I jumped over the small gap between the two decaying buildings and my feet landed safetly on the building. I took off running again when I heard the soldiers jump after me. I curse under my breath and speed up. The soldiers ran after me but I was faster. They could easily shoot me with their guns but they wouldn't. For all they knew, I was a part of the fugitives that ruled the village. Therefore, they would need me alive. We were the hope of the village we were in because of our rebellion against the government's new plan. They wanted to put trackers in everyone, they'd kill you if you didn't wear certain clothing or if you said anything negative about the governement, they'd choose what you did with your house or your land, and it's been about eighty years since it began. That gave them time to brainwash a lot of the world but there were still people out there fighting. People died every day and in the village we were in at the moment, there were piles of dead bodies in the middle of the town as a warning and a reminder.
I was trained to be as invincible as a human could be. Other than my skills that I had learned since I was five, I was dressed in everything that would make it easier to move, to run. I wore black sneakers, black tights, a leather jacket that was designed to be bullet proof, and gripping gloves.
I didn't dare look behind me. Instead I trusted my ears and other senses to hear their footsteps pounding behind me. They kept up good and I know that's what they were trained for. I kept my eyes fixed on the horizon. In a few more feet was the buildings ledge and I would have to jump if I wanted a chance for life.
Three. Two. One.
I jump and twist my body to the right as I grab onto the flagpole and slide down. I start running again towards the town center. I hear faint yells and orders to catch me.
I turn abruptly into an alley. I run towards a grey garbage dump and jump inside.
It stunk like this every time I went underground to our head quarters. I dig to the bottom, pushing trash out of my way. I reach for the latch and open the door. Sliding my body through the hole, I fall.
"Astrid! How'd it go?" A guy with dark skin, hair, and clothes says as he walks towards me.
I hold up a finger as I catch my breath.
"I lost them." I say, answering Sean.
He high fives me and I walk with him to the monitors. Sure enough, I had lost them. They were asking the few kids from in front of the bakery shop if they had seen me. They shook their heads. Those were the good kids. And I was glad we had one good law; soldiers couldn't interrogate, harm, or arrest someone under the age of fourteen.
"Good work. You got the stuff?" Joana asks me as she sits at the monitors with headphones on.
I unzipped my jacket and emptied every pocket out with various medicines. Most of them were pain killers or a calming pill.
"Wow, awesome." Sean smirks.
"I'd like to take them to Doc and Daniel." I say and gather the medicine up again into my leather jacket.
They don't argue, so I leave and walk down the winding hallways to the Medical Room.
Daniel, about two days ago, went out to get some food and saw three soldiers harrassing and slapping a small child that had stolen an apple. Daniel walked up to them and told them that he would pay for the apple for the little boy since it was such a small price. The soldiers didn't like that and beat Daniel nearly to death. They threw him in the garbage bin like trash, not knowing that luckily it was the garbage bin that led to our head quarters. Barely consious, Daniel opened the latch and fell through. It was a bloody scene with him having multiple injuries.
I walk through the door of the Medical Room, "Hi, Doc, how's Daniel?" I ask.
"In pain,but he'll live." Doc says, perching his glasses on his nose. I empty my pockets on his desk. The medicine makes a soft clinking noise as they hit the surface.
"Oh, good, Astrid. You can see Daniel if you like.
I walk into Daniel's room and sit beside him on the bed as he lies there.
"Hey, buddy." I say and pat his hand.
"Hey, Astrid." He squeezes my hand.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Daniel says and smiles a looney smile at me. I laugh, knowing he was on some medicine that made him loopy.
"Sure, shoot it at me." I say as Doc walks into the room.
"Clean his face off with this if you would. He told me last night when I tried that he doesn't like it when old men poke his face." Doc says and hands me a damp wash cloth. I nod and try not to laugh.
I scoot up closer towards the head of the bed and start to wash his face with the wash cloth. Daniel stares at me with his bright green eyes. His red hair is matted with blood. Doc leaves and Daniel pokes my face and I roll my eyes and smile.
"You have a pretty smile, Astrid Johnson." Daniel says.
"Sure, now tell me the secret, Daniel." I say.
Daniel brings his hand up to my neck and brings my ears closer to his mouth. He whispers, "The soldiers found out where we are and they are coming to get us on the first... second... third... fourth... fifth of this month." He laughs softly and then falls asleep.
I get up and run out of the room towards Ralph, the leader of us fugitives, screaming his name. Tomorrow is the fifth.
