The Refugees

Chapter 37: Ash

My eyes shoot open. This is it. This is the day. I cannot hesitate now. I can see Savannah's small frame in my arms, her face looking as innocent and peaceful as ever.

I'm going to miss this...

I snap out of my thoughts and get myself out of bed. She ended up sleeping here over the night but nothing happened. I wouldn't allow anything more to happen. It would only give her more reason to like me and therefore it would be more painful for her to forget me in the probable case that I won't make it back. I change quickly into my dark suit and grab all the weapons that I'll be needing tonight.

This is it.

I open the door as carefully as possible and close it behind me. I don't need her asking questions now. It's really not the time. I'm scared because some part of me doesn't want to go and wants to stay with her, and I'm scared she'll convince that part of me if she tries. 

Maybe I want to be convinced.

I hurry to the gymnasium, the meeting point to find Declan, Amber and a few other adults other than Robert and Evan. And then someone else catches my eye; Callie.

"No. Time to go back to your room." I order immediately.

She doesn't even flinch as her eyes stare hardly at me with an assured pride.

"Ash, I've been alone long enough to know how to take care of myself and if anything, it'll be helpful for you to have a partner."

"I don't care Callie, you're not going. It's way to dangerous!"

"So it's dangerous for me but not for you?"

"It's dangerous for all of us! And there's no way I'm letting you go."

"You let Amber go!"

"Amber isn't my sister and can make her own decisions based on the risks at hand and either way she only does long distance, she's not in as much immediate danger as we are."

"Then I'll stay with her. I'm good with long-distance shooting too."

"Callie..."

"It's fine Ash," I turn to look at Amber. "she can come with me, we'll be safe, I swear, and we can defend ourselves, you know that."

I sigh in defeat, there's no point arguing with them at this point.

"Stay safe..."

I start to walk out, needing some fresh air and some space. There's no way I could ever forgive myself if anything happened to Callie during this expedition. I already failed her once and I wouldn't fail her again. Knowing I couldn't protect her scared me more than anything else, even though I trust Amber.

The rest of the group comes out to join me and Robert approaches me.

"Everything will be fine with Callie. She'll be out of danger with Amber and it will all be okay but that's heroic of you for agreeing."

"There's nothing heroic about it, I'm already regretting that decision."

We all start towards the city of Gendale where we'll finally be able to do the right thing.

It's for every innocent person on this planet... It's for Savannah.

I just had to remind myself that it was worth losing my life for. That all of this was worth it in the end.