Chapter 2 I'm Going to Expose Your Lie
847 Words
Megan refused to back down. She kept biding her time, desperate for a chance to expose my so-called lies once and for all.
That chance came sooner than anyone expected.
Ark Bunker's food and medical supplies were nearly depleted. The Ark Guards had to be dispatched to the surface ruins to scavenge for more resources.
This squad of Ark Guards was my exclusive protection unit, tasked solely with keeping me safe.
Their captain, Randall Gulley, was Roderick's most trusted right-hand man—and he had always looked out for me with the utmost care.
Randall knew better than anyone how much Megan resented me. The night before the mission, he came to my living quarters, his expression grave as he gave me a serious warning.
He said, "Ms. Hinton, I'm leading the main team out to gather supplies. We'll be back in seven days at most. I've left five of my most loyal men here to watch over you. No matter what Ms. Harmon says or does, don't leave this living area—and never let her touch your dresses."
I held tight to the milk candies Randall had given me and nodded timidly. "Randall, I'll wait for you quietly until you come back."
"I'll bring you wildflowers from the surface when I return." Randall ruffled my hair gently, his eyes full of fondness and worry. "Remember, your power is the foundation of Ark Bunker. No one is allowed to destroy it."
As he turned to leave, he gave the remaining guards one last stern order. "Guard Ms. Hinton with your lives. If anything happens to her, you'll answer to me the second I get back."
The guards replied in unison, "Rest assured, Mr. Gulley. We'll protect Ms. Hinton with our lives."
Neither Randall nor I saw it coming. Megan had secretly bribed half of the remaining guards long ago—she was just waiting for the main unit to leave before making her move against me.
The moment Randall and his core team took the lift and departed Ark Bunker, Megan wasted no time. She changed into a sleek black military uniform, then marched straight into my living quarters with more than twenty loyal followers trailing behind her.
I was sitting on the carpet at that moment, wearing a pink lace princess gown and putting together a jigsaw puzzle. A half glass of purified water sat beside me.
Sunlight filtered through the glass of the ecological garden and fell over me, warm and serene.
I heard hurried footsteps and lifted my head. The instant I met Megan's cold, harsh gaze, the puzzle piece slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor.
"Ms. Harmon, what are you doing here?" I asked.
I scrambled to my feet, stepped back a few paces, and gripped the hem of my dress tightly.
Megan walked toward me slowly, her high heels clicking sharply against the soft carpet with every step.
She said, "What am I doing? Today, I'm going to let everyone see the truth—whether you're a real divine guardian, or just a liar leeching off our resources."
Megan waved a hand, and three of the bribed guards stepped forward, grabbing my arms firmly.
"Let go of me! All of you, let me go!" I struggled wildly, the lace skirt twisting and crumpling from my fight. "Randall told you to protect me!"
"Protect you?" The bribed guard let out a mocking laugh. "Natasha, wake up. Ms. Harmon runs Ark Bunker now. No one's going to stand up for a useless nobody like you anymore."
The two loyal guards rushed forward right away, positioning themselves in front of me. They raised their rifles and aimed straight at Megan's men.
One of them said, "Don't you dare lay a hand on Ms. Hinton! Have you forgotten Mr. Gulley's orders?"
"Randall? He's up on the surface fighting monsters right now." Megan's eyes turned cold and sharp. "By the time he gets back, it'll all be too late. Seize these two traitors!"
Her followers swarmed forward in an instant. Outnumbered heavily, the two loyal guards fought bravely but were soon beaten badly, left bloodied and collapsed on the floor, unable to move.
Tears streamed down my face as I stared at the injured guards, then at Megan closing in on me without mercy.
I said, "Please... don't touch my dress. If I don't stay in clean gowns, my power will fade away. Monsters will break into Ark Bunker, and everyone here will die."
Megan stretched out a finger and traced the delicate lace edge of my dress, her face filled with pure disdain. "A silly little dress can keep us safe? Natasha, you've fooled all of us for eighteen years. Today, I'm going to expose your lie."
Several men lunged toward me, their rough hands tearing wildly at my dress. The lace trim ripped into ragged pieces, and the cold wind cut against my exposed skin.
Shame and fear washed over me all at once, overwhelming my senses.
I curled up on the floor, wrapping my arms tightly around myself in helplessness.
- Writer
