Escape.

Chapter 1

"A lot has changed since the Destruction started. Our population is smaller. Our economy is worse. And most importantly our world is right in the middle of destruction!" The crowd roared with fear, agreement, and anger. Some yelled rude responses and others kept quiet, unsure what to believe.
"And I, Mayor Jude Barsen, am doing the best I can to protect us!" People shouted and started to shove others, stating their opinion and why they were right. What was supposed to be a peaceful rally turned into a riot in a less than a minute. Police and guards were called out to stop citizens from climbing up to the podium and throwing things at the Mayor. This continued for a good ten to twenty minutes before a loud, long sound of feedback from the microphone switched people's hands from pushing to covering their ears. The piercing beep continued until everyone's attention was on the podium. They looked astonished to see a teenage girl, about three inches taller than the mayor standing with the mic.
"What do you think you're doing?" Mayor Barsen snapped inside her ear, but the girl continued.
"Do you really think Jude Barsen is doing everything she can to protect us? Are we all aware of how much power this woman has and yet all she has managed to do for us is talk about how much she's trying?" The girl's headstrong voice made people stop and whisper to each other. The Mayor looked flushed.
"Uh...Uh....SECURITY!" She stuttered. Instantly big, stocky men took the girl by both sides and not-so-gently escorted her off the podium, but she kept talking.
"Don't you think we deserve answers?" As violently as she could, she used her sharp elbows to wiggle loose of the guards' tight grips just a little. Once she was out of sight, the people turned to Mayor Barsen in anger.
"Everything that little girl said are lies! Yes, I do have a lot of governmental power! But I am most certainly doing everything I can for each and everyone of you!" Barsen cried as if she was begging. People shook their heads and some even left. A constant buzz of voices were settling over the room.
"I knew she was fake all along!" One said.
"She cannot be trusted to lead us!" Another said.
"Something must be done!"
Barsen stood, nervously looking over the rowdy crowd. Reporters stook microphones in her face asking her various questions. It was official, the people didn't know who to trust.
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"I wanted to talk to you, about something important." Brit said. She smiled and grabbed Rene's arm, who jerked, it had been a long time since he had seen Brit, it was weird seeing her again all grown up - sort of. Brit pulled him upstairs and closed his bedroom door.
"What exactly is so imp-" Rene didn't get to finish what he was saying before Brit started babbling.
"I think there's something going on with Mayor Barsen." She said.
Rene laughed, "Brit, I'm certain everyone knows that."
"No, know-it-all." Brit replied sarcastically, "I mean she is hiding something. You know -, "Brit lowered her voice so no one else could hear, "that may stop the destruction."
Rene shook his head, "Brit, this whole world is coming apart. The end  is coming closer and closer and people are scared. So they take it out on the mayor and other people with harm. That's what the Destruction is and it effects everyone when the end eventually comes... who knows what will happen. Don't you think Barsen would tell us if she had a way to stop it?" He rambled on and on.
"Have you not been listening to me? Jude Barsen may be so evil she might have a secret to get herself out of this mess before the end comes, but she wouldn't tell us. She'd keep it to herself." Brit explained.
"I don't know, Brit. I think you're just paranoid. Mayor Barsen may have a few screws loose, but she's not evil. Maybe you just need to accept the fact that there is no escape. This is like a maze with no finish point. The end will come and whatever happens...happens."
"I still think she's keeping things to herself. No matter what anyone says I will always be onto that woman." Brit whispered as if she was a spy.
"Look, you need to go home. My dad will be home soon and I don't want him to see you here." Rene said.
"What? Your dad doesn't like me?" She asked while Rene was pushing her out.
"No, I-" He sighed. "Just - go home, Brit." He closed the door barely before she got all the way out. She couldn't believe after all this time Rene hadn't seen her, he wanted her to go home. She guessed they weren't the best friends they used to be.
Brit checked her watch. Eight o'clock, Rene's house was rather far. She promised Kira she would be back at seven. She raced home and found her turned around at the table and crept in the house hoping she wouldn't hear her.
"You're late. Brit, if that Rene kid is getting in the way of your curfew then maybe you shouldn't hang out with him anymore." She said. Brit winced. Kira was making excuses for her to not see Rene. Not that she would go back considering the way her happy visit went today.
"I know I need a few minutes alone." Brit snapped, as she ran up to her room.
She had an old wooden box that her mother gave to her right before her death. It was meant to be used to hold some old earrings that her great grandmother gave her, but she uses it for something far more important. She calls it her 'Prayer box' that she hides in her closet and keeps hidden from everyone. And that's because she writes private letters to her parents that she knows are in heaven. She has been writing in it often ever since she just wished there was something. Something she could've did to... she felt tears coming into her eyes which quickly turned to anger. Why did she just stand there? Why did she just watch their life being taken! She could've stopped it! She realized she was yelling out loud and took a deep breath. Her mom always told her not to take her anger out on other people. So she wrote it :
Dear mom and dad,
I've been missing you lately and I've cried many times. I wish there was some way you could come back to us. This torn down city is beginning to become a wreck. There are too many people you can't trust--
"Brit! Come down for dinner!" Kira yelled.
"In a minute!" Brit yelled back.
Anyway... where was she? Oh yes:
They are just too suspicious. With all of this destruction people are so scared that - the end is coming. The end of the world is coming and people are scared of coming out of their own houses. And by destruction I mean, really bad destruction. Buildings are falling everyday. The sky is filled with smoke and pollution instead of blue and sun. Fire is everywhere you turn. I just wish you were here to hold me in your arms and tell me it was going to be ok. But you're not and - I'm sorry mom and dad. I could've stopped your death, I know I could've, I just know it. The pain hurts. I'm sorry. I love you and hope you are having a better time up in heaven instead of this messed up place.
I miss you,
Brittany Harley.
   
"How many times do I have to tell you -" Kira pushed open her door and Brit immediately stuck the note and the box behind her back.
"I told you I'd be down in a minute!" She yelled. There was silence for a moment, then Kira started walking towards her. She could feel sweat forming on her forehead as Kira walked around her in circles. Brit walked the opposite way until they were chasing each other round and round.
"What's behind your back?" Kira slowly asked. Brit swallowed hard and shook her head.
Brit's stomach flipped, "Nothing. None of your business, Kira! Go away!"
Kira smiled in a mysterious way. "Ooh, is it a love letter to Rene?" She teased. The way she sung Rene's name agitated her. Kira knew her and Rene were just friends. Or - whatever they are now. Her face turned a shade of red.
"LEAVE KIRA!" She shouted. She yelled so loud she was sure she saw a picture frame shake. Kira walked around Brit, who tripped over her own large feet. The box and letter flew out of her hands and landed in front of Kira.
"Ha-" She chuckled and bent over Brit. "You should've told me the first time."
"Stop!" Brit said now fighting not to cry.
"Ha, a prayer box! Brit,you're fifteen. Don't you know praying to 'God' is just something false for little kids?" Kira snickered as she read the letter and headed to go downstairs.
"Kira! It's none of your business!" Brit yelled.
Kira just kept on walking and laughing at the word 'God'. How could she laugh like that? Does the death of their parents mean nothing to her? It's only been five months. Brit couldn't believe she was actually laughing at the letter. Did her parents know Kira didn't believe in God? They went to church every Sunday and Kira was always saying how fun singing in the choir was. There was something not right. Is Kira losing her faith? No. They were believers. But why is He letting this happen? Why is God letting death and all this destruction happen? She was only fifteen! What did she do to deserve this? Most of all why did she have to be the one to watch her parents die? Why is she the one who has to fear for her life, afraid of when the destruction goes too far? Who will help her? The Mayor? It was all too much. Life was like a warzone.