Orb

Chapter Four

ORB

Brian Wynne

Chapter Four

I held my breath, as silence spread across the city. I heard a faint noise, a whistling sound. As the noise grew louder I felt him slid against the wall.

"Get down," he whispered frantically.

I dropped down, laying on my stomach. Whatever it was had arrived, and I heard them flying over my head.

"What is it?" I hissed.

"They're small devices that zip through the streets. As soon as they hit someone they'll alert the guards somehow." He said. "We have to keep low until they're gone, and don't let them touch you."

I stayed lying there, my face plastered against the metal for a few long minutes. But the small boy, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly whimpered. I tried to make him be quiet, but he was restless and scared.

"What's going on?" He asked bluntly. "Someone tell me."

"We have to stay still until its safe," I said quickly. "Now please be quiet."

He seemed taken aback by my curt reply, but was quiet for a second. I listened, the whistling sounds were still obvious. Maybe they would be gone in a little bit. I dared to hope, but that got me thinking to what would happen next. Had I really convinced myself that there was a way out? I shook my head, what was I thinking. This had been a stupid idea from the start. The new boy seemed pretty confident, he must know something that I don't. He'll surely help me to escape. But the younger one was crying again, this time louder.

"I want to go home," he mumbled. "I don't want to be here anymore.

I tried to reason with him, to encourage him, to do anything to calm him down. But my pleas were ignored, and he finally gave up.

"I'm done," he screamed, as he pushed himself up.

"No! Please, stop." I cried, but it was no use.

Just as he straightened up, one of the flying objects found its mark. It lit up a bright orange, as the sharp edge buried itself into his shoulder. He froze as another slammed into his chest. The lights glowed, blinking together. And all I saw was his silhouette, as he slowed crumpled to the ground. He lay there, a look of shock stuck fast on his face, as more of the devices were attracted. The noises of the alarms strung together, creating a surging network of sound. His body shone brightly in the dark, as it was entirely covered by the swarming lights. I tore my eyes away from the horrible sight, unable to watch anymore.

"This will help us," the boy next to me said softly. "It will give us a head start if we go now."

I rolled over, burying my face into his chest.

"Here," he said.

He pulled me up next to him, cradling my face in his hands.

"Everything's going to be okay," he said. "He's just stunned, not dead. And we can escape, we will escape."

I locked eyes with him, and said, "Do you really believe that? Or is that just what you're telling me?"

"I know," he said, dead serious. "That we could survive this. But it starts here. It needs to start now. If we wait, there is no chance. But if we try, there might be. So are you coming with me?"

"Yes," I whispered. "I am."

He nodded, his features lit by the flashing lights. I tried to put aside the horror of what just happened. I had done my best to stop it, there was nothing else I could do. I let the boy take control, so I couldn't do any more damage.

"I'll open the door," he said. "Follow me when I say."

He slid his hands across the wall, searching for the entrance. I watched as his nimble fingers found the concealed button, and proceeded to press it. A large section of the shiny surface fell away, leaving a round hole. He stepped through the opening, disappearing from my view.

"Ok," he called, "You can come now."

I pushed myself to my feet, and grudgingly followed him. I looked back at the boy on the ground, for a moment. But I quickly looked away, it was too disturbing. I turned and slipped through the darkened door. The panel slid back into place behind me, sealing us inside. I stood in the darkness for a few moments, before a small light began to glow.

"Here," he said as he handed it to me.

It was a small white sphere that rested in my palm. It gave off a radiance, which lit the dim hallway. He had taken out another for himself, and lit that one as well. He started walking, when I stopped him.

"Wait, I need to know," I said. "What's your name?"

"Raven," he said, without stopping.

"Ok," I said. "Now aren't you going to ask me?"

He spun around, and said anxiously, "Can we please do this later?"

"We both know that there might not be a later," I said earnestly. "I want to get to know you while I can. And I'm Tori, by the way."

"That's great, can we go now?" He said. I could hear the urgency in his tone.

"What's the matter? I thought we were safe now," I said, worried.

"It's nothing, just that I want to get out of here as soon as possible," he said.

The look in his eyes told me there something he wasn't telling me.

"Tell me what's going on, now," I demanded.

"It's the guards," he confessed. "When they get here, they won't find us, but..."

He trailed off as we heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He brought his finger to his lips, warning me to be quiet.

He leaned close to me, breathing words softly in my ear, "Trust me, you don't want to hear what's going to happen next."

Seeing the genuine fear in his expression, I made up my mind.

"Let's go," I said.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, pushing me forward. He walked next to me, urging me into a run. We sprinted down the long walkway, away from the guards, away from the boy.

Raven held his light out in front of us, guiding the way. He looked down at me, tears in his eyes.

"Cover your ears," he said slowly.

I pressed my hands over my ears, squeezing my eyes shut. But even over the pounding of our feet, and through my hands, I heard the dreaded sound. Echoing off the walls, increasing in volume, was a scream that I had heard before. It was the boy, the one who we had left, the one I had saved. Who knows what was happening to him, what pain he was feeling. His cries for help cut through me, like a heated blade to my heart. I stumbled, falling to my knees. I held my head in my hands, and wept. No one could comfort me, nothing could save me from this sadness I felt. I stopped crying, holding my breath, as the screams faded. And as silence fell, I knew that he was gone.

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