Look for the Light (Joel Miller fanfic)

Escaping

You followed quietly behind Joel as you zig zagged through the old buildings. It was quiet except for the hum of FEDRA tanks that were patrolling the vacant streets. Joel peeked his head around a corner to make sure the coast was clear. After looking both ways he looked back at you and nodded his head, signaling you to follow.

You crept quietly behind some abandoned cars left on the street. You were both ducked down behind a black Honda as you waited for the all clear. After a guard looked the opposite way from you, you ran fast towards the open field.

Joel stopped dead in his tracks as you ran into his back. "Hey!" you said, about to ask why he stopped until he quickly shushed you and pulled you down to the ground with him. The grass was tall and thick in this area. It was lush green and smelled like a warm summer day. Except it wasn't. This was the rainy season in Boston. Rain came down lightly from the sky as thunder rumbled in the distance. Just as a flash of lightning struck the sky, you saw why Joel pulled you down to the ground.

When you looked up from the soaking wet ground, you saw dozens of guards swarming the area. There were about seven semi trucks lined up around the field. Guards were walking up and down the trucks, patrolling the fields and looking into buildings.

"Holy shit," you gasped in shock. "How the hell are we supposed to get out of here alive?" you asked Joel.

He looked back at you and then back at the guards. "We're gonna make it to that small opening in the gate right over there by being silent and going slow." He pointed to the opening in the gate. It was all the way on the other side of the field. It was just big enough for both of you to fit through. The field size was probably the length of a couple football fields put together. It wouldn't be easy at all to make it there. But you were determined to try.

You gulped, eyes wide. You nodded your head and put all your faith into Joel to get you over there. You hid behind some tall barrels and crept slowly closer to the gate. Barrels were sprawled all across the field. They were just big enough for a person to fit in. It definitely wouldn't be such a bad hiding place.

You could hear the echo of guards talking back and forth to each other through walkie talkies. You heard one guard say, "All clear in my area. Gonna check the south side of the field next." All was well until suddenly a spotlight flashed in your direction.

You and Joel both froze, hidden just in the depths of the shadows behind a barrel. You didn't move an inch, afraid of being caught or even worse killed. Your heart rate sped up, and it felt like your heart was about to come out of your chest. The seconds went by as your life flashed before your eyes. You were holding your breath as a guard walked casually by the barrel. He missed you two by a couple inches. You stayed silent, afraid to make a sound.

After a moment he started walking the opposite direction and you let out a long, deep breath and placed your hands on your knees. This was all overwhelming, and you felt like you were in the middle of playing Russian roulette.

When the coast was clear, Joel started crawling again. This time he went through one of the long barrels. There'd be less of a chance being seen that way. You followed, staying silent the entire time. You were so close to the other side now, you could see the gate clearly.

As soon as you crawled out of the barrel, you came face to face with a guard. Your heart dropped. "On your knees," he demanded, pointing a large shotgun at you. You looked at Joel as he nodded his head for you to do what the guard said. You fell to your knees in defeat. "Hands above your head where I can see them."

You raised your arms up slowly and Joel did the same. Joel was scowling at the guard but did what he said to do. "I'm disappointed in you, Joel," the guard said. He shook his head and clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.