Hide and Seek

Chapter 13 - Survive

What's happening? I heard cries and sobbing, it rang in my ears and my head was pounding. I looked down my left leg and the knife was gone. Bloody bandages replaced the location the blade once was. I tried getting up but I couldn't.

"Arg!" I breathed clenching my teeth. I squinted observing the room.

These are the leftovers? There were at most 25 people in the room with me, hysterically crying and sobbing. These are most likely the batches from the two leaders. I used the wall behind me to stand up, pushing all my weight onto my right leg. I held onto the wall looking at the small group.

"What happened?" They all silently stared at me.

A booming voice came from behind.

"Delilah. Everything goes back to normal." I glanced behind me and it was an elder.

"We took care of the fire, go back to schedule as normal." They left and that was all they said.

I turned back to the small group. I wasn't sure what to say. My mind was wrecked, I couldn't think properly.

"Right... you heard what he said. Back to your duties.." I watched as each of them walked by, I felt their spirits broken. They blankly stared at the ground.

We all gathered in the kitchen and cafeteria. The kids cleaned what the elders couldn't and once we were done, we went back to our rooms. I sat in Jax's bed. What the hell happens now? I can't just leave without these kids. Will Jax really come back? I can't just depend on him to come, he could be dead. I focused on my leg. I should have left earlier instead of waiting for those two. This is my fault! I felt my eyes moisten, if I left earlier I wouldn't be here and Jax wouldn't have died. I pounded my fist on the shelf and it broke in half. I was filled with anger and frustration. I was so close! It's all over now, I'm done! I slumped onto the ground, tears unstoppable. What am I going to do now?

The days went on as usual as if the fire never happened. All my attempts of escape plans have failed. The elders have been keeping an eye on me to make sure I don't sneak anyone out or do another stunt. The games has been totally cancelled because of the lack of players and we have been restricted to the first floor of the building due to the low population and residence. It feels like a normal day but I can't shake this eerie feeling. I've been on my toes a lot, the elders are always giving me duties to complete. At the same time I've also kept count of the batches left. Still the same, 23 people. It's my responsibility to take care of them no matter what happens, I have to protect them.

I try my best to stay within a close distance with the batches but my other duties assigned have me running around the entire building. Since there weren't many leaders left I was entrusted with doing everything. It's been a week since the fire operation has taken place. I don't think they're coming back. I've totally lost hope, everyday it's become harder to push forward. It's distracting knowing that I really can't leave, my emotions trapping me here. I'm broken. There's absolutely nothing other than these kids keeping me going. If anything happens to them, my life will be entirely over like it has been all these years.

"Delilah? Delilah!" I jump up.

"Yes?"

"The elders are calling you to the judging room."