Breaking Barriers

Waiting For A Miracle

Jane Doxter:

To everyone's utter surprise, the office building was completely intact, minus a few little pieces. Us kids were told to sit on a huge, lonely chunk of concrete in the street while the adults checked if it was safe to run back inside to get our stuff, and we were too shocked to argue, so we sat on the concrete as a layer of ash settled on the ruins of the neighborhood. Certain death had just missed us by what, 10 feet?

As the sun began to rise above the billowing clouds of dust, the adults still hadn't returned, and our stomachs throbbed with worry.

"I'm going in." Masha announced and strode toward the building.

"NOO!" The rest of us screamed and latched onto her. Ishka and Tatya had been allowed to follow the adults in, so Masha had instantly been put in charge, which suited us just fine.

"We'll come too." Pinto insisted as Masha sat back down on the concrete and sat him in her lap.

"No, darling." She told Pinto while stroking his head, "It's much too dangerous."

"You're going." Nikita pointed out as Masha shook her head, smiling gently.

"I'm going so you don't have to, silly." She teased, "Stay here and look after the little ones for me."

"Well then I'm coming." Nastya declared, marching right up to Masha, "You'll need backup and we'll put Nickie and Koshi in charge." 

"Alright," Masha shrugged and turned to Koshi, "Look after the little ones for me please."

"Yes ma'am." Koshi nodded. I kid you not, not 5 seconds after the girls disappeared into the building, the Captain and Kwazii popped out of the basement and rushed outside as we pounced on them.

"Nice to see you're all still alive." Kwazii laughed and scooped all of us into his arms, "I love ya, little mateys."

"We love you too, Kwazii." Pinto replied, hugging him right back, "But where were you?"

"The Captain and I were in the basement. We was sorting out all the old boxes that we built a fort with last night to make it look all nice and tidy for Bianca to come back too."

"Well where's everyone else then?" Squirt asked anxiously.

"They're all upstairs packing everything up and trying to make it look like we weren't here. No need to fret, my sweet boy." The Captain soothed, "Oh, that reminds me! Would all of you like to go into the building and get a few special little things to take with you? We've already packed all your clothes and the essentials, but would you like to go see if there's anything else you'll need?" 

Everyone immediately voiced their approval on another one of the Captain's brilliant ideas as he handed us each a little backpack and set us loose in the building, but not before we gave him the biggest thank you hugs possible.

I ran as fast as I could upstairs to the attic. Mostly everything had already been packed away and tucked in the corner except for a little something resting atop a drop sheet covering a table in the corner. I quickly snatched Laika up, threw her in the backpack, and just stood there for a good 30 seconds. 

We were actually leaving. I know I should've been happy about it, but at that moment, I had no idea what to feel. I'd always dreamed of the day we'd finally get out of here, but there was that sickening fear that always lingered in the back of my mind and made me want to dig a grave for myself and stay there forever, but I trusted the adults (somewhat, Kwazii still counts as an adult), and with a final look at the dimly lit room, I clambered down the ladder and went back outside. 

Soon, a truck came rattling down the road, and a single look at its color made my hear drop. It was one of the Puricians military trucks, and we were perfectly within its line of sight. Instinctively, everyone sprinted into the alleyway behind the building, but to our shock, Inkling and the Captain stood in the street like it was an ordinary war-free Tuesday, and began waving to the driver. Of course, everyone panicked, thinking the Captain and Inkling were about to lead us to our doom.

We all held our breath as the back door opened, but out jumped a light brown macaque who saluted to the Captain and looked toward all of us in the alleyway.

"Paani!" Pinto exclaimed and ran right into his arms.

"Hehe, I know I'm amazing, my little volcano buddy. Follow me you filthy creatures." His eyes sparkled with amusement as gestured towards the van.

"How-?" Mrs Talia began, looking at the van that could give a legion of creatures heart attacks.

"That's a story for another time."