Francesca's Dream

Run of A Lifetime

Eric was rounding the corner outside of the library, when he ran into Francesca. She was bent over sweating up something off of the floor. "Francesca there you are; I need you to run to the camp ,and deliver these for me." Eric said handing her several envelopes. She stood to meet him; her fair haphazardly thrown into a half up- half down style. She had a streaks of ash on her nose and delicate cheek. "Are these red ribbon letters?" she said cocking her head ever so slightly. "Yes, and they must be delivered as soon as possible." He diverted his eyes away from her; checking down hallway. "The Resistance is currently trying to take the Gulf of Jinx back from the Atrox party. I need to know how they are doing, and inform them of all that is happening here. I can't fail on my end." He caressed his hand on the side of her face, brushing of the ash slowly with his thumb. 

He locked eyes with her, his deep brown with her  pale soul searching green ones. "I should probably go take care of these." She said breaking eye contact, she was ever so slightly uncomfortable. She turned around, pick up the dustpan and broom, and walked down the hallway. 

Francesca walked up to the camp fence; "Back again." The guard said from his post box. "Did you bring me anything this time?" he said brusquely. "Our cook made oatmeal raisin muffins this morning; I brought you one." She said reaching into her basket. He took the muffin greedily from her, as if he had never eaten before. He pressed the button for the gate, and she headed inside the camp. 

The News Office was on the outer edge of the camp, so it was a short walk once inside. As always the office was busy, people hustling back and forth. The tapping of typewriters filled the air, along with the scent of cigarette smoke. Francesca walked to the back corner where Henry's desk sat; side stepping everyone in her path. 

Henry was busy typing on his typewriter, she knocked on his wooden desk grabbing his attention. Henry's head shot up from the keys; "Your back." He said quickly, straw fingers still tapping away. "Yes, I brought you some more letters from Officer Raswood." Henry stopped typing; "hand them over and take these." He said taking Francesca's letters and switching them out with a handful from his top desk drawer. "Make sure these make it there, and don't get too close to anyone inside the camp. We had an out break of Moilta about a week ago; we had to shave everyone's heads to try and stop the spreading of disease." He said glumly. "Whats Moilta?" She asked concernedly. "You need to leave, if you stay here and talk to me any longer you risk being discovered as a spy." Henry said in a hushed brusque voice. "But I-" "Go! You can't risk attracting attention!" And with that she left. She would just have to ask someone back at the manor to tell her.

Eric slammed his bedroom door after Francesca had left; how stupid could he have been to pull such a stunt, and in a hallway even. He thought to himself. Why was he falling for her in such horrible times as these. Over the past few weeks he had received news that the resistance was trying to gain control of the Gulf of Jinx , but was facing resistance. At this rate the war could last for years, something had to be done soon.

As soon as she was out of sight from the guard box Francesca ran back to the manor. Something was wrong, Henry would have normally told her how her friends were firing in the camp, but this time he hadn't. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Thoughts of her friends, the war, and ideas of what ever this Moilta were ran in her head. She was almost back to the manor house; her legs were shaking with he impact of every step. The pushed her self with every once of energy she had left. 

Eric was walking out by the stables when he saw her running up the driveway towards the house. Her fair hair whipping loose from the scarlet bow, the contained it. Her cheeks were flushed with color; her basket flinging to- and- fro. She was running as if her life depended apon it. He ran to meet her in the driveway; she plowed straight into her arms panting like a race horse. "Wha- What is... What is Moilta?" She said in between breathes. Eric was confused, why would she be asking about something like that unless... "Why are you asking, has something happened?" He said concern lining his voice.

She breathed deeply again before answering. "When I went to talk to Henry, and collect the letters, he said that their was an out break in the camp, but refused to tell me anymore." Eric pulled her in close, resting his head on hers. They were running out of time.