Two days ago
I was yanked from sleep by a voice from the intercom announcing our arrival. It was already dark outside. I rolled to the side only to notice that I was alone in the sleeping cabin. Both our bags and Park were nowhere to be seen. I took a few seconds to gather myself before jumping off the sleeping cot in time for Park to reappear.
"Good! You are awake. I have already taken our bags to the car. Come on we are already late." He then proceeded to drag me away after watching me hesitate for a second.
I let him pull me through the crowded station to a cab parked right outside the terminal. The cab peeled off as soon as half of my body was on board. I closed the door and strapped in as the cab driver auditioned for the fast and furious. I had no doubt in mind as to who was responsible for the break neck speed we were currently going under. The culprit in the other hand was relaxed in his seat as if flying over the road was an everyday occurrence for him.
An hour later the cab finally screeched to a halt. I had no idea where we were but boy was it gorgeous. Fields and fields of lavender, lilies, sunflowers ,roses stretching out as far as the eyes could see, painting a breathtaking picture. Had I been awake in the train, I would have at least had a clue about the region I was in. If I ever called help I doubt if anyone would be able to find me based on my directions. I was essentially in the middle of nowhere with a stranger but my mind stuttered at the majestic view I beheld. If I were to die, there would be no better place than this.
Park concluded the hushed conversation he had been having with the cab driver. He carried our bags and motioned me to follow him into the deserted fields and I was more than happy to. The novelty of the view disappeared with the setting sun leaving us walking in the dark dump field for what felt like hours. We made twists and turn in the endless unmarked field until finally Park held up his hand motioning me to stop. When my eyes finally adjusted I realized we standing in front of a water pump the only man made structure we had come across since we began our walk.
He set the bags down and pumped thrice before stepping aside. No liquid came out but after a few seconds the entire structure slid to the side revealing a flight of stairs leading down. Park nudged me forward into the secret entrance disregarding my obvious anxiety concerning our destination. As soon as we were both in the pump slid back into place plunging us into darkness. A few seconds later and the entire place was bathed in light futher blinding me.
While I struggled open my eyes, I felt Park's hands link with mine. He then guided me down the remaining steps. I was still struggling to adjust to the sudden brightness when a body suddenly slammed into me. I would have tumbled to the floor had it not been for Park's steading hands. I did not need to open my eyes to identify my assailant as a familiar body and scent invaded my senses.
I let her hold onto me until my eyes had properly adjusted. We were in some sort of underground shelter. It had a minimalist theme with nothing but sleeping bags and fast food boxes on the floor. Given the living conditions they were currently surviving in and the isolated location if the shelter, it was obvious they were in hiding.
Monica finally released me from her death hug, long enough to wrap her hand around my shoulder. Although she was beaming at me, she looked exhausted as if standing upright were a chore. The rest of the unit were in their sleeping bags and despite the commotion our arrival brought none of them stirred. Park disappeared into an adjacent room and reappeared with two sleeping bags.
"She's sleeping with me." Monica rasped upon seeing the sleeping bags wincing as if talking caused her pain
"Let's go." I concurred not wanting her to strain herself any further than was necessary.
The sleeping bag was a tight but cozy fit. As soon as Monica lay her head on my shoulder she passed out. I held her close stroking her hair until I fell asleep.
Mel! Wake up! Monica whispered quietly into the darkness. Although it was dark the room had come to life, as more than a dozen people moved quickly and quietly in the dark. The only sounds that could be heard were those of guns getting loaded and fitted with silencers. An automatic gun was dumped into my hand by a winking Park who had no business looking so cheerful when something had clearly gone wrong.
Monica who had vanished without me noticing appeared with a pile of clothes in her hands. She placed them on top of the semi-automatic gun that was in my hand.
"Park will help you get into these," she motioned to the clothes. "Be quick though we are leaving in five."
Her voice was still raspy and her eyes bags had gotten impossibly big. She was at the end of her wits and it showed in the way her hands lingered over mine. I pulled her to me softly covered my lips with hers as I soothed her back. She didn't protest but instead fell completely into my embrace. We held each other for a minute before Park dragged me away.
The adjacent room was for lack of a better word an armory. There were guns and bullets enough to equip a small army. The impatient Park did not allow me to take in the sights as he yanked the gun from my hand leaving me with the clothes. The outfit I was given was war friendly. It was fitting but breathable and best of all it was fitted with a bullet proof material that protected all the vital organs. As soon as I was ready we joined the others.
We used another exit out if the bunker. Unlike when we came everyone crawled in the field no one daring to bring attention to themselves. Any slight mistake would be the last one. We crawled on the wet ground until we got to their trucks that had been camouflaged in the field. We waited until everyone was safely in board before turning on the engines. As soon as the first sound emerged it was greeted by a shower of bullets. The bullet proof trucks held true as they were reckless driven out of the field and escorted with live ammunition.