The Refugees

Chapter 1: Savannah

Edited

The Shelter, underground, is all I've ever known, and probably all I will know.

Up there, where the sun shines on the Surface, is The 5th World War involving almost every country. Fighting occurs for reasons that are now even confusing to those directly related with the matter; but all that seems like a distant nightmare or a faraway cry, only loud to those standing next to the screamer. On the other hand, we are those who are kilometers away, looking at the matter from afar yet barely knowing what is happening and therefore not being able to do anything about it. So far we haven't been touched by The 5th World War and hopefully we never will be, but that has left us ignorant and comfortable in our little tunnel of safety.

My dad is one of the few who was born and grew up on the Surface. Here, life is very relaxed although the frequent blood-curdling news of the Surface does worry me from time to time. The Shelter is so vast and spacious, providing any and all kinds of services. All our resources come from above although none of us know anything about who provides this or how, apart from the few responsible for imports and exports, like my dad, but even they aren't permitted to tell anyone about it.

As soon as I walk into the house I know something is slightly different, off. My dad isn't home and the house is completely silent. I put my bag down and start making dinner with whatever's left in the fridge until the door suddenly opens in a rather abrupt and grotesque manner. I jump a little as I look at the door in utter confusion. Thieves don't exist down here and my father is never impulsive.

When the door is open fully and I see my dad appear from behind the door, some part of me is relieved but the other part of me wonders why he's in such a hurry to get in. That is, until I see someone else come in after him. For a second I just stare as my dad closes the door behind the both of them. This person, who is wearing a black hoodie and a cap, has just waltzed in along with my father. This unknown person.

"Dad?" I ask in confusion.

"Not now Savannah, we'll talk later." He says in such a commanding and disparaging tone that I have to blink to really believe it's him.

"Wait, who is this? Why is he here?"

"Savannah, I just said not now."

I feel hurt as I realize he's pushing me to the side and then I start to feel annoyed. I'm not the kind of person who enjoys being out of the loop and I'm not the kind of person who accepts it either. As my father ushers this person, supposedly a man, up the stairs, I grab hold of my dad's arm, halting him. He turns around exasperated but I couldn't care less.

"Hurry up the stairs into the room at the end of the corridor on your left." He instructs the anonymous boy.

"So?" I demand as he turns back to face me.

"Ash is the son of someone I used to know well. He's currently in trouble and needs our help so be the good girl you always are and try not to ask too many questions."

I stare at him blankly for a second.

"What do you mean he's in trouble? What kind if trouble?"

"Sav. No questions."

"I don't like this."

"Nobody does, but this trouble is a life or death situation, so you'll have to trust me. Can you do that?"

I stare hard at him before giving in and sighing in defeat.

"Fine but I don't know how you'll manage to hide him long."

"We won't have to with the way things are going." He mumbles before turning away.

What does he mean?

The War only seems to be expanding and take everything with it. How long will this continue until they are satisfied? Wherever Ash came from, it can't be too far from here, it's just not possible for him to walk more than a certain number of miles. How long until they come for us? Will they ever reach us? Will we pass unnoticed?

The resonating sound of his bedroom door closing wakes me up a little.

A light sense of loneliness creeps in as all my questions are left unanswered in this hollow hole of a house with nobody but myself and it feels like I'm missing out on something.

~~~

Hey guys! What do you think of the first chapter? Feel free to point out any mistakes and I will try as soon as possible to correct them. Comments are also super helpful for me as an author so please do add them to inform me of what you feel and don't worry I don't take offense, we're all supportive here anyways! :) I hope you guys read on!

Song: n u a g e s - Shadows