Brother

Shake

Tundra POV
All the prisoners are crowded in a corner. It's hot. And sweaty, especially with so many bodies pushed onto each other.
I'm breathing heavy and shaking. I don't know why. I'm a little bit scared. I don't know what of though. I can't see anything.
I can only hear.
I can hear people screaming, but it's died down. It did sound like bombs were dropping, but I'm not sure. When it all happened, no one said a thing.
We just listened solemnly.
The guards that were here were shouted to, and they left.
We are free. Yet we're too afraid to go, too afraid of what might be out there.
No one cries in here anymore. No one does a thing.
I jump with fear. Part of the wall falls and crashes into the cell across from us. From underneath it, we hear screams of pain and death. My stomach turns.
The light comes in forcefully, injuring my eyes. My head now pulses with an extreme headache. I close my eyes as tears fall.
"We're free!" Someone croaks.
"The Civils have finally came!" Another cries. People start to move and push me. I do nothing but hug my knees. They stumble out of the cell, swaying and grabbing ahold to each other.
They're all so dirty, and appear almost completely black. I glance down to my hands, and they're just as dark as theirs. Covered in mud, dust and blood.
A couple of them collapse, begging others to not leave.
Should I leave?
I don't think so. I've stayed in here too long. It's safer than out there. If I go out there again, who knows what will happen to me.
So I stay on the filthy ground, crying. Yet I'm not sulking.
I'm not even sad. Tears just run down my face as I stare blankly out into the open.
I feel numb.
There are bodies still lying in the cell. Maybe they're dead, or they are like me. Hoping to die. Just to get it all over with.
My stomach gives me a sharp pain. I can't help but to cry out. I clinch my teeth and grab my hair. I can feel myself ripping my hair out. I scream louder.
What has my life turn into?
I can feel the blood run down my scalp; I don't stop.
Tears run down my face. I slowly pull my hands out of my hair, untangling my hands. The blood is on my hands. I stare down at them, gazing at the gleam of sunlight.
My hands shake uncontrollably.
I can't give up.
People stumble their way to the hole. Their bare feet smack against the ground; I flench.
They're mumbling again; they have hope.
My eyes are glued to the people as they go. My breaths are raspy.
I look around me, at the bodies giving up.
Is this all I am?
Did I live this life to die at the moment I'm free?
No.
No, I can survive.
I will. I have to. For my mother and father. For the people that died in war for me.
I push up against the wall, it's ridges claw into my back. I bend my knees and raise myself up. A pain travels from my feet to my thighs. I ignore it.
Once I'm up, my vision goes out. The world is completely black for a few seconds until it fades in.
I begin to walk to the light. I make sure I'm careful to not step on any bodies. I stop once I hear I faint sound coming from my left.
Someone's crying.
I turn my head and scan the bodies. I'm searching for movement.
In the farthest corner, I see it.
From the faint light from the sun, I can see the back of a person. It's moving.
It appears as if it's holding it's knees; rocking.
For a moment, I contemplate leaving. Not speaking to him or her. I could leave, and maybe this person would stay here. Stay here to rot.
I decide to go over to the person.
I walk carefully, watching the ground. The room is now getting colder, since the wall fell.
I step over bodies, and this reminds me of my father. His death. When I stepped over him, and I soaked my feet in his blood.
I shiver at the memory.
I get to the person. I stand a couple of feet behind them.
I don't know what to do, or how to speak to them.
I inhale.
"Hello?" I whisper. My chest vibrates with my voice. Even the feeling of speaking is foreign to me.
I don't sound like me.
The person shakes their head at me.
"Are you okay?" I come closer, tip toeing.
They shake their head again. I can see them better now that I'm close enough. It's a girl. Maybe thirteen, twelve. My heart drops and my stomach flips.
She's just a child.
"We have to get out. This is our only chance." I touch her on her back lightly. I'm trying to comfort her, yet I only feel like I'm making it worse.
"Please don't touch me," she whispers, "my body hurts."
I take my hand off her back, letting it fall to the ground. I swallow hard.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." I say to the back of her head. Her hair is ashy blonde, but filled with flith.
"It's okay." She mumbles into her arm.
I take a glimpse at the hole, viewing the sky.
"We should get out of here before it's too late." I say softly.
She looks at me over her shoulder. Her eyes are pale blue, small with long eye lashes. Her eyes are glossed over with tears, and there are streaks down her face. There is blood on her lips from the cracks.
"I'm too weak," She sucks in her lip and watches my face.
"No.. We- we can get out. I'll help you. I won't leave you." I assure her, nodding my head slightly.
"And I'm weak too," I say. I'm not sure if that'll make her feel better about our chances of survival, but hopefully she'll relate rather than doubt.
Her eyes shin with hope.
"Will we get food?" She asks as her belly growls.
I give a slight smile and pray that we will be okay.
"Yes. I promise." I whisper to her.
She licks her lips and grins.