The Anomalies

Chapter 11

Although I've only been on the base for a few days now, I'm starting to get used to the routine. In the morning, Elijah and I cook breakfast for ourselves in the little kitchenette on our floor. Afterward, we focus on my training. Which at first I was a little less than thrilled to start, but now I'm warming up to it. Elijah said that we never know when disaster might strike, and I'll need to be prepared. Which I suppose is right.

My afternoons are usually free for me to do as I wish. Lately, I've been choosing to spend time with Zahra and has become one of my closest friends. Elijah spends his living up to his title of general, giving orders, overseeing missions, and even going on a few himself, which makes me a little more than nervous for his safety.

Currently, I am sitting at the long table in the front of the cafeteria, Elijah, at my side. Every evening he insists that we eat with the rest of the base because "it boosts morale."

"Are you sure we have to sit front and center like this?" Leaning towards him, I whisper.

He looks at me and chuckles, "I know you don't like the attention, but it's tradition. The highest-ranked officials of the Defiance always sit at the front. You get used to it after a while."

I open my mouth to say something else when alarms start blaring, and red lights flash. Startled people begin to stand up and look towards their General. When suddenly the door bursts open and a man, wearing a guard uniform, rushes in yelling,

"General Danbury, sir! The Shathe Base is under attack, aircraft with the Women and children are arriving now, sir!"

Elijah takes off, running in the direction of the door. I was left standing with the rest, wondering what was happening. Reality finally sets in, and others run out the door. Ready to defend and protect.

The young mothers stay with the children, attempting to calm them.

I'm frozen in place, not knowing how to react or what even to do when Zahra rushes over to me.

"Follow me. We must take the children to the hidden bunker for safety precautions. They may not be attacking here, but it doesn't mean they won't."

She grabs me by the arm and pulls me to the center of the room and turns to address the crowd,

"Everyone follow us!"

Zahra leads us out of the cafeteria and down a long hallway. As we are walking, I'm attempting to help the children to remain calm.

One particular girl was falling behind more than the others. She looked to be only five years old. As I walked back to catch her up with the rest of the group, I noticed silent tears falling down her cheeks.

I fall into step with her, and she looks up at me with two beautiful blue eyes.

"Hi there, " I smile, "I'm Iris. What's your name?"

"Sapphire," her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just like the color of your eyes."

Sapphire sniffs and nods her head, "My Mommy said that I'm as precious as the Jewel that is the color of my eyes. That's why she named me that."

"That's lovely. I think it's perfect."

We had caught up to the rest of the group, which had begun its descent down a set of stairs that I hadn't known were there before. Each step we take gets colder and darker. Zahra, at the front, grabs a torch from the wall and lights it. Not providing much light but still making it easier for us to find our way.

Sapphire grabs onto my hand and holds it, "Did you know my mommy is a guard? She's really brave. Do you think she will be okay?"

"Of course, I'm sure she's one of the best guards out there. She's keeping us all safe down here, don't you worry. "

She doesn't say anything, just nods her head in response keeping her hand in mine.

When we finally reach the bottom of the stairs, Zahra asks everyone to gather around.

"Everyone remain calm and find a bunk. This may last a few minutes or a few days. Nevertheless, we will be prepared."

As people disperse I walk over to Zahra,

"How do you remain so calm and collected?"

She just winks and says, "You get used to it over time. Don't worry. I'll help prepare you for it."

Not following, I shake my head, "Prepare me for what?"

"Well, your duties, of course."