Somewhere Else

Chapter Four

We stayed behind that rock for ages.  When I woke up, there was still nothing, but as the day stretched on, the ground began to rumble as the army approached us. I wish they could hurry up and pass, I was wasting time and couldn’t afford to lose much more.

          Judging by the movement of the sun and shadows we cast, it was a little  bit before noon. For a while, the ground was still, but when Ivy peeked over the rock, she could just barely see the army on the horizon, resting the horses. I suggested that we continue on and thinking we were innocent travelers, they would let us pass. Her answer was blunt.

“No. No traveler is innocent in their minds. Every person is hiding something. They would kill us just for the fun of it. We stay here.”

          We didn’t talk anymore after that.

          As the sun hit high noon, the ground shook harder. I knew they were coming. Within moments walls of dust rose up around us and I could hear the hooves of horses pounding the ground around us.

It was over in minutes. The dust stung my eyes. We watched them fade into the horizon. Just as we were about to leave and ride the other way, I was a figure riding towards us. I turned, looking for Ivy, only to see that she was long gone, riding Ralph away from me and the approaching threat.

Quickly, I ducked under to the other side of the rock, hoping I hadn’t been seen. I crouched there for five minutes until I heard the hooves approach. I held my breath, making no sound and not daring to move.

“Who’s there?” a deep voice called out.

I could tell this was a younger soldier, I don’t know how, I just knew.

“Come out now, don’t make this a fight.”

 I hoped he would go away if he couldn’t find me. But then again, it was only a simple rock separating us, and I knew he could circle it and easily find me. I closed my eyes, pretending I was a kid again, and if I closed my eyes, I was invisible.

After a while, I heard the sound of hooves moving away from me and once I didn’t hear it anymore, I opened my eyes.

I screamed when I saw a young man standing in front of me, holding one of those silver weapons at me. He had it aimed right at my head, just like the man who took Alex.

How many more times will this happen? I thought to myself.

I looked up at the man who would more than likely end my life. He was handsome, young, older than me but not by much. He had dark hair, almost black. And he was tall. Even by my standards. And I’m not short, I’m 5’10” or so said the man who came to our house and made sure we were healthy.

But the one thing that caught my attention the most was his bright blue eyes. I stared into them, almost hypnotized. I was probably acting like a dumb little teenage girl, but I couldn’t help myself.

In one breath, I was back to myself and looked up at the man again, this time saying,

“What do you want? Aren’t you going to use that little weapon and end my life?”

He looked down at me with a sparkle in his eyes. Oh great. He chuckled softly before saying,

“I don’t know, I kind of like your attitude. I am supposed to kill anyone I find, but you may be a valuable asset to the army…”

“Oh quit trying to scare me. Just tell me what’s going to happen. I’m not a child, I can take it.”

This only made him laugh harder.

          He pointed the object above my head and pulled the trigger. I stayed where I was, expecting to feel at least something. But nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw him still standing in front of me. Ugh. I can’t decide if I’m glad he didn’t actually kill me or if I wish he had.

 I start to stand up; since my legs are killing me from the crouching position I’ve been holding. He helps me up and as I pull myself to my full height, I realized how tall he really was. He dwarfed me. Great.

“Here is what’s going to happen,” he tells me “I am going to take you back to the camp. I know, I know, but don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe. Since I am technically a prisoner too, I know who to talk to and how to get you what you need. We will stay with them for a while and then when the time is right, we are going to leave. Okay? But you can’t tell anyone. I will tell you the rest when we leave.”

I just nodded.

          He grabbed me and tied a rope around my wrists and ankles then slung me over the horse. As we rode, we didn’t speak which gave me plenty of time to curse Ivy. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her. That damn liar. Now look where she got me. Ugh, I hoped something got her. Karma, another one of those skiff things would do. I was so mad I wasn’t even thinking straight.

          In no time at all, we had rejoined the rest of the army. I saw a bunch of what must have been prisoners; women, children, men in chains. It was horrible. I looked up at my captor and he had his eyes on the horizon, not looking at any of these people. I was worry and fear in his eyes. That’s when I remembered that he is a prisoner too. I don’t know how he got to be where he is, but I’ll find out soon enough.

          We reached a large tent and he pulled his horse to a stop.

          “I’m going to have to be a bit more rough with you now, please don’t hate me for it.”

          I knew he was talking to me and that I would now see the military side of him.

          He grabbed the ropes that bound my wrists and pulled me into the tent by them. He then proceeded to throw me on the ground at the feet of a large, scary looking man.

          “Found this one hiding behind some rock that we passed. Tried to fight me, but she seemed pretty scared of the gun.”

          He threw in an extra kick to my gut, winding me. Now was that really necessary?

          “Good, very good.” The big guy said. “You can do with her what you please. We will be moving out the day after next. Whether you bring her with us or leave her behind is entirely your choice.”

          “Thank you General.”

          He pulls me out of the tent and drags me to another one. Once we are inside, he pulls the flap shut and turns on a bright light. Then he comes over to me and cuts the ropes that bind my wrists and ankles.

          “I’m so sorry about that. Are you okay?” He asks me, looking worried.

          “I’m fine.” I reply bluntly.

          He continues to fuss over me but eventually I just lose it and tell him to leave me alone and let me sleep. He backs off, taking the floor while I sleep on a sleeping bag.

          This guy was crazy. Hot, but crazy. First he says that he’s my friend, next thing I know he’s taking me to the general and treating me horribly, then treating me like a fragile little doll. Ha.

          But, if I could get in good with these people, think about the advantage in the rebellion we would have… hmmm. This might start to get a bit interesting.

 So how about that? I made it a bit longer. Again, I would love to hear everything you guys have to say about this story. Constuctive Critizing though please. Thanks for reading! Let me know what you all think! Bye bye!

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