Layla POV

"Dad," I say.

"That's right," he says, "Want to explain?"

"I don't have to," I say, "I'm dating someone. You knew that."

"I never knew you were a faggot, Layla," he says.

"You can't say that," I say.

"I don't care," he says, "This society should have never changed. People shouldn't accept people like you."

"But they do," Glowy says, "And there's nothing in your power you can do about it."

"Excuse me," he says, "Nobody says that to me."

"Because you're the king of this land," I say, "But you're the king of nowhere else. You're only the king of some old farm. That's nowhere. You're nobody. To me, and to the rest of the world.

"You don't say that to your father," my dad says.

I laugh and say, "Good thing I'm not your daughter then, right? Mom cheated."

Dad says, "What?"

"Want me to say it slower," I say, "Mom cheated. You. Are. Not. My. Real. Dad."

It's a lie, but so what? In that moment, I realized I hated him. I hated how he had pretend authority. I hated how he disrespected everyone. I hated his dumb punishments for dumb things. I hated my father. And I know it's not right to hate your father, but that man is not my father. He is a dumb excuse for one.

"Layla, you know I know you're lying." He says, "This is unacceptable behavior."

"Mom supports me. Can't you just go away and leave us in peace?"

"Well honey, I love you both very much-"

"You don't act like it," I say, breaking his words.

"And how so?"

"You've never cared! You didn't even know I was dating someone. You didn't even know I was friends with redheads."

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah. And I'm not taking your orders anymore."

When I look back at the others, well, all but Clove scattered. Clove's shocked and also angry.

"Let's go, Layla," she finally says, leading me off from him.

Eli POV

I actually stayed there, and when Layla's dad called her mom into the backyard, I gulped.

"This is going too far. We need to get those fronts over here.. a war against those treehugging redhead lovers," her dad says.

I hold everything in, though I wanted to scream at her dad so badly. I wanted to gasp, and warn the others. But I'd be caught for spying and then it's back to square one for Em.

They start agreeing and talking about the war, and then they go inside. Coast is clear. I should leave. Now.

God, I never should've escaped jail. It's not like I changed or learned anything, either. I just was confined. But then.. maybe I would've died. This is really confusing. I'm hurt, but I know I have to tell someone about my discoveries.

I go down the hill to be greeted by Rikari.

"Eli!"

"Hey Rikari! You look better already."

"Well being with my friends does something," she replies, "It should for all of us.

"That's good. I have to tell you something," I say.

"Before you continue, I'm aro-ace-" she jokes.

"Cool. Anyway, this is sorta serious. I think Layla's mom and dad are trying to get the war fronts over here. I eavesdropped after Layla and Clove left."

"Sort of serious? Eli.. this is really super serious. We have to warn the others," Rikari replies.

"I know. And I will. You're the first I've told," I say.

"I'M the first? I'm sure Layla would like to know if her parents were planning to continue a war against everything she stands for!"

Rikari panics, muttering a whole bunch of things. A reaction I did indeed expect. Why wouldn't I? A war isn't something anyone wants.

But this reaction from Rikari didn't add up. Didn't make sense. She was normally energized, the definition of an energy drink, happy, goofy. Why was she so stressed?

"Eli, it's not even been two weeks since I arrived, I'm gonna target myself.."

"Did I hear that right," says Layla suddenly, scaring both Rikari and I. "My parents.. a war?"

"Yea," I say, "Can you tell everyone?"

"By tell you mean WARN?"

"Yes, obviously we're not that stupid."

"You're jail escapees, I really wouldn't pull that card."

"Okay guys, stop," Rikari finally says, "This is serious. The war."

"I'll get the megaphone and go to the mess hall," says Layla, "You two tell our friends and come up with a plan."

Clove POV

"Won again," Laughs Valen, "Clove, you kinda suck at Uno."

"Glowy is targeting me! What do you expect me to do," I sigh.

"I have every right to," she jokes, "It's The Revenge Of The Green Beans. They're really offended you insulted them."

"Rikari cooked them cold. That was NOT my fault," I say.

Suddenly, Rikari and Eli barge in. Eli looks worried, and Rikari is bright white.

"Rikari? Are you okay," I ask. She collapses, luckily I catch her.

"They're getting the war fronts here.. Layla's parents are bringing the war fronts to the farm. Layla's announcing it to the rest of the people, we have to come up with a plan," Eli says.

"War? Jesus Christ, most of us are newbies! No, actually we all are," Valen sighs, "Except me."

In response to this, Eli cocks his head and raises a confused eyebrow but stays silent.

"This .. this is terrible," Glowy says.

"Hey, it'll be okay," I say to them both, "We'll fight for what we believe in. If we win.. you guys get to live without fear."

"How are you so calm," Eli asks, "You're the calmest and most optimistic person about this news ever."

"I've always wanted to fight for what I believed in." I was horrified, actually. Just better at hiding it. Once they left, I could scream in peace.

"Clove.. you're the bravest person I've ever met," Glowy admits, "Even when I was new here.. you.. you saved me. Mentally."

I hug Glowy, after resting Rikari on a wall. She looked unwell, really sick and scared.

"I say that if we all fight, no matter what, we stick together and don't leave each other, and have a base for all of us to report to," Rikari says, rather insightfully after waking up.

"I think I can agree to that," I say.

"Yeah, me too."

"Me three. I think that's a good way to actually become a team."

"Yeah. Rikari, you're a good planner. Very insightful," Eli says.

"Thank you," she says, blushing at the fact that she just got complimented.

Glowy POV

A war. And murder. This all wasn't me anymore. Or maybe it was me all along. I can't tell. There's an equal probability for it being both. This was all so damn confusing.

I was just happy I was teaming up with my friends. My friends. The people I'd team up with any day. I wouldn't have been able to even say I had friends a week ago. My life's changed, a lot, but for better or for worse?

"If we win, I'd be happy," Valen says, "We wouldn't have to live in fear for us. For our children."

"I'd also be happy," I say, "I wouldn't have to dye and damage my hair just to hide myself."

"I think we'd all be happy. Us winning would really be the better option. We're gonna fight for what we believe in, no matter what anyone says," Clove adds.

The intercom blares, with a voice we all recognize, Layla's. The announcement is about to happen. And we have to go see it through, even if we already know.

"May everyone please report to the main hall, please. I have an announcement to make."

Valen POV

I clutch onto Glowy, and together we walk to the mess hall, everyone else following either behind or in front of us. Eli mysteriously sits alone near us, but everyone else crowds us two.

Once we get there, we all find spots.

"I have to tell you all something. My parents.. they're planning to start a war against the redheads. You'll have to pick sides very soon, I've overheard more things. They're serious about this, and even laughed when I told them it wasn't okay," Layla says.

There are gasps and murmurs all around the room. A war. A shocking, huge thing, was happening so soon.

"I know you're scared. But just try to stay with someone. Let it be one person, let it be six. I do not care what side you're on, just try to stick to someone. Partner. Dual."

Everyone looks at a specific person, except for us who all look at each other.

"You're all going to be okay. Thank you for listening. I hope all of you make it out safely."

Murmurs, whispers, panicked talking is set all over the mess hall. At that point, it was lunchtime and some of us ate food. But most of us were too scared to eat, so instead, we discussed plans.

Layla sits down with us after a while. She looks scared, but determined. Rikari turns to her with the best smile she can muster.

"We're gonna team up," Rikari says, "I think we have a solid plan. Do you want me to explain it to you?"

"Okay," Layla says.

Hearing others around making their plans, I decide to turn and look at Glowy. She's panicking, like we all are, but I still want to comfort her.

"Are you okay?"

"No. This is too much. I need a break but I can't go anywhere."

"Do- huh?"

Layla's dad, and Layla's mom barge into the mess hall. They're grinning, smiling. You can tell they've been laughing. All of our faces fall.

"War's here."

I clutch onto Glowy, and all of a sudden I know this isn't a joke, or even just a cruel fucking nightmare. Not even just a story I'm reading.

Because a bullet just went through the window and straight for Rikari's neck. And at the same time, everyone began to scream. Bullets flew around, people were dodging and getting hit, already blood was coming into the once clean mess hall area.

The war's officially here. We have to get out.