Fallen

Chapter 4

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Zach

I made it. I finally made it  here. Where exactly did I make it? Well that was the world’s greatest question. I was utterly clueless as to where here was panting I glanced around. Everywhere I looked there were trees, giant Oaks that encased you in a blanket of green.

Looking back ,the top of the wall was a tiny speck barely visible through the thick mass of trees. I have to keep moving, staying here is too risky, pulling the hand drawn map out of my tattered blue shirt, a requirement to distinguish  the opposers from the soldiers, I began making my way North.

The map was drawn by Jonathan who had heard stories of a safe site located North of  the compound. My feet ached terribly, the worn  out shoes did nothing to protect my feet from the oncoming blisters. These shoes aren’t going to last much longer. Finding a rock, I sat down and carefully untied  them. Holes covered the bottoms allowing water to seep through. I’m surprised that they’ve lasted this long.

A sudden rustle to my left has me up in a flash, my arms, the only defense I have, posed to fight. Should I run? No it’s just an animal Zach. Everything is going to be just fine, the animal will just ignore you and carry on to finding it’s food which is not humans...I hope.

“Perfect. Just perfect. It’s a escapee who talks to himself. I don’t do crazy Ralph lets turn around.” The voice came from what was not an animal but a girl instead. Long pale blond hair placed high on her head, with blue streaking the ends, casually turned around and started walking away.

“Wait! I didn’t realize I was talking  aloud.” Putting my shoe back on, I quickly caught up with the girl who was now accompanied by a boy, I assumed was Ralph,with strange drawings on his arms.  What looked liked the American flag started at his forearm was wounded i to the top of his shoulder blade, where it disappeared under his shirt. His other arm was covered with several strange designs and words that I couldn’t make out.  

I unfolded the map and pointed to the picture of the camp,” I am not crazy. I am just looking for this safe site that I was told about.”

The girl suddenly took my shoulders and shoved my back into the nearest tree. Her face  only inches from mine,” you can’t just talk about safe sites to anyone! We could be soldiers under disguise for all you know!”  Her eyes were narrow slits, burning holes into my forehead. Oh boy, If I don’t die from starvation this chick will surely kill me and eat me for breakfast.

“I’m sorry I haven’t really been in contact with too many people lately, my social skills are lacking.” She slowly took her hands off my shoulders and backed away . Should I make a break for it? I’d really prefer to not be her morning meal. Dammit !I do talk to myself!  Maybe I am crazy, maybe I-

“Listen here kid,” she began.Kid? Do I look twelve or something?  I’m pretty sure I’m nineteen. I kind of lost track of the days since I was so focused on Celery. Call me crazy  ,whatever, celery happened to be  the totally awesome secret code name we gave our escape plan. I am proud to say that I am the brain behind the creation of that genus name. Ha. The soldiers always thought we were talking about the crappy food. Jokes on you! Celery came out of no where and slapped them in the face. Brillant. Bloody brilliant.

“We aren’t soldiers and we aren’t apart of the safe site. We are rogues, those safe sites are just asking to be attacked. Too many people means too many problems and we don’t like problems.  Ralph who still hasn’t spoken nodded his head in agreement.

“Going to the safe site was the only plan I had. “ I paused. Unless…”Unless I became a rogue like you guys.” I looked for any type of reaction. All I saw was indifference.