The Mutant World [UNFINISHED]

The Group and Milo Travel Far

We decided last night to camp out by the edge of town and check the town out in the morning. I'm already awake and thinking about last night. Tara was using her secret to make small flames fly through out the night. It was very beautiful. She's very beautiful. Liz is stunning. Alice is... my best friend. Yeah, okay, she is good looking but I would never date her. We are like brother and sister. The sun is just beginning to rise. I'm surprised I'm not asleep right now. I sleep a lot. But last night I just couldn't sleep at all. I turn around and begin to pack my things. Pillow, blanket, a water bottle, and my slippers. I tie my feet into my dark blue sneakers and look at the rising sun. I've never really looked at a sunrise, the sky is always foggy in the town and I'm usually asleep. But here, it pretty clear. The red, yellow, orange and light blue swirl together so magnificently, the thin clouds break at the touch of sunlight, and the stars seem to disappear.

"It's beautiful," I hear Juno say from behind me. I nod as he walks to my right side.

"Can't sleep?" I ask, not taking an eye of the dazzling sight.

"I can't stop thinking about Alice and if she's okay," Juno answers, looking at the sky as well.

"I bet she's thinking about you as well," I reply, trying to comfort him.

"Do you really think she likes me?" Juno asks looking at my face now.

"I know she does," Nathan's voice answers Juno's question as he walks out of his tent and stands beside Juno.

"No sleep for you either Nathan?" I ask.

"I usually wake up at around this time," Nathan replies, yawning.

"I miss Alice," I admit.

"Me too," Tara's voice states as she walks to my right side.

"Me three," Liz states, standing next to Tara.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Juno asks, "We're all awake, let's keep going."

"Wait," I say holding his shoulder. I am mesmerized by the stunning sunrise. The sun is just peaking over the hills now. I take a deep breath in.

"Okay, let's go," I order, breaking my stare from the sky. We all pack what we brought and begin to head out. We slowly descend down the slippery hill that is coated in morning dew. As we reach closer and closer, I can hear cars speeding, sirens blaring, people talking all at once, and a loud hum of electricity. This is going to be nothing like home.

As soon as we step foot into the big town, people are looking at us weirdly. There are many people that I recognize from T.V. shows and movies, but I don't care all too much. Liz and Tara freak out every once and a while when they see some boy singer waltzing the streets. People are bumping into me and we are trying to steer clear. I want to get out of here. We attempt to stay on a straight path, but we are forced to make a few turns. I hope we didn't take a wrong one. We weave through crowds and stop at lights. So much people are all around us, it's making me want to faint. Yes, I am claustrophobic. I am terrified of being in small spaces. And walking around shoulder to shoulder with people is not helping.

Finally, I can see clearing a ways away between two very tall buildings. Liz and Tara are staring at the buildings in awe. We have only seen skyscrapers in books and television shows. I'm not too amazed. They are really tall, but that only makes them look like they will fall at any moment.

Suddenly I feel a firm grip on my shoulder. I turn around, expecting Juno, and see a person with a mask over his mouth holding my shoulder. He then pulls me into an alleyway where he gets very close to my face.

"Give me all your money," he orders in a deep voice.

"I-I don't have any," I stutter.

"Cut the crap, kid, you got yourself a nice backpack, say you give me it with everything inside and I let you live," the deep man suggests. I know it isn't a suggestion. I begin to take off my backpack when suddenly, the man falls to the ground on his face. I look up and see Liz standing there with a smile on her face and a taser in her hand.

"T-thanks," I stutter.

"No problem," she replies, putting the taser back in her back pack. I hear a whistle. I look at the road. Oh shit, it's a cop! He must have seen Liz tase the robber. Liz sees him too and we run the opposite direction of the cop. Once we reach the end of the alleyway, the cop is at the beginning and is talking into a walkie-talkie positioned on his left shoulder. We run in the direction of the edge of town. I look back and realize that everyone else isn't behind us. I sure hope they are okay. I can see other cops notice us and chase us as well. After a small while of running, I look back and see five cops chasing us. We won't outrun them. My legs are aching and Liz looks scared. We are so close to the end of this rotten town. A cop grabs my shoulder as I push Liz pass the town lines. She's safe. I can't shake myself free. I turn around and give one swing of a curled fist to the cop's head. I jump over the town limits and turn to see the cops stop running. I raise my hands to my ears and wave them around while sticking my tongue out at them. I feel empowered. I laugh and raise my hands to the sky as Liz and I run up a hill. Down the hill, the group is calmly walking to a forest.

I look at Liz and she is staring at me. I smile and she returns the smile. We jog down the hill and slip back into the group.

"What happened to you guys?" Tara asks looking at Liz and I. I realize we are both out of breath.

"Just decided to run a bit," I say, wanting this to be something only Liz and I can share. She smiles and doesn't add anything.

"Hey Nathan, how much further?" Juno asks before taking a gulp of water.

"Not too sure," Nathan admits staring at the map. The shade from the trees cools my skin. I wipe the sweat from my forehead. This is only the beginning of my day.

We walk for a while and decide to take a break. We decide to sit on the ground by a nearby tree.

"What do you think Alice is doing right now?" I ask, looking up at the trees.

"Thinking about us," Juno answers.

"What do you think they wanted her for?" Tara asks.

"Maybe they saw Alice nearly get beaten up by those Shadows," Liz suggests.

"Wait, what?" Juno asks. I don't understand either.

"Alice nearly got beaten up by Shadows and they were telling her 'you should die' over and over again," Nathan answers.

"When was this?" Juno asks, obviously irritated that he did not know of the matter.

"A few days ago," Tara answers. The group falls silent. I pick at the bark of a fallen tree I'm sitting on. There are birds and other creatures singing and running around the trees around us. I watch as a small animal with blue scales crawls with another of its kind. I watch as the two animals as long as my fingernail, crawl into the earth below. I'm not sure why, but the sight makes me homesick.

"I don't want to just sit here," I say standing, "Alice could be in big trouble and could need us this very moment. I didn't come all this way just to be late."

Juno stands without a word, packing his snacks. Everyone stands without saying anything. I'm glad they don't. I don't want to think about being too late. We walk just a little further when we hear voices.

"Guys," Juno says, stopping everyone, "do you hear that?"

I nod and so does everyone else. Juno slowly walks forward and we trail behind slowly. Suddenly, I see her, but Juno is already announcing her name.

"Alice!"