Chapter 11

KAIDA'S POV...

District 12?

No way!

How did I end up here?

I have heard about District 12—A place reputed to be a prison zone.

It was well known for its effective serving of cruel punishments to anyone who defaults, and even those who didn't default. If the ruler said you were guilty, then by all means, you are guilty.

I've always dreaded this particular location, never wanting to get myself involved in anything that might lead me here; not even the lure of excess supplies would have charmed me into venturing into such a dangerous land.

But, here I was, standing in the very land I had sworn never to enter. What were the odds?

I slowly looked around me, and a series of daunting questions crept into my mind.

Who was Axton? What was his position? What did he want from me? How did he get such a hideous number of men to be loyal to him? Was I in trouble?

I could not stop the questions from trooping into my mind like soldier ants marching over the hills in search of food.

A cold chill ran down my spine, what if I've been brought here to get punished? Maybe Axton was so angry that I had hidden my identity and fooled everyone for a long time that he decided to bring me over to District 12 and have me punished for my deceptions.

"Hey, are you alright?" Thane gently tapped my wrist, startling me out of my wandering thoughts.

I slowly turned to him, apprehension still surrounding my thoughts. "Ah...yes, I'm fine, Mr. Thane," I replied.

Thane chuckled, shaking his head at me, "Just Thane," He corrected.

I nodded, biting my lips, "Alright," I agreed.

"Come on, let's get you seated; I need to check you up for any injuries," Thane gently held my hand and led me to sit in front of the tent.

I felt that he was very gentle in everything he did, his hand around my wrist as he led me to sit felt so feathery, almost as if he he didn't want to hurt me.

As Thane put a thermometer in my armpit and flashed a pointed light in my eyes, I heard Axton's voice as he ordered his squad to do something.

"Andre, go with Tate and the rest and make sure she has a place to sleep, clear the room to comfort," Axton ordered in his sharp voice.

I froze for a few seconds as I heard him refer to me as 'she.'

I had thought the men were confused about my identity as they had stared at me curiously, but I guess they were just very surprised to see that a female still existed in this infected and destroyed world.

I panicked as I could still feel their burning gaze toward me, my mind wasn't yet at rest as I was the only female in the den of these dangerous men, but, as I carefully scanned my eyes around, my panic was consoled as I realized that their glances and gazes weren't hostile or disrespectful rather it was filled with their ever-growing curiosity about me and my existence.

"Awesome," Thane removed the thermometer and nodded his head, then switched off the torchlight.

He had also scanned my body for any physical injuries but there were none, just a very small and negligible bruise on my arm.

"You look good to go," Thane announced to me.

I looked at his face and slowly nodded. "Thank you," I appreciated his care.

Thane simply chuckled and rose from his squatting position, "Follow me, looks like they're making a room for you," Thane informed me and slowly started walking toward a wooden house beside the tent.

As we stepped onto the creaky wooden front porch, I looked inside a slightly opened window and saw how cramped the room was.

'Am I going to sleep in that?' I thought worriedly.

I know I've not slept in a room for a very very long time, but this one? I'd prefer my makeshift tent to it, at least. I had it all to myself, and it was spacious enough for only me.

The camp room I had seen looked so cramped and could pass for a basic prison cell. I was worried I was going to sleep in that airtight room tonight.

Thane led me past the cramped room, and I sighed in relief, thankful that I didn't get to sleep in there.

We reached in front of another room, and I was surprised to see four men diligently tidying up the whole place.

They saw me and quickened their cleanup; I guess they were the ones Axton had ordered to make room for me.

"You see, our men don't mind giving up their room for you," Thane quietly spoke beside me as I stared into the room, seeing the zeal with which they moved around.

One was carrying a small box over to the corner and paused when he reached my front, "Hello, Miss, welcome to our camp, I'm sorry for the messy condition of the room, but I promise you that we're at your service, we'll try our possible best to meet whatever your needs may be," The man assured me, shocking me with his apology.

I was left speechless as the man hurried away, their kindness marveling at me.

Why were they so willing to sleep out in the corridor because of me, just so they don't inconvenience me?

I didn't need to ask before I'd know that they'd be sleeping out on the corridor. The camp wasn't that large to contain every squad member, that was why the men had to squeeze into a room in groups.

I felt guilty for their displacement; I had to at least try and see if there was any way I could help them.

I turned to my side and looked at Thane, "Thane," I called quietly.

"Yes," he answered, looking toward me.

I blinked my eyes away from his searching ones and shifted to my feet, "Um, why can't they find another room? I mean, instead of just lying in the corridor?" I questioned cautiously.

Thane slowly shook his head before he replied, "Each room has fixed bedding assignments; there are no extra spaces for them to claim as they've given out their assigned room; they have to find anywhere conducive enough for sleeping." He calmly explained.

"Oh...I understand..." I muttered quietly.

Soon, the four men started to exit the room, looking prepared to sleep on the floor with their thin blankets in hand to ward off the harsh cold of the night.

"You're all set,", Thane stepped away from me.

I looked toward him and saw his relaxed and mirthy eyes as he stared at me.

"Alright, I'll leave you for tonight. Please, remember to shut the windows; the wind or sandstorms are usually not funny, and..." he smiled at me, "If you try escaping again, I'm quite sure we won't be able to rescue you from the horrible sandstorm that is coming tonight." Thane said, withholding a chuckle underlying his voice.

"Good night, Thane," I replied, feeling thankful for his company so far.

He stood there and made sure I had locked the door before I heard his footsteps fading away from my door.

I turned and faced the room, it was just a tiny bed bunk bed and a little table to the side. Now that the men had gathered their things out, it wasn't as packed as I had imagined; there was a little space to walk about, I guess.

Tired, I made sure to shut the windows just as Thane advised and sluggishly climbed on the bed, curling up on it.

Feeling the soft mattress under my body, I realized that I hadn't had any decent sleep for a very, very long time.

I stretched my tired body and quietly reflected on the day's events.

I was still feeling uneasy; I couldn't shake off Axton and his squad's behavior; it contrasted with everything I knew about men.

They've proven to be harmless toward me, yet, I wasn't still convinced that I could fully trust them. However, staying here seems to be the better option for now, so I'd bide my time, be alert, and never let my guard down with them.

Soon, just when my body wanted to retire for the day to the beckoning sleep, a very heavy sandstorm hit, causing the windows to vibrate, and I was glad I had shut the windows.

I was about to ignore the heavy wind outside and close my heavy eyes for some well-deserved sleep when I suddenly heard a loud thud and a muffled groan outside my door.