Cloud of Dreams (ON HOLD)

Nightmares

They were chasing me. I could feel their presence as I dashed through abandoned building after abandoned building desperately trying to get away from what ever creature was after me. I feel my foot drop in a hole and next thing I know im falling, tumbling through the earth. I could hear the laughter from somewhere above. the most evil and terrifying laughter ive ever heard...

My head jerks up and I hit it on the shelf above me.  Just a nightmare. I think. My breathing is stuttered as I try and force myself to calm down while rubbing my head. I look over next to me to see Caden, my only friend, sleeping peacefully.  lucky him. I think to myself. We live in the only livable room in the entire building. Suffice to say were the risk takers that live inside the citys so getting a whole room to yourself or sharing it with only one other person is very rare.  I get up and stretch looking around the shabby room. Grey walls, concrete floor, a borded up window, this was like a five star hotel around here. I look at our food supply and see that its gotten low. I decide to slip out and try to find some more before he wakes up. I pull on my only pair of pants which are black jeans, a grey tank top, my boots and a bow and a few arrows that I strap to my back. I quietly slip out and decend the two flights of stairs by jumping from landing to landing. I crawl out the only window that is only partially borded up and run down the street.  It feels so good to run. After being cooped up in that small room for days, being able to run is like heaven. I dash down block after block before I get to the only food source I know of in the city. I unstrap my bow and take out an arrow and notch it. Slowly I creep into the building being careful to stay hidden and keep quiet. I grab a few cans thinking that would be enough to last us through the week. as I turn to leave I see another person in the building. I duck behind a pillar and peer out from behind. I see a tough looking guy who cant be any older than me with a knife walking around looking at food. I hold my breath waiting for the right moment to run. I shove the cans in my pockets, hold my bow ready to fire, take a deep breath and run. I could hear the guy curse behind me as I sprinted out of the building. I felt something fly past my face and my cheek started to sting, the knife, I thought to myself. I reused to stop though. I kept running until I got a block away from our building. I looked around making sure no one was around before sliping through the window and running up to our room. Out of breath, I placed a shaky hand in my pockets and placed the cans in our food supply. I turn around and come face to face with a furious Caden.

"Where the hell have you been?!?" Caden screamed at me.

"I went to get food," I said, my voice shaky because ive never seen him so mad. His whole expression changed from furious to concerned.

"you got hurt..." he breathed, his eyebrows furrowing as he touched the cut on my cheek.

I winced, "its only a scratch," I muttered trying to turn away, but he held me firm.

"Its not just a scratch.  did you see it? was it rusted? dirty?"

"no it was clean I think"

He shook his head and muttered something I couldnt hear as he went to get some rubbing alcohol from our stock pile. I sat down on the floor and took off my boots. He came over and sat across from me dabbing alcohol on my cheek with a peice of fabric.

"You nearly scared me to death."

I only nodded

"what was I supposed to think? I woke up and you werent there. I couldnt leave because you took the bow. you could have at least left a note."

"I know, and im sorry, " I answered meekly, "I only thought I would be back before you woke up. I would have to if it werent for that guy..." I instantly regretted saying it as soon as it came out of my mouth.

"guy? what guy? did he do this to you?" Caden stopped dabbing at my cut as he spoke.  I couldnt tell if he was more angry or upset.

"yeah" I practically whispered.

"I told you I would get food. just so this wouldnt happen." He looked older at that moment and much more experienced. Like a boy that has seen much more than he needed to.

"I know you said that but I cant just stay locked up in this room" I said exasperated.

He grabbed my shoulders and shook me slightly,  "I cant loose you Renea...I cant" He added in a whisper.

I looked him in the eye, "You wont, I promise. "

He smiled weakly and finished cleaning my cut.