Two weeks past the asteroid impact and social media was still all over it like flies on shit. RockTok in particular had shorts discussing the implications of Pangea's collapse and what that would mean for humanity. Basically, humanity would inherit the entirety of Pangea and that would mean an establishment of a pro-human government. That opinion was about thirty percent roughly of all those collective shorts that I watched while Doctor Spears was examining an x-ray of my arm while I was sitting on a bench in the Medical Tent. The majority, or at least the majority I've seen, were young adults and teenagers, complete with ugly looking tatts, piercings, and gaudy dyed hair, telling us that we shouldn't hate dinosaurs. That we should hold hands and sing kumbaya while citing statistics showing that a growing majority of Pangean dinosaurs actually opposed the apartheid. Some of these people seemed like they were from North Pangea, which was typically more relaxed in terms of how they handled economics and politics which explains why a lot of them happened didn't follow certain dress code protocol that South Pangea had that illegalized piercings and dyed hair. 

 

After browsing through that, I decided to take a look at Xoebill (I have no idea why it's called that now, don't ask) to see what people were saying and, surprise, the majority opinion was that we should forgive our enemies. Hell, even the head CEO of Xoebill, Elton Mustadio, made a statement in a black background with white text saying the post-impact should be a time of healing and a time of forgiveness on his main, blue checkmark account. Unfortunately, Elton wasn't a popular CEO of Xoebill, so the comments were posts like "forgive your enemies? So I should forgive you for ruining this site? LMAO" and "how about you do something about those pro-apartheid dinos". 

 

Though even on social media, the haunting presence of death permeated. Several accounts on Xoebill were dead and had their last seen set on the exact date of the impact. Millions of them. In fact, there was one account on there that was compiling them on a website called "ImpactGraveSite.net" and they were taking all of the accounts that went inactive on that exact date and putting them on a list of names. There was no objective confirmation that those people were actually dead, but given the circumstances, there really was no need to speculate.

 

Some of these accounts were of teenagers talking about anime or video games. Some were just regular people going about their day to day lives taking pictures of beaches and landmarks around Pangea. Some had pictures of their pets. Some had fan art of their favorite games and anime making innocent posts about commissions and raffles. Some were activists protesting the apartheid. There were many who were just regular dinosaurs who lived their lives like everyone else did. Lives who were cutshort by the asteroid impact.

 

Even the ones that did survive had posts showing photos of the destruction outside their shelters. One post stuck out to me; it was a post showing a blackened city in ruins cascaded with a dark sky with just barely enough light to make out the scenery. Captioned on this image was a quote that said "everything is going to be alright..." along with a crying face right next to the post. 

 

RockChan, however, was majority opinion that the "meteor dodgers" (it's a newly formed slur for dinosaurs) had it coming, and it was time to take over Pangea. Some were making Bonehammer 40,000 BC memes complete with pictures of Cave Marines holding up beheaded, bloody heads of dinosaurs, and videos of that one villain from The Ancient Stones III: Caldera, some RPG from back in the day made by the same company who made the infinitely superior Rockrim, fight me, who had ashen gray skin, a gold tiki mask, and a red loincloth making his voice actor, through A.I replication, tell us to kill scalies, behead scalies, murder scalie babies, you get the idea. Some were genuinely funny, some kind of sent me into an inner turmoil about what to think about this scale and skin conflict. I genuinely had no idea what to think. They were my oppressors, yes, but at the same time, some of them, like Reed, didn't really have a choice. Pangea was a globalized nation and opposition would likely get you blackballed or worse depending on what province you were from. That's what happened to Naomi and Fang and, while I still begrudge Naomi for forcing Reed into a situation, he wanted nothing to do with, nobody should have to feel alone in their beliefs. 

 

Doctor Spears came over with an x-rayed picture of my arm in hand. "Well," he said handing the picture to me. It looked perfectly fine at a glance, but Spears gestured to a small crack in my radius. "You have a minor fracture in your radius right there, but it's nothing too serious. I wouldn't do any heavy lifting going forward."

 

Spears was a Paleo, an extremely rare species of mammal that looked the closest to human, but they had stubby noses and harshly square faces that made them look more ape-like than human and they had a lot more body hair than humans. Paleos were more isolated than humans, but when encroachment of their territory began with the dinosaurs, they moved to North Pangea to integrate with human society. 

 

I nodded and glanced over to Reed's bed. Mercifully, the Medical Tent was empty at this time with only two or three beds filled with dinosaurs who seemed physically fine, but likely fell slightly ill due to the elements outside. Colds were very common to catch in cold weather. Reed, however, stuck out like a sore thumb; he was splayed out on the bed with one arm shrouding his eyes and the other arm handcuffed to the railings of the bed. They stripped of his dirty parka and boots leaving him a crimson band tea (for a band I've never heard of), his jeans, and socks. 

 

"How's he holding up?" I asked gesturing to Reed with one thumb. 

 

Spears exhaled. He ran a hand through his jet-black locks as he glanced over at Reed's bed. "He was exhausted when he came in. He hadn't slept for four days straight which was really alarming to hear, so I gave him some Eszopiclone and we're just letting him rest before any further treatment."

 

"Poor guy." I said shaking my head.

 

Spears put a piping hot, meaty hand on my shoulder and squeezed it tightly. I could feel the muscles contract as his hand gripped it. Paleos were really strong like that, "You did right saving that kid's life." He said.

 

"Yeah," I said glancing down at the bruising on my fist after punching Reed repeatedly when he bit me. "I kind of roughed him up a bit, though."

 

Spears smiled, "It's nothing serious. His eye will heal with time, and you just bloodied his nose, that's it. You were in a panic, Derrick. You were in a lot of pain from Reed biting you, so your brain turned defensive, and you lashed out."

 

I nodded grimly, "I still feel a little guilty about it. I know it wasn't of my own volition, but still, I should've had better control of myself in the heat of that moment."

 

"It was your first time though."

 

"Yeah, mate." I said flexing my fingers. They were still pretty stiff, and they ached as I moved them. Nothing too serious, of course, I wasn't debilitated, but it was still going to be an inconvenience going forward. "I don't know, I just feel like I could've done better."

 

Spears nodding taking his hand off my shoulder. "We all could've looking back, but I wouldn't let it live rent free in your head."

 

I glanced around the Medical Tent again. Naomi was nowhere to be found. She must've left with Roberts and the rest after Spears had administered the sleeping medication for Reed. She's the one I was fearing the most given I insulted her before she made her way back into the Medical Tent.

 

"Where's Naomi?" I asked. 

 

"She's getting ready for a meeting you and the rest will be attending. She told me to relay this information to you once we were done." 

 

I nodded, "Figures. She's probably going to grill us for handling the entire situation wrong."

 

"Actually," Spears said adjusting the spectacles on his face and picking up a clipboard on the counter behind him. "Fang will be attending. She wants to hear the full story about what happened with Reed."

 

My eyes went wide, and my eyebrows shot up as I heard this information. The fucking Fang was attending this meeting? I thought. While Fang was no celebrity outside of South Pangea, that woman was a legend in our part of the world. Everyone would kill to even have a sliver of a moment with Fang or her husband Anon or, fuck, even her bandmates Curtis, the atrociraptor drummer decorated with tattoos shaped like roses, and Trent, the chasmosaurus who was the lead bassist of Worm Drama. 

 

"What?" I burst out. Thankfully not loud enough to wake Reed. "The actual Fang."

 

Spears chuckled heartily. His eyes made no eye contact as he was glancing down at the clipboard in his hand. "Excited?"

 

My heartrate and inner alarms were firing off at the speed of light, "Spears, a woman of that stature demands certain fucking protocol. I'm at a disadvantage here." I said gesturing to Reed. 

 

"It'll be fine." Spears said smiling. "She'll understand."

 

"Yeah, but she's best friends with Naomi and Naomi thinks we completely botched the job."  I said. I didn't mention that she might be out for blood because I insulted her.

 

"Relax," Spears said patting my shoulder again. "It'll be alright. Go get yourself some coffee. Courtesy provided by Lava Java." 

 

I nodded. Once Spears finished wrapping up my arm again after disinfecting it, I got up from the bench. I walked over to Reed's bed quietly to examine him one more time. He was sleeping peacefully in his bed with his arm still shrouding his eyes. His torso gently rising every breath he took and I could hear gentle snores emenating from his snout as his bushy red tail swayed in the bed. His face had been cleaned up of all the blood that poured out of his nose after I had punched it repeatedly back at the house. Again, I knew it wasn't of my own volition to hurt him, but I still felt guilty about it. I wonder if Fang was going to rail me for doing that, but Spears told me it would be fine. I also wonder if Naomi knew that it was me who threw those punches because if she did, she'd have two bullets she could load in a chamber now. One for the insult I threw her way, and another for the punches I threw at Reed. This was going to make me look very bad in Fang's eyes and being looked at like a villain by someone you kind of look up to was a hurtful feeling. 

 

After I was done examining Reed, I walked out the Medical Tent and into the frigid, bitter cold of the outside into the main encampment. The camp was getting more and more crowded by the hour as more refugees kept pouring in from the trucks. What used to be a crowded pathway throughout the camp was now a flood of people running every which direction trying to move stock and trying to find a place to sit or do, whatever dinosaurs did when they were at a relief encampment. Peculiarly, however, there was an entire gathering of people outside the encampment around the parking area for the military trucks. Likely Fang was due to arrive shortly along with whoever happened to be tagging along for the ride and everyone wanted a chance to meet her and potentially receive autographs. 

 

I felt a heavy pat on my back as someone came up from behind me and handed me a steaming cup of what I presumed was coffee considering it was packaged in a paper cup labeled 'Lava Java'. It was Vance and he gave me a warm smile. 

 

"You coming along, hero?" Vance asked. 

 

"Hero?" I asked with gritted teeth. 

 

"Of course, mate, you're a fuckin' hero." Vance said gesturing for me to follow. "Come on."

 

A hero? I thought. What the fuck was going on here? All I did was put Reed into a sleeper hold and get my arm bitten in the process. I botched the job hard. If it wasn't for Vance or Jarvis, Reed could've easily escaped. All I was, was a liability. Or was I?

 

"What the hell is going on here, Vance?" I asked.

 

"Just come along." Vance said once again gesturing to follow. "You want to meet the legend herself? She's eager to meet you."

 

I nodded with swift movements, "The actual Fang is conducting this meeting?"

 

"Aye, mate." Vance said walking towards the crowd. I walked with him. "She's not the only one though."

 

I quirked my brow when Vance said this and took a sip from my steaming cup of coffe. I almost spilled it from my trembling hands. He actually nailed my coffee preferences too; light cream, sugar, it was perfect. "No?" 

 

"Nah, mate." Vance said bearing all fangs in a smile. "Got an old friend of mine tagging along for the ride. You probably know him as Curtis."

 

My eyes shot open when Vance said this. The actual Curtis knows Vance? "You know Curtis?" I asked. Why the hell didn't he mention this? I thought.

 

"I do." Vance smirked. "We go a ways back he and I. Used to serve my platoon was I was first joining up. He made for a fun sparring partner. That was until Worm Drama was a thing he got a gig as their drummer. We still speak over the phone with each other, but he's a busy man."

 

We bobbed and weaved throughout the crowd trying to squeeze our way through to the front where Vance wanted to be. There was man in a blue coat telling people to back up. Vance told him his name and told him that Curtis was expecting him and me, for some reason, and the man in the blue coat nodded. He gestured us forward and we basically got a front row seat to Fang's arrival. We were standing right at the entrance where the truck was going to park.

 

"Seems a little unfair." I said glancing at the crowd at the encampments entrance who had to watch as we walked towards the front of the parking lot. 

 

"Unfair?" Vance said chuckling and jabbing at my shoulder. "Come now, you're a fuckin' hero. You threw yourself in the line of danger and saved a broken man's life. I think that's worthy of some recognition. Besides, Fang and Curtis said they wanted to meet you personally."

 

"You told them!?" I burst out. My eyes nearly popped out my head.

 

"Of course I told them," Vance said nodding. "Told Curtis about that little heroic you pulled with Reed. He thinks it's badass."

 

"But what about Sage, Jarvis, and Roberts? Shouldn't they be here as well?" I asked.

 

"They're waiting up at the meeting hall. They declined my offer." Vance said. Or he probably never offered it up at all. That was a possibility too.

 

This was incredibly awkward. I was given scads of extra credit for botching a job and now Fang, the fucking Fang, wanted to meet me personally along with Vance. What the fuck is going on here? What do I even say to Fang when she gets here? What do I even say to Curtis or all the others if they're tagging along.

 

It was a brief ten minutes, honestly it felt like an hour, but what followed was an armored truck pulling into the parking lot. The windows were tinted black, as they usually were, and veiling the driver inside as a black silouhette. The truck came to a stop and the person to come out from the driver seat was an atrociraptor the same age as Vance, from what I can tell, with arms decorated in colorful rose tattoos, and long white curtained hair making an obscene gesture at Vance as he hopped out of the truck. Vance grinned wickedly as he gripped his hand tight as a vice. He laughed.

 

"Curtis, you motherfucker!" Vance said laughing hysterically. "How you doin' mate?"

 

"Vance," He chuckled heartily. Curtis had a really deep voice that could tremor the earth. "You haven't changed a fucking bit. You still look like you could bench press these fuckin' trucks if ya' wanted."

 

"Aye, could still kick your arse too." Vance nodded and gestured my direction. "Meet the man himself."

 

I froze in place. Vance was introducing me to a Worm Drama member. A Worm Drama fucking member. It was like I was in a dream, but instead of excitement, it was a mix of anxiety and dread for the up and coming meeting.

 

Curtis' dark red eyes met mine and he smiled, "That the little munchkin, here?"

 

Vance wrapped his arm right around my shoulder and pulled me in tight as a vice. "This is Derrick, the man who took one for the team. A bloody fucking hero." He said holding my bandaged arm up. 

 

"Nice," Curtis said. "Heard ladies love them scars. Make for a good story at the pub, eh?"

 

I had no idea what to say in this moment. I was in a surreal daydream meeting the members of Worm Drama. People would kill to be in my position--at least the ones from South Pangea would. 

 

"Yeah," I said wide-eyed, and blank faced. "I guess it would. Only I'd probably have to leave out the part where I sort of botched the job."

 

Vance playfully slapped my side, "Botched? Fuck off mate. Botched is when Reed blows his brains all over them walls. From what I saw, they seemed perfectly clean."

 

"Speaking off, how the hell's the nerd doin'?" Curtis inquired. "Heard he's the one Sage was most worried about."

 

"He's doing alright." I said reluctantly. "He was exhausted when we got here, and Doctor Spears administered some sleeping pills. We're hoping that a long night's rest will get him right in shape for treatment."

 

"Aye," Curtis said playfully shoving my shoulder. "Was brave thing you did. Don't sell yourself short, mate. Not everyone can throw themselves at a man holding a gun like that."

 

"Yeah," I said nodding with stiff movements. "Shame it had to come to blows though. I feel really bad for throwing punches Reed's way."

 

"Heard you had to tie the poor sap up." Curtis said. "Naomi threw a fit when she saw him like that."

 

My eyes shot wide when I heard this. It was like a bullet hit straight to my chest. "Naomi told you guys?"

 

"Aye," Curtis said waving a hand in reassurance. "Fang got a fuckin' earful over the phone. You could hear her shouting through the receiver. That's why Fang called for a meeting."

 

Curtis expression turned to a scowl as he glanced back at the truck, "Goddammit, what the fuck's taking them so long?" He walked back over and banged on the side of the truck really hard. With muscles like that he could probably dent it if he really wanted to. "Fang, bitches, let's fucking go! Derrick's here waiting!"

 

"Okay, okay!" I heard a feminine voice yell from inside the passenger hold of the truck. "I was just texting my husband. Letting him know we got here safe."

 

"Bullshit," Curtis yelled. "You're playing that dumb fuckin' game Cavemen Blast, come on." 

 

"Was that--?" I asked tilting my head at the voice I heard inside the truck.

 

"That's her, Fang." Vance said winking.

 

The doors on the back of the truck flew wide open. The first one to step out was a middle-aged army green Allosaurus dressed in a black, spiked, winter jacket with beige cargo pants. That was Lorreta Jackson, LJ for short, who was the head organizer of the Pretty Heroes Foundation. She wasn't a member of Worm Drama, but from what I've heard, she's the one who signed them the record label and made them an official South Pangean band. The second one to step out was a violet Chasmosaurus with long auburn hair streaked with dark purple. It was Trent, the band's bassist. 

 

"It was literally only a fucking minute, Curtis." Trent said flatly while lighting a cigarette. "Raptor Jesus you're so fucking impatient."

 

"Mate, fuckin' Derrick's here wanting to meet the legend herself." Curtis said pointing a finger my direction. "You're seriously going to keep him waiting?"

 

"Yeah, we were busy opening gachas." Trent said taking a drag from his cigarette. "We've been trying to get the catgirl, forget her name, five times now. Anon really wants that one."

 

"Wasn't that game called Cavemen Impact? Before, you know--" I said with a lump in my throat.

 

"Yep," Trent said flatly. "Because of current events," He pointed to the sky. "They had to change it because bitches were getting offended. Saying it was in poor taste."

 

LJ rolled her eyes as her short white locks flapped around her face. "I don't know any of this gaming shit, Derrick. I'm too old."

 

Vance chuckled, "I'm only thirty and I honestly have no fucking clue what they're talking about."

 

The crowd was cheering loudly, and they were encroaching on the men dressed in blue's territory. Getting closer each step and they all looked really nervous they were about to be trampled. Then came the final passenger in the truck; a pale green pterodactyl with large feathered angelic-like wings, long, snow white hair wearing the Pretty Heroes Uniform with exception to her black combat boots she wore to all her shows. On her face was blue and orange streaked on her eyelids. It was Fang. It was fucking Fang herself exiting the truck. My heartrate ran seven hundred miles per hour as I saw Fang standing right there. She ran her hands through her hair and exhaled a large puff of steam out from her long snout as she smiled playfully Curtis' direction.

 

"Her name's Kirara, by the way, and I'm getting her for my husband." Fang said. She playfully stuck her tongue out at Curtis. "You can wait, we only had three gachas left."

 

"Mate, it's been a three-hour fucking drive. I'm starved." Curtis said. "You want me to kill over from malnourishment while you're playing a fuckin' game?"

 

"Maybe I do." Fang grinned wickedly while playfully shoving him.

 

"I'll set you up with some Lazy Man's Lasagna and Chicken Parm. Medium rare too, the new wave." Vance said smiling towards Curtis.

 

"Oh fuck that, no." Curtis groaned pinching the bridge of his nose.

 

"What?" Vance chuckled. "Who doesn't love bland fucking pasta with shitloads of cheese?"

 

Fang chuckled nervously after Vance said that. I think she had an inkling that that part was her fault as well. "We don't talk about that. I'll take responsibility for that one. I told Naomi I wanted to cut costs."

 

"Has Sage's catering arrived yet?" LJ asked. 

 

"They have." Vance said nodding. "They're serving up pizza right now." 

 

"Good," Curtis said shaking his head. "I'm not eating medium rare fucking chicken. To hell with that." 

Fang's tangerine eyes glanced right into mine. Holy shit, she was looking at me, I thought. This fucking legend was looking right into my eyes. Her mouth curled into a warm smile as she approached me. Alarms were blaring in my head and my heartrate went from seven hundred miles per hour to eight hundred. 

 

"Is this Derrick?" Fang asked looking directly into my eyes. 

 

"Yep," Vance said patting my backside. I nearly jumped. "Like I told Curtis, took one for the team."

 

Fang chuckled softly behind closed lips, "That's so fucking cool."

 

I was dead silent the whole time. I was stiff as a board. "Y-yeah." I stammered with a nod. "Uhh, my name is Derrick. We were the ones who saved Reed." I said gesturing to me and Vance. My arm looking like it was made of wood while it gestured.

 

"I heard." Fang said. I just noticed that all of Worm Drama were crowding right around me. Was I seriously the man of the hour right now? 

 

"Yeah," I said stroking the back of my neck. I was sweating buckets despite the cold weather. "Well, I kind of botched the job."

 

Fang gave me a light jab on the shoulder and smiled wryly. "Nonsense," She said. "Vance told me you did great. Got a little rough at the end, but you were in a panic. What could you do?"

 

"I don't know." I said glancing down at my bruised knuckles. "I shouldn't have punched him like that though."

 

"I mean," Curtis said. "You had your fucking arm bitten. Like you were probably writhing."

 

Fang grabbed my bandaged arm and held it up, examining it with tangerine, reptilian eyes. The fucking legend herself was touching me now. Not only was she talking to me like she was a friend, but she was making physical contact. Seriously, what the hell was happening right now?

 

"That's pretty metal." Fang said making a toothy grin as she let go of my arm. "Make for a pretty cool scar too."

 

"Hate to cut this short, but others are waiting at the Meeting Tent." Trent said gesturing to the entrance to the encampment. "Best not to keep them waiting."

 

"Wait," Fang said pulling out her phone from her pocket. "Can we get a picture first? All of us?" 

 

"You know I don't do well with pictures, Fang." Trent said shaking his head. "We've kept the party waiting long enough."

 

"Come on." Fang said striking a dramatic rocker pose right in front of me. Complete with the 'horns' gesture rockers gave on stage.

 

Vance knelt right beside me and made the same gesture with his hand. Curtis placed a meaty arm on my shoulder and made a piece sign while slouched over to my height. LJ was in the back and Trent, rolling his eyes, came over and knelt beside Fang. Then there was me. Yeah, you're probably asking how I ended up in this situation. How I ended up in a picture with a band I really looked up to. Well, it started with a guy who was suicidally depressed and looking to paint the walls with his brains until one day I decided to wrap him up in a sleeper hold and get my arm fucking bitten. Somehow, someway, that made me a hero in Worm Drama's eyes and now here I am. Smiling nervously as I awaited the countdown to have my picture taken. I had no idea what to think right now. 

 

-----

After some bobbing and weaving through the cheering crowds and the constant pestering for an autograph by people who stopped what they were doing in the camp, we, the people who secured Reed, were sitting in the meeting Tent around a long plastic foldable table along with foldable chairs. Reed was still in the Medical Tent sleeping and Fang didn't want to disturb him and Fang's band went off to the Lunch Tent to chow on pizza, including LJ. Everyone seemed to hold me in high regard except for Jarvis, but that was given because of our little argument in the truck, and Naomi who was staring daggers at me from across the table. Fang asked her if everything was alright, but all she could respond with was, "We'll get to it". Despite Naomi not holding much power here, she still gave me chills. What the hell was she going to tell Fang and how was Fang going to react?

 

"Right," Fang said clasping her hands together. "Let's begin." She peered at Naomi who was still glaring at me coldly. "Naomi, from what you told me, Reed was taken into custody by these people," She gestured in my direction along with Sage, Vance, and Ms. Roberts. "And you believe this situation could have been drastically handled differently, correct?"

 

Naomi stood up, "This is correct." She said sternly. "What happened with Reed was undignified and unnecessary given that the gun that Vance had ripped out his hands was already disabled. There was no point in tying Reed up like a criminal."

 

Fang's brow furrowed when Naomi said this, but she just turned her head our direction. Vance rose up, "With all due respect lady," He spoke. "We're looking at a situation involving a mentally unstable individual. Even with the gun disabled, there were still several ways Reed could still hurt us when we were apprehending him." He gestured to my bandaged arm. "Case in point."

 

Sage was the next one to stand up and Vance sat back down. "I agree, my efforts to talk Reed down weren't working so the next course of action was to take more drastic measures to ensure Reed was safe. Emphasis on safe, not dignified. Dignity is irrelevant in a life-or-death situation where someone tried to take their own life and could've potentially taken someone elses by accident."

 

Naomi was ready to speak out, but Fang raised her hand Naomi's direction and waved her down. Fang looked to Roberts and gestured her direction wanting to hear her piece.

 

Roberts stood up, "Reed has always been a sweet boy. You know this, Fang." She said glancing right into Fangs eyes and Fang nodded. "He would never do anything that would hurt anyone and, to see a sweet boy like him put a gun to his head ready to take his own life, why wouldn't anyone want to intervene in any way possible?"

 

Naomi's scowl softened when she heard Roberts speak, but that softened expression turned to pure anger as she stared right at me and looked directly into my eyes, "I want to hear what he has to say." She said pointing at me. "The one who hurt him."

 

I took a deep breath. Fang's brow was furrowed as she saw me sweating buckets as Naomi was glaring at me angrily. I stood up.

 

"I'm really curious to hear what he has to say, Fang. Punching and kicking Reed like that, so fucking disgusting." Naomi said before I could even get a word in.

 

"Naomi," Fang said raising a hand again. "Let's keep it professional, okay? Let him talk."

 

"It was a panic situation, Naomi." I said. "I was caught in a moment where my arm was clenched tightly in the jaws of a carnivore which could have caused significant damage. He could've broken my arm if he wanted to and, according to Doctor Spears, my arm actually has a minor fracture in it, and it's slightly debilitated it." 

 

Naomi's fists clenched. I could hear the fabric of her cotton cloves grinding. "So, your next course of action was to just punch and kick him?" She growled. I could see tears forming in her eyes and a lump was starting to form in her throat. "Telling him, if I quote correctly from Sage's report, to fucking bite you again. Calling him a son of a bitch."

 

"Like I said," I spoke. "It was heat of the moment situation where I was in a state of panic. In that situation, my arm was in grave danger of debilitating injury and, in a fight or flight situation like that, rationality is difficult to maintain."

 

"I agree with him, Naomi." Fang said waving a hand. "In a situation like that, I would've fought back any way I could." She gestured my direction. "Derrick here was probably scared for his life so instincts took over."

 

"It was unnecessary." Naomi said. "You already disabled the gun. What was Reed going to do from there? He had no way of taking his life at that point. You were safe. He could've easily been talked down from that point forward. He was lost. He was," Naomi sniffed. "He was scared. Tying him up probably made it worse."

 

"Spoken like a true fucking child." Vance groaned placing both hands behind his head.

 

"Vance," Fang said softly. "Let's keep things civil, alright? I don't want an all out fight here."

 

"My apologies, miss." Vance said waving his hand.

 

"And then," Naomi's glare turned to Jarvis who was currently slouched over quietly listening to the conversation. "When all that wasn't enough, you muzzled Reed when he was choking on his own blood because Derrick here," She aggressively pointed a finger my direction. "Repeatedly punched him. What do you have to say about that?"

 

I didn't recognize that part of the situation. Then again, I was stricken with a panic attack, and I tuned out most of what was going on back at the house. I didn't remember Reed choking on his own blood, but if he was, it would've probably elevated his hysterical state meaning the chances of him entering fight or flight would've significantly increased. Jarvis might've made a really bad decision here.

 

Jarvis sighed rubbing the temples of his head. He stood up, "Because, if it isn't plain obvious, miss, Reed bit Derrick here. He would've likely did it again had I not debilitated Reed in some way. He's also a carnivore, may I remind you, and carnivores pack serious bite. I can attest to this given I've served frontlines."

 

Fang gave Jarvis a very serious look when he said this. She shook her head, "Okay, this I don't condone. I'm with Naomi here that gagging Reed was not the right thing to do in this situation. I understand that Reed could've bitten someone else, but that's why we carefully restrain them and calm them down. Gagging him, especially with a bloody nose, would've driven him into a hysteric because he can't breathe."

 

"Oh sure, missy." Jarvis said rolling his eyes. "Side with your dino friend here. But I'm looking out for my people and Reed would've chowed down on someone else if he had the opportunity. That man was in a fierce, violent hysteric and he had teeth and claws to kill someone with if given the opportunity."

 

"Okay, please don't speak to me like that, Jarvis." Fang said sternly. "And yes, I agree, Reed was probably manic, but in that situation, we need to respect both the safety of the team and the detainee because Reed could've easily choked. Please refrain from gagging him next time."

 

"It's all the same with you bloody dinos," Jarvis sighed. "Every time one of us 'skinnies' has to do something to put our safety out of jeopardy, you always fall back on ploys of sympathy and fantasy scenarios. I don't care if Reed's some downtrodden little bitch who's sad that world's ended, I care about the safety of my team and the safest best was assuring that Reed couldn't bite anyone else."

 

Naomi slammed a fist on the table. Everyone in the tent had an air of tension to them. Sage was staring wide-eyed at Jarvis as he was going off and Ms. Roberts was trying hard not to say something. Fang, on the other hand, was not relenting. She continued to glance in Jarvis' direction with a serious, inquisitive look. 

 

"How fucking dare you talk about Reed like that?" Naomi yelled. Tears were pouring down her face and her scowl was delicately wavering between that and a grimace. "Do you even know the kind of shit he's been through?"

 

"Naomi, Jarvis, please," Fang sighed irritated. "Jarvis, I'm giving you one warning. Do not gag any detainees you come across and do not, under any circumstances, talk to me or anyone else in the camp like this ever again. Do I make myself clear?"

 

"I don't fucking care." Jarvis said scowling. "I'm not here under my own accord anyways. I'm fucking here because South Pangea told me to be here otherwise, I'd be sent back to jail." 

 

"So you didn't volunteer." I said flatly. "That makes sense. I wondered why you acted like a sociopath back in the truck when we were talking about Reed."

 

"Oy, figured it out, have you, mate?" Jarvis said glancing right into my eyes. "That's right, I was sent to jail for being a drunkard. Because apparently, I can't just drink away the war, no I have to throw my lot in with people who murdered my friends, who murdered my family, who murdered fucking everyone I knew back in my platoon. Butchered them, by the way. Lots of ugly sites that would make you shit your pants if you saw it."

 

"JARIVS!" Fang yelled out scowling. "Enough. Step out of the tent. I'll talk to you later." 

 

Jarvis smiled contemptously, "With pleasure, sweetheart." He said and he walked out the tent disappearing into the crowd.

 

Sage sighed, "Raptor Jesus, what the hell was that?"

 

"Jarvis has a history," Vance said waving his hand. "We go pretty far back in the war, but it's not relevant right now. I just hope whatever issue's plaguing Jarvis can be resolved because he's a good guy once you really get to know him."

 

"Another thing," Naomi's scowl turned straight my direction. She was ready for this part. I could tell; those blue eyes could melt the snow they were so red hot with rage. "Derrick, how fucking dare you imply I don't care about my friends? How dare you say it's my fault Reed tried to kill himself?"

 

Fang had a confused look on her face when she heard this. Her gaze turned towards Naomi, "What are we talking about?"

 

"Derrick," Naomi said. Venom seeping out of her mouth like a viper's. "After Reed was taken to the Medical Tent, told me he was surprised I cared about Reed given that back in the day, I cut him off." 

 

"Wait, hold on a minute," Fang looked around at all of us with narrowed eyes. "How did Derrick know about this? Who told him?"

 

Ms. Roberts raised her hand, "I did, Fang. I didn't realize that Derrick was going to use it against her in that moment, but," She sighed. "In Derrick's defense, he was probably upset about it because it could've been a catalyst for Reed's emotional state." 

 

"What was the context of this conversation?" Fang asked Roberts.

 

"We were on our way to Reed's house and Derrick wanted to know more about Reed and Naomi. I don't know how he knew about this, but I just went along with it because I presumed someone told him back at the camp about it." 

 

"I take blame for this as well," Sage spoke up. "I told Derrick about your relationship with Reed and what happened with Naomi here."

 

"Okay," Fang said with a nod. "This is nobody's fault here. I think emotions were really high especially given that you guys were in a pretty intense situation." Her gaze turned right towards me, but unlike Jarvis, hers seemed much softer. "I also don't condone using someone's past against them if they're looking to move on from it. I understand that you're probably angry with Naomi about what happened before, but that was a way different time then." 

 

I nodded and maintained a professional demeanor, "I understand. It will not happen again."

 

"Well I'd like further elaboration on why you would think I wouldn't care." Naomi said glaring at me. "Why do you think I didn't care about Reed?"

 

I glanced at Fang expecting her to show signs of disapproval when Naomi asked this question, but Fang didn't. She just nodded giving me permission to speak and everyone around the table just stared silently. 

 

"Because you broke off with Reed when Reed was in a situation he wanted no part in. You know this Naomi. You knew his parents were the ones who were telling him to break off with Fang even though he clearly told you he didn't want to." I said.

 

"I told Reed that he had to man up!" Naomi growled with gritted teeth. "He knew Fang was disowned by her family and friends, but he chose to do nothing about it because he was too scared to stand up to his parents. For what's right." 

 

"Naomi," Fang said making soothing gestures with her hands. "Yes, Reed did hurt me back in the day when he broke me off. I said some things that I regret to him, but, in his position, he was powerless. If he had been disowned by his parents, there would've been no where to go. I got lucky hooking up with Anon." 

 

"Reed was also really hurt when you broke up your friendship with him, Naomi." Ms. Roberts chimed in. "He was really lonely in school. This is something you know as well."

 

"Okay, but," Naomi sniffed. Tears were pouring down her cheeks and her face was a hot red. "Fang, you were all alone when you were standing up against the apartheid. I stood up and I was bullied." She sobbed with a frown. "I was an outcast at Volcano High because I dared to speak up. Everyone I was friends with turned their backs on me just like they turned their backs on you."

 

"I understand that, Naomi." Roberts said. "It hurts to be alone in your beliefs, but there are some people who can't make a decision about their politics. There are people who are trapped in their ideology either because of their parents or because of other things. Reed was no exception. He was trapped by his parents to take a side you didn't like."

 

"Then they needed to stand up!" Naomi said sobbing. "They need to fight back against it, not sit idly by while humans like Derrick here--" She said pointing a hand dramatically at me. "--live like prisoners. It's fucking wrong. Imprisoning people behind walls and making them slaves is fucking wrong!"

 

"I get that." I said. "But it's also wrong, in my opinion, to shame people for things outside of their control."

 

Naomi looked around desperately for any kind of validation of her beliefs, but she found none. Her cheeks were soaked and her face was a deep red, "Why do you all think this is my fault? I gave up so much so people like you, fucking Derrick, could be free and this is the thanks I get?"

 

"Nobody said it was your fault, Naomi." Fang said making those same soothing gestures. "I actually appreciate you standing up for me when I was down. I went through a lot, I agree." Fang started to tear up as well. "But I also understand that there were people who couldn't side with me. Reed couldn't and I understand that." 

 

Fang stood up and walked over to Naomi. She placed both hands on Naomi's shoulders and made a tearful smile as her hands wrapped around Naomi and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's not your fault what happened, Naomi." She sniffed. "I think we're all just really fucked up from this whole disaster."

 

"Should we leave you guys to it?" Vance asked raising a hand. 

 

Fang nodded and waved everyone all away. Roberts, Vance, and Sage all stood up from their seats and walked out the tent without saying a word. I stayed behind and watched as the two talked. I wanted to wait for an opportunity to pop an idea that might mend things.

 

"It's all my fault." Naomi sobbed into Fang's shoulder and Fang was just rubbing her backside with a clawed hand.

 

"It's not your fault." Fang said shushing her gently. Fang's eyes looked over to mine, "Is there something else you needed?"

 

"I was just about to say, maybe you guys could talk to Reed about this. Maybe mend things?" I said.

 

Naomi looked at me with tear stricken eyes and nodded, "He could tell us where Naser and the rest are."

 

"Then I say we should do it. Head over to the Medical Tent and talk to Reed. Get things all mended and squared away." I said.