Run

Dripping wet, we ran on. The storm was fading, and but could still hear some faint rumbling in the distance. I was cold and shivering; my hair and my clothes were soggy, and my lips were blue. I clenched my teeth and quickened my pace.

We reached the village, or what was left of it. Max pointed to a cloud of smoke, rising from one of the still standing houses. I gasped, and he hushed me.

We walked towards the smoking house. I could smell burnt wood, and my heartbeat quickened.

I clenched Max’s hand as we came closer to the house. There were a few other people huddled around the scene. I could recognise Fren, standing close to some burly men, who were smoking cigarettes. I tried waving to her, but she did not notice.

The house was burnt from the inside. The walls were still standing, but the roof was gone. There was nobody inside when it burned, or so I was told. No one knew what started the fire, but thanks to the rain, it ended quickly.

While Max was busy investigating the damage, I approached Fren. As soon as she glanced my way, the burly men came up to me.

“What do you want?” One sneered. The other spit out his cigarette, and it landed on my shoe.

“I said what do you want?” He repeated, fiercely. Shivers rose up my spine, and I gulped.

“Answer me, girl!” He snarled, and both men advanced on me. I took a step back and looked at Fren. She seemed miserable, and that was when I noticed that she was handcuffed.

Suddenly, someone grabbed me from behind. I realised it was Max.

“Let’s get outta here, Kate,” he screamed over his shoulder. “Run.”