Where we come from

Aduantas - 1

Radha

She knew that at some stage, they had to leave the roof, but it just made her feel so nauseous. She had agreed to go because there was no way she could let Donncha go down alone, but also knew that there couldn't be anyone else, they'd attract far too much attention. So she gave Maebh's hand one last squeeze and forced her legs to make her stand and leave the blonde's side. After making arrangements with Kane, her and Donncha were about to leave when she stole one last glance over her shoulder to throw what she hoped was a somewhat confident, maybe reassuring look. She hoped she could hide what she truly felt. Ignoring the weakness in her knees, she set off down the stairs.

She and Donncha searched around each floor, eyes stinging and throats feeling drier with every body they had to step over. They were somewhere around the third floor and were about to turn around and go back to the others when Donncha glimpsed out a window and immediately dropped to the floor, dragging Radha with him. 

"Fuck. Stay down. I just looked out that window there and I'm pretty sure one of those troops saw me. We need to get out of here, back to the roof. They probably won't think to search there", Donncha whispered. The two set off in the direction of the main steps, but stopped dead when they heard the door flung open downstairs and footsteps coming at them fast. Radha spun immediately and dragged Donncha in the opposite direction. He looked at her confusedly, before realizing she was dragging him towards a fire exit. They pushed through the door and climbed down the fire escape as fast as they could, finally making it to the bottom and jumping off with a thud. Donncha turned to Radha and motioned for her to remain against the wall, as he began inching his way towards the edge to peek around the corner. He nodded when the street seemed clear, and the two dashed across the road and around the corner to a secluded back street where they were relatively hidden.

"What are we gonna do? We definitely can't go back in there yet, but we can't just leave the others up there. Plus what if the troops decide to search the roof this time? Donncha it'll be our fault if they get caught", Radha huffed desperately, breathless. Her eyes glistened as she held Donnchal's gaze. "Donncha we can't leave them, what are we going to do".

Radha knew that she shouldn't ask him, she knew that he knew no more than she did, but she asked anyway. She needed something to cling to, like she was falling and he was the closest thing she could grab. Donncha broke his gaze only to look around, as if an answer would suddenly appear to them somewhere in this murky alley. It was the kind of alleyway that would usually be avoided at all costs, for obvious reasons, but right now it felt safer than the main street of their capital city. 

Donncha, remaining silent, crept to the edge of the alley and seen an open door to another apartment block, across from the one they had just left. The roofs were somewhat level, and Radha had a brainwave.

"If we climb to the roof of this building, maybe we can catch their attention? I'm sure they'll be able to see us from up there?" This seemed to snap Donncha out of whatever daze he was in, and he nodded.

"Yes, good, okay, yeah let's go". 

Donncha

The two made their way up the stairwell, hasty at first but eagerly increasing their speed as they neared the top. They burst out onto the roof, adrenaline keeping them going despite their exhaustion, and headed straight to the edge to try and catch the attention of the others. Donncha felt his stomach drop through all 12 stories of the building below them as he realized the roof was empty. They were already gone.