uselessly beneath me from the distance between me and the ground. His features are terrifying in their beauty. His jaw is well-defined, emphasizing the naturally alluring curve of his lips. Lips that are set in disdain as he studies me. His hair is stark white, accompanied by his white lashes and brows, with a jeweled pendant holding it out of his face, allowing it to flow freely down his back.

The longer he glares at me, the more my body panics, understanding that this creature is not human. Not even close.

He blinks, angling his head slightly to better look at me and I notice the unnatural hue of his eyes. They're purple. The color is vivid, with flecks of blue sprinkled generously within them. They are unlike anything I've ever seen. He is unlike anything I have ever seen.

"You tried to kill him," he says.

The sound of his voice alone sends a chill down my spine. It's smooth and almost sensual without his trying, the rich baritone settling in my bones. His gaze narrows slightly in disgust. I vaguely note that unlike the Leviathan whose life he saved, he's dressed in all white. And not an ounce of blood or dirt stains the material.

Crippling fear prevents me from speaking; my only response at this point is to struggle. This Leviathan has caught me in the process of trying to kill his own. And he does not look pleased. I desperately struggle, trying my best to pry his hands away from my clothes, but it's no use. If anything, my struggles are causing him to grow more irritated.

"Let me go!" I scream after seconds of trying to free myself from his grasp. He still doesn't move. Only his eyes roam over me with a predatory interest.

My earlier target approaches, pulling the Leviathan's attention. He is clearly a subordinate as he speaks to the alien holding me, the boy I was aiming to protect unconscious in his grip. An unfamiliar language fills the air, and the Leviathan holding me scoffs, his gaze shifting back to me as he responds. The Leviathan behind him listens, calmly nods his head, and continues the conversation.

I'm still in a panic as the conversation continues around me.

Finally, the Leviathan holding me moves. His eyes shift slightly. It's such a small and graceful movement as his gaze glides down my body and back to my face. I can't form a coherent thought, let alone beg for my life. But he releases me, and I drop to the ground like dead weight, dirt flying around me. I gaze up at the being, trying my best to read the situation, but I can't. There isn't any emotion on his face. He's like a statue carved and sent from heaven itself to pass judgment.

He reaches for me without another word, and I don't stop the violent shiver that overcomes me. This is it. This is how I die. I scramble away from him in the dirt, my hands shifting over my body as I try to find a weapon. I finally remember the grenade I keep with me just for moments like this. My last resort. The one thing that will save me from a fate worse than death and possibly kill the being in front of me. I force my body to move, squeezing my eyes shut as I yank the grenade out of its hidden place on my hip, looking my enemy in the eye as I release the pin.

A small smile creeps over my lips, and I see something cross his features as he considers the gravity of his situation.

Shock.

It gives me the bravery I need to utter my last words and finally speak to this terrifying creature.

"Fuck you. "

My words ring out in the air, and I notice the corner of his mouth twitch slightly before I close my eyes, waiting for the sweet caress of oblivion to overcome me.