The Refugees

Chapter 38: Savannah

Edited

I quickly follow behind as Ash, Declan and Dad head out. Where are they going? They walk on the one road towards the main part of the city. Why do they want to get to the city center? I continue following, carefully behind but not too close and I make the least amount of noise possible.

I've been following them for 3 minutes and they haven't noticed yet. Then Ash stops and I quickly hide behind a tree along the road.

"You can come out now Savannah." He says.

Shit. How did he know?

I slowly come out from hiding to see Ash's annoyed face along with Declan's amused one. Dad is silent. He's thinking about something, I know that face.

"Go back." Ash says angrily.

"No." I protest.

"How much do you know?" Dad challenges.

His face... It's not soft and amused and full of love as usual when he talks to me. Instead it's hard. It's like I'm a stranger. I frown at him. I expected this from Ash because I know him but not from dad.

"Enough." I reply with the same hard expression.

"Go home." He says.

"No."

"That was an order, Savannah. Where we're going is not fit for you."

"Why? Because I'm a girl? Because I'm your daughter? Because I'm 15?" I retort back.

"No, because I said so. It's too dangerous."

"Then why are you going?"

"Because I'm a responsible adult and can do what I want."

"Fair enough. But what about them?" I say gesturing to the boys.

Declan tries to hold in a giggle as Ash clenches his jaws at him. A sign to say shut up. I'm sure Declan got it since he bit his lip.

"They were in the army and they don't have parents who can oppose. They're doing this on their own free will."

"So? They have more training than me but at their age do they deserve to die?"

My dad's eyes widen a little before narrowing at me.

"What we're doing is for everybody else on earth."

"Ok." I reply.

"Ok what?"

"Ok I'm going to help."

"Savannah, there is no room for discussion. Go back."

"I can shoot."

"Can you?" He challenges me once again.

"I can learn."

"Savannah, we don't have time for this. Go back!" He orders, raising his voice.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Savannah, please." 

"I'm sorry Dad, but I can't do that."

Ash looks down at the floor, frowning with frustration.

"Taking me back will make you waste time which you've already lost by arguing with me. So just take me with you." I continue.

He sighs.

"You're not going on the battlefield. You're going to stay with Joy." He says as he starts walking away.

Ash's mouth drops with shock before frowning.

"Are you serious? Robert, she's going to get killed." Ash exclaims.

"She's a stubborn child, she won't go back." He replies.

"Don't whine when nobody can save you." Amber scoffs beside me before turning away, a stone cold look on her face.

We all walk in silence. Complete silence. It bothers me. The air is tense. Is this how my last moments with my father and Ash will be? I glance over at Declan who gives me a reassuring smile.

I glance at Ash but he's purposely avoiding my gaze. He's mad at me. 

Hypocritical much.

~~~

So here is where things start to get real. Nothing will be as slow paced as before, now things are gonna be tough...

Hope you guys enjoy!

A lot of action coming up!