Deep Down

A Stable Meal

"Hailey...? Hailey wake up...." I heard a high pitched voice wake me from my sleep, and a slight tug at my hoodie strings.

I sat up, almost forgetting about my surroundings and where I was. I looked down and saw my orange hoodie, then saw Dakota's yellow hoodie. Recalling the events from yesterday, stealing the clothes, finding this car. And being out in public, for everyone to see. Just about completely exposed.

"Is there something wrong, Dakota?" I asked while sitting up and rubbing my eyes. The blonde boy was sitting on his knees on the torn armrest console.

"I'm hungry..." He replied, looking down.

"I know, I am too." I said sadly and ruffled his hair.

Dakota shuffled off of the console and into the front passenger seat, making his way out of the car. I took off the quilted blanket, and lifted myself into the passenger seat, following in Dakota's footsteps. Looking up in the sky, it was still early morning, the sky shifted between blue and red. I always thought that such a sight was so calm and relaxing.

Aiden was leaning against the car, his black hoodie pulled over his head. Vale was sitting on the ground, using the worn-out tire to rest his back against, and Devina was sitting on the front of the car, one leg dangling off of the edge and the other was held against her chest. She was holding something behind her back, I couldn't see quite what it was.

"We're all hungry, and there isn't anything to catch and eat." Devina hopped down and grabbed two pairs of shoes, they had holes, the soles were hanging on by the threads, and they had no shoelaces. "I found these in the trunk, they should be able to fit me and one of the twins. This is the closest we're gonna get to looking somewhat normal out here. Two of us will be able to go and find food, as I said before, we currently have only twenty-seven dollars and forty-nine cents. We have to make do with this, and I would like to find a way to get some more money. I spent a lot of time thinking last night, and we are going to have to do whatever the costs to get what we need. That isn't a choice either." She said firmly.

"I'll go, Aiden can stay here with Hailey and Dakota." Vale volunteered as Devina tossed a pair of grey shoes in his direction.

They put on the shoes, being able to easily slip them on. They gave us one last look, then hopped the fence after making sure that no one would be able to be in sight. My heartbeat increased, fear that they may not come back. I hardly knew them, yet I felt that I could completely trust them with my life.

"Hey, you doing okay?" Aiden asked me.

"Yeah, I'm holding up. You?" I asked while looking at him.

"Fine. Just anxious about the situation. We have to trust Devina, she's had more experience out of all of us." He said while looking back at me, he then let out a sigh. "Just forget that." I nodded in response.

Aiden lifted himself onto the car hood, leaning his back against the glass and folding his arms together. I decided to take this chance and look around the yard, Dakota was holding onto my hand, looking up at me. Walking around, I realized that there were piles of trash dumped by the side of the building, and broken glass littered on the ground. Not wanted Dakota to accidentally step on some, I decided that we should towards the car.

I kneeled next to the side mirror that was dangling off of the car, gazing into the cracked glass. The reflection of myself was distorted. My hazel eyes looked tired, and long blonde hair that was once in the makeshift ponytail had nearly broken causing strands to fall out of the bunch and onto my shoulders. I touched my nose and my lips. I was a mess. I looked towards Dakota, who was now talking to Aiden.

"Dakota, could you come here for a second?" I called out, interrupting their conversation. The small boy took a few steps to meet where I was.

I looked at him, he had the same color of blonde locks as I did, as well as those deep hazel eyes. Eyes that could put you in an everlasting trance. Looking at him, we looked a lot alike. Both of our noses had a button shape, and the rest of our facial features were almost identical.