Heaven

Chapter One

Jeremiah's cherry popsicle dripped down his chin in the heat and made a sticky mess of his fingers. He looked up the lazy street past Lou's hardware in the direction she should have come from an hour ago. Where was she? Another ten minutes, and it would be too late. Jeremiah glanced at his watch. Nine minutes until lockdown. Jeremiah tossed the barren stick in the trashcan nearby. He grabbed his keys and hid them in his closed hand. Jeremiah hovered a few feet from his car. Close enough to get in quickly, far enough to not arouse suspicion. He plopped onto a bench a few feet farther away. Casually. Another glance at his watch. Seven minutes. They would have to leave fast.

Jane stared at the treetops to count how many leaves there are. She lost track on the third branch. She had to look carefree. Her life depended on it. She snuck a glance at her watch. Five minutes. She stood up and brushed the dirt off her pants. She donned her 'school bag' and made her way into town.

Three minutes. Jeremiah tapped his foot on the concrete as the sun coated the world in orange. A beautiful sunset, would it be the last one he ever sees? Would he have to leave without her? A couple walked by with shopping bags. They looked blissful. Were they pretending? Jeremiah wasn't sure. It seemed like a level of happiness that could only be manufactured. Jeremiah tried on a smile. It felt foreign. In this new world, he would have to get used to it. Hopefully he won't need to live in it for long. Hopefully they can find somewhere safe to go. Somewhere real. If only she could get here in time. Two minutes.

Jane quickened her pace when she was alone and slowed to a casual stroll when she saw others. It was impossible to tell between civilians, guards, and defectors. Jane trusted only Jeremiah. Their own families were lost to the Heaven. Jane had no idea why, but Heaven didn't work on her. They'd been hearing about the Heaven for weeks, and how it was the only way to have peace in our country. Jane wanted Heaven, just like everyone else, until it didn't take. She had felt so alone. When she found out that Jeremiah was like her, they made their plan to escape. There was nothing left for them in this town. Jane turned the last corner and checked her watch. One minute before the gate closes. They might not make it.

Jeremiah stared at the empty space where he prayed that Jane would appear. In a few seconds, he would need to abandon her. There would never be another chance to leave. Several passersby milled the street, and he wondered if they would report him driving away. He spotted Jane turning the corner onto Main Street and exhaled. He stood up and started walking towards the vehicle.

Jane locked eyes with Jeremiah. They might survive this. She kept her pace steady and made sure to maintain her faint smile. She reached the car as Jeremiah took his seat. Once she was inside, Jeremiah slammed his foot on the gas.

Jeremiah's hands were still sticky. He wasn't sure why he had chosen his last meal here to be a popsicle. Perhaps as a goodbye to his childhood home. He had gotten the treat off the ice cream truck, the same one that he had been going to his whole life. He might die in the next few minutes, but all that he could think about was that his hands were sticky and that they might never be not-sticky again. They were almost to the gate. Fifty feet. Ten feet. A gunshot. It missed. Jeremiah pressed his foot down on the gas harder. Several more shots rang out, until they were out of range. The guards didn't follow.

Jane had no idea where they would go. They would have to abandon the car when it runs out of gas. She hoped that it would make it to the woods. Jane wasn't sure what the future held, but she knew that anything, even death, would be better than Heaven.