Running from Family

Chapter 3: Captivity

When Kari woke up, the first thing she noticed was the decaying corpse in the corner. Luckily, upon closer inspection, it wasn't a family member. Well, that was a relief. She looked around her cell. Her brothers were there, as was Sam, but the adults were nowhere to be seen.

"Sam," Kari asked. "What do you think they'll do to us?"

"They're kidnappers. They'll chop up our livers or something as disgusting." Sam responded flatly. Kari shivered.

A few days passed, as did many soldiers. The children were fed, and they had beds, but nobody ever talked to them. They only had each other.

One day, Kari had decided enough was enough. "What do you want from us, you crazy people?" She yelled. The soldier delivering the food looked at her. "That's for Red Leader to decide." They replied in a monotone voice.

Kari was frustrated. Her anger was threatening to spill over the edge. They'd taken away her phone. She couldn't contact anyone. The isolation was driving her and the other children crazy.

After a few more days of this brutal treatment, they were finally let out of the cell. Kari resisted the urge to punch the guard in the face. The four were supplied with clothes that were oddly similar to the uniform all the soldiers were wearing.

"You two are now Junior Corps members. You will be expected to act accordingly and not in a traitorous manner. Be lucky you are being kept alive." The guard said to Kari and Sam, before turning to Kenny and Kevin. "You two are too young to be soldiers in training, so you will be staying in our educational system full time before being dropped off at your dorms."

"Your family is alive, by Red Leader's orders only. We are not permitted to discuss their location with you. Your grades will be monitored and sent to Red Leader. He has taken an interest in the four of you, especially you. (Here he pointed at Kari.) It would be unwise to attempt escape, so don't bother trying. Miss Kari, this is your dorm."

The guard had stopped outside a door. It had two name plates on it.

Kari Scott
Lucy Morgen

Kari hesitated for a moment, then hugged her brothers and Sam, and walked in.

The dorm was a cluttered mess on one side. Kari could only assume that the clean side was hers. She appreciated her roommate keeping it clean. There was a twin bed, a wardrobe and a desk. On the desk was Kari's phone, fully charged and... Wow, that was a lot of missed phone calls from Ava.

Kari clicked on one, and typed in her password. Her phone rang twice, then Ava picked up.

"Kari! Where are you, everyone's been so worried!"

"I'm fine. The Reds captured me, but I'm fine."

"Did they get your parents too? Is that why the school hasn't been able to contact them? Your entire family is on the missing list!"

"Wow. Well, you can tell the police where I am, but I have no clue how I'll get out of here."

"You'll think of something. If it's any consolation, you're really smart."

"Thanks Ava. You should go to the police now, tell them what you know."

"Oh, yeah! Bye Kari! Good luck!"

Ava hung up the phone. It had been just at the right moment too, as two girls walked in a second later.

"-And I told him she was cheating on the shooting range, so she has the audacity to accuse me of gun theft! Then I get a detention for something I didn't even..."

The girl holding what appeared to be an exam paper stopped talking and looked at Kari. "Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm Kari. I'm your new dorm mate, apparently." Kari replied.

"Oh, I wondered why someone else's name was on my door. I'm Lucy Morgen, and this is Maya Fender."

"Well, it's nice to meet you. Would either of you mind giving me a tour?"

"Sure! Follow us!"

Lucy led Kari along a corridor of doors. This was where all the other dorms were. "Junior Corps range from 12 to 18, and we're separated by gender so there are no teenage pregnancies." Lucy explained. "You're 15, so you're starting a little late, but whoever signed you up must have thought you were capable."

"I'd like to know who signed me up too." Kari mumbled.

They carried on until they reached what appeared to be a very large common room. "This is the lounge, where we go to relax when we're not in our dorms. Junior Corps members only." Maya said. It was somewhat crowded, and everyone was either studying or talking to people. Sitting on one of the sofas, looking very uncomfortable, was Sam.

"Sam!" Kari cried out, running over and hugging her cousin. He clearly hadn't expected it, but hugged her back anyway once he realised who she was. It was nice to see a familiar face in this room filled with strangers.

"Kari!" Sam whispered, and hugged her back.

"Sam, we'll get out of here. I phoned Ava, who's going to call the police. They'll get us out. Don't worry."

"How do you know they'll come?"

"I don't. But let's hope that they do."

Kari sat down on the sofa next to him.

"Any idea where Kenny and Kevin are?"

"No clue. I got separated from them shortly after you did."

Kari groaned. Her cousin was fine, but she had no idea where her brothers were.

"Uh, who is this?" Lucy asked, having walked over.

"This is my cousin Sam. He's 12, and he's the only one who carries my Mum's family's surname in this generation. Sam, this is Lucy and Maya. They're my friends, I guess." Kari explained, introducing the three.

"Hi." Sam said. He had never been good with introductions. The two smiled warmly at him.

"Well," Lucy said, grabbing Sam's hand, "Why don't we carry on with the tour?"

Meanwhile...

Arthur wearily opened his eyes to find himself tied up in an office. A young man was sitting at the desk, cigar in hand. The badges on his coat proved that he was of high rank. There was only one person that he could be. Red Leader.

"Hello, Arthur Larkson. I've wanted to meet you for so long." Red Leader said, putting out his cigar on an ashtray.

"What do you want from me?" Arthur yelled at him. Red Leader chuckled, and got up from his desk.

"My men said that it took 3 soldiers to hold you down, but that doesn't surprise me, seeing as your son inherited your strength."

"Albert? He's alive?"

"Oh no. He's dead. You don't have to worry. But I'm glad you brought him up."

Red Leader was standing right in front of him now. Arthur could feel his hot breath on his face.

"I want to have a little talk about family."

Hey guys! Sorry about not updating for months, I... don't have an excuse other than procrastinating. That means those character descriptions aren't coming your way, but I will be making drawings. I'm going to try to write more frequently now, so expect more updates soon!

-Star