I enter a room full of humans. Exiles. Lanterns flicker above the wooden tables and send shadows of people dancing through the roots that shoot out from the walls. This is the gathering area where we eat, play, and talk. In the unmentionable times, it would be called a community. In the corner, women sit gossiping and scolding their children that run wildly through the aisles. Men sit at the other tables, grumbling and bickering with others around them. The room is crowded and for a second, I feel happy and safe. It feels like home, it’s rare to see a smile on someone’s face now days.
The smell of baked bread wafts through the room and I begin the stagger towards the food line. Before I can reach to grab a tray, a hand quickly grabs my elbow and pulls me into the shadows. I taste the salty sweat of the hand that covers my mouth.
“You got to be quicker than that May”
It’s Demetrius, the son of our leader here at the camp. His blonde hair stands out in the darkness as he stares me in the eyes.
“What ever” I smirk
Demetrius pushes me against the wall; I can feel the roots and rocks tickling my neck. His hands immediately slide down, but I couldn’t help it. I swung my arms over his shoulders and pulled his face inches away from mine. I quickly stepped on the tips of his boots and pulled down and towards the wall. We spun and traded spots. He gasped and tapped my forearm that pressed against his throat. These games are quite fun.
“You got to be quicker than that Demetrius,” I whisper in his ear
“Touché”
He grins
“What do you want?” I drop my arms and step back to listen.
“May, we need your help down at the infirmary”
He breathes.
“With the soul?”
“Yes, but we need to keep this on the down low, I don’t want the rest of the group to find out”
“You know this is dangerous Demetrius! Why would you bring the soul to our camp? He could be a decoy and the Peace could be on their way right now as we speak!”
My words bounce of the walls of the tunnel and fill up the space.
“I brought it in because I want to know how to kill these things! I want to know they’re weakness and strength. We will kill it in the end”
“Let me do the honors”
I snap. Demetrius loosens is grip on my arm and looks down the tunnel
“Look, Don’t tell anyone anything about what we are doing period”
I shrug and stare into his brown eyes.
“Keep watch at the infirmary, the soul should be waking up soon. Do not talk to it”
I smirk
“I’ll try not to kill it”
