Prometheus

Friends in higher places

Unedited
For the next few days we stayed hidden away, ordering in and paying in cash were possible, just like our parents had always told us to. I still hadn't  told Dora what was happening but I knew my time was up and that I owed her the truth.
I packed a little rucksack and took Dora's hand as she strolled happily along side me. Once we arrived at the park I found a bench in a schluded  area. I took Dora on my lap and held her close, stroking her hair gently I tried to get my emotions under control.
"Dora, I love you so much and I would never do anything to hurt you. Ever. You know that?"
She only looked at me with her big blue eyes and nodded. I paused for a moment, gathering myself.
"Mummy and daddy won't be able to join us. I know they would love to but they can't, not right now. Thing is Dora when God makes nice people, lovely, kind people like mom and dad, sometimes he misses them. Sometimes He asks them to come home early. One day we will be able to see them again but it isn't our time yet. Do you under stand?"

She looked at me not speaking, not moving just silently turning her head so she was buried in my chest as she cried. I knew she understood. I sat there rocking her back and forth as if by that simple motion I maybe able to rebuild the life that had just been snatched from us. After a few moments she asks in a husky whisper, "are they dead?"
I knew she knew the answer but I nodded ever so slightly and whispered so  quietly that the wind nearly blew my voice away. "Yes"
And then we cried, we stayed like that unable to move, only feeling our pain and trying desperately to repair the other. It was the first time I cried since we left. There was something definite about saying it out loud. That they were truly gone, it was just so, final.

After a while I carried Dora back to the motel, at some point she fell asleep and I knew that this was my cue to take her home.  I lay next to her unable to sleep, wondering what the hell to do next. We couldn't stay here forever. It's not like money was a problem my parents had always been sure to tell me exactly were all the money was in case of an emergency. Did they mean this when the told me? Did they know they were going to die? I shook the idea from my head quickly. They wouldn't have just left us. Would they?

I jumped off the bed, I had an idea. I can't believe I was so stupid as to forget. I ran out to the car and pulled open the glove box. After a few minutes of digging I found an address book. Bingo. Hurriedly I head back to the room. I began flicking  thorough, scanning every page. Dentists, schools, friends and anything else you can think of was in that book. But none were listed to be in Denver. Maybe I was wrong? Maybe I miss heard. I cursed myself for being so foolish that I actually got my hopes up- ha the irony was not lost on me as I felt any possibility of our survival slip though my fingers. I throw the book across the room and as it hit the wall I noticed a loose piece of yellow paper float out. I slid off the bed and went to go inspect it.
Denver. This person or people were here in Denver. I wasn't wrong. I searched it up on phone and found that the address was a 10 minute drive from here.
With this piece of knowledge I felt reassured. I climbed back in bed placing the address on the table beside me and I pulled Dora into me. Making sure never to let her go. I would be lost without her.

The next morning I was buzzing. I knew that these people were my only chance at answers and that scared me shitless. Only 15 minutes after we woke were we speeding down the road. I need to know what happened. I need to know why. I pulled up outside a large block of flats, checking the address again before the pair of us hopped  out.  The lift felt like it took a century to arrive at the 5th floor. The labyrinth of corridors confused  me at first but eventually we found the address.
I held my breath and looking down at Dora, I  finally  managed to pluck up the courage to knock. Silence. I knocked again, only louder. After a pause the door opened the smallest slither.
"What do you want" A bored sounding voice said
"Ummm... I...."
"Spit it out" the voice said causing me to flinch at the sudden harshness of their words
" I'm hope and this is Dora." I said gesturing to her. "You knew our parents"

There was a momentary pause before I heard Bolts sliding and the door opened fully in order to have us dragged into the flat.

The flat was open plan and light with large windows almost everywhere. The women  that stood in front of me wasn't much older than 25 from the look of her. She wore her naturally in an Afro and her gold jewellery complemented her dark skin. Her style was modern and edgy she matched the interior of the flat perfectly.  She was beautiful.
"Did anyone see you" she asked tensely. Even with the edge in her voice I could tell it was smooth, it made me feel safe.
"No, who are you?" I asked
"My name isn't important but if you must know it's Lucy" she smiled before leading us into a lounge like area. The  red velvet sofas lined the walls  with a black shaggy rug in the centre of the room.  She gestured  for us to have a seat before taking one herself.

"Why did you come here? Jan and Mike are meant to keep you safe" she inquired
"My parents were murdered" I dead panned.
She stared at me for a moment. Before taking a deep breath
"Fuck" she whispered. She got up and began to pace the large living space. She grabbed her phone from the coffee table and began tapping away hurriedly.
" I want to know why" I said summoning as much power to my voice as possible. She looked at me blankly and then at Dora. She took a seat opposite us again and exhaled.
"There's isn't a lot I can tell you" she seemed almost ashamed.
"All I am allowed  to tell you  is that you parents used to work for the government. They were scientists responsible for ensuring the safety of the US when tensions abroad began to heat up. When fighting broke out 20 years ago many feared the beginning of world war 3" she paused. " of course that never happened and many believe that is down to your parents. They were commissioned to create a virus that could quickly and effectively wipe out a nation." I grimaced at the thought of such a thing existing. "However when the war was over it still hadn't  been used and your parents feared it may fall into the wrong hands. They knew they had to find away to destroy it but they couldn't. They claim the virus they created truely was indestructible. While others believe they were to vain to destroy their legacy. So they made a cure. I'm afraid what happened next is strictly classified but all you need to know is many believe your parents hid the disease and the cure and those people will do anything to get it."
Silence descend upon us as what she said sunk in.
"Who killed them?" I whispered
Lucy smiled at me, a warm smile. she knew this was a lot but I needed answeres. "There is one group that wants complete and utter control. World domination. They are called the horsemen. They wish to eradicate the human race and save the people they think will build a better future. They think the disease and the cure  could be the answer to poverty and famine, global warming and all other human suffering. The ultimate form of pest control." She cringed  " I would guess they are responsible as they are also the most violent. If they are responsible you need to run. They will come for you too."

There was denying the warning  in her voice.  but before I could question her further she abruptly stood and left the room. Dora who had remained quite until now climbed onto my lap and began to play with my hair. "It's gonna be ok hope." She smiled. I looked down at her and hugged her to me "it will be ok as long as I'm with you."

Unsure of where Lucy had run off to I was about to get up and leave. There's was no doubt left in my mind that we couldn't stay here any longer. Just as we were about to exit the lounge she reappeared. "Here." She breathed "I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but I can't disobey my orders" she said with a sad smile. "But I can give you these, you parents had me make them around a year ago when they had a run in with a small group of horsemen." I looked down and saw she was holding out two passports. "They were truly wonderful people, I'm so sorry for your loss." I hesitated before taking them, flicking through them I opened the top one. It was my face. My dark hair framing my deep honey brown eyes. My eyes scanned the information next to my picture. "You are now Sarah Jones, you are 19 not 17. If you meet anyone you can't tell them who you really are." She said breaking me from my thoughts. "That goes for you too Dora. You are now Anna Jones". Dora nodded "Anna" she repeated.
Lucy smiled "good. I'm sorry I can't help you more but you really should be going."
"Thank you" I said as Dora- I mean Anna scampered out the door. I was just about to exit when Lucy grabbed my arm, leaning forward to whisper in my ear. "Protect her with your life. You have no idea how important you two are- especially her." And with that she let go, nodded and closed the door. I may have had my questions answered but I was more confused than ever