The Refugees

Chapter 2: Savannah

Edited

The Opening is the only way in and out of the Shelter and it's the room in which all the exchanges take place. It leads to the Surface. Only the privileged few get to go there for reasons I ignore since it doesn't concern me; it probably has to do with getting supplies; our food needs to come from somewhere. My dad is one of them who get free access in and out of the Shelter. I, myself, have never been out. I won't lie, I am curious but not curious enough to get into a lot of trouble to find out. They haven't exactly told us what are the consequences but I have a feeling they are major. The lack of information puts everyone off and adds to the suspicion.

Silence is a prevailing factor tonight, and it's deafening. The absurdity of Ash's presence makes the atmosphere in a place I should where feel relaxed and safe, unusual and bizarre. My dad who is normally the best at including me in even areas where most teens would be pushed aside, is awfully quiet and it makes me tense. I find myself sitting on my bed, getting more and more frustrated as I try to decipher the situation, always seeming to be back at square one.

Why would he be in a life or death situation? Murder? But my father would never take in a murderer... Involved in the black market, if it even still exists up there? Probably not either...

I want answers!

I get up abruptly from the bed and hurry down to the kitchen, pissed that I'm not being told anything. It does concern me, since this guy is living in my house. The air is a little friskier than usual so I grab hold of a sweater, must be nearing autumn, artificial winter. It's so incredibly ridiculous. When will I be able to leave this place and discover the world for myself?

I stop in front of the fridge, making myself a few sandwiches before turning around because of the tingling sense that I am not alone anymore. I turn around quickly. My body stiffens slightly. I've never been in the presence of someone I've never met or heard of years ago and this situation reeks of uneasiness. He could be an assassin for all I know. He takes an unsteady step forward and by reflex I take one backwards. He's not that close, perhaps a meter to a meter and a half away, but that's close enough.

Ash is tall and I can see he's muscular now that his hoody and cap are off. His dark brown hair is short and his eyes seem dark, perhaps a brown or green. He's definitely intimidating and the type of person who could defeat me at any given moment. He raises an eyebrow at me so I furrow mine in response. What does he want?

"I'm not gonna hurt you, relax." He says in a bored and uninterested tone before looking past me and towards the contents of the fridge.

He takes a few more stumbles to his destination and that's when I wonder if he's injured.

"I need something high in protein, do you have anything like that here?" He mumbles and I simply nod, still in slight awe that he's come from the Surface.

As I finish making him a sandwich, I turn to look at him again.

"Why are you here, Ash?" I ask, handing him the plate, my voice tinted with annoyance.

"None of your business, really." He replies in that same monotone voice which is starting to severely tick me off.

"It becomes my business when you decide to hide out in my house, putting both my father and I in danger for it. So go ahead, spit it out."

"I don't owe you an explanation so I'd just give up."

I sigh in annoyance and he continues to struggle making his way to the stairs.

"You're hurt, let me help you." I tell him, my kindness getting the better of me.

Ugh, why couldn't I just leave this narcissist to himself?

"I'm fine." He says stopping for a second.

"Stop being ridiculous, how will you manage to run away if a Dean comes here like that? Come with me. Do you need help up the stairs?"

He shoots me a glare so I back off.

Fine by me.

We head to my bathroom where everything is.

"Where's the injury?"

He lifts up his shirt and immediately I feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment before I see the long red irritation along his side.

"Communicate better, will you?"

"Whatever." He states, looking elsewhere.

I grab hold of the alcohol and use it to dampen a cloth before hesitantly looking up at him.

"This is going to sting."

"I've been through worse."

"Like what?" I say before I think, but I don't regret it.

He turns to look down at me, surprised at my question, then his eyes turn dark with sadness as he seems to remember something and he looks away again, deep in thought. That's the first time I feel pity for him. Nothing will take away the intense feeling of pain that I saw in his eyes.

"Here I go." I place the cloth on his burn. He grits his teeth, clenching his jaw in pain but not once does he make any sound.

I patch up his wound and then pull down his shirt.

"Done."

The silence that follows is one that the both of us welcome.

"Sleep here tonight, you look exhausted." I offer, feeling a little bad from my previous actions.

"Fine."

~~~

Hey! What are your impressions of Ash now?

If you can, please leave an input, it really helps me and hopefully it helps you connect a bit more deeply with me and the characters. If you feel a little generous or you like the chapter, don't hesitate to vote! 😊

Song: STWO - Haunted (ft Sevdaliza)