Leave

Chapter 4

The rest of the day I spent sneaking some food and packing a sack to take when I left that night. I had my beautiful silky green cloak that my grandmother had given me before she passed.
I sighed I needed to wait just after everyone had gone to bed. This was probably my only option.
The Leave went all around and were free. that's what I wanted.
I grabbed my dagger and bow. Soon it would be time for to leave behind everything.
I left my room and went into the kitchen. My brother had left early that morning to the market. My mother told me because of my behavior last year and yesterday morning that I can't go. Like I cared anyway. I had lots to get ready. My mother had made bread loaves to sell at the market so she had must of left as well.
I opened the cabinet door and saw some bread. Two loaves. That would have to work. I grabbed them and took them in my room. Maybe it was time to leave now. I stuffed them into my pack and sighed. This was it. It was time.

* * * * * * *

The road was rocky and dusty. Trees surrounded me wherever I looked. I can't believe I was free.
I knew the leave met at the Bloody Grove. The bloody grove was where tons of people had gotten together to fight against the terrible Government. They had failed all of them slaughtered. People could feel the power of what they meant to do whenever they were there.
I kept walking lost in my thoughts as fog rose up in the trees. The sky darkened. What was going on?
I could hear voices and laughs in the distance. Who was there? What was going on?
I could hear them all around me. My heart beat fast against my chest. I wasn't afraid. I couldn't let whoever was with me sense that. No I had to be brave.
"who's there?" I called out.
A twig snapped. Whispers rung out. I couldn't tell how many were there.
"I know you are there! Show yourself," I shouted.
Laughter vibrated against the forest walls. My breath came fast. Then a figure stepped out of the shadows. A man in his twenties with shoulder length hair the color a raven stared at me with intense eclectic blue eyes. He looked me up and down and his eyebrows rose.
"What's your name girl and how old are ya?" he growled.
"Scarlet, sir, and I'm fifteen." I replied.
"Any weapon experience at all?" he asked.
"I trained with my father before he died sir. He told me I was a natural and I have been practicing secretly ever since. He taught me in bow and sword. I taught myself the dagger though." I explained. I was nervous. Why had me asked me.
The man stroked his chin. He looked lost.
"Show me your dagger," he instructed and held out his hand.
This wasn't smart. He could use it against me, he could take it, or he could examine it.
I stared at him, daring him to challenge me. He seemed surprised by my fierceness.
"And why should I do that?" I spat.
Then a woman about eighteen stepped out of the brush. Her black eyes bore into
me but I didn't back down. I stared right back at her.
She gave me a surprised look and I could see fear in her eyes.
"Welcome to The Leave, Scarlet."