Deep Down

Clothes

We were walking around in the streets now, night had fallen and Devina had said that as long as we avoid big lights we would look like normal people walking. She led us, while Dakota clung to my hand. The twins were behind us. Earlier we had realized that the woven basket was no longer in our possession, which only meant that we couldn't carry much of anything.

Devina had told us to stay away from everyone and try not to be seen, but I think that we all already knew. However, that still didn't calm down my nerves. Things have been quiet, and no way was that right. Maybe we're just trying to avoid that, come to that bridge when it's time to cross it.

"Remember guys, keep a lookout for something that we can stay in." Devina reminded us quietly.

"You already said that, like, five times already," Aiden said with an eye roll.

"Stop that, Aiden," I said.

"I just don't need to be reminded of the same thing."

"Aideeeeeeeeeeeen, Haileeeeeey said to stooooooooooop!" Dakota chimed in, taking my side. This caused all of us to chuckle and smile.

     I focused back on the road ahead, we hadn't seen many more people since it got dark, but there were still the exceptional few. Most of the lights had gone out, too. My feet were still getting used to the way the ground felt, and I found all of the signs and oddly colored shapes on the ground confusing.

So there we were, a group of kids walking the streets late at night. Suddenly Devina stopped walking, and we were standing in front of a store that had bright blue lights flickering. Moths buzzed towards these lights, and we could hear the slight humming of lights and machinery inside.

I tried looking inside and saw many baby blue seats that were by tables that matched the same color. The floor was tiled with white and blue, and there was a desk close to the door. Inside were machines that spun, some had water and some hadn't. Taking a closer look, I realized that inside those machines were clothing like ours, and those people were folding their own clothing. What were we doing outside of here?

Devina looked inside as well, although seemingly looking for something in particular. She looked towards me, then Dakota. Her eyes landed on where our hands were connected, and let out a deep sigh. She looked back inside, then back towards us once more.

"Dakota... can you come inside with me?" Devina asked Dakota held a confused face.

"What are we gonna do?" The blonde boy questioned.

"We're gonna get us some nice warm clothes. It will make it so we fit in a little better, too. Can you help me with that?"

"I'll do what I can!" He said with a wide smile.

Dakota's hand slipped from mine, and into Devina's. Dakota looked back at us as they walked into the building, the automatic door sliding as it detected the motion. Devina bent down to tell Dakota something, and the boy walked off to talk to the person at the table filled with unfolded clothes, while Devina walked around looking into the machines. No one even glanced her way.

"She's using him as a distraction." Aiden thought out loud. "Nice move."

"Yeah, it is smart. But what if he doesn't know what to say or he gets found out?" I said anxiously, my forehead creasing.

"Have a little more faith in the boy, Hailey." Aiden looked at me and put his hand on my shoulder in a comforting way.

I nodded my head while keeping my eyes on what was happening inside, Dakota was doing a good job. I took a closer look at the person he was talking to, a short lady who seemed to be in her forties. Her shoulder-length brown hair shaped her tired face, and she seemed to be completely focused on Dakota. How come she isn't questioning Dakota? Or maybe that is what she was doing? But she didn't seem like it, as the seven-year-old boy was doing most of the talking.