Back When the Lights Shined

Chapter Nine

Two more days pass without hearing a word from Jaydon. I wonder if his definition of soon was a little longer than my own. Eventually, I begin to wonder if he’ll come at all, but I shake the thought from my head as soon as it enters. If Jaydon says he’s coming for me, he will. He wouldn’t break a promise, not for anything.

            Finally, midnight arrives, along with the sounds of panicked shouting above us and outside. We all look up, listening to the pounding footsteps above us. Outside the narrow windows we all see a few pairs of feet, rushing past. Some people are shouting orders to protect the president. All the women are standing now, becoming anxious since they do not know what’s happening. We all move to the front of our cells, getting restless.

            Then, we all hear a pair of footsteps stomping down the stairs in a rush. I grab the bars, knowingly. Ashton and Jaydon appear at the bottom of the staircase. They turn to face the corridor and then run down to find me. I call Jaydon’s name, helping them find me easier. Jaydon carries a sledgehammer to break off the lock. When they reach me, I back up a couple feet. With a big heave, the sledgehammer falls on the heavy iron lock and breaks it off. Ashton pushes open the door, then opens his arms for a hug. I flinch.

            “Don’t touch me,” I snap. He draws back with a confused look on his face. He looks somewhat hurt, but I don’t buy it. The last thing I need is to let myself fall for his stupid lies. I push past him and turn my attention to Jaydon. “Let the others go to.”

            “But there’s no time to¾” Jaydon begins.

            “I don’t care,” I stop him. “I made a promise, now let them go.”

            With a sigh, he begins bringing the sledgehammer down on each lock. One by one, they’re all released. They run up the steps, chasing their freedom. I follow the crowd up the metal stairs, trying not to trip. Soon, we emerge from the hole and are exposed to the open. The sudden light blinds me for a moment, but still I don’t stop.

            When I’m close to the door, I trip over a woman who has already lost her fight for freedom, and now lies there bleeding. I get up and push ahead, determined to make it out. Soon, I’m out of the palace, and sprinting for my finish line. All the women seem to know the way. We tear through the streets, racing for the border.

            The entire way, I see women fighting the CTs for their lives. I can’t help them. I keep running for the border, dodging bullets and outrunning the law enforcement on the way. Out of nowhere, barnyard animals appear, nearly trampling some people. The added chaos only makes me more stressed. Will we make it out of here alive?

            Jaydon is ahead of us all, holding the exit open for everyone to escape through. I sprint through, not looking back. If I do, I’m done for. The other women rush through, as well. Ashton follows behind, herding everyone in. Jaydon lets the fence shut, and we all continue into the woods. The random pigs and cows and chickens follow our lead. When we’re just beginning to set off, we hear a woman cry.

            “Where’s my little girl? Sophia? Where are you,” she screams, panicked and in tears. I watch as Ashton climbs a tree and looks over the border.

            “What does she look like,” he asks the crying mother.

            “She has long red hair and she’s pale. Please, she’s only eight. You have to find her,” she cries.

            “I see her just across the border. Hold on,” he says. Before he has the chance to climb down, I run back to the border.

            “I’m on it,” I yell back.