Pages and Pictures

3 • Izzy

3.

I crouched down to stare at the splintered, wooden desk. Colton stood firmly behind me and waited for my judgement on if it was time to search for a new one, of course it was! But he didn't think logically, no one ever did, we couldn't just go out and search for a "new" one that wasn't on the brink crashing down to the ground any moment. The defenders had been watching us for 37 days now through dark alleys, cracked windows, and any other place that they could steal a glimpse of us. For right now, they had no proof of who we were, I wouldn't allow that. I covered up every footprint we made, fixed all the mistakes, and now all of us "Actors" even attempted to make it impossible for lip reading. But yet, it felt as if we were never in the clear.

"Colton, first of all, can you not think?" I questioned with a frustrated glare as I turned to face him.

"Izzy I understand but this is the last one we have, the others were scrapped months ago. Miles has been recording our findings on the ground for quite some time now." I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms against my chest, he knew what I was asking.

"We voted already, everyone agreed, except for you." We were a democracy of some sort, after we had heard rumours of how countries were ran centuries ago, we gave it a chance since it seemed to work for them. You know except the fact that presently almost everything cherished back then was banished.

I sighed and peered up to see Colton with a red neck, most likely from the way I had been snapping at him for the last few days, more than usual at least. My expression began to soften and I allowed my rigid body with stress to relax. We already had a full plate on our hands, no need for me to be selfish.

"Go round up Miles, Ashton, Fray and tell the others to stay behind. We can't leave without everything guarded, if the defenders get a hold of any of this. We will surely be executed. Oh and collect the necessary supplies for a scavenge" He flashed a small smile, but the usual spark in his hazel eyes was no longer there. The poor kid was just turning 19, too young for this horrid world we called home.

I ran a hand through my dirty black as night hair. Isiah would've known how to fix the anxiety filling the air and threatening to devour us all. He shared many of the same looks, but our personalities were exact opposites. Even that was an understatement. Our eyes were both a piercing shade of blue, but his held a gentler quality. Mine seemed to burn a hole into every one I had ever glared at, but he would always patch them up for me with a smile aimed towards the person. In fact, I had only ever seen him truly angry once. That of course was when I joined the "Actors". Not because he wanted me to stay away, but Isiah always protected me. When I had first joined, he was finding ways to send messages to me. He would even come and see how I was making it every now and then. But I'm 23 now, old enough to handle myself.

Miles' booming voice soon crept into the study to announce they were ready. Our base was an old theatre that used to be for plays and the occasional city meeting. That is why our group is called the Actors, not because we want to act till our little hearts content. No, we each wanted to make a difference so maybe, just maybe, when mothers were telling their children the legend of the banishment, our lives wouldn't have been pointless. No we would be the heroes of those stories.

Minutes later my gear which consisted of 2 bottles of water, dried fruit, an extra jacket, a map of "Wiltcreek", and a slimy chicken wing. Did I mention the food sucks now too? As I approached the main room which was empty except for a tattered couch, I heard their rushed voices. Ashton glanced over his shoulder to see my 5 foot 5 lean frame resting against the wall. He gave me a childish grin and faced the others.

"We can't bring the weapons we usually do, if the word is right, the Highers have told the Defenders to arrest anyone holding anything that can end anothers life. Good thing we are prepared, eh?" Ashton's blonde hair seemed to gain a silver tint from the sunset peaking in through the windows. He held out his palm for all of us to grab a small knife with a curved tip, the knife was designed to flip and fold into a makeshift mirror. Ashton was our tinker who was brilliant to say the least, his designs never failed us, he had never failed us.

"Let's move out, take nothing that brings attention to ourselves. A desk is what this is about, but if you can find food. Grab it." My voice had a commanding tone whenever I spoke orders, but today it sounded doubtful. That set us all on edge.

Fray and Colton exchanged a silent look of encouragement, and headed out the creaky doors. I filed out of the door last, and the stench of Wiltcreek filled my nose.