Exile

Bella binds his hands together tightly in rope. Everyone stands around him in a state of shock, except you and Bella. "What are we going to do with him?" She asks you in a hushed whisper. "It's not like the police can arrest him, and we can't exactly keep him tied up here forever."

"We've got two options then..." You sigh. "Everyone should probably get a vote."

"****!" Lucy calls out.

"What?" You turn and face her in surprise.

"We get to vote. I thought it would lighten the mood." She shrugs.

"That's one of the options." She gulps hard.

"O-o-oh..."

"**** sounds good to me." Heather mutters shooting daggers at the douche-bag's **** body.

"Now, now. **** sounds a little bit too harsh. After all it's like taking advantage of a drunk girl, it's wrong yes, but it doesn't deserve the **** penalty for it." Your mom reasons. "At least not straight away. What's the other option sweety?"

"Exile." You say stoically. "We kick him out of the grounds and tell him to leave. If he comes back then we defend ourselves."

"Is there no other choices?" Lucy asks.

"You heard what he was saying." Bella answers. "There's no way we can just forgive him and let him stay after that. I won't allow it." To say the air is thick in hostility is an understatement. It's absolutely suffocating.

"Lets vote then." Sam speaks up. "I say we exile him. Let the infected kill him."

"And risk him meeting back up with his friends to get more of that- that stuff. Not a chance. Kill him. Right here, right now." Heather snaps.

"I've got to side with the firecracker, let the infected deal with the guy. No blood on our hands that way." Your mom sighs.

"I agree with mom." Lucy has her say. "None of us here are murderers. How could any of us kill someone?" You eye Bella who speaks next.

"It's not **** if it's execution. I'm a soldier, I've killed before to protect and will do it again." She eyes his body in disgust. "I'll be back in a minute. Let me know what we've decided when I'm back." Bella leaves quickly.

"Like our daughter said, we did hear what he was saying clear as daylight. No way I'll let him touch my girls, or anyone else in this house while I'm alive!" Your dad huffs. Your mom shifts away ever so slightly with a shocked expression. He doesn't take notice.

"I- I- I can not vote." Hina stutters in a quiet voice. "I am sorry." Everyone's eyes end up on you. Three to three vote. Even split. Your choice. Your heart races and your skin starts to tingle. The power of life and **** over somebody.

Do it. Say the words. Heather would be grateful. No, what about my family. That's why you should do it, to protect them like Bella said. You're no murderer, neither is your family, don't let this douche ruin your lives like that. Do it! No! Yes! You scrunch your eyes tightly and sigh in frustration. "Exile."

Sam gives you a reassuring smile that is completely opposed by Heather's hatred being shot your way. Of course it'd be a swing vote from me... Still, this is the right thing to do. I know it is. Heather stomps out of the room and slams the door shut behind herself.

"I can't blame you for wanting to do good son, but I don't think this new world will allow that for much longer." Your dad pats your back before heading through the other door.

"Can you watch him for me? I need to get something as well." You ask the room.

* In the front courtyard.

Bella joins you outside holding a bolt-action rifle with a large scope attached. Charlie lies before the two of you on the smooth pebbles. You tap his cheek roughly. He groggily rolls over. "Uh what?"

Bella kicks the back of his legs. "Get up you sick fuck." She barks at him. He gets to his knees to find the barrel of her gun aimed at his chest.

"W- What the fuck? What are you doing?" His face pales as he tries to scramble backwards with bound arms.

"Relax. You're lucky my brother is generous. He had the deciding vote and has let you go free." She explains. "So if you ever come back here, near any of us again or try to contact us in anyway just know that I will kill you personally. I did vote to have you killed."

You activate the automatic gates and wait for them to slowly swing open. You hand him a backpack you'd fetched before bring him outside. "There's enough food and water for a day, longer if you ration. I'd suggest going home, the place was mostly untouched." You inform him. He scoffs and picks himself up.

"What about my arms? Gonna leave me defenceless? May as well kill me here." Bella cocks her eyebrow at his suggestion but thankfully doesn't shoot.

"There's a pocket knife in the small side pocket." You give him a two fingered salute. "I wish you luck, old roomie." Charlie grits his teeth and turns to march through the gate as they close behind him.

He faces you sideways, eyes filling with tears. "Know this Michael, I'm going to build myself a kingdom within this world. I'll get more of that Aphro and I'll have the biggest orgy you've ever seen and then... I'm going to out live your group, that's for damn sure." And with that said, he leaves. Following the path down and out of site.

"Are you sure about this Michael? If he meets his friends and they come back here... So many loose ends that could go wrong." You slowly caress her tense arm through her leather jacket.

"Trust me. I'm an optimist!" You grin. "Besides, he's gone now so it's a little late to be doubting our choice now." She goes to speak but you silence her with a hug. "But we can prepare for what might happen. I've been thinking and I've certainly got a few ideas."

"My brilliant baby brother." She mutters into your ear. "Lets hear what you've got this time."