The End Of Nothing And The Beginning Of It All

Chapter Twenty Two: Hope

The morning routine began as always. Get up, eat breakfast, take kid to school and pretend everything was normal. The only way to do that was to join the foraging team to work otherwise I may gain unnecessary attention and suspicion from the guards. I met up with Tanya before we set off to the forest. I knew that at the end of the day I would have the least amount of items in my basket but I would rather that than get caned for bringing back something poisonous by mistake. We all wondered around individually picking foods. I reached the end of the perimeter fence, far away from the others and looked outside. I weirdly missed it out there. As I thought about life before camp and freedom, I noticed something moving across the road. Must be a Fluke I first thought. But as I was turning away to go back to the group, I heard a whispering voice. I looked around but was unable to identify where it was coming from.
"Hope listen carefully. It's Randy" the voice whispered. Is that really Randy I thought. The same Randy that dissappeared yesterday. Before I had time to process, the voice continued.
"The camp is corrupt. There are some members of the guard rebelling. They are starting to punish people who don't obey their orders. I didn't obey them and a few others so they chucked us out of camp. I'm now the other side of the barrier having to fend for myself"
"Oh Randy. How could they? Are you ok?" I interrupted with concern.
"Look I'm not going to lie, it's not easy but please don't worry about me. You need to protect yourself and that child. As much as it sounds like a bad idea, you're better off leaving as its going to turn bad very quickly. I don't want to see you get hurt. Leave whilst you still can" he pleaded before the voice vanished. I started asking him more questions in response but there was no reply. Had they really been kicking people out of camp? Is that why people had been disappearing without a trace? Thinking about it now, it seemed like the only logical explanation. After all, I had looked everywhere for them. I quickly rushed back with the group before we all returned together. I had a few things in my basket, way less than I thought I would have due to my delay talking to Randy. Thankfully they were all alright and edible so I avoided a punishment. However all I could focus on now was getting kid and getting out of here.
I ran straight to the school. "You're too early again" the teacher said in an annoyed tone. I dismissed her quickly "Yes I know but it's important" I said with no attempt to make up an excuse this time. I took kid by the hand and started walking straight towards our room ignoring the teachers incoherent shouting as we left. I grabbed a random backpack from the storage room and filled it with food from the pantry on our way. Waiting at our door was Henry.
"Hope what's up?" he asked watching me desperately rush around. "Kid and I are leaving" I said entering our room. He followed closing the door behind, knowing that the conversation topic wasn't one to discuss out in the open.
"Wait we've got to think this through. How would we survive out there? This is all a bit rushed, we haven't found out what's happening here yet" he said calmly.
"You don't need to come with us. I know what's happening. I spoke to Randy outside of the wall. The guards are throwing people outside that don't obey their unrealistic demands" I said.
I turned to kid who was sat on the bed. "Look I am leaving camp and not coming back. There are bad people here that want to hurt us. You don't have to come with me, you can stay here and go to school. It's your choice, I'll do whatever you want. If you come with me, I can't guarantee it will be easy out there but I will keep you as protected as I possibly can. I promise" I explained gently to kid, giving him all the options. He looked directly into your my eyes "Promise Mummy?" he asked. "I promise" I replied before he nodded his head and hugged me as tight as he possibly could. I think that means he's coming with me.
"I'm not going to let you leave" Henry turned to me and said.
"What? You can't stop us" I exclaimed angrily, still getting some things together sbd putting them in the backpack.
"I mean I'm not going to let you leave on your own. I'm coming with you" he stated.
"Henry you love this place. Don't let me influence your decision. You can't really want to come" I told him.
"No you're not. I want to leave with you and you can't convince me otherwise" he smiled.
"Ok well I guess it's decided then. Three of us together. Grab some food and I'll meet you by the back gate in about 10 minutes" I said to Henry. He nodded in reply before leaving quickly to do so.