Us Against The World

Chapter 8

Jexton and I walk for what seems like forever when I stop because I see something in the distance. "Pretty isn't it?" Jexton asks and I nod with a smile. 

In the far distance ahead, a large gated community with lights along the fences and potted trees at both sides. There were houses and tall buildings toward the back. It didn't have as much as a normal city would, but there was enough. As Jexton and I drew nearer to the small town, we paused simultaneously to take in the view in front of us. 

"I usually come here for food and water." Jexton said a bit quieter than usual. I smiled and sighed of relief. Finally something to eat! And my throat had been getting a little dry from the heat; I already drank all the water I brought with me, and Jexton and I shared the small bit of food I packed as well.

"We have to sneak in... make sure no one sees. Can you do it?" Jexton asks and I give him a reassuring look nod. He nods back and inches closer to the gate. He waved his hand without looking at me, motioning to follow him. My heart pounded as we slipped through the small entrance. Happy with our success and not being seen, I moved to stand but Jexton gave me a warning glare. I quickly put my head down and stayed behind him. I followed him along the stone brick walls of the inside of the small community. 

"See that building over there?" Jexton whispered with his finger pointed at a skyscraper in the near distance. It is by far the biggest building in the town. I nodded and shifted to a kneeling position. "That's where we need to go. Stay behind me." Jexton's orders were firm and I had no choice but to obey him. I don't want to be taken by the Consilium military. They will surely kill both Jexton and I on the spot if they see us.

We crawl against the stone brick wall for a good five minutes before Jexton stops and I bump in to him. "Sorry!" I whisper a bit too loudly and he shushes me. "Who's over there?" a deep voice yells. My heart begins to pound as Jexton quickly stands and begins running. "Hurry!" he calls back to me. It takes me a minute to come back into reality then I finally follow him. Footsteps slushing behind me caused my adrenaline to make me run faster. I even ran ahead of Jexton a few times.

"Over there!" Jexton yells and I realize he's pointing to the building we were supposed to go to. He runs to the side of the building and ducks under a window. I stay standing and look around. I was in a trance again. All voices around me were muffled and I can only see the beauty that surrounds me. I'm snapped back into reality once again when I feel a pinch on my right forearm. My eyes refocus and I look down to find a gunshot wound. I look up at the man who shot me and begin to cry.

Holding my arm as an attempt to stop the bleeding, I run over to Jexton who is standing by the door of the building. "In here!" he yells and opens the door for me to enter. As I begin to turn around, I hear the door slam behind me. 

"Jexton?" I ask in the mild darkness. The small window on the door slid open and Jexton's face appeared through it. "What are you doing out there? They'll kill you!" I yelled, running to the door. Jexton shakes his head and smiles. He grabs ahold of my mask and yanks it off of my face; then shoves me back. "We don't have room in this world for people like you." he says and slams the window shut.

My heart sinks and I fall to the floor. I ignore the pain that shoots through me from landing on the hard cement floor. I can't help the tears seeping from my eyes at the betrayal I have just experienced. I always recognized suspicion within Jexton, but I cannot believe this is how I had to find out.

 When I escape, or if; I do not know how I will go about my mission alone. I need a companion, but after what happened with Jexton, I'm not sure that I can trust anybody. Jexton reminded me of what it was like to have friends. To need somebody even if you don't think you do.

The world is dangerous—very dangerous, and I made the wrong decision. I regret leaving my mother. I cannot imagine what had gone through her head when she discovered my missing presence. The feeling is indescribable. I feel terrible. Regretful. Sinful. I want to go home, but I know I can't.