Wars and Lies

Chapter Nine

I don't know how much time has passed but it feels like weeks. There's no windows or a clock so telling time here is difficult. We get treated like vermin. We don't get to eat or drink much. Every so often we're chucked a bottle of water and a pot of rice that's always freezing cold and sometimes covered in mould. Seeing as we don't get to eat much, people scoff it down like it's the best meal they've ever had. I think Sinead's starving us to weaken us so we can't fight back, I definitely feel weaker and so the others. Or maybe she's just doing it for fun. I know first-hand how much she enjoys torture. My hand healed okay and I've got full control again. The burns are still there but don't hurt anymore. We poured water onto them but it wasn't cold enough so it wasn't effective, they're going to scar. I'm so scared. I don't know what's going to happen to us. I feel so hopeless. I can hear Charlotte crying and occasionally can hear Stephanie to. All you can hear is the waves crashing against the boat and people crying and screaming. People don't talk to each other. I barely talk to Ashton and Stephanie as there's nothing to talk about.

Suddenly, the door flung open and in marched Sinead dragging a little boy, who looks around six, as he cried his little heart out and is doing his best to wiggle free. Sinead reached Charlotte's cage and throw the boy in as if he's nothing but trash. The small boy hit his head on the bar. "You didn't have to throw him. What exactly do you want with us?" Ashton shouted. Sinead didn't respond. She raised her eyebrow at Ashton and shouted, "take them to the top deck for a hose down. It sinks in here." The guards came round and unlocked the cages then forced us to the top deck. People are so weak that they're struggling to walk.

I stepped through the doors and onto the deck. The second I stepped into the open, I had to slam my eyes shut. Being locked in the dark for so long, my eyes aren't used to being in the blinding light. I slowly opened my eyes. The sun feels nice. Feeling the sun's warmth feels good. Feeling the breeze fly through my hair makes me feel free. I've been hidden in the dark for too long. We all have. I slowly walked to the boats edge. All I can see is the ocean stretching for miles. There's not a single bird in the sky to indicate we're close to land. We're in the middle of nowhere.

"Katie!" Someone whispered. I looked around but can't see anyone I know apart from the others.

"Did you guys hear that?" I asked the others.

"No." Stephanie answered, "I don't hear anything."

"Psst Katie over here."

"Okay I heard it that time," Steph stated, confused.

Slowly and cautiously my dad emerged from the shadows. "Quickly," my dad said as he waved us over then disappeared behind a cargo box. I followed him and Ashton, Stephanie and Charlotte followed.

"Dad?" I whispered, happily. I ran up to him and hugged him. I don't want to let go and with how tight my dad's holding on, I don't think he does either. My dad let go and said, "we don't have much time. I'm sorry I've not been talking to you but I need to keep you safe and I'm worried what the guards will do if they find out you're my daughter."

"I understand. Also, we freed mum. She's safe." I informed.

"I'm glad but I'm not glad you're here. You shouldn't be here. None of you should. It's not safe."

"Do you have any idea what's going on?" It's Ashton this time.

"I haven't got a clue but it's not gonna be for a good reason. However, I do recognise quite a few people from the Tribal War and I asked around and practically everyone fought in the war, even some of the guards. I've got to go before someone sees us. I'm sorry." My dad gave me a quick hug then sprinted off.

"Everyone here's a warrior? Why?" Stephanie asked.

"Maybe they want to get rid of all the warriors so they can overtake other tribes without people fighting back." Ashton stated.