War of Peace

Chapter Four

Gianna

Kyle, Emma and I are back at the same tree we tried to fall asleep in last night. No one is around. Could they have left without us? Maybe they went back to their homes and took refuge. Would they really have left us?

"They must've left us behind," Kyle says, practically reading my mind.

I hear a tree branch snap and the next thing I notice is Simon, who's on his side in an awkward position. He rises from the ground without looking up to see who's here. He covers his face with flailing arms.

"Please don't kill me, I'm innocent!" He hollers, backing up.

He trips on the branch that came crashing down with him from the tree. He falls backward, hands instinctively aiding his fall. He notices that we aren't a threat, and stares at us blankly with widened eyes.

"Why were you in a tree Simon?" Kyle questions his brother as if he were talking to a clinically insane person.

"Ethan and I thought you guys were someone else," He huffs out pathetically as he gets up from the ground, brushing leaves off his gray tuxedo.

Ethan slowly and carefully climbs down the tree, probably trying not to repeat Simon's mistake. I notice he's wearing a navy tux and it pangs me with a sense of guilt. Emma, Kyle and I change into warm and comfortable clothes while the rest are still in their homecoming apparel. I should've brought back some clothes for the rest. Come to think of it, there were many things I could've brought back. I feel so stupid. What about food? I didn't want to take away the food that was left home anyway because Hayley was still there.

What am I doing here? Seriously, what am I doing here? I should've sent Kyle and Emma on their way while I stayed back, protecting Hayley. I came back here to a bunch of reckless people falling out of trees. What if I don't make it back alive? Then Hayley will be alone for the rest of her life. No, I have to make it back.

"Who's the other girl?" Simon wonders.

He raises his eyebrows and grins at her cockily. Gross.

"This is Emma, we found her with a wound and brought her to my house to patch her up," I explain, hoping no one notices the fact that we could've brought back supplies.

Emma shyly glares over at Ethan, who's adjusting his frames, and then at Simon, who's stupidly brushing dirt from his clothes.

"So you went to your house and changed into nice clothes and shoes but you didn't bring back anything for us? We're going to starve out here because of you. I can't believe it. How stupid are you?" Ethan barks at me with a withering stare.

I don't know how to reply to that because I know that it was a stupid mistake. Before I can come up with something to say, I hear someone scream Emma's name from a distance.

I look up and see Maddie sprinting across the forest towards us. Her hair is lank and brown, which is knotted up with little shreds of leaves stuck in it. She runs straight into Emma's arms and begins weeping uncontrollably. Some of the tears drip onto Emma's sweatshirt, giving it little dark spots.

"I never thought I would see you again!" She exclaims, joyfully.

Her smile turns into a frown when she finally let's go of Emma and notices her bandaged leg and bruises.

"What happened to your leg?" She asks.

"It's not a big deal. I can walk on it," Emma replies.

Yeah, she can walk on it, but she has a really bad limp.

"I'm just glad to know that you're okay," Maddies says.

She looks over at me, standing behind Emma. Next thing I know she's giving me a sudden hug. I don't expect it, so I jump when she wraps herself around my shoulders.

Then, she walks over and gives Kyle a hug.

"Thanks for taking care of my sister you guys."

Wait, they're sisters?  They look nothing alike. No wonder I hadn't anticipated that. I remember Emma mentioning having a sister, but I would've never guessed. I'm a little jealous of their reunion, regretting ever leaving Hayley behind.

Emma has wavy golden blonde hair and brown eyes, while Maddie has straight brown hair and olive green eyes. Some facial features look similar, but there's not much of a similarity between the two. Maybe one just takes after their other parents' features more than the other.

"I have to show you something Em!" Maddie hollers then jumps unexpectedly towards Emma and grabs her hand.

Maddies seems to be a ball of energy considering the world is falling apart.

I wonder where they're going. I see Maddie skipping away as Emma tries her best to keep up with her at a normal walking pace. They have an unbreakable bond; I can see it. Just like Hayley and I, I shouldn't have left her behind. I can't help but hang my head in regret.

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What are your thoughts on Hayley? Do you think Gianna should've chosen to stay with her sister or is it good that she's making sure Kyle and Emma stay safe?