Escape pt2

I cried out and fell over, the pain unbearable. It felt like a thousand needles were piercing my side.

I placed my hands over the fresh-cut as warm blood started to flow from my side. Tears stung my eyes. I heard the people around me gasp, some shaking their heads in pity. There was nothing they could do.

The man who had whipped me started to laugh. "Haha! Did I say you could go down there? Get back up here!" He bent over and grabbed my arm. I tried to pull away but was not strong enough. He tugged, hard. It felt as if he was trying to rip my arm off.

I was flung into the air from the force of the tug. I started to fall again but caught myself. I jumped back up and turned around, getting ready to evade his whip.

The man glared at me. He was about to raise his whip when a hand was placed on his shoulder. "That's enough! The chieftain, wants us to keep them alive for as long as is possible.

At least till we can get some of our people down here. Whipping them senseless ain't gonna help."

The man who was talking looked to be in his thirties. He was also holding a whip, and wearing a bright yellow robe. I didn't know how he could wear that down here, given how hot it was. He turned to look at all the slaves, that had stopped working and were staring. "Alright all of you, Get your arses back to work!"

The Halasue people flinched but quickly started to shuffle around, picking up their tools.

The sound of picks against rock could be heard again.

I turned around and bent over to pick up my pickaxe. Pain shot through my side and I almost fell over again. This was a nasty cut. The man who had flogged me gave me a twisted smile. Happy I was in pain.

Soon everything was back to normal. Demon turned to look at me. He looked worried. "You okay?"

"I'm alright."

When my bag was finally full of the ore I started my long trek up. As I was walking I heard a yelp of joy. I turned to see who had made the noise when a young girl ran up to me and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. I let out a groan. She distanced herself from me a little. Her arms still on mine. "Oh my, are you okay? Did they whip you?" She asked in concern.

"Yeah." I let out a sigh. "Oh my, are you okay?!" She asked again now starting to look me over.

I raised an eyebrow. "You are?" She looked at me looking befuddled. She was taller than me with thick eyebrows, bright green eyes, and short jet black hair, it looked as if it had been cut by a blunt object. I couldn't see her well since it was dark and her face was covered in grime. "It's me, Jackie." She suddenly looked concerned again and started to look me over once more. I blinked then smiled. "Jackie! I couldn't recognize you with all the grime on your face! You're alive!?"

"Uhh, of course, I am. You can't get rid of me that easily! Anyway, where are you hu-"

She didn't get to finish her sentence. I giggled in delight and embraced her. "You're alive! Oh my, you're alive." I steadied myself and looked her over. "I thought you went with Papa to fight." Tears sprang from my eyes. I wiped them away quickly. "The Osaton people said they had waited till all the strong men and women had left, then ambushed us. They said you were d-dead."

Jakie looked a little sad for a minute. Then took in a deep breath. "They're right. That is what happened. But I was sick and couldn't go with the others. I staid home. I was going to tell you the next day but then...Well, the fire. I couldn't find you." She looked downcast. I smiled a little. "There's nothing you could have done to stop them Jakie." She looked up at me. She looked upset but she wasn't crying. It was rare to see her cry. I sighed "Leave it to Jackie to blame herself for everything."

A small smile played on her lips. "Come on Speranza. Let's get these ores out of here." Jakie said to me patting my shoulder. I smiled. Jakie was my best friend since childhood. Her family had died in the same earthquake my parents had. She was one year older than me, seventeen. She still had an older brother who took care of her. I didn't know if he had been killed by the men in yellow. No one knew anything yet for sure. I thought about asking Jakie but kept my mouth shut. If he was dead or ill, I didn't want to ruin the smile on her face. I'd ask her later.