The Dome

Escape?

Emily's POV

Over the next couple of days, I noticed small things about my father that pissed me off. How he brushed Theo off after work. How he made sexist jokes. How he barely ever had time for me at home. I just had to act for a couple more mornings and evenings.

Day of Escape

Charlie's POV

I had supplies in a bag and I headed to Emily's house. I made sure to keep to the shadows, I couldn't let those Ministry agents see me. She had given me the address, I knew the streets of The Dome's residential area. There seemed to be more Ministry guards out today. I had watched the patrols the past couple of days, so we could get out safely, especially with Emily's brother. I'd figured out a route, it was a little long but there were fewest patrols on it. I text her, saying that I was outside her house. Moments later the door opened and she invited me in.

"Theo!" She called, a little boy appeared at the top of the stairs. "Yes Emy?" She beckoned him down. "This is my friend Charlie, we're all going on an adventure. Charlie is our leader, you gotta do exactly what he tells you, OK?" Theo looked me up and down suspiciously, I glanced around and saw a couple of bags and a little rucksack, presumably for Theo. "OK Emy." He finally said. "Hi Theo!" I said holding my hand up for a high five, he hit it with a grin. I turned to Emily. "Ready to go?" She nodded silently. I picked up the bags and helped Theo put on his rucksack. Emily lifted him to sit on her shoulders.

We set off and I was chatting to Theo about the adventure. He paused and not so secretly whispered "I like him better than Tom." She smiled sadly and rubbed his little knee. Suddenly, I pulled her into an alley. Polished boots marched past, they faded and I told her my route, she said that she knew an exit near there. I led her back into the street. She began talking to her brother about being quiet. I went slightly ahead and made sure there were no guards. We were now at the most risky part of the journey. "Do any of the Ministry guards or agents know you personally?" I asked, she shook her head. I turned to Theo. "Do any of the guys in uniforms know you? Do you ever go to work with your dad?" He shook his head, I glanced at Emily and she shook her head too. "OK, this is the only bit that's out in the open. If anyone asks we're going for a picnic on our own in the park. OK?" They both nodded.

Emily's POV

Charlie took my hand and led me into the street. He started talking to Theo about cars, I kept my eye out for someone we might know. After a minute a random girl came up to Charlie and clung to his arm. "Hey babe." She said. "Get lost Shannon." He replied monotonously, shrugging her off. "But babe." She whined, he stopped and let go of my hand. "Shannon! I'm not your 'babe' you're nothing to me, I'm nothing to you. Now get lost!" He was getting louder, one wrong move from her and our escape would be blown. "But why?" She whined again. I could see him getting angry. I had to do something. I did not want Theo to see violence or hear swearing, and we couldn't attract attention. I slipped my hand into his and squeezed it. "Hi, is there a problem babe?" I asked sweetly. This Shannon girl's mouth dropped open in shock. I grinned. "No babe, no problem." He smiled back at me. "If you'll excuse me Shannon, I have plans with my girlfriend." Shannon looked like she was about to explode, you could practically hear her brain whirring, trying to come up with something to say. She gave up and stalked off. "Bye bye crazy lady." Theo called after her. I laughed and rubbed his knee. "So, that was, weird." I said. "Yeah, she's my ex-girlfriend, we broke up over a year ago, I caught her cheating on me, she can't get it into her head that we're over, still dates other guys though." I laughed at how ridiculous and similar this bitch was to Tom. "Thanks for saving me back there." He smiled, I smiled back at him. "No problem."

We were now at a market in the street. I pulled Charlie into an alleyway. "What's wrong?" He asked. "It's my grandmother, I'll never get away if we run into her. She'll insist on taking us home or coming with us, then try to make you food." He laughed. "Do you know a different route?" I asked. He nodded and led me out the other end of the alley and behind some flats. I rubbed Theo's knee. "How are you doing baby?" "I'm sleepy Emy." He replied. "You can take a nap up there if you want baby, you'll be OK." He settled down on my shoulders. We walked in silence until his breathing slowed and he was asleep. "OK, ground rules. Theo sees no violence. Theo hears no swearing. If Theo is upset, we do something about it. If Theo's tired, we carry him. He eats and drinks, even if that means I go without. Finally, I make all  decisions that affect Theo by myself, but your opinion may be given. Understood?" Charlie looked at me in silence. "OK, chill blondie, I'll protect you both, from whatever's out there." I smiled at him. "So, earlier, Theo said he preferred me to Tom. Who's Tom?" I froze, I didn't know what to tell him, somehow, I felt the need to give him an explanation. "He's my ex, I caught him cheating on me a few days ago. I told Theo that we broke up and he admitted that Tom used to abuse him." Charlie caught on. "He thinks I'm your new boyfriend." I nodded. "Well, I'd like to be, if you'll let me." I smiled. "I'd like that."