Salvation 2035

Chapter 31- Vanish

『Tsuki』

     It's six in the morning. I wake up earlier than everyone else, which is usually how it goes. We'll have to get back on the road soon, so I've already packed up most of my stuff. I have two bags: a backpack for my cosmetics, accessories, and money, and a duffel bag for my clothes. I rummage around for some dry cereal for breakfast before heading out to the car to load up my stuff.

     The sky is bleak and overcast today. It'll suck to drive in the rain, but there's nothing we can do about it. I wish I could see this place in broad daylight, though. Or when it snows. That would also be pretty cool.

      Being with Keisha yesterday was so much fun. Seriously, I don't think I've ever been that happy before. The thing is, whenever something good happens to me, afterward when I'm alone, it just feels so terrible. All of the bad things in my life resurfaces in my thoughts, reminding me of how awful it is to keep these secrets from my friends.

     The main reason why I didn't want to spend the night with Keisha, even though I know she would never do anything to make me feel uncomfortable, is that I have no idea how I would react in that sort of situation. First of all, I'd have to show her my bare face, which would already make me feel bad about myself. Second, I know if I'm next to her for that long, I don't think I'd be able to sleep well if you catch my drift. There's no need to fast-track our relationship, but it's natural to feel this way, right? I'm totally fine with Keisha touching and kissing me, but for whatever reason, I feel uncomfortable doing the same to her. Actually, I think I know the reason: it's because I know how devastating it can be when you don't want it. It's just... difficult.

      I toss my duffel bag in the back of the car and freeze. A strange noise, the sound of a helicopter perhaps, resonates around me. It's faint, but it's unmistakable. I gingerly close the trunk and hide under a nearby ledge. I carefully make my way down the street and climb up the side of a house and onto the roof. Clear as day, there's a helicopter out in the distance, descending. If I had to guess, I'd say it's about half a mile away.

      Well, there's no doubt that they're here for me. If Abel and Keisha haven't heard it yet, then I won't bother waking them up. I'm the one they want anyways, so I'll get them as far away from here as I can. With each encounter, the people sent after us get more and more dangerous. I know that these ones know how to fly a helicopter, at least, which means they probably have weapons as well. I guess I'll have to be extra careful. Surely they won't kill me, but I'll have a worse fate if they catch me. But I have to protect Keisha and Abel. I'll do everything I can to keep them from getting hurt. Keisha nearly took a bullet for me, and in a way, it was my fault. If I hadn't been so greedy, Keisha wouldn't have gotten hurt, and Abel wouldn't have had to deal with any of this. They don't deserve this kind of life.

     I hurry over to the place that they landed, being careful not to be spotted. Great, they're in a giant field. Thankfully, there are only two of them, but they both have guns— and who knows what other weapons they have in the helicopter. From what I can tell, they have some kind of body armour, meaning that punching them in the gut for a knockout is out of the question. Their legs are pretty well-protected too. But their heads and necks are fully exposed, save for some cloth masks to conceal their identity. The only way to go for a KO is to get up close and personal. I'll definitely have to split them up if I want a fighting chance. The only place I can use to hide behind is a few pieces of rubble. Accidentally, I brought my backpack with me. I'll pick it up once I'm through with these two. Luckily, I'm small enough that I can sneak around pretty well.

      One of them begins to stray away, sort of in the direction of the house. Sure, they're still far away, but I can't take any chances. He enters the half-built part of the subdivision, cautiously checking each house. I quietly follow close behind. I make sure that the other one is far away enough that if this guy somehow contacts him, it'll take a bit before he arrives. He then stops.