Wars and Lies

Chapter Seven

It's been three days since my parents were taken. There hasn't been any more kidnappings, only an increase number of supply raids. I overheard Philip telling one of the guards he suspects this is because they might be leaving soon. I've been staying at Brandon's. I haven't been able to go home. I haven't even been able to leave the house. I just spend my days sat on the sofa staring at the wall. I don't eat. I don't sleep. I don't even cry. I don't allow myself to. I'm too angry with myself. My last conversation with my parents was an argument and that might be my last conversation with them. It's my fault this happened. If I had just stayed home instead of running off, I could've helped and they might still be here. It's all my fault.

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. Emily got up and answered. Emily, Stephanie and Brandon have been with me all morning. They're sat on the table behind me. They're usually here. Em's usually reading, Steph doodles clothe designs and when Brandon's here, he's either going through case files on the kidnappings that he stole or he's trying to get me eat. I saw in the reflection that it's Ashton at the door. He's been staying here as well but is rarely here. He leaves really early then doesn't get back until late. I don't turn round. "Any luck?" Emily whispered.

"No. Couldn't find anyone who knows how to read it," Ashton replied. Read what? I start to listen in but don't move. "She's the only one I know who knows how to."

"You can't ask her. We don't even know if this means anything. We can't give her false hope. She's broken enough." It's Brandon this time. They're talking about me. What are they talking about? Do I bother even asking? What if they found a clue? But what if it's nothing and I get my hopes up? I can't put myself through that. If it something that can help then I should risk it? "Read what?" I ask, still not turning around.

"Don't worry Katie," Stephanie answered.

"Tell me!" I demanded.

"Katie really don't worry about it." Brandon said which annoyed me. I didn't reply and instead just turned to face them.

"Here." Ashton says as he sat next to me and handed me a scrap bit of paper that's ripped at the bottom.

"Ashton!" The others shouted.

"She should know. It's in Morse code so we can't read it. I've spent the past three days trying to find a book or someone who can translate."

"I can," I said. When I was young me and my dad would send secret messages to each other through the walls using Morse code. It was our fun little secret. We usually used it to sneak chocolate and sugary snacks without mum knowing.

"I know you can. What does it say?"

I read the note aloud:

"Departure time is 5 o'clock, 6th of August. Dock is west side. Supplies are desperately needed. Find attached the list of people needed."

I finished reading.

"Is the list there?" Stephanie asks.

"My guess is that's what's been ripped off," I answered.

"Wait. Today's the 6th. They'll be leaving in two hours," Ashton stated.

"Then we have no time to waste. Everyone go grab whatever supplies you need and we'll meet on the beach in an hour, got it? Katie stay here." Brandon instructed.

"No. I'm coming."

"Katie you're not strong enough. You're in no mental state to be going out there." I didn't reply. I flipped him off and walked out the house not caring I'm in pjs and slippers.

Me and Ashton reached my house and I stood outside. "You okay?" Ashton asked.

"I can't go in. I can't do this." I replied.

"You've got this. I'm right here with you." I took Ashton's hand and followed him in. The house is still an active crime scene so it hasn't been cleaned up. We went into our room and started to pack our backpacks. We chucked in some knives, food, drink and any other survival supplies we'd need like a lighter. I quickly got changed. I put on jeans, a hoodie and my trainers. I came back into the kitchen and saw Ashton waiting for me. "Thought you might want this," Ashton said as he put my father's sword down on the table.

"Thank you." I picked up the sword and put it in my holster, "we should get going." We headed out the door.

We reached the beach and found the others sat at the edge of the forest. I'm so nervous. We might actually be on to something. I might actually get my parents back. We might get everyone back. "Guys listen." Stephanie said.

"What is it?" Brandon asked.

"Well, if you shut up you might actually hear," Stephanie mouthed back. Brandon looked too shocked to respond. I listened carefully and could hear voices. Loads of different voices but none I recognize. It's coming from further down the beach. We followed the voices. We found people in the distance so we quickly ducked behind a boulder before someone could spot us. "I've got my binoculars," Brandon said as he took them out and took a look. "You might wanna have a look." I took the binoculars and looked. I can see people in white and grey uniforms loading cages onto a massive, cargo ship. I took a closer look and realised it's people in the cages. Our people. It's all the kidnapped people from our tribe. "I can see the missing people." I stated.

"Katie take a look at the cage by the woods." Brandon ordered. I did as I'm told and took a look.

"Mum!" Without even thinking, I leaped over the boulder and sprinted towards my mum. I quickly realised this isn't the best reaction but I need to get to her. The others were more cautious about following my recklessness. "Mum!"

"Katie?" My mum's crying. "You shouldn't be here. You need to go."

"No. I'm staying here. We'll get you out. Where's dad? Steph can you pick the lock?"

"Of course, I can." Stephanie is a master at picking locks. She picked it up easily in class and had loads of practice unlocking her older sister's diary. Her sister's called Chesley, she died a few years ago from an infection and unfortunately, we didn't have the right medicine to save her. Steph misses her a lot and doesn't like talking about her as they were close. "I don't know where he is," Mum said.

"Wala. I'm a genius." Stephanie bragged as she unlocked the cage.

"We'll find dad and recuse the others. Brandon and Emily, you take mum back to town," I ordered.

"We're not leaving you," Brandon and Emily both argued.

"You need to get Philip and the others. Just go. We'll be fine." Suddenly, I heard shouting and noticed people in uniforms running towards us. "Shoot. Quickly go."

"Fine. We'll be back soon." Emily helped my mum out the cage and they rushed off.

I pulled out my sword, Stephanie pulls out a knife and Ashton readied his bow and arrow. We're ready for a fight. The strangers are now meters from us. All of them have knives of their own. One launched themselves at Stephanie so she quickly reacts and kicks sand at him which I was not expecting and found funny. The man's blinded. I kicked his knee then used the handle of my sword to smash his head to knock him out. I don't like killing people. I never want to kill anyone. I've been taught loads of techniques on how to knock my opponent out. I'll seriously hurt but never kill. Attackers are coming from every direction. I'm swinging left and right and kicking and punching as hard as I can. I'm so focused on the attacks on my front that I didn't realise the one coming from behind. Someone grabbed me. I'm kicking and trying every technique I know to escape but nothing's working. The guy's strong and a lot bigger than me. "Katie!" Ashton screamed as he ran towards me. A girl with a club whacked Ashton round the head. Ashton collapsed. Blood's slowly pouring out. He's not moving. I need to get to him. I started screaming my head off. "Ashton!"