Waiting for Amber Skyy

Chapter 20

Thankfully it was only a few stars, and I blinked several times to stay awake. I wasn't out, thank god, but the others were. Nearly all of the gang collapsed against the side of the truck, not moving and their eyes closed. This is why you wear seat belts, folks.

The leader was crumpled underneath Sam, whose wings were sprawled out in a way I knew wings weren't supposed to be. I harshly pulled my arms forward, feeling the final thread of the rope break, leaving my hands free. They went to my feet in a flash, quickly untying them as the leader stirred and tried to push the others off him. Since the vehicle was on its side, I pushed myself to hide behind a seat in the back where he couldn't see me. Thankfully he was more towards the front, but I could hear him counting to himself.

A low whine from behind me made me stiffen, and a streak of light appeared on the seats in front of me. I squinted towards it. One of the back doors to the van was pried open by a crowbar controlled by small hands. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her wave at me. Her mouth moved:

"Come on!"

I didn't even question it as I scrambled out of the vehicle, hearing a shout from behind me. Squeezing myself through the door, I landed in something wet: water. I blinked, rubbing my eyes and seeing the wreckage before me. The truck had landed in a canyon. The front was completely busted and the vehicle rolled onto its side into the stream. The water pooled around the roof at a great speed, and I wondered if it was enough force to wash the truck away.

But first.

I spun to look at Speck who had cuts all over her. Pieces of glass stuck out of her skin but besides that and her disheveled hair, her eyes were full of endearment. She was alive, standing...

"Amber!" she cried and jumped into my arms. I let out an 'oof' as she nearly barreled into me, but I held her close, feeling her touch for the longest time. I hadn't seen her in forever, and now here she was, in the flesh, standing, talking, and alive.

"Speck," I cooed as I stroked her hair softly. I felt her body heave as she cried into my shirt, but I didn't care. Speck was back, alive, just, oh my god.

I pulled back and placed my hands on her shoulders, trying to get a better view of her. She had grown, a lot, because she was smaller the last time I saw her. How long has it been? Months? Years? I gulped, hoping that wasn't the case. But none of that mattered now.

"Speck, oh my god, was this-"

"My idea, I know," she smiled at me as tears spilled down her face. "I knew once I saw you that I had to help."

"But..." I couldn't think straight. Everything was happening so fast, "But why? Why me?"

"You silly!" she sniffed, still smiling. "You helped me! You kept me alive, happy even, when we were in those cages. Despite everything that was happening, you helped me. You gave me strength."

I could feel tears in my own eyes now, but I couldn't think of anything to say so I just pulled her into another hug. I couldn't believe it. Speck, a girl not even ten years old, planned an escape plan, for me. I couldn't let her go, not now, not after all we went through. I rested my head against hers, closing my eyes and I remembered the days back when we held each other's hand as they came in to take another kid off to tests. We were always there for each other. No matter what.

"Okay okay," she said, pushing away from me. "Get going! Before they wake up!"

What? "No!" I nearly shouted, hearing shouts erupt from the truck. They were already waking up, but I could hear them arguing, mostly about Speck. Crap. "No! You're coming with me! They'll kill you for doing this!"

She shook her head, still smiling at me as another tear dripped down her face, "I don't care! As long as you're alive, still running, you'll be okay! I know you will."

"Sp-Speck..." I blubbered. I heard a crunch and then a crash and we both whipped around to see a boot sticking out of a window.

"Go!" she cried. But I couldn't leave her. Not like this.

I shook my head but she pushed me away from her, "Just go!"

I hiccupped, feeling hot tears in my eyes but I knew this was all I could do. I flared open my wings, glancing at them and not seeing any signs of injury. "There she is!" I heard behind me, and I glanced back to see them spilling out of the car, guns cocked as they raced towards me. Speck whipped out her knife and nodded towards me with a smile, "I'll fend them off!" Then she ran at them screaming.

I shook my head and started running.

One, two, three.

Gunshots echoed around me, ricocheting off the walls of the canyon and missing me by inches.

Four, five- I jumped.

I flapped my wings fast and hard, getting aloft quicker than I did before. I inwardly smiled at my accomplishment. Tilting my wings just right, I missed another bullet and circled around and glanced down, seeing Speck whipping her little knife around as Sam and Keira tried going at her. The others were aiming at me but kept squinting, struggling to see my shadow against the night sky. The sound of Speck's shriek was enough for me to look down again and see her holding her side. By the moon's light, I could see Keira's wicked grin on her face and something long glinting in her hands.

No!

I growled and turned away before angling myself back and down into the canyon. With a deep breath, I pulled my wings in and let myself drop, but I had them open enough to come in at an angle. The wind was loud in my ears, and for a second I told myself to get some headphones or something to reduce the pain. But then I was snatching Speck up under her arms and into the air, her weight minimal as I flew up and out of the canyon. She shrieked, nearly falling out of my grip. "Don't squirm! I got you!" I shouted over the rushing air. She stared at me and ended up clinging to me like a backpack. I could feel her heartbeat race against mine as I gained more altitude. Their shouts and cries faded, along with the bullets. They were starting to look like ants, but I could still see their angry faces and the leader speaking into a phone.

I did it. I escaped again.

I felt something drip on my shoulder and I glanced at Speck as I angled myself towards North-West this time. "Speck?" I asked, hoping she wasn't too hurt.

"Y-You didn't have to... I-I-"

"Hey, you helped me," she pulled back a little to see my face. Her eyes were a tawny brown and filled with tears. She raised an eyebrow and I chuckled a bit. "I'm not going to let them take you again." She let out a happy cry and hugged me tight, and I returned the favor as we took off towards the night.