The Refugees

Chapter 24: Savannah

Edited

As Declan stays behind me, covering me as men run out of their hiding, trying to shoot at us, I run with all my might. As I sprint, just before we are completely safe, I get a bullet near my leg. It only grazes me but I feel the sharp sting as it passes, cutting my flesh. I still push myself to run making sure to keep the child safe before myself. Then Declan starts sprinting grabbing my arm and dragging me with him.

We continue running for a few minutes and I feel myself desperate for air so I stop.

"I... Can't... Too... Tired." I say breathing in and out strongly to get the maximum amount of air possible.

He takes the boy from my hips and places him on his back, telling him to hold on tightly. He starts pulling me to run again and I feel so much lighter. I try my best to keep up at his pace but it's evident he's still pulling me, even with a child on his back, and not the lightest one either.

After a while, the shooting and loud footsteps behind us stop, but our running doesn't. We can't afford it. What if they come back so we simply keep on running. Then I hear noises of people talking and I start to feel relieved, but the creeping voice at the back of my head tells me I left Ash behind to be murdered.

We slow down until we walk towards what looks like a small camp for people to rest after the catastrophic turn of events in a somewhat peaceful town beforehand. They're all seated, some eating what little food they brought along, others quietly crying because of their lost ones but most are rather lifeless and drained from the running, crying and screaming.

Declan stands behind me. I remember he has a uniform on and that the refugees would probably want to kill him, associating him with them. But he did save me and the boy, and I can't hate him for that.

We get closer and slowly their stares are directed our way.

"Another survivor!" They say relieved.

I look around for Ash worry consuming me when I can't find him. Where is he?! I feel suddenly sick with panic as I desperately search for him with my eyes. Until suddenly, I see him, a look of anger and annoyance mixed together on his face. I feel myself sigh out with relief and thankfulness. Then I spit Amber who's awfully close to him. I feel my chest tighten a little and as our stares cross paths, the way she has her arms crossed over her chest tells me she isn't glad to see me either. Ash runs towards me then stops abruptly as he takes notice of Declan.

"What's he doing here?" He asks me his eyes narrowing straightaway with hostility.

"He saved my life and his." Declan puts the boy down and I bring him forward as his mother's eyes widen and I notice the dried up tears on her face. She starts sobbing again and runs to her boy.

"Thank you, thank you!" She says kissing her boy.

"I helped but Declan saved our lives."

I step aside to show Declan and her eyes narrow at his uniform but then she looks at her boy again.

"Thank you." She tells him gratefully.

Ash grabs my arm and pulls me away from Declan before he gets closer to him himself. He glares at him and Declan's lips turn to a smirk.

"What's up? Jealous or something that I got to spend quality time with Savannah." He says showing off his knowledge of my name.

Ash's eyes narrow at him then he turns to look at me.

"I don't trust you." He tells Declan before turning away. "But I owe you an thanks for helping and saving Sav." He says in his turn using the nickname my dad calls me by. Is he trying to show off? Or claim possession of me?

He grabs hold of my hand then pulls me forward before coming to a halt.

"This guy is called Declan and has proved to show he has run away from the army by saving my friend and a little boy." He says out loud for everyone to hear. "So he deserves as much hospitality as everyone else." He tells them and they nod at him giving Declan stares at first then suspicious looks.

He pulls me forward gently by the hand to which Amber gives another death stare in the distance and I swallow hard. He gives me an angry glare, his forest green eyes seeming so alight that I feel the need to avert my own eyes to feel comfortable.

"I got scared when I saw you weren't already here." Ash admits looking ahead at the camp of people before him. "What do you think Rob did to me when he knew I lost you?!"

I look up at him. Ash got scared? Is that even possible? Then I examine more closely what he just said.

"Wait, he's here?"

"Did Declan try to do anything?" Ash asks his eyes persistent as he looks into mine, avoiding my question.

I feel my jaw clench. What right does he have to ask me about Declan when he was cozying up to Amber until just 2 seconds.

"No. Where's Dad?"

I recollect one again what happened, remembering his body against mine and my cheeks flush even if it just slightly. I shake my head no, pushing the thought away. He didn't really do anything wrong, I was just embarrassed about it. I see Ash eyeing me suspiciously. I avoid his gaze. I don't want to admit that to him. It's embarrassing and it really has nothing to do with him.

"You're lying." He states, letting go of my hand. And something about his tone and gesture indicates to me that some part of him is disappointed in me.

I look forward then from afar I notice immediately the build of someone familiar.

"Dad!"

~~~

Hey guys! Okay from now on, things start to get more real with the science. Enjoy!