Red Spider Lilies [TPN]

Chapter 1

"Hey, Ray, what are you doing?" I say, leaning against the door frame. "Being a nerd, most likely."

He rolled his eyes. Of course, he doesn't like being teased, even though he loves to do it himself.

"Hey, Emma, nothing much just minding my own business." He glances up, hiding a small smirk with his book. "Not that you would know what that means."

I chuckle and stare at my feet for a second.

"Hey, Ray, you wanna go out today? The sun is out, summer is almost here, and we have no classes. Also we're done with out chores for the day." I step into his room. "Come on, everyone else is busy."

He rolled his eyes. "What about Norman? That guy always makes room for you."

"Yeah, well Norman is feeling a bit under the weather. You should know that I wouldn't come bother you if Norman was free."

Ray doesn't say anything for a minute, deciding what he's going to do today.

"I'll go-"

"Really?!"

He glares at me quickly before relaxing his face.

"Only if I get to decide your outfit."

"Okay, why?"

He sat up. "I want you to make you look as dumb as possible of course."

—-

I open my eyes, I'm falling asleep. I don't now why.

Could it be the air? Did I get enough sleep? Can you fall asleep due to hunger?

"Come on, Emma, you're so close to the farm. Maybe Ray has food... they probably do, they're always so prepared." I pause and smile at myself. "Unlike me."

I cough as I laugh. Have I always sounded this funny? Maybe it's the air making me think like this, but then again the other children always found me funny.

I wonder where they are.

Maybe they left safely, children under 16 got first pick to leave the area by allied forces. Sadly I didn't quite make the cut, since I'm almost 18 and all.

"I sure hope so. I wonder where Gilda and Don are though, they are 16. Maybe the soldiers made an exception for them. Maybe-" I stop, my face slowly showing a grin under the scarf.

I've made it. I'm here. I dont think I've felt this kind of joy before.

I start to run as fast as my body allows me to. And even though I'm starved and dirty, I could still beat Ray and Norman in a race.

I try to slide the barn door open, its heavy but I have to do this. Finally, with what I have left in me, I get it open.

"Ray?!" I scream. Nothing. "Hey-"

My screaming is stopped by a strong force pulling me in and throwing me on the floor. This has to be Ray or someone insane.

"Hey, dumb dumb,"

Oh thank god its him.

"I would prefer if you didn't yell in a dead silent area. Well unless you like the idea of maybe dying."

I groan as I rub my head. "What..? Gosh, you didn't have to throw me. Yanking me in is enough."

He stretches out his hand, a smile too.

"I had to get you to stop screaming. You never know if there's still some soldiers. You know that they still haven't taken them down yet." His smile is cool and reassuring. "We're in the final stages of war, we are still in danger."