The Refugees

Chapter 19: Savannah

Edited

Someone knocks on the door.

"Miss, dinner is ready." A maid calls from behind the door before opening it.

She's in her mid-twenties with a young face and vibrant smile that is truly refreshing. Her ash-brown hair is neatly put up in a bun. She's wearing a maid and I smile at it as I my eyes travel every inch of it. First time I see such an outfit and even better, I get to see someone wearing it.

"You can call me Sav." I tell her, a little embarrassed to be called Miss.

"It's too personal..." She says a little shyly and as she does so her small petite figure seems so adorable.

"Then Savannah, please." I reply with a polite smile.

"Ok, Savannah it is then." She smiles at me and I smile back at her.

"Could you show me the way...? I still don't really know what's what." I ask giving her a nervous laugh.

"Of course, I'm sorry! Follow me." She says leading the way.

I follow her through the different corridors and it really doesn't help my sense of direction. We just keep on turning until we get to a large room and she extends her arm out, leaving me to walk to the dinner table alone.

Ash's back is facing me and the only seat is next to him. I start to feel warmth in my cheeks.

"Oh Savannah dear! Do sit down!" Mrs. Nightingale tells me smiling.

"Thank you." I say sitting down. Amber is in front of Ash and I place myself in front of Mrs. Nightingale.

"This is my daughter Amber. Ash, you already know her." Mrs. Nightingale says with glee and poise.

I look at Amber for a second. She has short wavy blonde hair that end just above her shoulders which she keeps down and bright blue eyes which seem to gleam with malice. Somehow the look she gives me is intimidating.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Savannah."

"Nice to meet you too." She says with a fake smile which doesn't extend to her eyes.

"Now let's begin." Mrs. Nightingale instructs.

We immediately start and I look down at my plate nervously as Amber gives me a subtle glare. I look elsewhere to distract my attention from her but she can't stop looking. Why is she even glaring at me? We've barely even met. I don't know her.

"So, how did you come here?" Mrs. Nightingale asks us.

"We walked here." Ash replies for me as I swallow that piece of lettuce.

"It must have been tough! All the way from the 15th Shelter? That's truly remarkable!" She exclaims and I find myself staring at her a little harder.

"Ms. Nightingale?"

"Oh, please, call me Hadley! No need to be so formal. After all your mothers were very close friends of mine!"

"I'm sorry, Hadley. You know my mother? I wanted to ask, have you already been to the Shelter?"

"The 15th Shelter? Yes, but the others no. I used to visit you when you were a little child, hiding defenselessly behind your mother for refuge! You were an adorable little thing! Rose truly was one of my most trusted friends."

Others?

"How did you get in? The policies are rather strict." I ask, going away from the topic of my mother. This is all so perplexing. I don't understand what's going on?

"The policies are for those who are born down there. If you're from the surface you can easily get in, but the idea is that you can't get out."

"Why is that?"

"I'm not quite sure actually. Something to do with Governmental laws."

The Government? Why are they involved in all this?

"What was that you were saying about 15?"

"Oh well, didn't you know? I thought you already knew. There are a few hundred or more Shelters just like the one you lived in across the whole desert that you might have come across, and that's only in this state. In other states they also have Shelters but then that's another story."

I stare at her in awe. I was completely oblivious to all these details that I'm shocked by the news of it. Why would they keep us in? Why not tell us about the others?

As I continue to eat, these thoughts spin around in my head, never seeming to stop at a conclusion which I deem acceptable.

"So, how did you guys get along?" Amber asks, a clueless and innocent look on her face as she leans over on the table and places her hand in her hands yet her eyes seem to sending beams at me.

"We didn't." I reply bluntly.

"She's stubborn." Ash replies while taking another spoonful of the quinoa salad.

"And you're not?" I try to keep my anger from exploding but he's already getting on my nerves.

He munches until he swallows before looking at me straight into my eyes. It intimidates me. I don't know what his next move will be.

"I'm perfect." He replies with such seriousness in his eyes that for a second I am locked in his trance, and then I sober up real quick and glare at him before looking away.

"You aren't." I reply before continuing to eat.

"You two are adorable! You remind me of how my husband and I used to act when we were teenagers!" Hadley exclaims turning to Amber who gives her mother us a glare as her jaw clenches

I look down at my hands which grip my knees with much force.

Amber abruptly stands up from her seat.

"I've had enough dinner. If you need me I'll be in my room." She says rather calmly with a hint of irritation.

I definitely do not like Ash that way.

~~~

Hey guys!

So this chapter is supposed to be a little more humorous especially towards the end.

Have fun reading and don't forget to vote and comment!