natcat

This Means War

"As early as possible I reckon." Joe piped up, eager, I think, for the change of subject. "We wouldn't want to linger around for too long. Personally, the further we get away from this place, the better I'll feel about this all."
"Yeah well, it's also a matter of finding somewhere safe to go. I mean, do we continue in the war? Or do we find our way back home?" Em asked, raising a matter I honestly hadn't even thought about.

This Means War

I looked toward the camp we'd just escaped from. "We're lucky we got out of there when we did." I said in regards to the explosions.
All I could think about now were the people we had left behind. The good ones. We didn't know who they were, how could we? But it was enough to create the feeling of guilt in the pit of my stomach knowing we could have helped them. Hopefully the damage wouldn't be too great and the right people would get away.

This Means War

I nodded. "Not too bad guys. I could really go for a decent apple right now if you've got one." I smiled as Nina reached into her bag and pulled out a deep red apple.
"Perfect." I said before she chucked it over to me, as soon as I caught it I knew it was going to be a juicy and crunchy apple, just how I liked it. "Thanks."
I sat down against one of the trees nearby and as I took my first bite, I fully realized our situation. We were free. Not necessarily safe by any means, but we were free. And that was all that mattered right now.
For a few moments, I just enjoyed it. The delicious apple, the darkening night sky, the mutters of the Em and Joe as they returned with wood and started a fire.

This Means War

"Looks good to me." Em said as she marched over and began dumping her bags beside the base of the largest tree.
"C'mon Spence. You can help me find some wood." Joe said and nudged Spencer's arm, who looked increasingly disgruntled at the thought of having to move again. With a huff, Spencer ditched his bags and followed Joe off through the trees.
"Alright. What did you guys manage to grab from the kitchens?" I asked turning to Nina and Emma, as I too rid my aching shoulders of my bags.

This Means War

I looked at Daisy, then to the faces of the others. Spencer hardly even tried to look enthused at the thought of walking for another hour. We were probably far enough away to relax a little now, if we found somewhere hidden to stay we should be okay for the night.
"Okay, let's find somewhere sheltered. If we can get a fire started before dark, somewhere no one will see if they've been following us, we should be okay." I told them and the physical relief that Spencer showed almost made me laugh.
"Agreed." Em said. "Let's find a spot and get some dinner started."

This Means War

I turned away from the bush I was about to pull aside in my search for the others, when I heard voices coming back from the fence. Rounding a tree, I saw all four of them lined up against the fence wall, picking up their allocated bags.
"Good to see you guys. We should get moving though, we've been here long enough." I said and Nina and Joe nodded, gesturing to Em and Spencer to get on with it. "We've only got a few hours until nightfall, let's just get as far away from here as we can before we set up camp."
"Sounds good to me. Let's move." Joe ordered his siblings, and the followed accordingly.

This Means War

I nodded. "Okay, sounds like a plan." I said as I shifted the bags on my shoulders, yet again. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I stepped out from behind the tree and began searching the forest for them properly. I didn't want to call out though, it was far to risky after what had just happened. Being too loud could just bring those guards right back here.

This Means War

I followed her to the large tree, all while trying to scan the bushes and surrounding trees for a familiar face.
"We'll have to be quick, we can't wait for them forever." I whispered to her as we reached the tree. Hopefully it was big enough to hide the both of us, because I hadn't even thought about looking for my own tree to hide behind. By now it was too late.
"Fan out, they can't have gone far. Check every corner you see and every hiding spot you know. Let's go!" A rough voice called out and loud heavy footsteps followed.

This Means War

Pulling the bags off of my shoulders, I shoved them through the bushes and into the hole in the fence. With one last glance behind me, I bent down and pushed aside branches and leaves, pulling myself through the hole, desperately trying to be as quick as I could. I didn't need those guards seeing my feet slide through the fence, we would never be safe after that.
I was through. Lifting my head, I saw Daisy's hand reaching out for me.
"Thanks." I huffed as I grabbed a hold of it, letting her help to pull me the rest of the way through.
"Okay. We need to hide." I said as I picked up the bags again, throwing them over my aching shoulders once more. "Have you seen the others?"

This Means War

I looked ahead as Daisy shouted to me. I hadn't quite heard her but as I saw what was ahead I knew exactly what she was saying. I veered left following her into the gap behind the cabins as we reached the fence. We were right on top of the bushes that sat in front of the hole now.
"You first." I said to Daisy, nudging her towards the hole as I glanced over my shoulder.
I could barely hear our pursuers over my own thumping heartbeat, but I knew they were close. It wouldn't be long before they figured out we had hidden instead of continuing to run.