At End's Gate

SHELTER

"Paige your leg was hurt really bad. Do you need help?" Conner asked.

"No. Thank you. I can walk on my own."

"Okay. We need you girls protected so I'll walk in front. James and Blake you take the back. We will be covering the girls. Please boys be on high alert. You have the guns I gave you?"

"Yeah," they replied in unison.

Conner handed the girls guns," just in case you see someone I can't see."

They started moving as fast as possible. Judging by the position of the sun it was now almost midday so they had to find shelter as quickly as possible because in day light they were more vulnerable. They reached a street that looked to have been deserted for quite some time. They chose a house. They entered into the house cautiously. The boys checked every room. The paranoia made them turn the entire house upside down to confirm whether there were any secret doors and hideouts. When they finally were convinced that the house was safe they made themselves comfortable.

"We can't turn on the lights at night. We'll have to use candles to not be seen," Conner said.

"Conner thank you for everything. You saved my sister. I'm forever grateful," James said with a smile.

"Yeah. True bro. I don't think we would survive this alone," Blake added.

"It's my pleasure. I care about all of you." He looked at everyone. He noticed that Paige was lost in thought." Paige," he called her name.

"Yes."

"Are you okay? You're just staring into space."

"I'm fine."

"Okay. I'll go get some food. I bet you're all hungry." He went into the kitchen for a while and then came back with food. They ate. Paige didn't even say much whilst the others were discussing about their survival from a possibly brutal death.

"Paige what did you go and take in the house?" James asked." Whatever it is it's bugging you. What is it?"

Everyone looked at her." I'll tell you. I just need time to process what I did and the possible consequences. Conner could have been dead because of me."

"Paige it's fine. We're here. That's all that matters," Conner said," cheer up."

"Okay." She smiled. It was her best plastic smile. It even fooled her brothers. She joined the conversation acting like she was fine but honestly she wasn't. She remembered her dream. The thought of having to tell the others that their memories were involuntarily removed scared her. She knew she had to tell them. What scared her the most was the thought of what her parents did that made it necessary for them to toy with the lives of other innocent people. She considered many possibilities. Paige thought her parents might have stolen from this Dukilian guy or maybe they betrayed him but still did it deserve this degree of punishment? She felt agitated. Where they really safe in that house. Dukilian had proven to be a very smart man. He was always a step ahead of them. It scared her to bits but everyone else was okay. She continued with the fake smile act, pretending to be chilled. James was checking radiation levels continuously in between their discussions. He would then continue talking cheerfully, clearly showing that there was nothing to worry about. It made her feel calmer but she still was paranoid. Paige's life had now changed from the beautiful painting she thought it was and turned into a puzzle full of missing pieces. The paradise she knew was merely an illusion fabricated by her parents to protect her. She felt a whirlwind of emotions. Paige felt angry at her parents as well as sad and empathetic of the fact of what they put themselves through to protect them. She felt scared of being unaware of what will happen next in their life. She looked at the others hiding under a fake smile but underneath her strong and okay exterior was just a little girl who didn't know what to do." Guys I'm feeling a bit tired. I need to rest," she said as she tied her hair.

"Yeah you all should sleep for a while. I'll take the first lookout shift," Conner said.

The others fell asleep whilst Conner patrolled the house to cover the windows to make sure no one would find them.

Hope you enjoyed :-)