Ellenséges vágy

-Seraphinelle Bloodrose-

On this Earth where we live, it is said that only the strongest survive. Humanity has already fractured, turning into traitors who began fighting against their own kin. This is how the Earth came to be divided into four different tribes. But then, things changed again. For reasons incomprehensible to all, the radiation wiped out one tribe—interestingly, it didn’t affect the other tribes or us. And I am determined to figure out why that is.

“Saph!” Lilith runs up to me and hugs me tightly. I smile and hug her back. I’ve known and loved her since we were children. We meet every day, yet she always hugs me as though we haven’t seen each other in years.

The nickname “Saph” has stuck with me since I was little because my parents gave me a name no one can pronounce: Seraphinelle Bloodrose. The name Seraphinelle means fire and flame. I’ve never understood why they chose it.

While I listened to Lilith talk about her favorite book, someone used my shoulder as a boost to lift themselves up. I laughed and turned around. It was Darian. I met him a bit later than Lilith, but I love them both equally.

“Hello, princesses,” he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder before pulling Lilith into a hug as well. “What did I miss?” he asks as we start walking toward the town.

“I was just telling Saph how the couple in my favorite book got together,” Lilith’s eyes light up.

“But you told that story last time,” Darian says, frowning.

“Well, it’s no longer the same favorite book I had last time,” I laugh, and Darian nods in understanding.

“You women…” He rolls his eyes, and I playfully nudge him.

“As if men are any better?”

“My apologies,” Darian sighs dramatically. “I forgot I was speaking with Ms. Feminist Saph.” He grins, and I ruffle his hair with a smile.

The town’s only café was located near the center. It was our hangout spot—and, since it was the only meeting place for everyone in the tribe, it was essentially the tribe’s gathering place. As usual, we claimed our spot on the sofa in the corner.

“I’ve got a fantastic idea,” Darian says with a mischievous grin, causing me to raise an eyebrow.

“This is how the trouble usually starts,” Lilith says, and we exchange amused glances.

“Should I tell you, or should I wait for Saph to chime in about how disastrously these things usually end?” he sighs. I laugh and gesture for him to continue. “So, here’s the deal: we could sneak past the wall. I know it sounds dangerous, but I really want to see what’s on the other side,” Darian says eagerly.

The wall separated us from the rest of nature. My grandfather built it years ago. He doubted the existence of radiation, as I do. He kept saying it was better to be safe, and he convinced the leader to take action.

“We can’t,” I shake my head, and both Lilith and Darian sigh. It was clear Lilith liked the idea too. I can’t deny that I did as well, but I wouldn’t risk my friends’ lives.

“Please, Saph,” Darian begs, but I shake my head again.

“You’re not going either. Anything could happen out there,” I cross my arms defensively.

“You mean the radiation?” Lilith raises an eyebrow.

“No, I mean whatever lies beyond the radiation,” I lean back against the sofa. Lilith and Darian exchange glances.

“Then we’ll go alone,” Darian says, and I lower my gaze. They knew how to get to me.

“Fine,” I sigh. “But if anything happens to either of you…” I wag my finger at them. Lilith and Darian scream in delight before piling onto me. Laughing, I pat their backs.

I adjust the ribbon in my hair, a gift from my grandfather, and turn back to them.

“Let’s meet at the café at 8,” Darian says, standing up. Lilith and I nod, and we all head our separate ways. As Darian and Lilith head toward their homes, I head to another building.

My father once told me about a place stocked with weapons. When people panicked over the death of a tribe, they prepared for everything—even war. But when no signs appeared for two decades, everyone stuck to the radiation theory.

This place, a shooting house, was where people trained. I looked at the locked door, but my father also mentioned there was another entrance at the back, so I headed that way.

Once inside, I rummaged through the cabinets, pulling out a weapon and slipping it under my clothes before leaving. Better safe than sorry, even though I’d never fired a gun before.

At 8, the three of us gathered outside the café and headed for the gate.

“How do you plan to get past the gate? There are at least fifty guards. Do you even have a plan?” I whisper from behind a bush.

“Of course I have a plan,” Darian says smugly.

I sigh and glance back at Lilith, who’s staring up at the guards.

“Remember that big frenzy about the war?” Darian asks dramatically.

“That was before you were even born,” I whisper, and Lilith chuckles softly.

“Whatever,” Darian waves it off. “There are emergency exits that everyone thought were sealed, but one was left open. We can use that.”

“Great,” I whisper sarcastically.

Getting close to it was surprisingly simple. The metal gate had an uncovered section.

“How on Earth do you even know this?” Lilith asks, and Darian smirks.

“Let’s just say I have my sources,” he winks before slipping through the gap. I let Lilith go first before following.

What awaited us was breathtaking. The trees were taller and grander than those behind the wall. Some were visible from within, but up close, they were even more magnificent. Not far off, there was a stunning lake. It was unbelievable how such a magical place had been hidden behind the wall.

“Where have I brought you?” Darian grins.

“Wonderful,” I mutter. “We can head back now,” I say, turning, but Darian grabs my hand.

“Not so fast, princess. We haven’t even explored yet,” he smiles.

“Let’s at least walk to the other side of the lake,” Lilith pleads beside Darian, and I sigh in defeat.

Darian and Lilith walk ahead, grinning, while I follow a few steps behind, flashlight in hand.

The farther we went, the more beautiful the scenery became, but it didn’t mean it was safe.

When we reached the other side of the lake, we spotted a building. Surprised, I headed toward it.

“I knew you’d get curious if we ventured farther,” Lilith teases.

“Weren’t we told there was nothing in the forest beyond the wall?” I ask Darian. He gulps and nods.

“Yeah, but this place is ruined. It’s only partially standing. Let’s go inside,” he says, moving ahead, but I place a hand on his chest to stop him.

“You said we’d only go as far as the lake’s other side.”

“This is the lake’s other side,” he winks, and I fight the urge to slap him. I couldn’t deny I was curious about the building, though.

Darian reaches the door and stops.

“This is creepy,” Lilith says, shining her light on the door.

“That’s what makes it fun,” Darian grins.

I stare at the door, grab the handle, and open it cautiously. Before stepping in, I shine my flashlight inside. Once certain it’s safe, I enter, followed by Lilith and Darian.

“Wow,” Lilith shines her light around the room but freezes when a floorboard creaks beneath her feet.

I reach for the gun, and Darian’s eyes widen.

“Saph, tell me you’re joking,” he whispers.

“I’m not,” I say, pulling the gun and holding it tightly at my side as I step deeper into the room.

“I can’t believe you,” Darian mutters, but Lilith looks at him with approval.

I offer a faint smile before heading toward the sound.

“Stay behind me, and don’t do anything stupid,” I whisper. Then I hear a man’s voice—and another one.

Startled, I glance back. Darian holds a stick, staring in the direction of the sound. I move toward the door and try to peek through the keyhole.

“I’m going in. Watch Lilith,” I whisper to Darian.

“Are you crazy? They’re men,” he whispers back.

“Do you think I can’t handle them?” I whisper, peeking again.

One man was pointing a gun at another lying on the floor. A second gun lay nearby.

“Get on the ground, now!” the armed man shouts. I kick the door open and aim my gun at him.

“You can go after him,” I shout. Both men turn to me in surprise. I step further into the room.

The armed man picks up the second gun and points one at me and the other at the man on the ground.

“And who the hell are you?” he asks angrily.

“I don’t think that’s important,” I say, tilting my chin up. “Who’s the man on the ground?”

“I don’t think that’s important either,” he mocks.

“Answers, or I’ll shoot,” I say, making him raise an eyebrow.

“Guess what? I’ve got a gun too,” he says mockingly, and I smile faintly.

“The question is, who’ll use theirs first?” I aim for his arm and graze his shoulder, making him drop the gun pointed at me. It wasn’t enough to seriously injure him, but he flinched.

“Ow, that wasn’t very nice,” he says before shooting the man on the ground. Covering my mouth in shock, I rush to the injured man, trying to stop the bleeding.

The armed man tosses his gun away, and when I look at him, he brushes his nearly black hair from his sky-blue eyes and smirks mockingly.

“See you around, sweetie” he says before vanishing.