Hide and Seek

Chapter 12 - Fire

Jax and I woke up for the last meeting. Today was the day we would carry out our operation. My heart was beating loudly in my chest. We gathered in Jax's room. Once everyone was present Jax began the discussion.

"Alright. You all know what today is. We have everything prepared correct?"

"Yes, everything is ready."

"All the records?"

"Yes, we've gathered the majority." Jax nodded and pulled out a map of the building.

"We will all evacuate using the back, the doors are heavier and more difficult to open after they're locked. We will have some outings beforehand, try and get as many people as you can while you can."

For the whole conference we went over our plan and solved possible complications. Afterwards, we were dismissed and went for the first outing of the day. I managed to gather 15 people and lead them to the backdoor when the coast was clear. I handed them their documents.

"Remember. if you walk two kilometers in that direction, there's a dirt road. Followed it in either direction and you'll eventually find houses, towns and cities. Make sure you go to the police first. Be careful." I gave each of them a hug before watching them leave.

"Thank you Delilah." I gave them a smile as they disappeared into the treeline.

The sun was going to start rising soon and the elders would wake up. I needed to get at least a few more before they do. I rushed and got 20 more people. I saw Jax at the doorway, he recently let some out before I got there, he helped me give their documents and told them the instructions.

"Walk two kilometers in that direction until you see a dirt road. It doesn't matter if you walk left or right, follow it and you'll eventually reach a city. When you do, contact the police." We watched them disappear and we rushed inside.

"How many times have you done an outing?" I stared at Jax, he placed the documents on his desk.

"That was my third one." I nodded and placed my documents on top of his.

We went on with our normal duties until afternoon food preparation. I usually supervised this round and took everyone to the backdoor outside handing out their documents, repeating the instructions to them. I went back and there was another group of people. I waited for Jax and other batch leaders that the coast was clear. They patrolled the corridors while I lead the kids out.

"Delilah." I turned around, Jax nodded. I motioned everyone to follow me.

I lead them out and did the same thing with them. That's until I came back to the kitchen to see everyone in the cafeteria. I peeked through the serving window. The elders were all on the same table. I heard from one of the batch leaders that they were preparing for the meeting. Jax was the one that lead another batch to the back. Soon everyone was in the cafeteria as we tried to gather everyone else doing other duties around the building outside. We were successful. We managed to let everyone else escape. I tried counting heads. There were less than 200 people in the cafeteria, not including the elders. We were really trying to get as many people as we could outside through outings before the fire alarm in any way possible. All of a sudden I call three kids who were working in the kitchen while I was supervising.

"Number 3491, 2904 and 2201. I'd like to speak to you." They came into the kitchen and I handed them over to one of the batch leaders. She lead them to the back.

There... three more, how long are they going to be here? Hurry up and finish eating already! I waited and as they left I called Jax. He watched the leaders and they went into the office. We managed to get at least 30 more people to the back due to them cleaning up in the kitchen and cafeteria after everyone left. Throughout the day until evening food preparation we ended up sneaking out at least 95 more people out. Either in groups or calling them one by one from their rooms. There were at most 100 people left just by my estimation.

Each of the batch members had about 15, and since there were only 7 batch leaders with a group and the rest patrolling, I knew these were the only ones left. We all switched documents corresponding to the people we had in our groups. I stayed in the kitchen with Jax. We had exactly 15 people in the kitchen, some cleaned, while others cooked and prepared. I kept glancing at Jax, I was waiting for him to give a signal so I could send it to the batch leaders close by. One of the kids cooked and small flames were produced, they tried to keep it small but it later consumed the whole pan then the whole room. Jax nodded and I ran to the door giving a thumbs up to the leader around the corner, they went to distract the elders.

The fire alarm was pulled and we evacuated everyone to the back. It was certainly dim outside. We gave each of them their documents and instructions. They rushed into the darkness. My heart was racing, my hands trembled as I helped other batch leaders with their documents.

"Stay safe alright?" I patted their heads as they ran with smiles on their faces.

"Thank you!" My tears streamed down my face. This is going to be the end.

We went through more groups until we were finally with the last one, we handed their documents and told them the instructions. They ran away and I counted the leaders left. There were only eight of us, two more were inside and they had kids! We all stood frozen in place, our sweat was running cold. Marissa pulled on my arm.

"We can't stay here, this is our chance to leave! We have to go!" Ray nodded.

"Even if they're still in there we can't do anything it's too risky, we need to leave, this place is going to burn."

Jax reassured me.

"We did everything we could, everyone else escaped. We have to do the same." I nodded and started my sprint with them.

"Oh no you don't!" I got pulled back by two people into the burning building.

"You're staying with us Delilah!" I forced myself to move, it took everything.

"Delilah!" Everyone stopped and held up their weapons.

"Let her go! Right now." I started to explode, no! NO! I'm so close! Please! Jax came running towards me holding his hand gun.

"Let her go!" The two leaders held a knife to my throat, I can feel its cool temperature.

"Put your weapon down and we'll let her go." I shook my head.

"Jax, don't!" They pulled my hair.

"Shut up bitch. Put your weapon down Jax! We'll kill her right here!" The blade slowly cut through my skin, I felt my blood trail down my neck.

"Fine!" Jax threw his weapon and placed his hands over his head. The two leaders laughed.

"Good." Jax clenched his teeth.

"Now it's your turn." The two laughed.

"Hahahaha! Did you really think we'd let her go? We're keeping her. Say goodbye to Jax, Delilah." They pulled out a gun and shot Jax in the stomach.

"Jax!" My tears fell. I got out of the leaders grip and ran over to him.

"Jax? Jax!" I held him in my arms. He was losing a lot of blood. Marissa, Alrine and Ray ran over. The leaders held a gun in their direction, they couldn't move.

"Don't you fucking dare."

"Jax, please!" He looked up at me and smiled.

"Delilah, I'll come back for you. Survive for me okay?" He closed his eyes, pulse... pulse... where's his pulse?! I couldn't find it, not on his neck or wrist.

"That's enough." The leaders pulled me back into the building.

"No! I'm not leaving Jax!" I fought them but I felt something warm, followed by a sharp stinging pain in my leg.

I glanced to my leg in horror. A knife pierced my calf, blood ran down my leg and got soaked up in the grass. I tried getting up but it was no use. It hurt to stand.

"You can't leave anymore." I can't, move!

I got dragged back into the building as I watched Jax slowly fade from my vision.