Her eyes started glazing over in a shock and she was paling and swaying. I pushed the running people out of my way, trying to get to her in time. Panic was powering me foward, the fear of watching her fall and get trampled in this monstrous crowd. I reached her just in time. She looked at me for a split second before her eyes slid shut and she tipped over into me. I carefully scooped her up in my arms, tipping her head into my chest to protect her from getting clipped by the frantic people running around. Despite the chaos and danger, I couldn't help but feel a warmth of pleasure holding the defenseless Estelle in my arms. She was always so strong. Strong of mind, heart, and body. She protected her family every day at every turn, and here she was, so peaceful looking in my arms.
Carefully, but as quick as possible I made it back over to the flag pole where her family was still trying to keep together. Her mother's eyes became very wide and worried when she saw me carrying her unconscious daughter.
"Is she alright? What happened?" Her mother cuddled the child in her arms closer, leaning on the pole for support.
"She fainted when they took Darius. I think she'll be ok, she isn't hurt." I scanned over the scared children. This was Estelle's family, all she had, and I knew what it meant to her, because I knew what it would mean to me to have a family like hers. "But look, you can't stay out here in the street, and you probably shouldn't stay in the city either, there will most likely be riots, and chaos for a while now."
The sister right under Estelle in age, Celine I believe is her name, squared her shoulders and stood up a little taller, just as Estelle did when faced with a challenge. I smiled a little seeing their likenesses. All of these children adored Estelle, and I wasn't even sure if she realized how much.
"Mother, we can't stay at the house, with all of the boarders and their belongings, it's sure to be broken into. We have to think of a new place to stay, and we have to think fast, because I don't know how long we have before another rush of soldiers is sent out." Celine said in a low tone to her mother. Her mother nodded, but stayed very quiet, evidently she wasn't going to be much help, she was too worn out to assess the entire situation. I could tell Celine was used to taking care of the family, but she still looked scared as she thought about all of the options. If not for the deafening noise of the crowd, I think I could have heard the wheels turning in her head as she tried to come up with a plan. "And what are we to do about Estelle? We can't leave her here, but I can't carry her." With a hint of panic in her voice, she turned to me, her eyes glistening with tears. Her mother was already sobbing quietly from the shock and stress, Celine though was trying very hard not to. She kept her shoulders squared, although they started to drooping when she noticed her mother sobbing, and the terrified look on the faces of the children looking up at her.
"I have an idea." Celine's shoulders relaxed a little as I spoke, and everyone listened intently. "I know a man outside the city, I can give you the directions to get there and you can tell him I sent you. He has a farm where the some of the soldiers met in secret during the wars, there are many secret underground hideouts on his land, and if you mention my name I'm sure he will give you lodging, food, and work. We will most likely have to work out something better for when things settle down and the soldiers start dropping by, but it should keep you safe until the chaos dies down." I paused and looked at all the dirty little faces looking at me. So many children stared at me, most of which were blood related, but a few were orphans from the street that Estelle took in as family. She couldn't leave them to starve or be sold as slaves, so she brought them in, fed them, clothed them as best she could, and gave them chores, setting up a support system for her family. She loved them all, I knew, and seeing them all together I could see why: these children needed her, they needed a mother, or a mother like figure at least, and that's what Estelle was. I shifted Estelle's wieght in my arms and continued on. " I will take care of Estelle..."
"But you... Mother he... !" Celine tried to object.
"Listen, you can't take her with you! As soon as the soldiers see that she hasn't signed herself to the state, or registered as a couple, then she will be sold as a slave or killed! No, you go to the farm, and I'll do as best I can to take care of her ok? You have to trust my judgement, there is nothing you can do for her."
Celine closed her eyes, as the tears spilled over, but she nodded in agreement with me. She put a hand on her mother's shoulder, and her mother stopped sobbing and wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked as she spoke, so she cleared her throat and spoke again. "I'm sorry." I nodded to show I understood. "I think trusting you is about the only option we have right now."
"Mother is right." Celine agreed.
"Good. Let's move quickly then out of the square, if we don't hurry you won't reach the farm before dark."
"Come children, it's time to go now!" Celine paired them up again and counted to make sure they were all there.
"Stick together." Said her mother.
"Let's go." We started moving through the crowd then, away from the pole and towards the outer edge of the square, making our way through the people running around in frenzies. I spoke quietly to Celine as we walked giving her direction to the farm. Her mother followed behind, sandwhiching the children together, keeping anyone from getting separated. "After we leave the square, take the back street parallel to the main street, down toward the French coffee shop. Do you know where that is?" She nodded that she did. "From there follow the old bus route to the outskirts, when you come to a battered old side road, once called Forrest drive, follow that out to the farm lands."
"I think I know the way, there is an apple orchard that way isn't there?"
"Yes, there is one about a mile off from the farm."
"Ok, I know how to get out there then. Who is this man? And which of the farms is his?"
"The man you are looking for is called Raymond, his farm is the second one you will pass by."
"Ok. I can do this." Celine said it mostly for her own benefit, nodding to herself nervously. I stopped at the edge of the square, where we had to part ways. She would be leading them onwards out of town, and I would be going right to my apartment, and to find some of my soldier mates, to see what I could do for Estelle. I looked at Celine, and shifted Estelle's wieght again.
"Yes, you can do this. Take care of your family and I'll contact you again as soon as I can." The corners of her mouth pirked up in some what of a smile.
"Thank you Myles." I nodded and took off as quickly as I could. My apartment was only a few blocks from the square, and I wanted to get there now.
