Revolution

FOUR

We were low on food. We were low before but we managed, but nowadays we were low to the point that our we had a small piece of bread or fruit for the whole day and filled our stomachs with water.

            Of course, June didn’t let on if she was bothered. But I couldn’t stand seeing her or Vinnie suffer. I was the oldest young person so I should be able to take care of them.

            “You can’t.” Vinnie told me, “You’re a girl and girls don’t work.”

            I narrowed my eyes at him; giving him the dirtiest look I could mange as I tugged on his sister’s cloak. “Vincent don’t you dare tell me what I can or cannot do. In fact, you shouldn’t come because you’re still a child.”

            He clenched his jaw, “Am not. I am older than before.”

            I rolled my eyes, “see its when you act like this that I really question if your even ten years old.” I tugged on the hood of the cloak, “now if you’re going to come, just stay out of the way.”

            I went to the June’s shed and brought a rickety old bicycle out. Over our time there, when Vinnie or I weren’t working we were learning to ride it. Moreover, over the course I was planning the small voyage I memorize the map. My goal was not to let us suffer anymore.

            I got saddled on the bike and Vinnie got on behind me.

            “I should....”

            “Don’t even say it, Vinnie.” I said, as I kicked the bike into start. We began our journey as soon as night fell. Typically, we all slept as soon as the sun set and woke to the sunrise, but this time it was different. And what June didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt her.

            Around halfway there, Vinnie and I switched our seats and arrived at the closest city later than we planned.

            “Ok. We got to be quick.” I said, going to the closest house. “You keep watch out and be ready to leave as soon as I come. Got it?” without waiting for a reply I went around the house looking for an entrance. It was slightly bigger than June’s house and the walls were made out of stone.

            The anxiety didn’t hit me till I found an open window. It was then I realized that I had no excuse and I had to do it. I let out a breath and wiped my hands on the trousers I borrowed from Vinnie. It was now or never.

            I put y hands on the windowsill and took a deep breath. I tested the still out by applying pressure to it before I heaved myself up. Months of pulling stubborn vegetables out of the ground helped me gain some upper body strength which I was especially thankful for at that moment.

            The house was all dark so I got up on the ledge and dropped inside. I let my eyes adjust to the dimness before I began tip-toeing around the house. Loud snores echoed down one storey house’s halls. It frightened me each time it came around. I was really jumpy.

            Finally, I found the kitchen. Pushing my guilt aside I began loading the bag I carried in with all the food I could gather as quickly as I could. A sudden gasp from behind me made me drop the bag. I turned around to face a little girl. Two heartbeats past before she began screaming.

            “Shh!” I told her but she didn’t stop. The whole house came alive, lights turned on and the sound running followed. I grabbed the bag hastily, and ran around the girl. I tossed the bag over, and screamed for Vinnie as I began to heave myself up the window and as was half out the window a voice yelled at me. “Don’t think you can run away, you thief!” A voice screamed at me.

            Someone grabbed my leg and scared I began kicking and shaking the leg to get myself free. Something sharp dug in and I screamed out in pain. Vinnie was there instantly. Sweat drippled down his face and his eyes were wide with shock and fear. He grabbed my arm and started to pull.

            I felt like I was being torn apart until finally I was set free. I fell onto of Vinnie and quickly got up. “Grab the bag.” I told him. I winched in pain and bit my lower lip to hold back a cry. Adrenaline surged through me giving me enough energy to force myself forward.

            We got to the bike as soon as the front door opened. We didn’t see what they would do; we were on the bike and on our way back to June. I stifled back my sobs on the ride and clutched the bag to my chest. It wasn’t full in fact it was practically empty but it was something and it’ll probably fill our stomachs for the next two days but it was worth it.

            We arrived at the shed just as the sun began to rise. We had to get back inside before it was up all the way and June was up.

 I had a hard time getting off the bike. I hobbled off, and winched at very step when I heard Vinnie curse. I looked at him startled, I had never heard him be so crude before. He was always quiet. “Dammit! Wren, your leg. It’s bleeding!” Glancing down I realized he was right. From knee down the jeans was  it was dark red.

I sucked in a breath.

 “We got to get her to check it out,” Vinnie told me , grabbing the bag from me.

“No, we don’t. She’ll ask questions and find out.”

“She’ll be suspicious as soon as we enter with food from the town. She’ll find out either way.”

 “We can’t let her know, Vinnie.We....”

“Be quiet, Wren! Just be quiet and don’t argue with me we got to get that leg checked out.” He began crying. “I can’t lose you too. Not like I lost Marie. I can’t lose you Wren.”

I shut my eyes and took in a deep breath. Trying to understand his position. In a way I understood where he was coming from but I couldn’t let tears move me away from my goal. “Fine.” I said, “Either you make sure my leg is alright or no one.” I told him, I saw his mouth open in protest. “You’ve been around her long enough to pick up a few tricks so I trust that you know what to do. But no matter what you can’t tell June, ok?”

His eyes searched mine looking for an opening, but I don’t change my mind so easily and he knew that so he nodded and gestured for me to sit on a chair. I walked over and tugged the trouser leg up, winching at the stinging sensation it caused. I bite the inside of my cheek as I looked at the cut.

The cut was a few inches in the stitches and stretched down lower. I held my breath as Vinnie kneeled down and gingerly looked over my leg. I looked up at the ceiling and began counting the cracks.

I heard Vinnie let out a breath, “You don’t need stitches.” He informed me, “but...” he got up, “wait here.” He told me, before running off. He came back with a jar of white paste, a cloth and water. After cleaning my cut he gently rubbed the white cream on it. It soothed the pain for the moment.