My Light in the Darkness

Stranger

There was a vague ringing in my head when I finally woke. I raised my hand to the back of my head and instantly winced. As I brought it to my face to inspect it, my finger tips were coated in red. Infront of me, Gabby was knelt on one knee, her mouth was moving but I couldn't hear any of the words. When I looked past her, I saw Thomas with a knife pressed against a blond boys neck.

I sat up and rubbed small circles with the palm of my hand against my forehead. I looked back to Gabby and nodded my head with whatever she was saying. She gave me a knowing look, saying "don't bullshit me Abby." She stood back to her feet and held her hand out. Before grabbing it, I looked back to the blonde boy now trapped under Thomas's foot.

Gabby didn't wait for me to focus back on her before pulling me to my feet. I stumbled a bit, but when I finally gained my ground, the ringing in my ear ceased to a stop.

"Who are you!?" I heard Thomas spit at the poor boy. The blonde stumbled over his words, his hands in the air begging for mercy.

"Thomas," I said, trying to gather his attention. "Give him a break. He's terrified." I saw a flutter of hesitation in Thomas's actions, but he eased his weight on the boys chest only a little.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of movement. Slowly, I walked over to Gabby, leaning in close to her ear. "His people are in the bushes. You get Thomas and run when I tell you. I can outrun and out climb you both." Her figure tensed, but this wasn't our first rodeo.

"Meet us at the Shack downtown. If you can't, the old Laser Tag building and hide. Me and Thomas will come get you in an hour if you aren't at the Shack." Without another word, she walked to Thomas.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she raised to her tippy toes to speak in his ear. Thomas looked horrified of our decision, but removed himself from the boy at once. I took Thomas's place, and told them to leave.

"I'm a little easier to talk too," I tried giving him my warmest smile. "What's your name?"

"Corbyn." He said, his voice shaking only a little.

"Good. Now, Corbyn, I know you have people in the bushes waiting for me to do something, anything for an excuse to kill me. So I won't do anything." With that, I took myself of of him. I extended my hand out for him to grab.

Looking skeptical, he grabbed it. I pulled him to his feet, and once again, extended my hand for him to shake. He took the gesture.

I was about to run, when I figured we weren't done. "Don't tell your boys to come after us after I treated you with respect." I turned my head, scanning the bush line. I only saw shrubs or green and black, but no movement. "If you ever see me again, come say hi. I might not kill you," I chuckled to ease the mood, and ran from him.

I didn't check to see if I was being followed for at least 2 blocks. It would show that I was unsure, almost like a weakness, so I kept my eyes forward and my mind on one place; my place.

My place was a cliff side overlooking the water that remained untouched by the population. It was surrounded with bushes and only enough room for 2 people to sit comfortably on the edge. It was a safe place and since I couldn't lead the stranger and his people to my sister, I would lead them there instead.