Violet

Chapter 15

        We reach the bottom of the steps, and I hear the mini battle going on outside. Jackson motions for us to be quiet and to follow him. He leads to a door that looks like it had been attacked by an axe at some point. He opens it and sticks his head out into the dark ally way. He motions for us to follow. Conner goes out after him followed closely by Brian. "Hey." Josh whispers to me. He grabs my arm and hold me back. "Thanks for coming back for us. It means a lot to me."

      "I couldn't leave you guys."

      "You actually could. You've only known me for a couple days. You could have run off when you had the chance, but you didn't. Thank you."

       "No problem." I whispered back.

       "You make it sound like nothing. It isn't nothing, Chris." He looks me in the eye through the darkness.

       "We should probably follow them." I whisper. He closes his eyes and seems to shake a thought away.

       "Yeah. Come on." He takes my hand and pulls me through the door. We're holding hands! I decide that I would let him hold my hand until we were farther away from the battle. I'll let you be all protective for now, but don't get used to holding my hand. Even though I agreed to go out with you, that doesn't mean we are going to go fast. We catch up to the other three and sneak around corners in the dark.

      When we are a few streets away Jackson stops and turns to us. "Do you guys want to find a place to stay in the city or get out tonight?"

       "Let's go outside the city. I'll be able to sleep better out there." Josh says before squeezing my hand. I squeeze back before pulling my hand out of his. I cross my arms and shift my weight. He gives me a confused and slightly hurt look. I pretend not to see it, and pull my hoodie tighter.

       "Alright. I know a place just a few blocks from here that leads into the woods. There's a nice place for us to stay out there." Jackson says. I nod and start to follow him down the street. The faint light from the fire posts gives the street an eerie glow. My hair blows across my face and tickles my nose. I wipe it away and watch my feet hit the sidewalk.

      After a few ice cold blocks we reach the edge of the city. I follow closely behind Jackson into the woods. What if this is another trap? How can I trust Jackson? I'm shocked by the sudden thought. But how can I trust this guy? I don't know him. I slow a bit and walk next to Brian. A sudden cold chill makes my body shake and I feel Brian's eyes turn to me. "Cold?" he asks.

       "Yeah." I answer. He smiles and wraps an arm around me. I nonchalantly pull away and he doesn't seem to notice.

      "Here we are." Jackson announces when we enter a clearing. I nod sleepily and drop my pack on the ground at the edge of the clearing. I pull out my blanket and curl up on the ground. The others do the same and I notice that Brian, Josh, and Conner form a half circle around me. I smile and close my eyes.

       Hours later I squint my eyes in the bright light. I roll over and try to convince myself it's still night, but it doesn't work. I finally give up and open my eyes. I sit up and look around. Brian, Conner and Jackson are all still asleep , but I don't see Josh and I feel my heart stop. Then I see him. He is crouched over on the other side of the clearing, picking up sticks. I didn't realize till now how large the clearing was.

        I pull my blanket off then stand up. I quietly maneuver around the three sleeping boys and head towards Josh. "Morning." I say once I reach him. He turns quickly towards me.

        "Oh, hey. Do you want to help me gather some sticks?" He says rather quickly. He doesn't smile like he normally does.

        "Yeah. Sure." I bend over and pick up a knotted branch. I pick up ten before he says something.