Dead and Alive

Chapter Seven

I awoke with a start. Everyone was leaving the basement, my family was poking their heads out. “Kendrick are you alright?” I looked up to a worried Ashley. She was standing perfectly still and had a hand on the wall. “Yeah, and you?” I asked, seeing how off balance she was. “Yeah, just a bit sick, that’s all. Anyway, I saw you on that laptop. What were you reading?” she asked. My eyes widened a bit before answering, “Just a thing, on the thing of about the thing. . .” I faded away. Ashley looked confused. “Kendrick-““ALRIGHT! SHESH! DON’T HAVE TO FORCE IT OUT OF ME!” I hollered. I hated interrupting people, but I also didn’t want to tell Ashley. “I was reading . . . A story Marcie was typing on her Flash drive.” I said, hesitating a bit. Ashley didn’t look like she bought it, but she didn’t ask any more questions. She nodded her head and walked slowly over to my dad. I felt bad lying to her, she was the one I trusted, well, besides Marcie, but she was the one I turned to when I needed help. I sighed, and stood up, hands sweaty and stomach twisted into a not. I let out a heavy breath and walked over to the door, Alice must have left while he was sleeping because everyone seemed excited to get out of the basement. I also wanted to but I felt a calming peace down here. I shook my head and blamed it all on the lack of fresh air. I took a deep breath and poked my head outside, some Soldiers were leading tons of people out of the basement. They went door to door telling people to come out, it’s safe. My dad must have been waiting for some guy to tell us we could leave, but really, I bet we could have just left.

                                            “Alright folks let’s go! Move it!” a Soldier yelled at a lady carrying her baby. I balled my hands into fists, Kris and Lee were talking about some weird subject, when he came around. He gave me a glare, “I’m guessing your mommy loves you too much to even let you fight this war huh?” he said rudely to me. I opened my mouth, only to get a smack on the back from my dad, “Actually, his mother died, I would like it if you never spoke to us again.” My dad said in a flat tone. The Soldier glared at my dad, “I wasn’t talkin to you.” He growled, finally I spoke up, “Yes, you weren’t, so let me answer you stupid question: I. don’t. Fight. Someone. Else’s. Wars.” I said annoyed. He glared at me, “This is everyone’s war.” He spat. “No, this is the governments war!” I yelled, and pushed past him.

                                            I ran for so long. My heart thumped like a cars motor, and my legs ached. I didn’t stop tell I ran into a locked door. I slid against it and heaved a big breath, I wringed my hands as I glared at the floor. That was a dumb move. No one knows that this was the governments fault. No one knows this was a disease gone wrong. I took in a shaky breath and stilled completely. I heard footsteps, that’s what the noise I heard. I didn’t move as they got closer and closer, my heart beat quickened again. A familiar face came around the corner.  Her green eyes landed on me and she gave me a crooked smile, “Hey.” She said, I didn’t say anything. She sat next to me, “Hehe, hope no one decides to walk through the door huh?” she laughed awkwardly as she glanced at the handle. I said nothing. “Oh come one Kendrick, say something. I saw what you said to the Soldier, everyone probably!” she laughed. I still said nothing. She sighed and started to play with her bracelet. “Where did you get the ring?” she asked, “Ring?” I blinked and looked at her. She pointed at the dragon ring that rested on my finger. “Oh, I forgot about it . . .” I said to myself mostly. I blinked and started to twirl it around me finger, “It was Marcie’s. Her mom got it for her, yet she never wore it.” I said. The diamond eye of the dragon sparkled in the dim light. Alice nodded, “Have you ever missed someone so much, and you would do anything just to see them again?” she asked. I was quiet. I sighed, and stood up. “Yes, I miss her right now.” I whispered. Alice stood up, “And who’s that? Your girlfriend?” she said, a snicker in her voice. “No.” I growled, looking at the ring. “Marcie.”

                                            I laid in bed, I was too tired to think. Alice left me after a while as I leaned on the door. I was weak and tired when I crawled into bed, no one asked questions. My brain started to wrap around something Alice said earlier. “Have you ever missed someone so much, and you would do anything just to see them again?” my whole mind froze. My eyes widened, and my stomach lurched. I sat up and looked around. My family was sound asleep.  I blinked for a few seconds, my heart was racing by the crazy idea I got. I threw the blankets off my body and crept over to my bag I always had at hand. I grabbed it, checking to see if it had my tablet and phone charger. I threw it over my shoulder, and silently walked to the door. “Good luck Ken.” Said a hushed voice. I froze and turned to Kris. She had a sad look, but she was smiling. “Thanks Kris.” I whispered, and stepped out.

                                            I walked down the musty hallway to Alice’s room. I was about to knock when I heard an unfamiliar voice echo through the door, “Alice, come on. You’ll be a great fighter!” said a male’s voice. “No Bruce! I’m tired and don’t care. I have a friend who’s going slightly crazy and another friend still out there, who might be dead!” she said harshly. “Well I wouldn’t consider myself crazy.” I said, throwing open the door. Alice stared at me with wide eyes, and the new Bruce character was smiling like an idiot. “I’m guessing your Kendrick?” he said, a light laugh in his voice. I smiled and nodded, “That’s me. Alice, can we talk?” I asked, giving her a sly smile. She nodded, and shoots a glare at Bruce, who was already standing up. “I’ll just wait outside.” He said, and walked out. “Alice, I want to get out of here! And find Marcie, she couldn’t have gotten far.” I said. She groaned, “That’s what Bruce wants to do! But he just wants to get out!” she said, throwing her hands up. I blinked, “So you don’t want to come?” I asked. She glared at me, all a sudden Bruce came back in. “Yeah, you comin’ or not?” he said, a big smile on his face.

                                            The three of us walked down the hallway quietly our footsteps the only sound. We walked to the exit Bruce was talking about back in Alice’s room. Bruce had three little brothers and two moms, we stared at him for a moment when he told us that, Alice asked the most dumbest question ever, “So, your mothers are gay?” she asked. I rolled my eyes and stood up, changing the subject. Now we walked down the hallway, the door right in front of us. I look at the guns barrel again, checking for bullets. Bob took away the car my dad made or we would have used it, Bruce new how to drive. We walked up to the door, my heart in my throat. Bruce opened the door quietly and looked out, no one was around so we hurried out, careful to shut the door.  We waited behind a wall as a group of Soldiers ran by, I looked at Bruce, He was tall and a lean structure. He has bright brown eyes and his hair went to his ears, it was a mess and he had a bright smile. His brown hair was blowing around and he his expression blank. He motioned for us to move, and we ran out into the darkness.

                                            Bruce had a flashlight at hand, but no matter how much Alice complained he never turned it on. We walked over to the fence nothing moving was around. “Are you sure we should of came when it was dark?” Alice whispered as she glared at the fence. “Yeah, then we wouldn’t get caught!” Bruce laughed, and hoisted himself over. He climbed a few meter’s before swinging over and landing. “Some start sing the “Mission Impossible” theme song ‘cause I’m awesome!” he cheered. I rolled my eyes, and held a hand to Alice, “You wanna go next?” I asked.   She glared at me, and hoisted herself over. 

                                                Dear Marcie,

                           You are the craziest person ever. But, hey, we all go crazy in the end hum? Anyway, keep an eye out for me! I’ll be coming soon.

                                                                   Kendrick