Air Raiders

Chapter Seven: More Trouble?

"Please," he begs,"help me."

The woman looks surprised at first, but then opens the door wider and ushers the boy in. The lobby room is small and cozy, with a few chairs and cloth-covered tables scattered in the small room, as well as a miniature couch in the far corner with newspapers stacked on the table next to it. A counter is placed in the back right corner of the room with a door behind it and another door on the other side of the room.

"So," the woman turns to the boy and smiles,"what happened?"

It is then that he remembers what Carter had told him.

"Um, Carter. He told me that I need to find you and tell you this is a code... Blue, I think?"he shifts back and forth on his aching feet and silently wonders how he had never noticed the boots there. He stares at the ground, trying to avoid the women's eyes. The thought that he is wrong makes his hands fiddle and his rocking increase. The woman's expression changes as she nods slowly.

"I understand. Quickly then, follow me," with that, she grabs the boy's arm and guides him to the door behind the counter and leads him through it. They're in... A freezer?

He makes a sound of questions but she shushes him and leads him to the back of the cold and icy room. Her hand glides over what appears to be a smartly concealed door and her breathing comes out in cold puffs of smoke. The boy is shivering violently now, and waits anxiously for her to unlock the door.

Soon, it is swung open and he is once again led into another room. The difference this time, however, is that this room is absolutely huge. Staircases lead in both directions on either side of them and lead down to a lower level full of bustling people and wagons and doors lining the walls.

His mouth is wide and his fiddling hands drop to his sides as he stares at the new sight before him. The woman chuckles before guiding him down the steps.

"So, young man, my name is Lia. And who might you be?" The boy looks down and feels another headache.

"I... I don't know. All I remember is that Carter found me in the aftermath of some air ship crash..."

"Oh, I'm sorry... I'm sure you'll remember sometime, right? Now," they are now at the bottom of the stairs and Lia takes him to one of many empty tables across the room."We need to get you fixed up. Hold on for one moment and I'll be right back." Lia then promptly walks away leaving the small boy on his own.

People are talking and walking all around him. Some scurry with stacks of paper in their hands and others are eating late night snacks. So many people...he briefly wonders what they all are doing to be in such a rush.

"Um, hello? Are you the one Ms. Lia just brought in?" The boy is snapped from his thoughts as he looks up and sees a girl. She appears to be a year or two older than him. She is wearing a plain white short sleeve t-shirt with dark blue over alls with her hair in low pigtails. Her whole attire reminds him of rolling plains and animals and beautiful gardens. She has the brownest eyes that seem to blend with the Earth with round red glasses. He notices that despite her slightly tall stature, she has a slight stomach yet with still thin arms and seems to be in great health. She seems to be better than his small and scrawny frame.

"H-hello... And yes, she sent me. Who are you?" She smiles at him and puts out her hand saying,"Elise. My name is Elise. Nice to meet you!" The boy smiles back shyly and shakes her hand.

"So, what is your name?" The boy shrugs with a frown on his face as he puts his hands in his pockets.

"I can't remember. I guess I have amnesia or something..." The girl's eyes widen in surprise.