Surviving the S.T.R.I.P. (ON HOLD)

Chapter Two

Brynn

                Dread filled me from the top of my head to the tips of my boots. I knew from that moment that only one thing mattered to me anymore, and that was living. Even if it meant killing people with my own two hands on my own free will. There was no way I could let myself die. The S.T.R.I.P. was designed to kill, and I was determined to live through it.

                My head snapped up as the large iron door on the wall of what was now my room clicked unlocked. The heavy door swung open, and to my pleasure, my sister walked in. I stood from my small bench where I had been sitting and ran over to her. She threw her arms around me and wrapped me in a tight hug.

                “Brynn,” she whispered, combing through my hair with her fingers. “Are you alright?” Her voice held concern— anyone’s would! I nodded to make her happy, but by no means was I truly okay. I was scared for my life that I was sure some brute would take only minutes into the Strip. My sister knew me too well; she saw right through my lie. Before I knew it, I broke into tears.

                “Emma, I can’t do this! I’m going to die!” I buried my head in her shoulder and she held me close to her. A sweet scent of a flowery perfume floated into my nose. She always smelled so sweet.

“You're going to be okay,” Emma reassured me. “Listen to me, Brynn; you're going to be fine!” She squeezed me tight and my tears wet her shoulder. My breathing was ragged from crying so hard.

“Emma, don't let me go! Everyone is going to kill me!” I cried.

“Don't say that, Brynn!” she scolded. “You're going to live, I know it! You are smart and strong and you can fight. I've seen you fight, Brynn. You can do it!” Emma pulled away from me, taking my head in her hands. Her teary eyes met mine and she looked deep into my eyes. “I love you, Brynn. Don't ever forget it. You'll be okay.” With that, she pulled me into another hug. I always loved her hugs. I knew I would miss them more than anything.

When we broke apart again, she slid her hand discreetly into her long, brown raincoat. The weather had been acting up and I was only praying it would be dry by the time we entered the Strip. From four years of color guard spent marching with the band at football games, I knew that running in mud wasn’t a pleasure. Emma's hand slid back out of her pocket, and a small, silvery glint caught my gaze. A small silver dagger fell into my open hands.

I looked down at it in awe, then back up at my sister. The gift left me speechless. Our eyes met, and her gaze seemed to give me a reassuring smile.

“I... Em… I don't know what to say...” I whispered so that the security cameras couldn’t hear. She only put a finger to her lips and smiled. Then she took the dagger from my hands and bent down to the level of my shoes. My brown, leather boots went up almost all the way to my knee, with my dark jeans tucked into them. Emma undid one of the buckles, slid the dagger and its sheath into my boot, and buckled it up again.

Then she stood and said to me with utmost conviction, “Your boot was unbuckled. I had to fix it; it was driving me insane. I smiled and hugged her again, my tears finally drying on my cheeks.

“Thank you,” I whispered to her. I felt her nod gently on my shoulder. This might just be the thing that saves my life, I thought to myself.

The sound of the large metal door unlocking and flying open snapped us back. Our time was up. A tall S.T.R.I.P. guard pulled my sister off me and dragged her forcefully back. We both knew not to fight him, but that didn't stop Emma from shouting out to me one last time.

“I love you, Brynn! Stay alive for me! I'll be watching! Stay safe!” I smiled sadly to myself as the door slammed shut. I didn't even have time to say my final goodbye. My smile faded quickly and the tears came back. I sat on the small cot my tiny room had to offer.