Clouds

Part 2-15 Cave

Part 15

            A sinking feeling in my stomach lets me know that something is wrong.  Jason is asleep; I can hear his quiet snoring.  I am lying awake, clutching my belly, looking up to the roof of our tent, getting the feeling that something is wrong.

            I had heard Jason talking to himself while I was out hunting, but that was the most peculiar thing I had heard.  He does tend to talk to himself, so it didn’t have me worried.  But I felt like I was being watched, and it certainly isn’t Jason.

            That is when I hear the voices outside.  I quickly stretch over to Jason’s sleeping body and shake him awake, holding my finger to my lips.  He nods and rises, his eyes toned with an expression I can’t quite make out.

            “I see a tent,” one of the voices says.  I scramble to put my glasses on and make sure I am completely dressed, my necklace and charm bracelet on, and my knife in my hand.  I nod to Jason and I see that he is holding his dagger.  My arrows and bow are nearby, too, and hidden from sight.

            “Who’s there?” The other voice whispers, shining a light into our eyes.  “Come out.”  Without looking at me, Jason crawls toward the entrance.  As he unzips the tent he turns to me and whispers, “I’m so sorry.”  I can see a single tear in his eye.

            I nod and feel like crying as well.  Jason has tried so hard to keep me safe, and he feels bad that this is happening.  I follow him outside.

            Jason has his hands in the air.  His eyes are wide.  My eyes widen too as my hands raise, staring at the gun pointed at my forehead.  These are no ordinary guards.  These are officers.

            “State your names.”  The first officer says, his navy blue uniform giving him away.  Officers are the few selected people chose to enforce the law in the major cities.  We must be closer to Briarwood, but still, I thought there were only officers in Briarheart.

            “Jason Lynch,” Jason says.  “And this is Diana Finch.”

            “The girl will speak for herself,” the officer holding the gun orders.  “Now, what are you doing camping here?”

            “We’re just on a trip,” I say.  “We thought it would be a good experience to camp here in Briarwood.”

            “Oh, really?” The guard asks, raising an eyebrow.  The second holds up a piece of paper, and my heart leaps out of my chest.  “Then why do you look like the girl on this poster, Miss Harless?”

            Complete chaos erupts.  Jason lunges towards the guard holding the gun, and knocks the weapon out of his hands.  Moving faster than any bullet it could shoot, he grabs it, and points it at the officers.

            “Don’t move or I’ll shoot,” he says.  “Diana, grab our stuff.  If I see anyone move, even the slightest bit, I will shoot.”  I hurry to grab my bag and our bow and arrows, along with Jason’s bag.  I exit the tent and return to the scene.  “Diana, go.  I will catch up later.”

            I don’t argue.  I know Jason will be alright, I can feel it.  For now, I need to worry about myself and get the heck out of there.

            I run, not looking back.  I run until I can’t run anymore, and then stop to catch my breath.  We can’t be too far from the Hedges, but to be safe I had better find a safe spot to wait.

            I come across a cave and crawl inside.  The entrance is half hidden by a thorn bush, so it isn’t a pretty sight when I crawl inside.  It is completely dark, making me wish that Jason would hurry.  Please, Jason, please be okay.