RO
The adrenaline in my system was bubbling. Over months, our discovery hasn't been one of our worries. Benz and I made sure of that. So far, we've already assassinated two Aenelus who snuck in on us in the middle of the night. If this is another one, that would make us three. Three dead Aenelus.
Except that it wasn't.
Benz and I burst into laughter when we realized what it was: a fallen branch of a tree. I guess it was the wind which made it move, only that my mind made it worse.
"Well, being cautious is better than being careless, don't you think?" – I said in between chuckles
"Still, I'm impressed. You didn't miss the target." – Benz tapped my shoulder. His face was red all over.
That's the thing with the post-apocalypse I guess. It feels like you're walking tiptoed in broken glass. Every step needs to be cautious and calculated. Can anyone blame me? It's the new way of the world out here.
Benz and I walked back to the log and I picked up the half of the sandwich which dropped on the floor when I stood up to get my gun. With the smell of gun powder still in my nostrils and filling my lungs, I filled in my mind with thoughts to recover from what just happened. Words of comfort that only can hear. If that wasn't a branch, the night would have ended differently. Come morning and everyone in our sanctuary would wake up with another reason to worry, that for the third time, we were almost revealed to the Aenelus.
"Really, Ro, you should sleep. You have dark circles under your eyes already. Don't deny it. Your body's asking you to sleep."
You don't understand, Benz. Each time I closed my eyes, it's like I'm reentering the great attack. I see them. Again and again.
I wanted to tell him that, but again, who would understand the things going on inside someone's head? and I don't want to say it, because if I do, I know I'll break. I don't have time to break.
"Are you sure you got this?"
"Of course. Go on. We need all the rest we can get. we don't know when's the next attack would be. We need our best soldiers to always be ready for battle." – Benz said and smiled.
I didn't smile back.
"Whatever. See you later, then."
He gave me a nod and I stood up to toss the dirty sandwich to the forest. My stomach was grumbling and I only had a half of it to get me by. I ignored the hunger and found our underground opening, with Benz eyes observing me. I scampered the dried leaves which covered our entrance and lifted the steel handle up. As I did, the whirling staircase arose, leading down. I peeked and saw light from inside coming from the torches we lined the corners with. I gave Benz one last look and wished him good night before stepping into the stairs and descended my way into the sanctuary.
There, ten feet below, the rest of humanity was sleeping. Rows of wooden beds lie on either side. Torches were everywhere, our only source of light on days and nights. I walked slowly, too careful not to wake someone up. Looking at them like this, I wonder what kind of dreams they have. Do they find peace in sleeping?
I reached my place. A sole blanket and one pillow laid there waiting for my body to finally surrender itself. It has been nights and the pillow had no dent, the blanket untouched. Slowly, I sat down and laid on the bed I made. Literally.
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No, no, no, no!
"Mom, please. I promise I'll come back. Don't try to get out of here. I'll get all the help I can. I swear!"
I held my mother's hand. It was shaking. I knew she was scared, but on her eyes were no tears. Or perhaps she was doing everything on her will not to shed one.
"Take care, Dorotha. Please don't get hurt."
"I won't. I promise."
She pulled my face closer and gave me a peck on the cheeks. Dad was on the corner, yelling to one of the soldiers to distract him from seeing my escape. It was because of the soldier's inattention that I managed to get the key dangling from his pocket and turned in the lock. My older brothers were blocking the Aenelus soldier's view so I can slip away.
I kissed my mother's hand and sprinted to the exit. My heart was pounding in my chest and my sweat was forming on my forehead. When I reached the exit, I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin, finally after two days of being held as captive. I hid behind a barrel, a group of Aenelus soldiers walking here and there with their advanced weapons. I looked around and cursed under my breath. The city looked dead and lifeless. Smokes were everywhere, if not, fire.
When one soldier on the group pointed to the right and everyone came running to that direction after, I grabbed the chance to make my way on the gate. I knew once I make it out of there, my chances of living and calling help arises. I made my strides bigger and ran faster. Until I made it to the gate and I pulled it open.
It won't bulge.
"Come on, come on. Please…"
I was uttering a prayer. With each pull stronger and more persistent than the last. I didn't stop. If I were making count, I believe I had been pulling for at least 25 times before it happened. No, the gate won't still open. What happened was something else.
An alarm sounded, making me jump. I looked at the upper right side of the gate and saw a red light blaring. It was then that I knew it was because of me and I abandoned my will of pulling the gate open and climbed up instead.
You can do it, Ro.
I can almost hear my mother say those words. Almost.
Until a pair of hands grabbed me by the waist and pulled me from my grasp to the gate. I fell on the cemented floor, my back hitting the hard ground first, making me scream in pain.
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"NO, PLEASE!!"
I sat up. I was covered in sweat. I was panting and chasing my breath.