Loyalty

Chapter Two: Beginnings

I groaned as i pushed a dirty blonde strand of hair off my face. Opening my eyes slightly to see a mop of brown hair hovering over my face. I screamed as i rolled out of the way, thinking something horrible was happening, only to be awoken to my senses by a light laugh.

"Jesus Christ, V, don't give me a heart attack. I thought you were dead for a second. Don't you dare do that again. I can't believe you..."

"For God's sake. SHUT UP." I interrupted, glaring at him angrily, as i grabbed the edge of the nearest desk, that was currently balancing on three legs and pulled myself up. Watching as the table crashed to the floor, landing in a dusty heap. "Sorry... remind me. What are we going to do?" I began, as another loud bang thundered across the sky. Red flashes and large clouds of smoke bellowed up from buildings that seconds later went crashing to the ground.

"So, you know. We were half way through planning about running away together, going to another country and changing our names to Bob and Jeff." Liam replied, sarcasm rolling of his tongue. I merely rolled my eyes in response as i grabbed my backpack, throwing books out and swinging it over my back.

"I was thinking more along the lines of getting out of the city..." I sighed as i nodded my head towards the door, where we had already seen some students leave, others were panicking running around and trying to get into groups. Another loud bang echoed across the city, seemingly a lot closer than the last. "NOW"

We both made our way to the door. Running down the hallway, i hesitated outside the elevator and sighed as i read the red words flashing across it, no entry, use emergency stairs. I sighed in despair, i wasn't used to running, i took the tube everywhere, and if i couldn't get the tube, i didn't go.

"Ehh, was it too much to hope?" i asked Liam as we ran towards the emergency stairs, i saw him fling himself into the door dramatically before nearly tripping over his own feet. He steadied himself before continuing down the stairs, his cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment as he shook his hair out of his face.

"Guess it was, if only." He once again dramatically flung himself down the stairs, as if to add to his point more. The ground shaked again, sending both me and Liam flying into the wall. I pushed myself backwards and allowed myself a moment to steady myself.

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By the time we had reached the ground floor, we were both exhausted. I can say neither of us were very fit, or did any running.

I flung open the outside glass door and stepped out into the hot air. Taking in a shaky breath as i looked around me. Rubble was lying in the streets, people stood by the side of the road crying.

I jumped out of the way as a car slammed on its breaks in front of me and an arm hauled me out of the way. I turned around to see Liam staring at me, a slight concerned look creeping onto his face.

"You okay?" He asked, the concerned look softening as i nodded my head and regained my stability. "What do we do now?" He asked, i don't think he really expected an answer, i don't even think the question was directed towards me.

                                                                                          ~~~

We both just stood their as our old college building lit up in flames behind us, our senses failing us as another bomb went off somewhere else in the city. I could feel the ground vibrate as my senses kick started back to life.

I ran forwards, waving my arm to Liam, signalling him to follow until we reached a car that was abandoned on the sidewalk. I walked forwards testing the door handle, which was thankfully open and i climbed in.

We managed to hot wire the car, which was probably a waste of time as we didn't manage to get far in the car. About three miles down the road, we hit with stand still traffic. Horns were blaring as well as sirens from, fire engines and ambulance that were rushing to the aid of the injured.

Instead of waiting, Liam swung the car door open, and flung himself outside, nearly taking the wing mirror of the car beside. I followed his actions, managing to reach the path and grab onto him before he disappeared into the chaos around us.

We set off down the road on foot, barging our way past people who were rushing around in the streets, attempting to find somewhere safe to stay. I doubted anywhere could escape the wrath of the unknown bombers.

                                                                                          ~~~

We kept running and didn't stop, although my lungs burned and my legs ached, i willed myself to keep running until we at least reached the edge of the city, then perhaps it would be safer.

By the time we actually reached the edge of the city, the sun was sinking low in the sky, taking with it the lives of so many that had ended that fateful day. Overhead there were no clouds in sight, just trails left by the planes, the unknown planes that had destroyed everything.

I glanced down at my phone as i stopped running, seeing if i could get any signal to contact my family and friends. Liam took his own phone out trying the same thing to no prevail.

The two words blared at me, sending anger through my viens

NO SIGNAL...

I wanted to die. I was exhausted, had nowhere to sleep, and had o way of knowing if my family was even alive, let alone healthy and safe.

                                                                                              ~~~

I glanced up at the sky, the last signs of the suns warmth and light disappearing behind the mountains in the distance. I let out a long, shaky sigh, slumping onto the floor and leaning back against the cold stone wall behind me.

The bombs seemed to have stopped, but knowing technology, they were nuclear bombs, meaning it wasn't safe to be anywhere near where they were dropped without the specific equipment, which we certainly didn't have.

After a moment of lying on the floor, i stood up and steadied myself, i glanced over at Liam who quickly stood up, presuming i had a plan. Which i did... of sorts.

"We need to keep moving, otherwise we may get affected from radiation from the bombs. If we move quickly we may be able to make it to a small town before it gets too late." I waited for his response.

"Probably for the best, maybe we can steal a motorbike while we're at it?" He said in a joking tone but i knew he meant it, and it would be helpful so i said nothing as i spun around and started making my way out of the last cluster of buildings and into the darkness.