The City In The Cave

9 Years ago.

POV Dawn

I take in a deep breath, swiping away at my tears. I can hear my older brother yelling at someone on the phone. He’s 15 years old, and I’m 9. And we live alone. Our parents passed away about 5 years ago now, and my brothers been taking care of me. He glances over at me and sees my tear stricken face. “Sort it out.” He growls into the phone before walking over to me and sitting down in front of me. “It’s ok Dawn, I’m right here. There’s no need to cry,” He pulls me up and into his lap, holding me close. I cry into his shirt, my body trembling.

“Don’t let them take me away Nate,” He gently strokes my hair, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

“Never.” I pull myself closer to him, and he places another kiss on the top of my head. The phone rings again and I let out a cry.

“Dawn, listen to me. You never have to cry again. We are strong. I will protect you. Now, and forever. Go over to Laila’s ok? I’ll come over after I sort out some.. business,” he gently wipes away my tears and places a final kiss on my forehead. “Do you want me to walk you over?” I nod my head desperately. He nods, grabbing onto my hand and answering the phone.

“Stop. Calling. I’ll call you. You’re scaring my sister.” He hangs up the phone and smiles down at me. “Head high,”

“Head high,” I repeat as he opens the door. He flics his knife and picks me up so I can stab the ‘welcome home’ sign.

“Hi, I just need her to stay for a couple hours. I have things I have to tend to, sorry.” Nate explains, as I glance behind Laila’s mum at Laila eating at the kitchen bench. Laila’s mum rolls her eyes and steps aside for me. Nate gives my forehead a final kiss, and gives my hand one last squeeze before he heads back along the bridge. I rush inside and Laila’s mum shuts the door. Laila lets out a gasp and rushes to meet me half way, both of us grabbing onto eachother and hugging. We both giggle and run outside to her cubby- attached to the side of the house and far to small for Nate or Laila’s mum to fit in. So perfect for the two of us. We set up our drawing supplies and start drawing. I stick my tongue out as I draw- having Laila as my muse. She calmly colours in her coloring book as I draw her. This keeps us distracted for hours before Nate finally comes and picks me up.

I rush at him as soon as I see him and he pulls me in tightly for a hug.

“I missed you too Dawn. Thank you Nancy,” She rolls her eyes and shuts the door on Nate, just after I wave goodbye to Laila. “Come on, I got us dumplings. I’ll race ya,”

“Not if I race you first!” We both bolt off, laughing as we race across some of the thousands of bridges, heading straight towards our house. I make it there first, cheering in victory as I spin around to see Nate. “Extra dumplings for me!!” I laugh, kicking off my shoes and rushing into the kitchen.

“Yes indeed,” He follows me inside, shutting the door behind me and deadlocking it. He does this every single time we enter the house. Deadlocks the door. I never know why.

I finish the dumplings and go brush my teeth, not skipping my nightly routine. I can hear Nate on the phone again, yelling into it. I try my best to ignore it, and go into my own room. Nate points at me before I enter my room and starts clicking his fingers. His room tonight. I change my direction and head into his room, fiddling with the crystals on his bedside table. I snuggle down into his bed and he arrives about an hour later. His brows crease as he sees me still awake, but they soften once he sees the crystals. He plucks his favourite one out of my hand and shows it to me. “This ones my favourite one you know.” He says, snuggling under the blankets with me, his hand tracing the red crystal.

“Yeah, its pretty,” He smiles, brushing aside my hair and placing the crystal in my hand and gently closing my hand.

“Well now its yours,”

“You mean it?”

“I do, do you like it?” I nod my head and he gently kisses the top of my head. I fall asleep within minutes, with his arms snaked around me protectively.

The next morning, straight after breakfast, we go on our daily walk.

I hold onto the rails as we go across the highest bridge, with Nate right behind me- Keeping me steady. I giggle and laugh as the wind hits my face and the bridge gently sways to and fro. Nate lets out a chuckle as I stop and stare down. I stare at the people bustling around and the houses and houses stacked on top of eachother, piling up high. But not high enough to escape the cave. I glance over at the only access of the sun, where the ledge is. Its too bright for me to see anything and Nate begins ushering me away, muttering and mumbling. “Not safe, never go out there,” Are just a few of the phrases I hear as we continue along our route. One that long ago, we used to do with mum and dad. Sensing me loosing interest in the walk, Nate declares a race. We both take off running, with me becoming a giggling mess as Nate chases after me- at points even bolting in front of me before dropping back for me to catch up again. We turn left, left, right, left, straight, left- running into at least 5 people as we run. We return home safe and sound, with me winning the race- as per usual.