In the Shadows (Celina)

[Matt]

Aura

Night has fallen as I carry Faye. I know I made a wrong turn somewhere, or else I wouldn't be in this predicament. I look down to ask her but realize she has fallen asleep in my arms. I am very worried. Judging by the position of the moon, it is about 9:30pm. Way past curfew. Now, I must carry a 10 year old girl through the night to a place I haven't even heard of while avoiding Peacekeepers. Though Faye is fast asleep and I don't want to wake her up, I know I have to. "Faye, wake up." I say quietly while nudging her.

[Deleted]

Faye

I let myself be taken by dreams as I slowly fall asleep in Aura's arms. I can't help it, I am just so exhausted. Soon, I feel a bit of a nudge and hear Aura whispering, "Faye, wake up." My eyes flicker open. "I'm awake. What is it?" I answer.

[Matt]

Aura

I sit down at the trunk of a tall tree, and catch my breath. "How's your leg?"I ask Faye, who is now sitting on my lap. It will take forever to figure out where I made a wrong turn. I moan at my stupidity. I am putting the lives of Faye and me in danger. All I can think about are the runaways, hoping they made it across already. I can only imagine at how cold that water would be at this time of night.

[Deleted]

"It's...okay," I lie, not wanting to get Aura worried. I grit my teeth trying to hold in the pain, but it's hard to bear. We're lost in the dark. I have no idea where we are at all. "Maybe...maybe there's someone that can give us directions or something," I say to Aura, but as I look around, I can't make out any of the houses. All I can see is darkness.

[Matt]

Aura

I sigh, not knowing what to do. I have a small lighter in my pocket, but I don't want to be seen by any wandering Peacekeepers. "No, we can't be caught this late at night. Okay, your house is east. So, if we use the position of the moon, we may be able to find your house." I say. "If the moon is over there, then east must be...there!" I say, pointing in the direction we must go. I pick Faye up and start walking east. Suddenly, I see fire. I step aside and hide behind a tree. I realize that this isn't a forest fire. Those are torches. Peacekeepers.

[Deleted]

Peacekeepers. I cover my mouth. They can sense those littlest things, and I don't want to find myself accidenltally saying something out loud. As they pass by, one seems to spot us and point out movement to the others. Peacekeepers are always strict about seeing people out late at night. "Aura...I think one just saw us," I say nervously. "I think you might want to start running. They'll never figure out who we are in the dark if we just get out of here.

[Matt]

Aura

I stay glued in my spot as the torches come closer. I am completely out of the world, and overwhelmed by fear. "Aura...I think one just saw us. I think you might want to start running. They'll never figure out who we are in the dark if we just get out of here." I am brought back by the voice of Faye. The Peacekeepers start running towards us, but I am faster. I run as fast as I can, which is very fast, through the forest, weaving through the trees. Through the darkness I run, carrying the injured ten year old. It was so dark, I didn't see the root sticking out of the ground. I tripped and tumbled to the ground.

[Deleted]

Aura falls, and I of course, fall with her. I can see that we are both bleeding. At least it wasn't too serious, since we had only tripped. Suddenly, I hear the voices of the Peacekeepers weaving through the trees of the forest. "Ssh!" I whisper to Aura, both of us flat on the ground. "We have to be completely silent. They might not find us if they can't hear us." I cover my mouth and try not to breath as one comes close to both of us. I can only hope that they won't see us...or hear us.

[Matt]

Aura

I see that Faye is wanting to stay still here, and be quiet. I know the Peacekeepers will find us if we follow her plan, so I quickly stand up and pick her up. I quickly start running, twisting and turning in hopes I will lose the Peacekeepers. As I run, I see an abandoned house up ahead. I break a window and we climb in.

[Deleted]

We tumble into the abandoned house, breathing heavy. For a few moments, I can't speak but then, I say in between breaths, "So, what are we ought to do now?" I look around the small house, but I can't see anything through the misty darkness and I certainly can't stand.