"We are not letting you through Miss V." The muscular guard said with a scowl, shared by the guard next to him.
Lesley gave Veranda a pointed look.
"So they'd let you through huh?" Lesley asked dryly.
"Don't give me that look." Veranda gave a pout.
Lesley, Mel and Veranda stood infront of a large green door, leading to the shelter area where Mama V's people lived, the simple scavengers who had aligned to her or who had been coerced brutally into submitting to the queen.
The scavangers could search for food outside on their own, come back to their shelters, the only thing things Mama V demanded was obedience, tributes and all materials found outside to be used for Mama V's benefit if the person brings them into the warehouse.
There were no votes, no democracies and no consensus because Mama V held all the power. She was their protector, often their provider and their savior in other cases. Mama V was queen.
But that didn't mean the guards would let Mama V's daughter wander around the warehouse, especially the shelters.
"Jeff, you're killing me. Can't you just let me slip in with my friends? Please?" Veranda sniffled and gave a sad expression.
"No." Jeff said with his frown still on.
Damn, Veranda thought, my baby face usually works. Better try my other choices.
Veranda raises her head higher, made her back straighter and starred haughtily at Jeff, who was nearly thrice as big as her.
"As the daughter of Mama V, I demand and command you to let us pass. Immediately." When in doubt, intimidate, Veranda thought.
"And according to Mama V, you are not allowed in the shelters. Unless she is with you or you're heavily guarded. Not sneaking around under her nose.Most of the guards went with Mama V. You only have those two, next to you." Jeff pointed at Lesley and Mel with contempt," And they're supposed to be your brothers I think. At least that's what Mama V said."
"We're friends with Veranda. Brotherhood is not up." Lesley said and Veranda nodded her head.
"Either way, you are not getting in." The guard next to Jeff said condescending.
"Then you leave me no choice. Mel, attack them." Veranda pointed at the guards with a frown.
"What? Mel don't move." Lesley looked at Mel pointedly before looking at Veranda " I'm all for getting in for what we need, but please don't tell Mel to attack people. That is against the conditions I have with Mama V and I don't want him to kill anyone."
"But these dummies won't let us in!" Veranda stomped her foot with a huff.
"Doesn't mean you can tell my zombie what to do. That is also not how friends work, I told you this last week when you asked me to break someone's finger." Lesley rolled his eyes,"If we can't go in, then we won't go in. Don't force a door open when you can find a key."
"Yeah, scram." The guard next Jeff said and Mel frowned.
"Don't...talk to them like that." Mel said looking at both guards who gripped their machetes a bit tighter.
"Mel, we are going. Now." Lesley said about to take Mel's hand but stopped and just turned around," Let's go for a walk. Come on, we still have training to do."
"Jeff masterbates thinking about you, Jerome!" Veranda shouted and everyone paused.
"Wait what?" Jerome, the other guard looked at them.
"That is not true." Jeff denied with a scowl.
"Uhmm," Lesley looked at the two guards with a raised brow,"Guard drama?"
Mel said nothing, not showing much interest in the conversation now.
"It's true. I saw him in the back room last month, he had his hand around his-"
"Ahem?" Lesley gave her a look and she sighed.
"Jeff was touching himself and moaning your name. I knew what he was doing, but I was surprised he was thinking about you. I told Mom but she said I should keep this information for a raining day. Today is the day, Jerome."
"Jeff...is Miss V telling the truth?" Jerome looked at his best friend with a scowl that showed anger, disgust , confusion and judgement.
"I...it...the thing is...Jer, I...I can't say it's not true." Jeff said and Jerome grabbed him and shoved him on the wall.
"Is it bloody false or the god damned truth you faggot?" Jerome asked angrily.
"I...fuck it, yes. Yes it's true. I jerked off to you, now get off me." Jeff shoved Jerome away," The three of them are gone."
Lesley, Mel and Veranda were gone, having quickly entered through the door as soon as Jeff and Jerome were distracted.
"Doesn't matter. You...got a crush on me or something? What the hell am I supposed to do with what Miss V said?" Jerome asked with a hurt voice," You...lie to me and-"
"I jerked off to you, I never said I loved you. I ain't a faggot. Calm down." Jeff said angrily," We grew up together, have struggled here together throughout our lives... forgive me for thinking you had good body. Am I not allowed to think you're attractive?"
"Yes. That's a faggot thing to think.What about Isabela? You and her, I thought-" Jeff cut Jerome off again.
"We are friends, and maybe have some fun but...I didn't love her. Never have. But it keeps people from wondering." Jeff sighed," We need to go inside the shelters and find them."
"Wait, wait you fucking ass, don't walk away... I need to ask you one last thing." Jerome looked harr at Jeff," Do you have a crush on me or not?"
"Shut up. What does that matter? Let's go get them back, then I will answer your questions. Miss V just went into the shelters. Think numbskull. Mama V will be furious. We will get her back and then we can talk. Good enough for you?" Jeff asked as he opened the door.
"Fine. But I'll ask the moment we find them, even when we see them." Jerome said angrily, his machete in hand.
Fuck my life, Jeff thought miserably and they both opened the door, entering the Shelters area.