The Tribe Of Liberty

Chapter 3: Dan

"The guy whose mission it is to save more lives than a nation could kill"..
That's an interesting way to introduce yourself but I'm not gonna pretend like I'm not slightly impressed by those words. "Erm..okay.."
"Name's Daniel or Dan or whatever you'd like to call me. But what are you doing out so late on your own? You know it's dangerous?"
"Yeah I do..But thanks..I don't know what I would have done if-.."
I was still in shock and this guy kind of made me nervous which made me appreciate the fact that it's too dark for him to see my facial expressions but at the other hand I would have liked to see his face more clearly.
"Don't worry. As I said, I'm trying to save lives so well, that's what I do. Even though, you know that might be a bit far fetched. I mean, I'm sure you can defend yourself."
"But either way..Thank you.."
"Don't mention it. You should probably head home or..is it far away from here?" he asked.
How is it that this guy doesn't even know my name but still seems to care about my safety more than anyone I know?
"No, it's just around the corner but erm..I appreciate it.."
"Okay well then, stay safe and have a good night.."
"Thanks.."
And that's how I've met him.
Then I only saw his shadow disappearing into the darkness of the night.
For a few seconds, I stayed exactly at the same spot just watching him fade away. A part of me even wished for him to turn around one last time but then it hit me that I don't want any more creepy guys approaching me and that my sister's home alone and went back.

When I arrived in my sister's room, I found her already sleeping peacefully.
So peacefully and unaware of what life is yet to bring for her.
That sight got me going to bed as well but I couldn't even think of getting sleep.
I was still in shock of what happened earlier and most importantly, I couldn't forget that guy, my "saviour".
Daniel. What a typical name but he's far from typical. I know nothing about him, but still I knew that he wasn't typical.
That first sentence he spoke to me repeated itself in my head again and again and it had me wondering: is he some kind of resistance fighter?
Can't be. Even though it doesn't seem too unlikely with him refering to the nation. It definitely sounded like that he was fighting against the system and that makes him far from typical.
That makes him brave and respectful and most of all human.

I always thought about joining the resistance but then again, it's too risky  and my parents don't share the same beliefs. I haven't met anyone that shares the same beliefs as me but then again, no one would be crazy enough to admit that in public.
I wouldn't either. But that makes me typical. That makes me a person who even though it hates it, doesn't change anything. That makes me ordinary. Going with the flow is easy and safe but sometimes I feel like I shouldn't.
I'd regret going with the flow.
And that guy made me realize that.
That guy I barely even know and I'm not even sure about being in the resistance made me realize that I shouldn't just look away and pretend like I'm okay with what's happening to the world.
I should change it.

The next day I went getting groceries with Avery I still thought about the incident that happened yesterday.
Why am I not able to forget about that mysterious guy who saved me?
It's not like he's some kind of superman but still, I admire him even though I don't know him.
But that incident wasn't supposed to be the only thing on my mind.
Just as we were about to enter the supermarket, there was a man who was chasen by policeman.
I had no idea what was going on and why the police was after him but I didn't hesitate to step in to stop the police.
After all it might have been a case for the death penalty if they get to catch the man and no matter what he's done he doesn't deserve that.

I quickly run towards the policeman and kick him in the back from behind hoping that this was going to at least make him stumble.
And it sure did!
He fell onto the ground and in that exact moment I knew I had to run as fast as I could or the policeman would chase after me next.
I ran and ran and ran and luckily the officer was no where to be found.
But so was my sister.
I can't believe I totally forgot about her!
She probably got scared and ran away.
"Avery?! Avery?!"
"We meet again", a familiar voice suddenly appeared.
I immediately knew to whom that voice belonged and I was in awe when I could finally see the face clearly which fits to that deep voice.
Dark hair, almost black, the bluest, most beautiful eyes I've ever seen and a smirky smile on a pale, exhausted looking face.
A beautiful face.
And with him there was another familiar person that was running directly into my opened arms.
It was Avery.
God, was I happy to see her safe and sound.
"Dovena!"
"Avery! I'm glad you're okay. I'm so sorry."

The man was still looking at me with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Thank you..again", I said still holding my sister in my arms but looking at him.
"No problem again."
He was still smiling and his smile was contagious. I could feel my mouth moving just by looking at his smile.
"We were just about to get groceries but-.."
"Don't justify yourself. There's no need."
He does have a habit of interrupting my sentences but I don't mind since I barely even get proper ones out in his presence.
"I saw what you did. It was really brave of you", he then admitted.
I was caught of guard by him saying that. I didn't know that he saw what I did and now I feel kinda embarrassed.
I just thought he'd found my sister and figured it was mine because of my shouting.
"You..you saw that?"
"Yeah I did and I gotta admit I'm really impressed. I mean you could have got yourself into serious trouble by stopping a policeman doing his work but obviously you don't really seem to care about that. Do you?"
His grin turned into a little laughter and as much as I tried not to laugh as well, I found myself doing it anyway.
"Well..I didn't really think about that in that moment. I just knew that I'd have to act fast to prevent anything.."
"But seriously, that takes a lot of courage. You-.."
And in that exact moment, we heard two policemen running and talking from behind us and we knew that we'd have to run fast or this won't end  nicely.
"Avery, we need to run!"
"Why?"
"Just do it please!"
All three of us were running as fast as we could and I felt a rush of guilt showering over me for dragging Daniel and my little sister into this.
They have nothing to do with it and I probably just shouldn't have done that.
I don't even know for sure whether me stepping in helped that guy who was on the run or if he got caught anyway, so maybe it wasn't even worth it and I got myself and two other people in trouble for nothing.

"Here" Dan pointed to a small alley which might even be good enough for us to hide or at least to catch our breaths for a few seconds.
"I can't run any longer" Avery muttered completely breathless.
"Don't worry. You don't need to" Dan reassured.
And he was right. We did manage to run away or at least for now.
"We just need to go a bit further down this alley and then we'll be fine."
What does he mean by that?
"How do you know?"
"Just trust me" he said and continued to guide us.
I  had absolutely no clue what was going on besides the fact that I was following a complete stranger who asked me to "trust" him and the worst part was that my sister was with me as well and I can't risk her to be in danger but on the other hand we can't go back either because the police will get us then.
So there's practically no other choice than to follow his lead but somehow that didn't make me feel too bad.
He didn't give me a reason to not trust him after all. He helped me twice.

We were still walking down that alley and I could see from the look in Avery's eyes that she was scared so I took her hand hoping that this gesture would comfort her.
Dan was ahead of us but kept looking back from time to time to make sure that we're still behind him and that the police is not.
"I almost get the feeling that you do this quite often. Running away from the police" I interrupted his thoughts.
"Maybe I do."
"Is he a bad guy, Dovena?" my sister suddenly asked.
It got him laughing again.
His laugh got me wondering how he does manage to stay so relaxed this while time while I'm having one of the biggest adrenaline rushes of all time.
"I like to think I'm not but everyone has to make up their mind for themselves. But don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you, little girl"
He's a way too smooth talker.
I'm not supposed to smile in this situation we're in right now.

The rest of the walk was silent and at the end of the alley we came across a small forrest where we entered a little  cabin made of wood.
It looked cosy but scary at the same time. This is how I'd picture where an alcoholic, abusive, sick old guy lives but apparently it's what Dan calls his "home or whatever it is for him. I can't quite believe for this to be it though.
"We're safe here " he assured while he took our jackets to hang them up on the rakes.
From the inside it looked like the house of a ranger instead of that there were mattresses laying all over the floor.
"My apologies. This is probably not the coolest place to live or to show to people but I'm pretty sure the police won't find us in here"
"So..you live here?"
"Temporarily yes. I feel like my answers are getting you nowhere though.
Maybe I should explain to you who I really am."