The Resistance

Chapter five

Dancing with Derrick

Derrick lead me into a small room at the back of the church without saying a word, his hand still firmly gripped mine almost pinching the skin. They weren’t ruff but smooth and soft but they had grip on them like iron hand cuffs, and they could chafe as much as bracelets made of sand paper.

He threw me into the room before him, shutting the small wooden door he quickly turned to me and said nothing. His eyes looking me up and down.

“What do you want from me” I said backing away from him. I kept going until I met with a small desk behind me; I gripped it tightly as I felt unsteady with fear. Derrick laughed driving up the anger with in me.

“You’re afraid of me” he smirked

“I am not” I screamed back but this only seemed to amuse him more.

“If you’re not afraid come closer to me” His voice was challenging, as if he was mocking me which he clearly was. My nails dug involuntarily in to the wood of the desk, fear and anger flooded through my body. He would not get away with this.

I stood up and regained my composure, when I was sure that I could be confident I walked straight up to him. Although it was probably a few second it felt longer as I walked to him, fear driving my empty stomach as well as my pompous ego. I chewed at my bottom lip unsure as to what he might want me for. Before I knew it I was stood face to face with him, glaring at his deep brown eyes.

“What” I said in my best arrogant voice, trying to sound tougher than I was because the reality of it was if he were to shout BOO right now I would probably run and hide under the desk.

“I like you” He said looking into my eyes “You have sprit” we both softened and relaxed a little more. He looked at my eyes a little more and then hesitantly opened his mouth, closed it again and spoke “Who did you lose?” his voice was soft and caring, I wanted to tell him but I couldn’t remember.

“I.. I don’t know” I sighed, hating myself a little more each time I said those words. He let out a single breath.

“It will come to you but for now don’t stress about it” he put his hand on my shoulder and my heart fluttered. He moved closer to me, my heart pounding in my chest I stood helplessly, our eyes met in a glance making me gulp as I could swear he stared right into my very soul. His body then twisted and moved past me, a small sigh of a mixed relief and disappointment escaped me.

Derrick moved gracefully, like a falling feather over to a small dark wood table in the far corner of the room. I couldn’t see what he was doing but soon the room was filled with the beautiful sounds of light swing. Closing my eyes I listened more carefully to the sound, Derrick maneuvered his way past a mountain of paper work and rejoined me near the door.

“You like this” he said with a small chuckle, my eyes snapped open and fell on his once more

“Yes” I said calmly “music is the way we can see the composures soul” unctuously my shoulders had started swaying from side to side.  Again Derrick laughed.

“Who told you that?” compassion in his ruff voice beckoned an answer from me.

“I don’t know” I said dropping my face “Someone very important” with my words the smile fell from his face.

“Look….kiddo” the safe atmosphere that may have entered the room now to a quick exit and was replaced with a heavier, darker one. “Everyone here has lost someone, but to lose someone and forget…” I could feel the judgment in his voice “I can only imagine how it must feel”

My face fell to the floor and I reverted back t being Madie’s age once more. Derrick moved closer and with his index finger drew my face up to his. Once more we were lock in a gaze, I couldn’t help but wonder why he was toying with my emotions in such away.

“Can..can I go now?” I didn’t want to leave his gaze but I felt it was right the thought of Madie waiting and spending even more time with that Rose made my stomach turn.

“Of course you can” he said letting my face go “report to Kenley, he will be your ‘Supervisor’” I nodded, then turned and hastily left the room. Eyes stared at me as I walk once more through the large hall, looking for the man I recalled as being Kenley; I left to building and once more entered the slum like streets of the base camp.

I didn’t know where to go; I took a left turn and within a few minutes found myself at the bank again.

“Well, lookie what we got ere” Alfred slyly exclaimed

“Hey Alf”

“Well, well she can remember something” he laughed “What can I do for ya my love?”

“Get me some cloths that make me look my age” I said pulling at my top

“Ah, I see what ya mean” he looked up at the sky in thought and then back at me “Come back tomorrow and I should hav sompthing” he said with a smile and I wink. I smiled back at the old man.

“Oh and you would have, by any chance, seen Kenley or Madie?”  Again he looked at the sky and then at me.

“Well I do believe I just saw those two and Rose walk over to the food hall my dear”

“Thank you” I looked left than right trying to think where it could be “could you tell me were that is” I hated depending on people for anything, and this place wasn’t that big but I still need directions.

“Carry on down this road, and make right, you should see it. It’s about as hard to miss as the church” thanking the man again, I sprinted off in the direction I had been told but just as the three came into view a piecing noise filled the air. I placed my hands over my ears trying to block it out; the noise was so sharp that i felt my legs starting to buckle underneath me. Kenley came running at me and before i knew it he had his hands on my shoulders.

"Don't just stand there! Get a move on or stay out the way!" he yelled but I couldn’t bring myself to move not when that noise was still going on. My eyes followed Kenley, in amongst the crowds of running people, until he was out of view. Feeling helpless I ran to Madie, but as soon as I did we were pulled apart. Court in a stampede of scared people I was dragged into what looked to be an old air craft hanger nearby.

The damp dingy hanger was over crowded but I couldn’t help but feel so lonely, how was I going to get to Madie now? I tried to push to the front but just as I made it the door to the hanger was shut with a slam. I shouted out Madie’s name, pleading with anyone on the other side of the door to let me out. I couldn’t leave her out there; I had to get to her. I banged against the sheet metal, tears streaming down my face I didn’t stop banging until a young man came up behind me and pined me to the ground. With one hand on my shoulders and the other on my mouth, he put all he weight on me. I lay there helplessly and cried, I didn’t what was happening or where Madie was, I felt completely helpless.