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Thirty Six | Restricted*

*Mature content: graphic violence, and GORE.

"Landon, me, Leora and...," I paused to take a breath, "...and Cici had stopped for the night. I searched the house and found a zom in the upstairs office. She had hung herself – it looked like she had been there for years so I closed the door and left her there. I couldn't bring myself to take her out."

Alana nodded with warm eyes. She urged me to continue and I focused on retelling that night without any emotions. The last thing I wanted to do was start sobbing in front of Landon. He stood hand cuffed to the wall – Caren was here too.

Caren, Jax, Leon and Cam sat in chairs at the back of the room while Alana sat at the front with Ray at her side. This was a matter she wanted to keep low key in the town – she didn't want a divide in the town.

"A while later we went to bed – I awoke to the zom on top of Leora. It was too late to save her but I got Cici out of the way and disposed of the zom. I should have done that earlier but I didn't think she could escape," I continued looking over at Landon who settled for staying silent, "She didn't. Landon entered the room then, and I noticed the knife poking out of his pocket. Realizing what he had done I demanded Cici get behind me..."

I grew quiet as a lump formed thick in my throat. Memories flooded my mind and I thought of all the things I could have done differently that night. All the ways Cici could have been spared and all the reasons why this was my fault.

"We can take a break if you need one," Alana said softly.

I shook my head – this needed to be dealt with, "He stabbed her as soon as she realized the truth. Then he left just as the horde was closing in. She died in my arms. Leon arrived shortly after – he had to pry me off of Cici and drag me away in order to escape in time. And that was that."

"She has no proof," Landon hissed quietly, "That's not what happened. I thought I watched her get bit – the horde hit and got to Leora, and Cerci and her I thought. Sure I tried to poison her but that's because I was angry. Look at what she did to Aaron and Jackson!"

"Alana," Leon purred standing, "I can prove he did in fact kill Cerci."

All eyes swung to him, and Alana leaned forward, "Go ahead."

Leon strode up to Alana with ease. He took his time, holding the entire room on edge. My own breath was held as I wondered what Leon was planning and I didn't even need to glance over at Landon to know he was worried. With one glance my suspicions were confirmed and I was fed with fear.

Landon was afraid.

Leon pulled a bag from his pocket. From inside, he pulled out a knife and a single piece of paper. He placed both down in front of Alana before stepping back. Once he was back in his seat Alana picked up the paper.

"You hold the same knife that Landon used on Cerci. The paper is the blood report." Leon explained.

"I did it for the sake of the city! That bitch threatened our way of life!" Landon roared pointing at me, "She caused all of this!"

Alana sighed deeply, "I've heard enough. Landon Hill you are officially banished from the Town of Roses. You will be escorted through the main gates and I suggest you start walking away. Should you be spotted once you are walked out, you will be shot on sight. Which means we will need a new General. Jax I believe it is time you claimed your rightful title. It is what Alban would have wanted. This verdict is final. Come with me Jax, we will discuss the future."

A sob bubbled up from my throat as relief warmed through me. Finally, justice was being served. Jax rubbed my back soothingly before standing. We watched as Landon was dragged away. Caren followed after him, crying obnoxiously loud. Alana looked over at me briefly before she nodded. Then, she left the room with Raymond in tow.

"I'll see you later," Jax promised me before hurrying after her.

"I don't understand," Cam said suddenly. His attention was on Leon, "Where'd you get the blood test done?"

"I lied. Of course I wouldn't have picked the knife up when we were escaping a horde. But Landon didn't know that. I merely assumed he would crack – and I was right," Leon replied, "Now if you'll excuse me, I promised Annie I would help with dinner."

I blinked at him, watching as he left. I was proud of the man but at the same time... he was clearly much smarter than he pretended to be. It made me cautious of Leon. Just who exactly was 02? Not to mention I hadn't even questioned him on his experience as a lab rat.

Dread fell over me as I realized I was acting foolishly. When he was telling me about Eric Maxwell I was so preoccupied on what I was I didn't even ask him what he was. I knew nothing about Leon, not really. I needed to learn more about Leon.

However, first, I needed to follow Landon. I was satisfied with Alana's decision but I still needed to end this. Landon needed to die by my hand. Tonight. Beside me Cam cleared his throat, reminding me he was still here.

"I think I want to go for a walk," I blurt out, "Alone."

"So you can kill Landon?" he asked softly.

My eyes widened. He smiled slightly, "I was planning it too. I didn't want Jax stopping me but...I want Landon dead. He doesn't deserve to live. Not after what he did to Alban and Cici."

"You loved her," I realized.

Cam swallowed. His gaze tore away from mine. Then, the man nodded, a single tear dripping down his cheek. My heart broke for him. It hurt that Cam was hurting. It hurt to know I hadn't even realized my friend was in pain. I placed my hand on his leg and he looked back to me.

"Then let's go."

"Remember Mira it's so much easier to be bad than good," Dad reminded me as we watched the men pull the screaming woman into the shop with them.

My eyes continued to watch before dad pulled me forcefully away. Away from the scene. Away from the evil that was about to occur. After he had shown me that I had nightmares for weeks. They were so vicious that dad apologized to me.

"I shouldn't have showed you that," he said softly, "I wanted to scare you away from people. See Erin, I'm not good either."

Thinking back I know he was wrong. There wasn't just good and bad. The world wasn't that simple. Morals that were always fuzzy became fuzzier. When humanity died so did the entire concept of morality. Now, good and bad were what we decided.

Justice was through our judgement.

"Look," Cam mumbled pointing at the road.

My gaze snapped up and I peered through the darkness. It had been a few hours since the sun had set – we were down the road a good mile. Waiting. Finally, Landon appeared but he wasn't alone. At his side was Caren.

"We'll beg Eric if we have to," Caren was telling Landon, "he can't strand you – not after all you've done for him!"

"Shit," Cam said softly, "We'll have to break them up. Caren's only crime is being loyal."

I grabbed his arm to keep him from moving. Their conversation was of use to me. Obviously they were talking of Eric Maxwell. It would seem Maxwell was fucking everywhere. Worse than the virus itself.

"He will. Don't worry. As soon as we reach the Village of Ash, we will sort all of it out," Landon snapped, "Then we'll come back and ruin Alana and the whole fucking lot of them. All of them. They fucked with the wrong man."

City of Ash?

That must be where Maxwell was holed up.

"Mira we have to move," Cam whispered, "or we'll lose our chance."

I blinked then nodded. We stepped out from the trees and stepped onto the road. Instantly Landon and Caren froze. The two were unarmed and had nothing 'cept for their coats. Of course Alana sent them out unarmed but warm.

"W-What are you two doing here?" Caren asked, her arm wrapping around Landon.

"Cam, take Caren away from him," I ordered ignoring her.

"No!" Caren screamed as Cam grabbed her, "No! Don't hurt him!"

I faced Landon who seemed eerily calm. He watched me carefully. I saw only a flash of rage in his eyes before he charged at me. However, I was ready for him. I was ready for him since the first day I lay eyes on the pathetic excuse of a human.

It took only a side step to doge him. He stumbled, swinging his fist towards me. This time I shoved his arm out of the way. Siding my knife free from my pocket I slashed it across his knuckles.

Three fingers came off and he screamed like a baby.

"LANDON!" Caren screeched behind me.

He clumsily leered back before trying to grab me. My blood boiled at the thought of those filthy fingers touching me. Pushing all my weight onto one foot, I rose the other. Kicking right into his chest and pushing myself back. I propelled us through the air and landed on my feet. On his chest, with Landon on his back.

His remaining fingers were weak against my boots and I threw my knife down with a flick of my wrist. His other hand lost two fingers. He pissed himself, continuing to cry. The sight of him made my insides coil with a pleasure not even Jax had given me.

More.

I wanted more.

Squatting on his chest, my fingers gently grazed his chin. His skin was cold – much colder than the melting snow around us. Landon's lips were a light shade of blue as well, much bluer than the sky. Death made him look like a beautiful man.

"P-Please don't kill me," he blubbered, "H-Have mercy. Please!"

"There's no such thing as mercy," I replied simply, placing my thumb under his chin and forcing the remaining into his mouth.

His eyes grew as wide as saucers before they were frozen forever. On three, I yanked my hand down. His jaw creaked before his skin ripped. Blood splattered like a Pollock painting on my hands, my face, my attire, the ground, the snow and Landon's remaining body. His sudden lack of jaw gushed the crimson liquid and I quickly let go, rearing back.

Now, justice was served.

"Monster!" Caren screamed, "You monster!"

I turned, smearing the sticky blood against my cheek. Despite the pleasure throbbing through my body I kept my face blank and my eyes hard. Caren's own face was soaked with tears, they suddenly grew wide before fear had her frozen. My eyes flickered to Cam who seemed so shocked his hold on Caren, who dropped to her knees.

"Y-Your eyes," Cam gulped.

I blinked, rubbing the blood right off my cheek, "What's wrong with them?"

His brows furrowed before he shook his head, "Nothing? I don't know. I thought they were red for a second. Reflection off the blood maybe?"

"Demon," Caren muttered, her tear leaking eyes dragged up to me, "You're a demon right from hell. This is our punishment. We tried to fix a world created by god. This is what we get. Mama was right. This is hell."

"I don't think she's ok," I hummed.

Cam looked past me, "I don't think I'm ok. Couldn't you have slit his throat?"

I shrugged, "I do feel bad for having her here but I have no feelings on the matter. Do you? Anyways, we should head back before we're noticed missing. I'm sure she'll be fine on her own."

He didn't respond. Caren suddenly stood, laughing loudly, "Am I allowed to live then? Am I blessed? The demons won't hurt me! I am immune! Landon was bad but I am good!"

I frowned, reaching out for her, "Caren..."

"No!" she hissed, "You cannot harm me!"

She ran for Landon's body. Grabbing my knife, she faced us – point towards us, "You will not harm me demon! I am good!"

Cam pulled me slowly behind him. Caren's eyes widened on him before she smiled – an oddly warm and kind one. Then she turned on her heels and began running down the road as fast as she could. I took a step to follow her before Cam's hand stopped me.

"She's running away from the town. Not our problem. He'll most likely get picked at soon, we've made a lot of noise. We need to head back Mira," he said softly.

I nodded slowly before looking at him, "But what the fuck just happened?"

His hazel eyes seemed to harden before he turned his back to me. He began to walk away. I wondered briefly if he was going to ignore me. I was fine with that, it seemed he was in "Jax" mode at the moment.

We reached the gates in less than an hour. There were the normal crew on duty and I was grateful for that. They wouldn't ask any questions. Sure enough the gates slid open and Cam and me walked through towards the base for the normal check in.

"Justice doesn't feel all that good does it," he suddenly said softly as we reached the flap.

My mouth opened but no words tumbled out. He sighed before leaving me standing there. My fist clenched as I looked down. Of course he felt guilty, he was Cam after all. I shouldn't have brought him.

But... he was wrong about one thing. That justice. That face of Landon's laying in the snow bloody and mangled... it replayed over and over in my mind. And every time it did a warmth filled me. From my toes to my head. 

That justice felt like the best thing in the world.