The next generation- where we go from here

Homeward bound

Sage pov
I ran through the streets of Brooklyn shirtless. I had abandoned the Italian uniform jacket because the Illean would definitely not help me if I wore that. Especially if I didn't have dog tags.

I held my arms close to my body trying to keep my body warm. I stopped on a street corner. It was the street Vinnie and Evie lived on. I trudged down the street and found their house. I found where they kept a spare key and I went in. I was freezing.

I stopped the snow off the Italian soldier's boots who'd taken my place in front of the firing squad. I took them off and took my knife. I put it in my pocket and went upstairs in search of a warm jacket. I was a size smaller than Vinnie when I joined the army so hopefully his cloths fit now.

I went upstairs and to their closet. I found a black sweater and mentally laughed. I went through the coat closet and found a inconspicuous black winter jacket.

"I wonder if they have anything to eat." I thought to myself.

I grabbed my stuff and a few more layers of lighter jackets. I poked into Haven's room. I knew she hadn't been able to grab her bunny when they left. I grabbed it and tucked it into the jackets I had in my arms. I went downstairs and grabbed a backpack from one of the guards' room.  I went to the kitchen and found little canned food, I ate most but I took the rest with me. I found some bottles of water in the fridge along with something that had died long ago.

"Alright I'm not gonna mess with that." I said. I took the water bottles. I went back to the guards' rooms and searched their stuff for at least some fort of weapon. I found a gun, a clip, and a holster. I put it on my belt and then left the house.

It took me about half a day to get across Manhattan. And the rest of the day before I came into contact with civilians.

I held my thumb up as I turned back and saw a car headed my way. The driver slowed down and I stepped out of the snow drift and onto the road. He rolled the window down. I pulled the scarf down off my face so I could talk to him.

"Where ya headed son?" He asked.

"Angels." I said.

"That's a long ways away." He said.

"I know but I've gotta get there by Christmas." I said.

"We'll hop in its getting late." He said.

I opened the door and put my bag in the floor board. I got in the seat.

"What's your name, son?" The man asked.

"Sage, and you are?"

"James Queen." He said.

"So what are you doing here in Waverley?" He asked.

"I was a soldier. I didn't abandon but I was a POW, I escaped and now I'm trying to get home." I said.

"For a second I thought you were a deserter." He said.

"Nonono. I would never do that." I said. "To my family."

•••

Curfew had just started when we got to James's house. We got out and I took the holster off my belt and put it in my jacket pocket. I grabbed my backpack and we went inside.

"You can set your pack by the door." James said.

"Maria! I'm home." He called.

A young woman probably a few years older than me. "James who's this?" She asked.

"This is Sage, I saw him walking in The snow drifts trying to hitch a ride so I gave him one. He's trying to get to Angels." James said.

"Well we've got enough food for four people. Why don't you go get yourself cleaned up and then we'll have dinner." She said.