Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty five: Step out

Thirty minutes later, the rogues were gathered all around. For the first time, since I met them, I was able to look at them calmly. I realized they were much more than I imagined. Aside from Aria, there were a few other females. I made a mental note to get the specific number of rogues from Jonas later on. Knowing the number of rogues would determine how well I'm going to plan a few things with Jonas.

Looking all around, I realized that the standard of living was too poor. It was all due to the fact that there were no opportunities or materials to use at their disposal in the forest.

"Are you just going to stand there and stare at us? Huh?" I heard a rogue yell and I snapped out of my thoughts. I was thinking far and ahead when I had not even solved a pressing matter.

"What do you think?" I asked back, with a small smile on my face. My smile obviously provoked the rogues as he was taken aback by my words.

"What do I think? Is that all you have to say?" He asked, with a frown and a voice filled with disbelief.

Suddenly, the other rogues started to mutter and chatter. "She does not even look remorseful about what she has done! Our lives are not worth anything to her!" Another rogue said, in anger and I chuckled. It was irony as only I could tell how much Kai's last look tortured me. It had only been a few hours, however, I couldn't forget how he had looked at me with eyes filled with horror and disbelief.

"You should get away from us! We don't need a cold-blooded murderer like you!" They yelled and I was stumped. My eyes turned red in anger and I took a few steps backward. I tried to keep as much space between me and the rogues. No one knows what I could do at this point.

The murmurs and chatters continued and as I watched them, I realized just how gullible they were. I realized why and how the King had used them as scapegoats. It was too easy to do away with people who couldn't think deeply.

"I think this is not the right time to address them. They are too agitated." I heard Jonas' voice from behind and I chuckled. He had noticed the way I had been holding myself back. I didn't want to harm anyone.

"Are you worried about me or are you worried about me attacking your brothers and sisters?" I asked, with a smirk as I turned to look at him. He was a bit stunned by my words. He looked at me with a blank expression for a few seconds.

"Both! I do not want anyone else to get hurt. The bloodshed is getting too much." He said, straightforwardly.

"Then let me handle this! We are on the same page." I replied, confidently. Even though I might have to go through a rough approach in order to make them see reasons with me, I do not care.

In the next second, Jonas stepped back as he relinquished the reins once again. Slowly, I turned to look at her rogues who were still muttering, in anger. Their mutters were slowly turning into shouts and loud cries.

Looking at them, the anger in me bubbled and I was just tempted to tie up their mouths but then I couldn't do that.

"Silence!!" I ordered, in a loud tone that overshadowed everyone else.

Swiftly, silence swept over the whole place and they looked at me, with so much shock. The only question that I really wanted to ask them was stuck in my throat. However, I just had to let it out.

"What if Jonas had died, huh?" I asked and they looked at me, confusedly.

"When Kai shot the arrow, why didn't any one of you save him?" I asked, through gritted teeth.

"You all love each other so much, huh? Why did you not save Aria when Kai went for her, just because she said the truth!" I yelled and they all looked at me, with a dumbfounded expression.

"You all claim to love and support each other, would you have stood in for any of them while they were in danger? Huh?" I asked but I still got no reply.

At this point, I didn't care if they think I'm trying to take credit for what I did. They didn't save anyone, so they couldn't proudly take credit for anything.

As I looked at them, my eyes were met with that of Aria's, however, I was quick to look away. My moment with her back in the tent was too intensifying.

"You all blame me for killing Ski as well as his brother, right?" I continued to say but this time, I didn't even want an answer from them anymore.

"When you all attacked me, it was me against you all. What if I didn't come out alive? Huh? I fought my way out and now you all want me to become your leader? Huh?" I said and I could hear a few gasps. On the other hand, Jonas shifted uneasily and I could sense his apprehension.

"You do not have to rub that on our faces! We asked you to join us and not to kill any of us." One of the rogues clapped back, however, his words didn't receive any support from the others.

"If any one of you still thinks that Kai's death isn't justified, step out!" I ordered and there was another series of gasps. They looked at me, with bewildered gazes and I smirked.

"Don't push us, Miss Anna!" I heard one of them say but then I ignored.

"If any one of you think Jonas or Aria should have died in place of Kai, please step out." I rephrased my words and apart from surprised gasps, I could see troubled looks on their faces.