Uncover the shadows

Kill or Be Killed

It's been three days...since the reckoning begun. Numerous families and innocent people have been killed...my mother included. Now it's just me and my little brother Franklin or Frankie for short. No where in the city is safe and it's miles to get to the woods.

"Ella, how much longer do we have to hide here?" Frankie is six, a bright boy with a future...I hope. I looked into his hazel eyes, " Until it's safe Frankie. I know it sucks but we have to be careful here on out. We have no weapons and no way to defend ourselves." I can't even fight nor with a weapon. Our best option is to stay low.

The warehouse we are hiding in was once a cereal factory before it got shut down for a health code violation. Broken conveyor belts and nails are all over the floor. One of the tanks was spray painted. Run is what it said. Great even the warehouse knows it's not safe. I rounded a corner with Frankie at my side, there were stairs at the far side.

Getting there was the issue, dust, debris and trash surrounded the once open floor. Even if this place is as big as a football field we can't risk being heard. You never know who else can hide in here. " Be very careful bud, okay?" He nodded and followed my foot steps. We were half way across when his jacket caught a stray nail taking a metal pole with it.

It fell with a loud bang, "Shit!" I pushed Frankie down and covered him with my body. Trying to calm my breathing so I could hear if anyone was coming. My ears were ringing with my senses heightened I waited. There was no movement not even a mouse. It was to silent to trust. " Frankie listen to me very closely. You see that janitor closet right there?" He nodded. " We I give you the signal I want you to crawl over as fast and as silent as you can. Once you get in close it and lock it. Don't let anyone in okay?" His eyes held mine, " B-but what about you Ella?"

" I'll be fine, I need to make sure no one heard us. I'll be back in ten minutes do not open that door no matter what. Keep it closed at all times, you'll know it's me if I say cocoa beans. Now hurry!" I whispered. I watched as he crawled on all fours to the door. As he went in and closed it. Click. He locked it, good. I stood up and looked above. If someone was here the higher level is the best place to closely watch the ground. It wraps every side of the warehouse.

But if someone was here why aren't they showing themselves? Either they are waiting for us to go to them or they are in the same predicament we are. I can't make out which it is but hopefully it's the latter. This place is far to abandoned to not be used as a hideout. I make my way towards the stairs keeping my eyes up at the railings. I crouch and climb up the stairs being careful not to make noise. When I reached the top I looked both ways before going left. There's no way we are the only ones here. I'm sure of it.

After making my lap I heard not one sound, saw no one. As the silence still lingered I heard a faint rustle from down below. I crouched down and watched. A skinny brown haired man started to emerge from the shadows. He was carrying a knife. Thankfully we were on the other side far from Frankie. I have two options I can make my way slowly towards Frankie to avoid a fight or I can jump him. But there's no telling if he's the only one or if he's a scout.

His foot hit a box on the floor and he jumped scaring himself. I had to hold myself back from laughing. He looked around I stepped backwards in case he looked up. My best option is to go to Frankie. It's my only option even if he's skinny I have no strength or experience to fight him. What do you expect from a eighteen year old honor student? I brushed my light blonde hair out of my face. I took my shoes off and tied the lace around my neck to not make any noise. I stayed crouching and ran to Frankie's direction.

Before departing down the stairs I waited till I was sure he didn't come this way. After five minutes I ran as fast as I could to Frankie. " Frankie cocoa beans open up!" I whisper yelled. As he opened the door a sharp pain hit the back of my head knocking me to the ground. " Hey guys, I found those rats!" The skinny man called out. Shit! How did he find us?

" I'll admit you almost had me kid but your shadow from up top gave you away. " It's to dark in here to even make a shadow! What in the hell was this dude saying.?" yeah sure thing buddy my shadow in a dark gloomy warehouse. " he sneered. " you got pep for being a woman."
"I have more than that." I kicked him in his knee cap breaking his leg I grabbed his knife and Frankie in my arms and bolted to the front door. I could hear him calling for his friends in the distance. I have to hurry, the woods are twelve thousand miles north. To far to run in one day. What the fuck do I do?!