Chapter 30

The tension in the tent was indisputable as Matt stepped inside, his eyes narrowing at the sight of us. I felt my heart race, adrenaline flooding my system. “Well, well, what do we have here?” he said, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Before I could respond, Matt swiftly drew his gun, the metallic click echoing in the confined space. He pointed it directly at me, and I instinctively flinched, the cold steel of the situation tightening around my throat.

“Look at this,” he continued, his tone dripping with condescension. “The so-called hero of Galene, caught like a rat in a trap. You really thought you could sneak in here and what? Take me out? Pathetic.”

I glared at him, struggling against the instinct to show fear. “You don’t have to do this, Matt. We can talk—”

“Talk?” he interrupted, a sharp laugh escaping his lips. “You think this is about conversation? You’re in over your head, girl. You’re here because you wanted to take something that doesn’t belong to you. But I’ve got news for you: the world isn’t so forgiving.”

He stepped closer, his gun unwavering as he trained it on me. “You think you can rally the people, change their minds? You think you’re fighting for freedom? You’re just another pawn, and pawns get sacrificed in this game. However,” he said taking a pause as he thought it over. “Maybe you’re not a pawn. Maybe you could be something much more useful to me.”

I felt a mix of anger and confusion bubbling inside me. “What do you mean?”

Matt leaned in, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “You’re going to help me maintain control. You’re going to become my right hand. You’re going to make my communication devices and you’re going to help me maintain control here while I move on to bigger and better settlements.”

I struggled to comprehend his twisted logic. “Why would I help you?”

“Oh, you will,” he replied, a sinister smile spreading across his face. “You see, I know what motivates you. You want to protect your little community. You want to keep them safe. And I can provide that safety—if you play along. But if you refuse…” His voice trailed off, the threat hanging heavy in the air.

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“You’re delusional,” I spat, my voice steadier than I felt. “You’re not a leader; you’re a tyrant. You can’t control people through fear forever.”

Matt’s eyes gleamed with madness. “That’s where you’re wrong. Fear is a powerful tool. It drives them to me, makes them reliant on my strength. And you’ll be the shining example of why they shouldn’t work behind my back, isn’t that right, Jared?”

Jared struggled beneath me, his fear palpable. “What are you talking about, Matt?” Panic edged into his voice, making it tremble.

“Oh, Darren told me what you’d been planning. Just like he told me where I would find these two.”

Matt shifted his aim, moving the barrel of his gun from me to Jared. I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest.

“What? Matt, I wouldn’t—Darren is lying,” Jared protested, desperation seeping into his words.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out, right?” Matt said, striding past us to a box at the back of the tent. He began digging around inside, pulling out several items and supplies hidden beneath a layer of stolen snacks.

I reached my hand to my energy sword. With his back turned I could end this all here and now. My fingers trembled as I hesitated a moment too long and Matt turned back holding up a couple of high value items.

Jared’s mouth dropped open in a wide ‘O,’ giving him a sort of fish-like expression. He looked between Matt and me, panic flooding his features.

“Well, well. Looks like Darren didn’t lie.” Without waiting for Jared to respond, Matt pulled the trigger three times.

Time seemed to freeze as I fell backward in shock, directly into Felix, who caught me. I could feel the tremors of what had just happened coursing through me, disbelief clawing at my insides.

Matt stepped back, waving his gun dismissively. “In the morning, I’m moving on to another settlement. Have me a phone ready to go, and I’ll keep in touch. If for any reason you decide to betray me like Jared did, well—” His gaze met Felix’s, and I could see the threat hanging heavy in the air, “it won’t just be your life you’ll lose.”

Every word felt like a punch, the reality of the situation settling over me like a shroud. I was caught in a trap of his making, and the very community I had hoped to save was now being used against me.

“People like you think they can save the world, but it’s not about saving anyone,” Matt continued, his excitement tangible. “It’s about power, control, and survival. You’re going to be the face of my regime, girl. The strong will always rise to the top, and you’ll help me ensure that the weak know their place.”

“You’re wrong,” I said defiantly, my voice gaining confidence.

Matt chuckled, a dark sound that sent chills down my spine. “Oh, you will help me. Or else you’ll find out just how far I’m willing to go to maintain control. I’ve already lost too much, and I won’t lose you as my greatest asset. You’ll be my secret weapon.”

“No,” I said, “your intel was wrong, Matt,” my voice icy cold. “There were three of us.”