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“As long as you're here, you'll have the highest status. Anyone who disrespects you answers to me. They won't last here!”
Hearing that, Zach's parents paled, then flushed — a comical shift.
They didn't dare mention me and Zach again. Both groveled for forgiveness.
I finally felt the power of status. No wonder Chloe changed so fast after becoming leader.
I agreed to stay, but Zach's parents were demoted to ordinary citizens. They'd have to work for resources like everyone else.
The leader was thrilled, giving me the best room in the base.
Of course, there was a condition: I just had to supply the base's water daily.
Easy. Back with the team, they wasted enough water daily to half the base.
Thinking about it, I smiled.
I couldn't wait to see Chloe and Zach's faces when they arrived.
But two weeks passed, and no sign of them.
Instead, Zach's parents loitered near me, muttering vague things.
I raised a brow, understanding.
In the apocalypse, most communication was down, but with resources, some contact was possible.
Zach was important because he had a solar-powered phone—could sometimes talk to his parents.
But now, demoted, they'd lost that privilege. Their info was two weeks old.
Meanwhile, I was respected everywhere, living large.
Once, Mrs. Wood tentatively asked:
“Mia, we've known each other a while. Can you call Zach? See when he'll arrive.”
Before I could answer, a guard ran in, looking grim.
“Leader! Another group wants to join! She says she's a water-wielder!”
The leader jumped up, wide awake.
Who wouldn't want more strong recruits?
I tossed the phone to Zach's parents. A team with a water-wielder? Had to be Chloe's group.
Time to see their faces when they saw me.
I'd imagined how Chloe might look, but nothing prepared me.
In just two weeks, she looked drained, skeletal. Standing in the group, barely recognizable as leader.
Chloe was shoved forward by a well-dressed girl, stumbling toward us.
“I—I have water powers. I want to join. I can make water—lots of it. Just let me in!”
She said it dully, like reciting a script.
Zach smiled at us.
“If you don't believe me, I'll show you.”
As he spoke, Chloe reflexively stabbed herself with a dagger.
Blood gushed, and water began flowing from her body.
