Refinement: A War of Europe

Chapter Nineteen: East: Raid

Anya~ East (Russia)                         

I braided my hair over my shoulder rapidly as I ran into the cafeteria. I walked along the line of food and at the end a man handed me my tray.

"Crunchy peanut butter and blueberry jam sandwich. Today you get a double serving a fruit, coconut. It is in your smoothie and in the whole wheat bread. Make sure you drink your serum for vitamins," he said with a smile.

I carried my meal with me over to my usual seat. I sat down carefully. Others were here too.

"What do you want Idene?" I asked.

Lauren and Sam stared at me wide-eyed. Caution guarded their lips.

Idene snorted and sat down across from me beside Sam. "You," she said lazily, "I have a question."

"And it is?" I wondered what she could possibly want.

"Nothing much. Just curious... your memory. What was it?" she asked calmly. She actually looked interested in my response.

I cringed and sucked in a breath sharply as the memory started hurting my head.

"I'm sorry. I don't feel up to answering that right now," I sighed. I had to remember that I didn't have to worry around her because she was my age. It's not like she was a West soldier who was threatening my life.

"Why not?" she retaliated.

"It hurts Idene. Even if it didn't I wouldn't tell you. It's very personal. I'd rather keep it to myself," I said honestly. I tried to blur my mind to not actually think about it as I spoke.

Something flickered in her eyes and then she nodded and walked away, soon laughing with Keth and the other two in their group.

"Still?" Jace muttered.

"Still."

I bit into my sandwich definitely tasting the incorporated fruit. I finished it and then started on my smoothie. I poured the serum into it to make it sweeter.

Suddenly a loud noise explodes and everyone was looking around the room. We heard some screaming  up above us. Jace wrapped his arm around me protectively and we all moved closer to the wall away from the door.  Some of the cafeteria ladies ran up to the door and programmed a lock.

"What is happening?" I whispered.

"I have no idea," Mathen replied.

"Maybe a raid?" Sam suggested.

I winced and mentally crossed my fingers. "I hope not."

Soon the sound of heavy feet were close. As they got closer my head started to hurt worse. It was becoming unbearable. I screamed quietly.

"Something is wrong... my head is hurting again, but worse. Each step closer," I said to Jace.

"I'm so sorry," he looked at me with caring eyes. "We'll try and get this figured out."

The back door burst open and Steph and Adric ran into the room. Steph's had wisps of hair falling out of  her ponytail. Adric's eyes were wide with fear and excitement.

Adric looked at everyone and then said, "West is here. They blasted through the front securities. They're on their way down. Follow me, and don't stop running. We need to get to a better defensive position. We'll try to make it to the weapons storage room and dock before they make it to us."

Steph motioned everyone to follow them. Jace lowered his arm and just held my hand in his. I was partly grateful because I was a bit worried. I'd never seen West in real life before.