EARTH: The Connection (Part 1)

A few seconds ago, the forest shielded us from everything—with the sounds of the birds and the faint shaking of the leaves. Then, our voices boomed with laughter as we had fun of our situation. And now, we were deafened by the loud thumps of shoes on soil and gunshots from afar.

Our laughing session was cut short when we heard the voice of an Executioner—the Institute's Super Soldiers, the same ones donned in white robe. Despite having a head start in this race for life, our laughing definitely took a toll on us as we heaved deeply for air.

"Keep close to me!" Levy breathlessly shouted, his face red with tension. We continued running, dodging bullets as much as possible. A bullet went past near my ear, blasting through the air that may have damaged my hearing.

All I can hear is ringing, yet I still kept my pace on running. My focus returned to the path I was taking, Levy was gone. I turned around, my legs starting to fail me, and saw him behind me.

His face was painted by pain, as he breathed through his mouth. I wanted to question what was wrong but when my gaze looked down, I saw it. His hand covered his stomach, and it was bloody. My eyes searched his body and found out it was riddled by bullets. It was hard to notice the bloody drenching in his dark military fatigues in one glance, but this time, it was obvious as blood continued to seep through the holes made on his body.

I started to slow down my pace but his face turned to anger in a matter of seconds. "Go! Don't wait for me!" He screamed. I did not know what to reply and so I focused myself on the path before me.

It had been like this for a few minutes now. Just running and dodging bullets, but Levy was terrible at this. Maybe he did not have to learn to avoid bullets because of his Ill.

A loud thump befell behind me, and when I looked back, Levy laid on the ground face-first. He's unconscious from the blood loss. I wanted to help him but that would lessen my chances of staying alive. I would not let his sacrifice be put in vain.

The sun had set and the cool blue had faded into the dark abyss. I let myself sit on a tree stump to catch my breath as it seemed that the Executioners had lost track of me—and they had captured Levy.

The thought of letting Levy alone there gave me chills. "You're a coward!" I thought to myself. "You let the only one who attempted to save you to be captured!" When I transitioned back to reality, I noticed tears flowing like a stream on my face.

I don't know why I'm feeling this. Is this conscience? That I let my friend be captured again? No. It is something else. I lived the majority of my life alone in that White Room, and I've never tasted the fresh breeze since I was sold to the Institution—and I've never had a friend who cared for me since. And now, I lost him. I'm alone again.

The thought bothered me and so I had to keep my mind off it. I let myself stand against the dark void and resumed my trek, up to the mountains.

The walk to the top of the mountain wasn't met by any problems. It all came smoothly, like I was destined there, atop the risen landscape. I did know what that is but something's tugging me towards it—to continue my trek despite fatigue creeping in.

I continued to follow the trail, with the only source of light was the moon that contrasted the night sky. And when the cold night's kiss caressed my bare face, I knew I reached my destination.

The moon continued to shine brightly, illuminating the forest down below, and the infrastructures that had once risen on the far side that are now reduced to skeletons. I searched the perimeter for the Institute but there was nothing. We have come a long way yet they caught us in our times of vulnerability.

Underneath the lone tree, I laid on the cold ground. The worn fatigues the only thing between the environment and my skin.

"Hello?"