When the Smoke Clears

after

James

I cursed again. She wasn't supposed to see me. After the meeting, I got too tight, too restless. I tried to relax, but arguing with her made that impossible.

Sneaking out when you were a soldier's son wasn't difficult, especially when you were a soldier's son with very few friends. I had made my way to the barn, my father's old hideout, very quickly.

I hadn't even been there ten minutes when I heard the sharp knock coming from the entrance. I dove into a nearby hidden trapdoor, behind a large stack of hay. It was itchy, but no one would've seen me.

The door creaked open and I saw who was disturbing my space. That girl, the Cian. She never said her name, but I recognized her face. She was holding a picnic basket and blanket. My eyebrows furrowed.

Deciding to take the trapdoor under and out, I crept down the small shaft. The creaks were small and I hoped she wouldn't hear me. A dark shadow covered the wooden boards ahead of me. She must've put her stupid blanket down. I continued to sneak forward, making my breaths shallow. 

"I must be really close to the border," she proclaimed to no one in particular. I swallowed deeply. She couldn't know I was here. Then I sidestepped and heard a loud creak from underneath my foot. Crap.

The Cian held her breath for a second. She was afraid. She tried to calm herself down by stuttering, "Just a mouse," to herself. I knew she didn't really believe it and I prayed she wouldn't get curious. I lifted my foot off the board slowly and a resounding creak echoed in the shaft. I whispered a curse word and closed my eyes.

Scuffling was heard from above me. She had noticed and was hopefully leaving. But no, the creaks came back towards me, making my heart stop every time she seemed to get closer. 

"Hello?" 

Did she really think somebody trying to hide from her would come out when she said hello? She really was an idiot. An idiot that was about to get me exposed.

The floor shook and bent as she kicked it. Dust rained down on me and I knew the floor wouldn't hold up. What in heaven's name did she think she was doing? Luring me out? 

Another kick. A crack. I looked up in fear as the floor collapsed, sending her and her blanket sprawling on me. I grunted harshly, trying to untangle myself. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!" Her words only distracted me from the task at hand; getting the blanket off of me and escaping. I managed to get my arm out from under the blanket but felt a hand of fire reach down and grab it. The girl screamed and tripped on the blanket, pushing her scalding hand further on my forearm. 

I bit my tongue, trying not to cry out in pain. 

"Crap, Crap, CRAP!" Her voice rung out in the small space. All I could think about was how her stupid curiosity was getting me injured. I found the edge of the blanket and promptly ripped it in half. It was then that I first peered straight into her eyes, full of fear.

"What are y-" She began her sentence but I was already bolting. I navigated my way out of the hole, out of the barn, out of her presence. I didn't stop running until I was sure I was out of eyesight. I observed my surroundings and breathed heavily. 

I had no clue where I was.

How did she find me? Why did she find me? Nobody goes out to the border just looking for a fun picnic place. I grumbled to myself as I walked farther and farther from the barn. I knew that wasn't the best idea, but I was running out of options. 

You could go back, I thought, She's probably gone by now. 

I placed my hands on my hips. Maybe my racing thoughts were right. After all, I didn't have much of a choice at the second. I did a swift U-turn and started heading back to the barn. The grass rubbed against the tips of my fingers as I let my mind wander to other things.