I never read Emily's note yet, and in all honesty I'm terrified of what it will say: what it will probably lead me to.

I have agreed on coming with Red about a week ago, and last week I had nothing, and I still have nothing, that's why I came.

Nothing, I had nothing to live for but then note came along. I don't know where it will lead me to and honestly, I thought coming along with Red would change something, just one thing.

Or maybe I like being around him. And if I'm being real with myself, I'm finding myself wanting to be near him despite what kind of person he is and what he's done. And what he's doing.

But will this note change how I feel right now?

I traced the square folded note in my hoodie, wondering curiously on what she wants me to do.

We were still on the road, though it seemed like we were slowly headed to civilization pretty soon.

'I could jump out and call for help. There must be a town up ahead.' Is what I wished I wanted to do. Instead, I stay seated, watching as billboards go once in awhile, welcoming me to their city that hadn't shown its presence yet.

"Welcome to Sham!" the billboard said, along with other writing saying stuff like: "safe and secure!" and immediately I felt disappointment because that was not at all true, maybe a small pinch of anger was within me while reading it.

"Safe and secure my ass..." I accidentally spoke out loud, though I'm not sure why I said that in the first place.

I mean, they didn't know the Red Army would come and attack it and the whole world along with it, right?

"What??" Red immediately turned and asked me, his features scrunched in only confusion as he slowly stopped in front of a fork in the road, leading off in two different directions.

One road had another billboard saying we were close to civilization, while the other road had no sigh, though this road looked like no one had been that way yet: little plants and tips of grass were sprouting threw the gravel and slipping past the bigger rocks like no one had gone that direction in years. You could tell someone has been there at one point, judging by the fresh, yet fainted, tire trail going that way.

"U-uh," my breath got stuck in my throat, realizing that Red had heard me straight out of the blue. My heart started beating, not sure how to explain myself for saying that. "The billboard, the one we past. It said safe and secure on it." I admitted, trying to sound like nothing bothered me at all.

But that just seemed to humour him as he blew out air from his lips and laughed. "Safe and secure? Please." He mocked the sign, grinning like he was proud. "A huge part of England has already been taken over. So yay, safe and secure." He said, dropping it as he slowly turned to the other direction to where it looked like no one had driven through it in a while.

I studied the billboard next to the other road, trying to read what it was before we could go any further, I read another sentence out loud though that didn't seem to humour Red at all.

"Safe and secure," I repeated, leaning in a little and turning my head just to read the last few words as the billboard was slowly hiding behind the trees, squinting to get a better look as the vehicle still kept moving. "protected by... Tomas something something..." I mumbled the last part, missing what the past few words said. "Protected? What's tha—"

Then my whole body jolted, probably would have hit my head on the dashboard if it wasn't for the seat belt.

My eyes grew wide in surprise, quickly facing Red in question and shock. "Red, what the he—" again but we went in reverse really quick, which led to my body pressing up against my seat was a forceful impact.

The face he was making caught me by surprise: his teeth were clinching and his face scrunched up in anger and confusion as he turned his body to look where he was backing up to, his robotic arm placed atop his seat and his single eye already held a flame, focused on where the vehicles was backing up to.

      He stared to drive towards the other road we weren't originally going down to.

My mind bottle curiously, not sure what to ask that doesn't involve him yelling at me but the way he was suddenly acting caused me to ask one more question without interruption.

"What's wrong?"

"Thomas."

•~•~•

The sound of an over going engine was going in the background with a load roar, it made my adrenaline and heart speed up as the vehicle bounced a few time when hitting a small bump on the road while I watched as everything in front of me speed by immediately.

      "Red! Can you please slow down?!" I yelled, clutching at my own seatbelt.

Right now, Red was going down the road, almost full speed down a highway we entered that the dirt road connected to.

For a short time, Red was spitting his Norwegian language out and about, ranting and making hand gestures while keeping his eye on the road.

The only English word he spoke was: "I'm gonna kill that Commie bastard!"

I sat and watched everything passing us, scared for my life as I tried to keep a watchful eye on everything up ahead to make sure we didn't crash.

I had already given up on telling him to slow down, no actuate response was directed to my demand though he finally spoke some English.

"Protected?! He's probably protecting it because his favourite bar is in that city!" Red began to rant, yelling while still waving his hand in the air.

"What an idiotic, drunken, selfish, British bastard he is!"

"If I see him, I'll put a bullet in that thick skull of his!"

"Asshole! What an Asshole!"

"I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him."

"Oh! LoOk At mE! I'm Tom! I DaY dRank MoSt Of mY lIfE AwAy and now I'm trying to defeat my rival because I CHOSE MY OWN PATH!!!" He continued to yell about this Thomas character, still speeding down the road as he started slamming his fists against the car horn several times, growling threw his teeth in the process.

Here I was, just sitting here and watching him rage like he just lost a video game to this Tom character.

I didn't know what to do at this point, my "what's the matter?", "please slow down!" And "Red, please calm down." didn't seem to work, it seems that this Tom guy got to him to the point where he ranted and yelled fits of anger.

"Stupid bowling ball for a head piece of shit."

"Stupid Edd. Especially Matt."

He seemed to calm down a little, still steam fuming from his ears as he still had a deepened frown on his face.

"I'll make Edd pay."

He finally stopped talking, his tantrum finally disappearing as he huffed out a frustrated breath.

"Who's Tom?" I asked, hoping that the mention of this guys name didn't anger him. Though, it was probably a bad idea to ask anyway, I don't want him to rant and yell more to himself about how he wanted a man dead.

After a small moment of silence with him collecting his thoughts (what I assume), he let out another huff but less frustrated and more exhausted then before.
     
      "He's an old friend. And we have unfinished business to get settled." He spoke under his breath, slightly threw his teeth but managed to answer properly.

He finally slowed down the car, going in a speed I was finally comfortable with.
     
      I felt my heart ease at this, part of my worries finally off my shoulders.

"He's why I look like this." He said, as if coming out as a confession, bitterness blended with his accent. "He shot me out of the fucking sky, I survived, lost my arm in the process, my sight, half of my face, my—" he paused, seeming to stop himself from talking anymore.

He let out a huge huff again, like hidden sadness finally escaped from his body and mind. "My everything." That last part was a bit quieter, he slouched over to his left, his left palm brushed the hair up from his face, keeping it there only for it to fall back down when he let go. "Well, that part was my fault." He admitted, regaining his posture as he placed down both hands on the steering wheel and kept focusing the road.

I noticed he started to slow down a bit more, which filled me with relief because I didn't want us to crash but it was beginning to feel a tad bit safer. Finally, to a halt, he stopped on the middle of the road and leaned back at his seat, sinking in further down in what I assume was frustration and a pinch of sadness; even if he was just sitting and doing nothing at his seat, he was sulking and he tried to desperately hide it, trying to maintain his emotions.

"Stupid Tom." Was the only thing he said before staying silent again.

I didn't know what to say anymore, he just sat there did nothing, eventually he crossed his arms, sunken in his seat like a child who refuses to go to school in their mom's van.

The only thing I managed to ask was: "how long will it take to get to the cabin from here?"

"Hours." Wow, thanks for the helpful information.

I leaned back in my seat, beginning to feel a little impatient, mostly scared of if I keep pestering about this he would lash out at me instead of himself.

"It's a good look on you in my opinion." I said, facing away and just staring out my side of the window.

      We were right next to a railing, on the other side of the railing was a river going south. The railing separated me between the water, I also noticed a bridge above it.

      I really didn't expect a response, I stayed silent and watch the river roughly on its way to who knows where.

      I thought back at my second encounter with Red— or whatever his real name is— I complimented him, though at the time I really didn't have hope, I had nothing.

      But this note.

      "Really? This again?" He asked, a hint of amusement in the tone of his voice, though he tried to hide it with his emotionless one but failed.

      I turned to see him in surprise, he was still sitting the same as before but a small grin slowly pecked on his lips.

      "I thought you would have forgotten that already." I said, a nervous smile making its way on my features, it automatically reached to me, lightly laughing as I tried to look out the window again.

      "Can I ask you a question?" He asked, genuine curiosity poured out with his question.

      "Yeah."

      "Have you been to this city before?"

      Yes actually, I have. Only once in my life, I remember liking it there, there was many interesting places in that city, it was huge and there was always cool tech stores there.

      I went with my dad actually, only him and me alone. Nothing happened, he was actually my hero at the time too. I looked up to him at one point of my life. I guess that's why I still hold some love for them.

      He's still a shitty person though.

      "Once, just with my dad at one point when I was little." I said, turning to him as he watched the outside as well.

      It's like the mention of my dad made him look at me, surprise at first though, he didn't try to hide the curiosity imprinted on his face. "Really?" Curiosity made its first move on him I assume. He lifted himself in interest, sitting properly in his seat as he looked at me. "Why?"

      I shrugged, settling myself in my spot. "I don't know, I was really young. I just remember him taking me there alone, and—" I stopped, the thought running though me like a gust of wind, realization came down on me as well. "And, my dad saved me from being kidnapped one time." This time it came out bitter, no energy in my tone but the memory replayed in my head over and over again.

      "Oh." He let out, looking out the window somewhere then facing me again. He was quiet for a while, probably thinking about what I said or it surprised him in a way, though he turned his head back at me to speak. "Y/n, about the question I wanted to ask earlier. Hours ago, remember?" He sounded like he was being careful with his words, his voice was small like he was talking to a scared child. His expression was same the same too: gentle, careful, worried in a way.

      I remember now, he wanted to ask me something but said something along the lines of "we're not far enough" or something.

      I don't know what he wanted to ask me, I didn't really know what to expect from The Red leader himself. It could be anything, I had a small hunch that it was probably about my personal life. But him being careful with his words when he wanted to ask a question, it put me on edge a little.

      "Yeah," I swallowed, nodding a few times. "yeah I remember."

      "Well," he prepared himself, breathing in as his chest fell back down. "remember when we filmed you?" He asked, careful expression on as he waited for my response, also hoping that he didn't make me uncomfortable about the new topic.

      My eyes grew wide in realization, remembering when I was strapped up in a wheelchair, there was tools of sorts in the room they pushed me into; they were going to torture me on video, sharing it with the world as a warning from The Red Army.

      I remember just excepting that I would die at the moment, I didn't care to the point where I would except my fate and die.

      Nothing is waiting for me, nothing will happen after I die anyway. I bet if I just dropped dead where I sat, nothing would change, Red would probably push my limb body out the door and drive off.

      I have to remind myself that Red isn't anything to me. I have to stop thinking like this about him.

      Stop it, stop it, stop it! Stop thinking like this already!

      It was like these negative thought just came automatically, striking my mind when I was alone or scared. I was always alone, most of my life I've ever just been under my family's shadow or just away from anyone in a dark space.

      I realize that now isn't the best time to be thinking about this, I turned my head to the man driving and waits for what he wanted to tell me.

      "Well, the whole world saw it."

      Oh yeah, I remember being told that it was a warning to the world but it didn't even seem like a good video.

      Thinking that made my stomach turn a bit, meaning that a "good video" would be of torture: torture I didn't even get.

      Red continued. "It wasn't my intention to post it, I didn't want too." He said, serious with a low tone of voice. "Not because I care what you think, we didn't do what we intended to do, making that a waste of time." He told me, he put his hands on the wheel, preparing to drive off. "I didn't post it, it was unedited too. It wasn't even edited and someone leaked it, I don't know who it is but I have an idea." He said with annoyance, slowly facing the road once again.

      It was leaked? By who? Emily?

      I took a moment at this new information, thinking back on what I said about my family. Thinking about how they didn't torture me, how Red didn't want too for whatever reason I still don't know.

      So, that means my family saw it. Well, I'll probably never see them again anyway, not like they cared about me in the first place.

      What do people think?

      What is Emily planning?

      "So, everyone has seen my face?" I asked with disbelief, my eyes widen with my jaw hanging agape, realizing that when he said the whole world... that it literally meant everyone.

      "Yeah."

      "Do they know my name?" I questioned, a little to eager to know.

      "Most likely."

      "And the whole world saw it?" I chocked a little during my words, waiting for his responses to make sure this was absolute.

      "The entire world." He informed once again. "Everyone."

      I leaned back in my seat, facing the road ahead. I almost forgot where we were for a while, though I've never been on side of England before.

      My old home is so far away now that I think about it..  because this city is miles away from where I lived in my old apartment.

      But why was he taking me with him here?

      That mind set was coming back, I want to leave. I feel so frightened and confused though, why is he taking me to the city if people know my face?

      How I felt about a week ago, how I always thought about running and escaping that place, that white room. I wanted to leave that room, though apart of me wanted to stay because I was the only one with a bathroom and free water, I didn't even have eyes on me because of Red shooting the camera for private conversations.

      And another thing: Red, for some odd reason he's just...

      He was better then anyone I've ever met, though he was a bad man to others. And that part is bothering me so.

      He hand made me delicious food though, I ate more then I intended to eat because it was such a kind gesture, I would feel bad if I threw it away.

      I'm going to try not thinking about that part, everything will be easy if I just ignore who he was.

      "I don't know what to think about that, honestly.." I said, looking down at my lap and feeling the urge to bite down at on my index finger, I imagine I look confused and wondrous but terrified.

      I bite down harder just thinking of all this, all the people. That they know who I am now: a little, fragile girl in trouble. Oh boy, when did life get so hardcore?

      "And Paul and Patryck has been telling me that you've been getting really popular for the past few days lately."

      Hearing a familiar name struck me off my behaviour, a name of a person who was nice to me: someone who played cards with me and talked with me like he knew me.

      But hearing that I was poplar caught me off guard even more.

      "What do you mean popular?"

      "People are just sympathizing for you, they think I keep you as a slave or something and torture you till your end." He didn't really think of his words at that, like he was doing thirty seconds ago with his careful tone. But now, he was just talking casually. "but at least I'm not doing that, well. That's if you try to kill me again but we'll see what happens."

      "I said I wouldn't kill you though."

      "Well, that's what the last one said."

      "Last one?!"

      "I'm kidding."

      "I thought we were going into the city!" I whined, now eager to keep driving and get on the road already while I just crossed my arms and faced ahead.

      After a while of staying quiet, the silence felt off because Red was way to quiet at that; you'd think he'd try to tease me again but no.

      I didn't want to face him, now thinking that I maybe got him mad.

      "You don't think that that's all this is, right?" He finally asked, to which I face him with unsure eyes.

      He was looking at me now, he look as though he wanted to be careful with his words again: careful, cuscus, and a little bit of something else.

      Confused, I asked: "What is, "that" even?"

      "I'm not gonna torture you or kill you over there." He said, straight away dropping his expression to a "whatever" look when he admitted that. "There, alls told. Now you can stop freaking out."

      "For real?" I had to ask, looking beyond surprised at hearing that.

      My heart started beating at that... some what, "kind" gesture, though upon seeing him start the car and slowly drive off, I stared at him for a response.

      He scoffed and kept driving, looking over his shoulder one last time. "Yeahh."

      At least I know I'm safe.

      As much as I wanted to say other things like "why me?" or questioning his actions because he's the Red leader, I only let out an "oh, okay then" in a nervous way. "Thank you, I guess."

      He didn't seem to pay attention at that last bit and only focused on driving into the city head on again.

      It made me wonder if he even had a plan to begin with, the whole reason he's here is because he let his rage direct him.

      Unless....

      "Okay, we can finally go. City Sham, get ready." Red said, huffing as he slowly went faster, engine roaring with the wheels scraping the concrete loudly.

      Unless Red has guns in the back, then it seems that he does have a plan.

•~•~•~•

[meanwhile, with the Emily]

      The woman behind the screens of black and white watches closely at the two standing figures, embracing each other as soon they would be off.

      Addie felt as though a pit was in her stomach, it drove down once Addie knew what Emily has done.

      Addie pushes her rolling chair away from the desk, seeing that Emily was now talking to The Red leader.

      The camera was in the distance hidden inside of the walls of the building, another camera that was watching them from the gates, where Tord's back was faced and Emily's stern face shows as she saluted and went off. Another camera watched the front of the where a frightened looking female sat, also known as Y/n L/n.

      Addie snapped some pictures of the girl; she look so confused and terrified, what

      A/n

      Aye bros.

      I don't like this chapter but there is information in it. I feel like I should write more, maybe I will actually (I did write more :3 I'm so proud of myself lol)

      I hope everyone is safe at home and doing good! This Covid shit is just getting to intense for people now, it's already been a year and holy shit! Stay the fuck inside!!!!

      My entire town got sick of Covid and thankfully no one died and everyone is literally ALL CLEARED UP! That's amazing. My dad had it, my older cousin got it (our nursing station never told us he was sick 😷, he was sick without anyone knowing and that was hella dangerous) but all is good, they got there sense of smell and taste back :)

      Eww, I saw my house on the news😐 lmao they zoomed out of our house and the guy in the background said "everyone here has covid" my whole family was like "damn, no we don't😂"

      Okay now, I hope this wasn't a bad chapter but here we are.

      Ugh, it's been a month. I'm so freakin lazy, I'm sorry guys. But we are getting to the fun part so just hang in there for the next chapter, I'm excited to write more very soon lol

      The bond with you and Tord will grow, trust me on that lol (duh, it's an x reader)

      aNyWAy! It's so cool that this book is at 26k reads now :3 thanks for reading and I hope this was a good enough chapter.

      Love - this fucken lazy author: Fan_girl76 ~ (even doe I'm non binary)