Hope [ CH. 6 7 & 8 ]

~*~Chapter Six~*~


"Lee.... Lee, please wake up..." A voice. A soft voice, quiet and soothing. Was I dead? Death had a funny feeling, then. I felt dirty... cold... wet...

Opening my eyes, I saw a pair of shoes in front of me. Taking a breath, my body protested, and I barely got any air in my lungs.

"Lee? Lee, are you okay? Please... say something.." The voice, familiar, soothing. I closed my eyes tightly, and took in a pained breath.

"Oww..." It was all I could think of at that moment. Everything hurt, as if I had been running for miles. Wait... hadn't I been? I couldn't remember right then.

Suddenly, the shoes turned into knees, as whomever it was kneeled over me, laughing slightly, sounding more relieved than anything. Strong hands gripped my shoulders and turned me onto my back, where I was able to look up at the darkening sky. Cringing at the movement, I groaned, though my eyes settled on Jeff, who looked paler than a ghost.

"Don't...." I groaned in protest at the movement, and he let go of me quickly. I felt like all of my muscles had been stretched and beaten, and like someone had kicked me in the ribs several times. That must have happened when I fell, I thought to myself. And then, it hit me hard.

Rick was dead. He was gone, forever. That had been the reason I ran off. That's why I was here... that's why I ached. The day before rushed through me like a wave, and I closed my eyes, shuddering slightly. Jeff must have known what I realized, for he took my shoulders, and pulled me up.

Instantly, I let out a yell, but he covered my mouth with his hand. "Shh! It's nearly 4 in the morning... Try not to be so loud..." He said, before pulling me to lean against the wall.

Biting my lip hard to keep from cry out, I closed my eyes, leaning back on the cool brick wall. Numbness washed over me again, as I simply sat there, feeling emotionally dead. Gone.

Grunting slightly, Jeff sat down on the ground in front of me, smiling weakly. "Come now, Lee. Don't look so sad... "

I turned my eyes on him, and glared. "My brother just died. How do you want me to look?" I asked, my voice hoarse, and my throat itchy. Turning my eyes away, I closed them, and silence moved around us.

It was a while before Jeff spoke. He sounded rather sad, and when I looked at him, he was facing down the street, instead of at me. "Your brother isn't completely gone. He'll.. always be with you, in your heart." He sounded like he was trying to be helpful, yet he wasn't sure if he was or not. He turned to look at me, and I blinked a bit.

"It's not the same..." I whispered softly, tears cluttering my eyes, before spilling down my cheeks. He looked back a me, a sad smile on his lips.

"I know it isn't the same but... he wouldn't want you in an wet, cold alley crying over him, would he?" For a moment, I didn't move, though I shook my head after a moment. He was right. Rick would want me out doing something else, living my life, and not turning into what Mom had become.

After a moment, I gave a dull laugh, leaning heavily against the wall. "What am I going to do?" I asked weakly, looking at Jeff. I couldn't stay at home on my own. I had no job, no way to get money. I didn't even want to go back to that place. It would only make me think of him more.

Shrugging his shoulders softly, Jeff walked over to me, and helped me stand straight. "If you wanted to, I would let you stay with me. You know I have no other family of my own. Company would be nice." He smiled, while I achieved balance without causing myself pain.

"That would be.... wonderful..." I said with a soft sigh, smiling a bit. I was glad I had somewhere to go, and that I wouldn't end up like the rest of the kids whose parents die before they become of age; they just get carted off to a shelter and forgotten.

"We should gather your things from home, I daresay. You needn't just leave them there." I simply nodded, and walked numbly with him down the alley. I wasn't worried about being caught, really. The sky was starting to lighten a bit, so it was just a bit easier to see, and I was with Jeff, the only link to my family right now, really.

Everyone else was dead.



~*~Chapter Seven~*~


It wasn't long before we made it through the city, and to my home. It was so cold... so empty. I was always so glad to be home at the end of the day. Yet, now, I couldn't stand the site of it. I grew up here... I was born here... and everything that made it mine, was dead.

It was Jeff who brought my attention back to what the task at hand was. "I don't think you will need any help...?" He questioned, more than stated. Shaking my head silently, I moved up the dirt lawn, and to the door. For once, I hesitated to enter, though with Jeff waiting by the road, I knew I couldn't stall any longer. Pushing open the door, I stepped in, barely breathing as I went towards the bedroom.

As I feared, his things were still there. I don't know what I was hoping would happen to it, but I knew I didn't want it to be there. His bed of blankets, untouched from his sleep the night before. I stopped for a moment to just look at it, though I hurried to my things.

I decided I'd take the box, and just stick my belongings in it, rather than shove it all in my bag. Slipping the bag itself off my shoulder, and into my small box, I started to set the few things I had within it. It didn't take long, thankfully, but as I was walking out with the box in my arms, I caught myself looking to his own things.

Chances were, that if the Soldiers found out the house was vacant, they would just burn it down. I didn't want that to become of his things. Though... I couldn't take it all. It would be too much to carry iny my small box. Though... I had an idea...

Quickly setting down the box, I pulled out all of my blankets, besides the one my mother made me. Easily, there was enough room for Rick's blankets, all of which were warmer and newer than mine anyway. Folding the thick blankets, I set them on top of my things, and smiled weakly at myself. Sure, I had to leave the rest of his things, but they meant nothing to him when he was alive. That, and, I certainly wouldn't need them. Quickly, I exited the bedroom, and then moved out of the empty house, silently wishing it a goodbye, and good luck.

Jeff had his arms folded thoughtfully as I walked outside, his back turned me. Moving beside him, I looked to what he was watching; the sunrise in the distance. The light was creeping over the houses slowly, almost as if itself was waking up, unaware of the worldly events.

"I wonder what it's like being the sun." Jeff said quietly, and I laughed a bit, momentarily forgetting of what recently had happened.

"I don't think it would be very fun." I said to him, rather humored. For one, I knew the sun wasn't a planet, and it had no feeling being what it was. And two, it was a funny thing to state, when so much else had been happening.

Jeff turned to me, looking surprised, though with a smile on his aged face. "Oh, really? I think it might be." He said, turning his eyes towards the sunrise beyond us.

Shaking my head, a let a smile linger on my lips. "I don't understand what you're saying..." I said, shifting my weight to adjust to the filled box.

Bringing a hand to his chin, he scratched it a bit. "Well, I mean, think about it. The sun brings us light in this dark world. Warmth, a feeling of hope. Though, it leaves every night, just so we don't get too tired of it." He nodded a bit, looking at me, smiling a bit.

Though, my eyes were furrowed towards the gathering light, the smile slipping from my lips. Did he have a point? The knowing the sun would rise the next day did give me hope each time something horrible happened. The sun brought warmth, revealed the world's secrets, and told us that it was a new day, and to try to live it to it's fullest.

I then shook my head, a breath of a laugh coming from me. Nonsense, I thought, though I didn't say this out loud. My head ached slightly, and I wasn't up to anymore thinking. I just wanted to sleep, and not in the middle of an alleyway.

Sensing this, Jeff clapped his hands together. "Well, I say we get to my place, the quicker the better." Checking his watch, he frowned a bit. "It's 6:45... Not much longer before school."

Oh, crud, school. Squeezing my eyes shut a bit as a surge of pain fell through my head, I heard him laugh. "If you think I'm going to force you to go, you're wrong. What you need is to clean yourself up, and sleep. I can always tell you what we learned later."

I smiled to myself, and nodded, reopening my eyes. The last thing I needed was to try and learn something.

We moved towards the city, and away from the Burbs. I knew Jeff lived in the city itself, though it had been a long time since I had visited his home. The last time I had been there was when my Father died. Odd, to be coming back after Rick died. Though, this time, I wouldn't be going home afterwards.

I suppose he was my 'guardian' now, if I could call him one. Though I didn't like the idea of intruding on his private life, I didn't want to live alone. Those my age that did usually died, since it was hard for anyone, let alone kids like us, get jobs.

Like usual, I got lost in what I was thinking, and we were at his home in no time. Though, it was more like an run down hotel, though I was sure it was made an apartment, now. It looked in better condition than the homes in the Burbs did, though still looking like a gust of wind would carry the thing away. Looking around the area, I could tell it wasn't too far from the business building that school was held at, which was a good thing, in my case.

Following Jeff inside the main doors, I stepped into a dark room. It was large, though dark and dusty, looking like a hotel's main floor might. The carpet must have been fancy in it's day, though now it was faded, and small puffs of dust collected each time I took a step. Looking up, I could see the separate levels going up to the ceiling, where a large chandelier hung, cobwebs spinning across it, along with piles of dust. Needless to say, it didn't work.

"Wow..." I breathed softly, pulling my eyes away from the ceiling, and towards everything around me. An old concierge desk sat near the wall, and old antiques set along it, dusty and rusted. Long forgotten, I assumed. I wanted to stay and look at all of the neat things about the room, though Jeff hurried along towards the stairs to the left. Quickly, I followed, my steps muffled in the duty carpet.

"You live here?" I asked, hushed, for I felt like I should be quiet in such a place.

Jeff nodded. "Yes, I do." He said, sounding as hushed as I did. We made our way quickly up the old stairs, and to the third floor, where Jeff seemed to automatically move down a select hall. I followed closely in the darkness, afraid I'd get lost in such a place. Soon enough, he stopped at an old door, the dirty number-plate reading '103'.

Pushing open the door, it squeaked slightly, though let into a roomy place. As I walked in, he shut the door behind me, and I looked about.

There were two old beds on one wall, with a nightstand in-between them. I could glimpse a small kitchen like room to the left, and a bathroom just beside that. It was smaller than my own home, though there was more in it.

Various books were strewn about one of the beds and across the floor. I caught glimpse of one of the titles, reading 'The Atlas of America'. I turned to Jeff, though he was already grabbing up a bag near a closet. "Well. The furthest bed is mine, though you can have this one, here. You may need to, err, shake the sheets, though. They are a bit dusty." He smiled a bit, before turning.

"For now, I want you to sleep... You've been through enough. I shall return after school has finished." I blinked slightly, and he flashed a grin. "Don't worry. You can help yourself to anything in here you'd like. Maybe even... take a shower?"

Oh, a shower! Our water hadn't worked in our home for years. I hadn't had a proper bath since I was at least 8. I smiled at the thought. "Ah, there's the Lee I know! Smiling. Now, I must go, or I shall be late! No one should bother you here, so don't worry about visitors." With a nod, he checked his watch, and turned, moving out the door. With one last smile, he left, leaving me slightly confused in his rush.

Turning slowly, I looked back to the room. It was cozy, no doubt. Though, I wondered. If the water worked, did the electric? Moving to one of the lamps that was attached to the wall, I clicked the switch, and light flooded into the room. It took me a few moments before I could see what lie in the darkness of the room, as the light fell into everything I hadn't seen before. Most of it was just more books, though I wasn't surprised.

Even as I stood there, a wave of fatigue swept across me. Wow, I was more tired than I thought. Setting my box down on the empty bed, I pulled out my spare clothes, before quickly taking a shower. It felt good to get the grit and dirt from my hair, along with warm my numb body up.

It wasn't long before I had fresh clothes on, my hair neatly brushed into a ponytail, I moved towards the empty bed. Jeff was right; it was rather dusty. Though, I didn't need to worry about it, since I had my own blankets. Simply pulling the dusty ones off and heaping them beneath the bed, I tossed mine onto the old mattress, sighing a bit. I knew I should have felt happy. Someone was there for me.

Though, I didn't. I felt empty, alone... I wanted to go home, but I knew I couldn't. Slipping into my brother's blankets, I closed my eyes tightly, willing away all of the bad thoughts and sadness I felt. Thankfully, I was still rather tired, and within moments, I fell asleep in that strange place.



~*~Chapter Eight~*~


It was raining when I woke up, though I wasn’t sure what time it was. When I rolled over, I noticed Jeff wasn’t back yet, and it was rather dark in the room. Probably from the rain, I thought, as I flicked on the light. Blinking a bit, I stood from the mattress, stretching my arms until I got the feeling back into them.

It was almost deafly silent in the room, only the soft drops of the rain outside reaching my ears. Shivering slightly, I dug my jacket out of my box, slipping it over my head to let the warmth spread across my skin.

Brushing my hair with my fingers, rather than getting the brush, I yawned, and checked my watch. For a moment, I thought it was broken, but it read right; 6:30. I had been asleep nearly twelve hours! Not only this, but Jeff should have been back by now.

Gathering my bag and replacing a few items within it, I moved out of the warm room, and into the cold, dark halls of the old hotel. For a moment, I felt compelled to turn back around, but I knew I couldn’t just wait for Jeff to get back. I needed to go to the business building, anyway, so I hoped he was still there.

Moving down the stairs, through the lobby, and to the door, I was surprised to see how much the rain had picked up. Torrents of water fell from the sky, nearly flooding the street in front of the hotel. I didn’t have an umbrella, so I simply had to pull the hood of my cotton hoodie over my head, and just hope that I didn’t get completely soaked…

First, I spotted the business building through the rain, and, once I had my path set, I rushed out of the broken doors, and ran quickly. Within seconds, I felt the rain go through my clothes, though I didn’t stop to turn back, or even find a dry closure. I kept running, water splashing into my shoes and through my jeans.

I didn’t see any soldiers nearby. As a matter of fact, I didn’t see anyone. Usually, the streets are packed with people at this time of day, but I had to take in the fact that it was pouring down rain like never before.

Skidding around the corner towards the business building, I suddenly hit something, my body lurching backwards and into a food of water. In the splash, water drenched my face, and I choked slightly, before I could see what I hit.

It was a person, in amour, standing with his hands balled on his hips. It was--

“Wess?!” I breathed to myself, and he laughed lowly.

“You didn’t think I’d catch you, did you?” He asked, his head cocking to the side, water dripping through his hair.

“What are you talking about?” I breathed, pushing myself from the water. He just laugh again.

“Every since your father was caught, I knew it would only be a matter of time before one of his own made another Resistance. I’m not stupid… Though, I needed proof. Solid proof that you really were making another one. I first tried to get it out of your brother, though he didn’t know anything about it… so, before he was able to question you, I had to kill him. Sadly, I had to endanger others, though, my plan worked out.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I wanted to scream or punch him, but I knew that would just cause even more problems. He went on, as I started to shake slightly.

“I knew I couldn’t question your bratty little friends, but there was someone I could question, and that was you so called teacher…”

“What did you do to Jeff?!” I asked, breathless, though he just laughed.

“We only talked. I knew that if I delayed him just enough… you’d come running out to find him. Honestly, he’s probably looking for you in that sorry excuse for a home he has.” Wess smiled, moving towards me.

I didn’t even think about how he knew of the hotel, but merely stepped back. I wasn’t sure if I should even try to deny the Resistance, or if I should just started to run. He seemed to read my thoughts, though, as he spoke.

“Don’t even think of running. I’ll make sure your death is much more painful, then.” I shivered, before stepping off of the curve, and into the street that flooded with water. God, I’m so clumsy..

Immediately, I tried to get up, but the slick mud on the ground made it hard. Before I could even push myself to stand, I felt pain split through my ribs. Closing my eyes quickly, I let out a yell, before catching my breath in my throat. My dream! It was coming true! Though, I couldn’t let it…

Before I was able to move, my eyes opened to see the dark look on his face. “You want to break the law?! You have to pay the consequences!” He cried, before kicking me in the side again. I yelled loudly, though no one heard me. No one knew I was about to die…

“The King will be so happy with me!” He said, sounding slightly crazy, as I pulled my body along the muddy waters. He followed slowly. “He’ll be terribly glad that I stopped another Resistance, before they had time to strike. I may even be taken out of this dirt-hole of a city, and work for him, personally!” His high-pitched laugh scared me more than his other one did. He sounded completely mental, and I wasn’t sure what to do.

Lifting my body with my arms, I got on my hands and knees, trying to get out of the water. Swiftly, he kicked me for a third time, and I fell, rolling to my back and gasping for air.

“Please….” It was the only thing I could bring myself to say. Though, he just laughed insanely again.

“Please, what? End the pain now? But of course…” With another laugh, he raised the end of his gun, though I closed my eyes just before it made contact.

Unlike my dream, it hit me, pain exploding in my skull. I flipped to my stomach, my mouth opened to scream, but I didn’t make a noise. My eyes opened, but I couldn’t see straight, tears of pain rolling to my eyes. Suddenly, my head was thrust back, and I could feel his fingers pulling my hair tightly.

“This is was you deserve, you little brat!” He hissed in my ear, before he laughed quietly. “This is the end of you, little Lenaya!” He breathed, before dropping my head into the deepening puddle of water. I watched as blood swirled in the dirty rainwater, though I didn’t entirely realize it was mine.

Rolling slowly onto my back, I looked up at him, my vision swimming, as I tried to catch my breath. His had raised his gun again, though he was going to use it for what it was intended to be used for; shooting. And I was the target.

“Say goodybye…” I hear him whisper faintly, before I heard it click off of safety. I closed my eyes tightly. Oh, please let it come fast, I pleaded. Please don’t let it hurt.

Before I had time to prepare myself, I heard it fire. For seconds, I was still. Though, I soon opened my eyes, and noticed… Wess wasn’t there. Instead, there was someone else, a small gun in his hand, pointing towards the ground at my feet. It wasn’t Jeff… it wasn’t anyone I even knew… It was just a boy, probably not older than me. His eyes suddenly turned on me through the rain, but I couldn’t hold on any longer. The last thing I saw was the boy moving quickly towards me, the gun out of his hands, before I passed out, cold and wet, for the second night in a row.