The Tattoo

Chapter 2

Chapter 2~Summer nights

Present~Three years after the shutdown

I pour the last of the beans into the bowl and set it on the table. "We have to get going soon." Sarah nods, taking a mouthful of the cold beans. "I can braid your hair if you want." I motion to my french braids. I haven't had a haircut in years, my long black hair was skimming my waist, and hers is not far behind. She nods and I run my hands through, letting my fingers knot her hair together quickly, before moving to the other side. "Do you think this Scout person is real?" she asks, knowing the answer hasn't changed. "No, but there are too many below the bridge and winter will come up fast. All the food is gone and The Sanctuary is our best bet. No gas means everything is by the bikes." We long ago lost our duffles and now carried hiking bags with a small blanket, one towel, a pair of tennis shoes knotted to the handle, some clothes, gloves, and a few little things each. We rolled our jackets up for the summer and pushed them in the front. I found little bags to buckle to the front for food and shoved water in the sides. It used to feel heavy but now it felt odd without it. "Alright, let's get going. The sun is going down. Put your flashlight in your belt by your knife." she nods, even at twelve she was smart and braver than I was then. We head out the backdoor, slowly down the steps, and onto the two bikes hidden in the bushes. It was warm out, with a nice summer breeze in the height of June. "Do you think we will ever stop running?" she asks before we take off. I look at her, so much has happened in three years that I forget she's still a kid. Her large brown eyes stare and look at me for hope. But there is no hope if this sanctuary isn't here. The Invaders, kill and steal or use us as slaves. I have heard rumors, they have 'turned' humans they really liked but I have never actually confirmed it. "We aren't running Sarah, we are just...trying to get a head start." "On what?" "The War."

The air smells like summer, like high school with friends who just got out, and like party weather. The houses look odd, the lights are off and for a minute I can pretend the families are sleeping, preparing for a normal day tomorrow after a nice warm dinner. For a moment I let myself reminisce on my old life. My life of two working parents who I argued with, an annoying little sister, and of picking out homecoming dresses, and looking at colleges. Colleges I would never attend, a dance I would never see, and parents I said goodbye to years ago. 

"Do you see that?" Sarah says quietly next to me. The only sound is our tires along the sidewalk. I squint, trying to find what she is talking about. "it's.. person?" it comes out more like a question but I have not seen a real human in months and I can't see their eyes from this far. The person is digging through a trunk only a hundred feet ahead. "We have to go around." "that could be dangerous. The map doesn't show the zones for that side of the streets." I tell her. But before I can tell her another plan, their head whips up and they back up slightly, reaching for a weapon. Fuck. "Stay a few feet behind me." we ride down and I stop ten feet back and grab my knife. "Who are you?" I ask. "I'm Luca. I...I am looking for safety." "Show me your arms, torso, and back of your neck." He does. "How do I know you are not one of them?" He asks suspiciously.  "I would have killed you by now." "That's fair." "My name is Izzy, this is Sarah. Sorry about the ambush, we have been on our own for a while now." "I get it. I lost my brother in the beginning, and then my group months back. I am headed to The Sanctuary." "Have you seen it before?" Sarah pipes in and I groan. "Yeah, but it moves every year. Every summer in May they have a new location, hidden and hard to find." I knew this but I don't say this. "You should come with us. We will have to get you a bike though."  he smiles. "Thank you." I am wary of him, but honestly, I need help finding it. "Luca?" "Hm?" "You fuck me over, I will kill you." "touche."