Found

Chapter 16-Soraya

When I wake up I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes. Finding myself in the pitch black, I frown. Where am I?

After a moment it all comes back to me. The fight, running away, and finding the Subway. I slowly lean down and rummage around in my backpack, trying to find my flashlight. At first, I begin to panic, not sure where it is. If I have set it somewhere, I will never find it in the dark. I let out a sigh of relief when my hands wrap around the cool object. Pulling it out I flip it on and stand up.

I feel a lot better this morning. My feet do not hurt and I am fully rested. Wanting to explore a little more I venture out of the booth and head towards the rail. I hop down onto the track and turning to my left begin to walk. Shining my light down the tunnel, I am surprised. Covering the walls are graffiti pictures. They are huge, at least three times as big as the ones by the stairs. I am shocked that I did not notice them last night when I looked down this way, they cover practically the entire wall, top to bottom.

I am fascinated with all of the pictures, studying each one for several minutes before walking on to the next one. I am on about the tenth one when I freeze. The next symbol is much larger than all the others. It is oddly plain however just the sight of it send's chills up my spine. It is a large black sun. It is a ring of red, with seven curved black spikes coming from it.

It is a sign that I know all to well. A sign that I despise, along with many others. It is the sign of the Rebels.

As soon as I see it a sinking feeling settles in my heart as I remember Blake. I had thought of him as a true friend. He had sounded so sincere when he listened to me, and so truthful when he spoke. He was easy going, funny, kind, - and a liar. I have to remember that. He lied to me about his life, just so that he could learn more about mine. He was a rebel through and through.
I should be glad that he is out of my life - but I am not.

I don't know why, but I am not just devastated at loosing a " friend ", but I miss him. Not just having someone around to talk to, but HIM. He had made me feel so... alive. When I was around him, I could almost forget about my situation - until I learned that he was a part of their murder.

I sit down, my back leaning against the wall. I needed to think. Soon, I would be hungry, and there wouldn't be anyone coming to bring me food. I would have to start pickpocketing again, taking any money and food that I can get my hands on. I am truly alone.

Suddenly, my stomach growls. Deciding to go out and try to find something to eat, I stand up and make my way back to the booth. I grab my bag and make my way up the stairs, slipping past the boards blocking the top of the stairway.

As I blend into the crowd I look around. I smile when I spot a a small Quick Stop across the street. They sell all sorts of small things and don't have video cameras. It's the easiest place I know of to get away with stealing, but it is still very hard, and I can only go in once every few weeks so as not to be noticed. Deciding to take the risk, I jog across the street and glide into the store.

I am comforted by the sudden surge of warmth upon entering the building. A lady behind the counter smiles at me as I walk in, and I nod before walking towards the back of the store. My eyes immediately begin to scan my surroundings for objects that I could easily sneak out and take the label off of. My eyes instantly fall upon a small container of chocolate milk with a plastic wrapper. I quietly open the door and take out the bottle, before quickly taking the wrapper off, crumpling it up, and tossing it aside. I slip the chocolate milk into my bag and smile. I had done it! Even after weeks of not using my shop lifting ability, it still worked like a charm.

I manage to slip in another bottle, along with a small container of chips. I am zipping up my bag when I feel the curious eyes of someone watching me. I slowly turn around to see a young girl, around five, staring at me. She tilts her head to the side, frowning.

" What are you doing? " she asks me.

" I'm, uh, putting some of my stuff in my bag. "

" But you didn't pay for it, " she protests.

" Your right, " I say slowly. " But it's alright. It will just be our little secret, okay? "

The little girls thinks for a moment.

" Okay, " she says.

" Now, you can't tell ANYONE, okay? Not even your mommy and daddy. It's a secret for only you and me. "

She nods eagerly, her little blonde pigtails bouncing up and down.

" A secret, " she says, before running back to her parents at the front of the store.

Smiling, I stand up. I know that I should probably get going, especially since the little girl saw me, however I really have to pee, and it's not often that I get to use a real toilet. After hesitating a moment, I decided to go to the bathroom really quickly.

I walk to the bathroom at the other corner of the store and push open the door, picking a stall. Dropping my bag outside of my stall I go to the bathroom. When I am done I flush and wash my hands, looking at myself in the mirror.

My straight brown hair is tangled and long, my eyes are dull, and my skin is pale. Deciding to take advantage of running water, I quickly wash my face before putting my bag over my shoulder and walking out.

When I reach the front of the store I freeze. Standing in front of the entrance, are two cops. My eyes grow wide and I immediately take a step backwards. Behind them, the little girl stands with her parents. At the sight of me the little girl waves happily.

" HI! " she says.

I grit my teeth. I guess that the little girl didn't keep our secret after all...