Followers of the Light

Chapter 13 - Ninety-Eight Hours Past the End (7PM)

When the sky had finally gone late, five of us got out of our hiding to our escape plan setup at the river. We were like chickens in a starry evening, that park was so dark although made us felt secure enough to move under the blue night. We were cautious, yet also filled with excitement. I and Layla chatted and giggled on our way there.

When we reached the riverbank, The Gonachole's flickering yellow neon lit the surrounding. We looked at the railings to find our rope knots that tied our boats with.

"Here it is!" I told them. "So as planned then, we don't know where to go exactly, just keep rowing until we see the next island, and when there's a patrol- "

"Hold on, this looks strange!" Layla cut me. "Torchlight, please!"

I switched my torch on and pointed it down at the river.

"Fuck!" my shout echoed through the street. One of the boats had sunk. All my hope was crushed right on that moment.

"Hey, don't be too loud!" Layla said.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." I said trembling, walking back and forth like a fly trapped in a room. "Why do bad things always happening to me...?"

"There's still one more boat left." replied Layla softly. "You should take it. This was your idea after all."

"No, no. You and Ron must go."

"No, Rey. You should go with Ron."

"No, it's yours. Ron needs you. You both should leave."

Layla looked at me with her eyebrows pointed up.

"Grote, what do you think?" Layla turned to Grote who was leaning on the handrail.

"Was her idea, right? Follow what she said, I guess."

It was then decided.

Ron hopped on Layla's back, leaving her backpack to me while she rappels down the rope that held the boat. Then I dropped the backpack when she was settled down, untied the knot for them, and they were ready to go. Layla placed the rope behind her and held on to the paddles.

"Thank you. We'll see you on the other side. Someday," said Layla. "Ron, say your goodbyes to them."

Ron did as he was told. We bid our farewells and I watched her paddled the boat, slowly sailing away from us. Layla and Ron left the party that night, leaving me and Grote still in this city yet again. As she went further away disappearing within the night shade, I took a deep breath and exhaled.

"We're still here..."

"Oh well. You should have taken the offer."

I asked Grote what to do now. He said he doesn't know.

"I never expect to come out of this shit hole, anyway." Grote said. "Really."

"C'mon, Grote. Don't you usually come up with the stupidest idea ever?"

"I mean, fuck, what to do?" Grote swung his hands up. "We got people wanting to kill us, and then we still got another people wanting kill everyone in sight."

I scratched my head.

"Our boat sank!" Grote added. "Probably that's what keeps us alive−"

Two gunfires shot in a distant.

I turned my head to its echoes coming from the direction of the bay. My eyes were frozen, pinned on the dark horizon as the sound dispersed.

"Like I said..." Grote nodded when I looked back at him.