The Suppression

The Suppression

Pilot

What does death feel like? What does it feel like to have the life drain from the body. To have it become hard to breathe, to speak, to live. What does it feel like to die?

A chilly northern breeze blew through the woods, as Tamara rested on a gofer tree. The day had been long, she had been tracking west to the nearest village to replenish supplies. Slowly and steadily the day was coming to an end as winter was making its way towards the eastern side of the world. Night was never her favorite time. The life she lived before was no more, but yet it still lingered. Never letting up, never breaking. She regretted much and there was no way to take any of it back. A light scratching sound caught Tamara’s attention as her unease mind settled down with the distraction. Karos sat at the bottom of the tree waging his tail waiting for her to come down. A small smile crossed her face as she swung her legs around to make it easier to jump. Karos was the only thing left that Tamara had that was close enough to family. His dark brown fur covered him consuming anything that might brush up against him. He too was showing the signs of winter as his coat became thicker every day. She smothered her face into his warm coat “Good boy.” She muttered.

The sound of heavy foot steps caught her and Karos’s attention “Go,” Tamara whispered pushing Karos away. He looked at her before taking off in to the heavy undergrowth. Tamara took a deep breath before dropping to the ground making her way to the noise. The Ruadh Army filled Tamara’s vision as she moved closer. Her heart began to pound faster as memories flooded in. Pushing her self up against a tree her red messy hair brushed in front of her face as she closed her eyes to catch her breath.

A whistle from the driver stopped the Behemoths. The cart that they pulled was covered with a large cloth concealing that which laid within. “Move it.” One of the guards said as he walk behind the cart. A moment later a tall broad man was pushed towards the trees, Tamara seeped her eyes on him. A soft, wet, hard substance touched Tamaras face. Tamara forced a scream down as she turned to look at the creature that came up behind her. “Karos.” Tamara whispered as the black giant brushed his nose up against her cheek. Her attention quickly turned back on the small group of soldiers as laughter filled the air. Tamara stood up trying to gain a better view, but Karos nudged her to stay grabbing her cloths trying to keep her still. She rubbed the top of the giants head; looking back on the group “Would you feel better if I waited until nightfall.” She muttered to the beast, his dark brown eyes stared at her before grabbing her jacket and pulling her away from the sight again.”Ill take that as a yes,” her own heart pounding hard in her chest. Was it really her giving in to Karos or was fear controlling her choices now. She slumped back onto the tree closing her eyes. Karos slumped next to her placing his paw upon her leg before laying down resting his head on her lap. The weight of his head once bothered her but now it was a comfort, “I guess I can wait.” She mutter to him as she brushed the ruff fur on his snout. She closed her eyes and rested her head upon the ruff tree. Taking in a deep breath she felt the anxiety slowly fade.

The darkness consumed Tamara. “Hello.” She yelled out but no answer. “Hello!” Still no answer. Where am I, She thought as she stood to walk. Nothing happened. Her legs refused to move forward and her body felt as if it was glued to a wall. Panic started to fill her mind as she tried to scream. Once again nothing happened. She could feel the walls around her closing in. Consuming her, crushing her. Her heart pounded fast, her palms became sweaty, while her breathing become restless. It was becoming difficult to breath. Where was she, how did she get here. The walls continued to close in on her. She wanted to scream but could not. The moment the darkness was there was just as fast as it went. She stood now in front of a large lake with light glimmering off the waters. The sun was slowly going down. She recognized the place. The silent lake, But why was she here?

The sound of branches moving awoke Tamara, Karos had long left and it was her that was now submerged into darkness. The sound of foots steps slowly got louder by the second. She kept her mouth closed as she waited for her opponent to come upon her. She took a deep breath to sooth her nerves and allow her training to kick in. She waited and watched as a red guard marched through the branches to relieve himself. Now was her time to attack. She pulled out her knife but froze. A small light in the back of his neck caught her attention. "What is that?" She thought. She touched the back of her neck but felt nothing. The light seemed to flicker with a three second pause in between. Her nerves got the best of her as she turned away from the man and back into the high brush. Her thoughts were unease as her own memories came flooding back to her. She had never before seen light flashing in the necks of the soldiers. She once again touched the back of her neck trying to analyze it with her fingers. But there was nothing. Her plan was beginning to unravel, as questions filled her mind. Maybe she could free the prisoner and whatever they had in the cage without fatality. She already had too much blood on her hands, why add more. However, the small light in the back of the guards neck still hung heavy on her mind.

As she got closer to the camp she notices the older gentlemen was tide to a tree the farthest away from the camp sight. Obviously they were not worried about him escaping. She came up to the man, his red golden hair gleamed in the moon light, his eyes were shut but his body was in a slow, steady shake to keep warm. The season was becoming colder as we continued towards winter. It seemed that every year the weather got worse and worse and he was not dressed for it. She quickly went to his side taking off her jacket and placing it around him. His eyes slowly opened as he turned to look at her. She placed her finger upon her lip to motion complete silence. His bright golden eyes caught her off guard it was almost un-natural. She had never seen such brilliant eyes before. He nodded with agreement, she turned her attention off the man and on to the chains that bound him to the tree. She needed a key. She turned back to the group of men that laid silently on the ground. She left the mans side and went into the group of men using the cover of the trees and darkness to hide her. She quickly did a scan to see if any of the guards asleep had the key. Nothing. No doubt they wouldn’t chance the keys on a man who could easily have his throat slit. The wagon was not too far for her to use for cover. She waited until the men who were on watch turned their attention away from her, then ran for cover. The wagon gave much coverage as she hung tight to it. The last thing she needed was to be caugh for there would be no trial, no hearing, just death. She peaked her head around the wagon to see the Behemoths sleeping heavily on the ground. Easy creatures they were to keep, everything made them happy. Their scaly bodies reflected the light off of the fire. The only issue with them, they were light sleepers. It would be to dangerous to get close without then waking up. Tamara back up and bumped into something sharp. She turned,the keys dangled on the side of the wagon. "Morons." She thought. "I would have all their heads." Her anger fumed, but their stupidity did help her out. She grabbed the keys and turned to leave, but something stopped her. "Whats under there?" She thought. Turning back to face the wagon she lifted the cover up to see children. A good handful of kids placed inside “The supression.” She muttered under breath. The kids looked at her with eyes of worry, loss, and fear. She dropped the cover and turned back to her first mission. "Free the man and then the children." But something stopped her. She couldn’t leave the kids. Once again she turned back and walked to the back of the cage. Unlocking the door she placed her hand up to her mouth informing the kids to be quiet. The kids nodded in agreement before walking to the back of the cage. Three were easy to get out. “Go to the woods and hide. Wait for me.” They ran straight for the woods. She turned to look at the last two who were not as willing to come out. “Come on.” She motioned, but they still did not come. "I don’t want to leave you, please I know the life you’re heading to. Come with me I can help you.” One of the kids looked at the older boy that was a little taller then the rest. He looked at Tamara with stone cold dark eyes. Nodding his head in agreement he pushed his way to the back of the cage to get out. Tamara watched as they ran into the woods before she followed. Her body was much easer to spot and to draw attention.

Tamara met the kids in the woods and placed them in a safe enough place until she could come back for them. She looked at the older kid who seemed to be the lead of the group. “ Ill be back. Do not move,” was all Tamara said before disappearing into the night.

Time was now not on her side. Once the guards found the empty cage they would sound an alarm for the camp and this place would be lit. She made her way back to the man chained to the tree. Relief flashed over his face, did he think she was going to just leave him. She unlocked the chains and grabbed her jacket. Fleeing the camp was easy, for the guards had not awaken and the ones that were awake did not hear a thing.

“Who are you?” The man said grabbing Tamara’s arm and twisting her back so that she faced him.

“At the moment, the person who just saved your life.” Tamara snapped yanking her arm from his tight grip. For a split second she could feel a memory dancing on her mind as she looked into the mans golden eyes. It felt important, like he was important but she could not place his face. Without wasting another second she turned to pick up her pace and find the kids again. Hopefully they had not left the original spot.

It wasn’t long before they came up to the small ditch in the ground where Tamara had hid the kids to begin with. She slid down the hill. “Everyone still okay.” She whispered. Silences filled the air. "Okay good, Then let’s go.” She said picking up one of the little girls and informing the rest to follow. She looked at the oldest that was now staring out of the ditch. Tamara turned her eyes to see what he was staring at. The tall man stood there helping the younger ones out. He had followed her. "Interesting," she thought. Looking back at the kid he still stood memorized, “Come on,” she muttered harshly snapping him out of his trance. Tamara looked back up at the man before pushing the other kids out of the ditch. She needed to get them farther away from the camp before the Ruadh guards new what happened.

It felt like hours before Tamara and the rest finally stopped. Dawn was now upon them and light was starting to fill the woods. As much as Tamara loved the sun, she new what light meant. No more coverage.

“Okay, which one of you knows any kind of language.” Tamara said as she turned to look at the kids. The oldest boy stepped forward. His short brown hair was filled with sticks and leaves. He seemed to be no older than 12 years. “What village did you guys come from?” Tamara asked as she bent down on her knee.

“Bethsaida,” the kid replied, Tamara froze. She closed her eyes and bent her head. “Okay,” she said taking in a deep breath, "Do you know if your village still stands?"

The young boy shook his head, "they came in the night like monsters, we do not know who lives."

"Okay." Silence filled the air as Tamara contemplated, "can you keep an eye on the others for me, I’ll be back.” She stood up and turned away getting far enough away from the kids so she could mutter up a plan. Bethsaida was to close to Armenia there was no way she could go that way without being caught.

“Whats at Bethsaida you do not want to face?” A strong voice said from behind. Tamara turned to see the golden eye man coming closer to her. His eyes were not as brilliant as they were before, but still an un-natural color. His tall figure hovered over her with ease and elegance. She was tall but not even close to his size.

“Its not whats in Bethsaida but where Bethsaida is.” She simply said.

“And what is around Bethsaida that terrifies you?” He pried.

“None of your business,” Her voice was bras, and harsh.

"Not a trusting person are you? Alright, so how do you expect to get the kids back to their village? if of course there is still a village to go back to."

“I'm aware of what happens and I will figure out something, thank you. I am also aware that I do not need your help” A feeling of knowing filled Tamara again.

“You saved my life and gave me my freedom. The least I can do is help you.”

“No,” Tamara was quick to answer. “If you’re caught with me you.." Tamara stopped, clenching her teeth tight she shook her head "to much information," She thought.

“I what?” He simply stated trying to pry.

"Look, I gave you another chance at life. Now take it and go. Do not burden yourself with the burdens of others."

"Well spoken, but no." A smile crossed his face. Did he think this was a joke. "if you want help or not I'm still going to tag along. Got no where else to be."

"This is not a joke." Taking a step closer to him. Flames of anger arouse in her, taking in a deep breath she shook her head.

"I'm aware of that?" He answered, an uneasy feeling filled Tamara. The feeling that he was giving off was almost suffiocating, taking everything from her. She felt her own heart begin to pound hard, taking two steps back she looked at him. "fine, you want to tag along, then tag along." Dropping her eyes to the ground a cold chill fill her body. She turned to walk back to the kids, "Whats your name?" He asked, Without turning around "Tamara,"She replied.

"Jared," He answered in return.