Light

A Childhood Friend

Able to pass through many night patrollers, soldiers driving around the streets. It's been almost an hour and it's not even that far for Mary to make it to the woods. Where the Light may be in.

"All clear." A soldier exclaims. He returns to the vehicle, having looked around the streets. It's completely dark. He recently looked at the bushes, checking if there is anyone hiding there. One of the reasons they look in the bushes is that some people tend to use them as the best hiding place in hiding from patrols.

"Man I need some sleep." A soldier next to him complains. He looks at him.

"Me too man. Sadly we only got an hour and a half till this shit is over." He's with him on the long hour early morning shifts they both had to do.

"Just hope none of our supervisors calls us for any 'additional shifts' once we're done with this fucking shit." They drive off. Leaving the streets completely empty.

Into the bushes. One the soldier looked but didn't properly observe due to his fatigue and tiredness. Coming out of the bush, Mary, having been hiding in this place for twenty minutes.

Not the best feeling.

Sneezing thanks to the green leaves blocking her nose. Some of them even have pollen. She's incredibly allergic to it. Something she doesn't really want to have. Not the best time.

Her hayfever reaction is going to get her caught. Immediately aware over the matter. Grabbing her bag, hoping to see if she put any allergy tablets in her bag. Unless she forgot. But didn't, she finds one pack inside. Taking a pill, she dumps it in her mouth. Swallowing it, no water to make the process go faster. Just let the pill take its time and do the work.

The location of the Light is somewhere in a location that is supposed to be rare, which means no one has ever found the place. If so, she's toast. Coming out of the bush, she resumes. The journey still contains a walking distance. Will take her a lot of time but it wouldn't stop her.

Patrols are still out in the streets, the closed empty shops. They're everywhere, except the woods. The woods isn't far. Joseph always mentioned the Light is somewhere in a park where families bring their kids to play in the swings or seesaws. They would always notice the forests but they tried getting themselves inside it. Thinking it's some place they have never been to before.

It's a bit of a walk, as long as she doesn't get spotted by patrols and all. Now out, she walks, both fast and calm. All of the people in their homes are sleeping. None of them have woken up, nor have bothered in actually getting themselves up to check what's going on outside their homes.
The journey was never easy. Hearing some of the patrols outside, trying to get to the other street in the city, wasn't easy. She even thought about bringing her bike to avoid any detection from the patrols. But seeing her do so would cause enough suspicion.

Going through many houses could have work but would make her an easy target for the patrollers. The lake gave her the opportunity to go past many patrols without any of them noticing, except the plushie she left behind in the lake. They'll notice it but wouldn't immediately know who she is, but they'll trace where it came from.

Hiding behind parked cars, in case anyone noticed her. There's a lot of parked cars but no military vehicles or patrols all around the streets. She raises herself up for a bit. Just need to rush in through the closed Sainsbury's shop.

Making it there, she stops. Hearing something, coming from behind. Coming in fast, a vehicle passing by. Not a military vehicle, just a normal one. Still, she hides behind the Sainsbury sign. Remaining still, remaining behind it, hoping the driver doesn't look back.

Passing by her, the driver doesn't notice. Having missed Mary from his headlights. Noticing this as she looks at the driver, turning to the left side. She begins to wonder about the driver. Is he supposed to be outside at this time of the night. Getting distracted for a moment, she resumes.
Many buildings near the Sainsbury's shop. Along with the shops and some fast food restaurants are a gym and swimming pool building. Hasn't been used in years, even before the pandemic. Got shut down when less and less people kept going to the building to do their lessons or go to the gym, taking in their memberships to gain access for it.