Page 29 of Uprising

I told her to wait, I told her I was coming.

And then I realise why she’s done it. He has Lara, he has our daughter. Of course she married him, of course she did whatever she had to, to protect Lara. It’s the same twisted situation as before.

Only I promised I’d save her.

I promised I’d get to her.

And yet all the while she’s been in danger I’ve been out. Unconscious. Bloody useless.

I snarl, slamming my head back against the wall.

“We’ll get her back.” Ben says. “We’ll get all of them back.”

I look at Koen, at where he’s still stood assessing me. “How many men do you have?” I ask.

He smiles. “More than enough for what we need.”

“You’re sure about that?” I retort. I don’t know whether to find this man’s confidence reassuring or not.

I was confident. I was so fucking certain. “I spent six years planning how I was going to get my vengeance and yet Darius still fucking beat me.” I state. “What makes you so sure you can do better?”

His eyes flash. I can see he’s pissed. He steps up putting his hands on the end of the bedframe. “I don’t fuck around so when you’re ready I’ll show you what we’re working with.”

“I’m ready now.” I spit.

He shakes his head. “You can barely stand. You’ve been pissing into a tube for the last few months. Do you even know what day of the week it is?”

I open my mouth to reply only I don’t, do I?

He gives a grunt before turning on his heel.

“Fucking prick.” I say before I can stop myself.

Ben looks at me but doesn’t comment. He just sinks into the chair and starts telling me every horrific thing that’s happened since I’ve been out.

Roman

My body really is weak. I can see how much muscle I’ve lost. How much I’ll need to get back to ensure I’m strong enough for what’s ahead.

My chest bears the scar of where I was shot. I run my fingers over it, feeling the raised skin and how tender it is. It’s barely an inch above my heart, how I’m not dead I don’t know but I take that as a good omen. That even God wants me to survive, to continue this fight.

Ben took me on a tour through our new home and it’s surprisingly better than the name suggests. It’s not even tunnels, at least the bit we’re in isn’t. Apparently the Storm Crows set about expanding it, widening the space, turning it into a network that stretches for miles.

It’s like some huge military style bunker, as if they’re preppers all ready for the apocalypse.

We’ve been given our own area too. Holden and Ben watch me warily as I look around the space, but I’m not complaining. It’s cleaner and warmer than I imagined. Hell, take away the fact there aren’t any windows and it’s not that bad.

I’ve let them talk, let them explain all the little details, like how they get the food here, how the plumbing is fully functional. In truth I don’t give a shit about any of it, only I don’t voice that opinion. I’m happy for them to carry on the conversation because it means I don’t have to. I don’t have to try to smile and pretend that any of this is okay.

I need time to process, time to think, but right now we’re in what could loosely be classed as a canteen. All around are long tables with benches either side and at one end I can see all the counters where no doubt you have to queue to get your dinner.

“The food’s not great.” Holden says.

“But it’s better than starving.” Ben says.

I look between them and smirk. I can’t tell if they’re trying to soften the blow of all this, manage my expectations or some such shit.

“How many people are here?” I ask.