Hiding

HeroMy chest tightens as the sound of approaching engines grows even louder."They're coming! We must go!" Dad's voice trembles."Who?" Mom asks."Freaks.""How many?" I ask, my voice shaking."Too many," Dad answers."Not now, Hero," Mom interjects. She then moves to the wooden emergency closet in the corner of our living room. By opening its doors, she reveals a hidden cache of weapons and gear."Four.""Only four? We can fight them.""Hero, don't talk," Mom orders, her tone leaving no room for argument."One of them, USR," Dad adds.It's awesome to witness my mom turning into a badass warrior. She gets all geared up, wearing a bulletproof vest, a belt with ammo, and a big silver knife on her hip.The sound of engines increases even more, so we have to hurry. Mom grabs my hand, and we rush out the back door, leaving Dad behind and moving towards our hangar."But what about Dad?""He'll join us."As we race uphill, our home gets smaller, knowing behind it is our garage.The sound of explosions in the distance makes my stomach turn.I need to see if Dad's doing okay."Keep on moving, Hero." Mom commands, making me focus on running and not looking back.The sand under our feet crackles as we push ahead, huffing and puffing. Mom doesn't utter a word.Finally, we reach the top of the hill, and I'm bent over, trying to catch my breath.When I look down from the hill, I see our garage, and Falcon parked in front.The sunlight reflects off Falcon's sandy-coloured body, making it difficult to see. The garage, a mix of plastic plates and rusted steel, its improvised plastic roof dancing in the wind.Then I notice fresh tyre marks behind Falcon.The sand gave us away. Our excitement caused us to miss seeing them.Gunshots echo in the background.I release my mother's hand, turning to face the hill.Is that Dad running towards us?Mom's tug on my arm brings me back to the present.I stumble forward, almost falling, and we descend the hill, seeking refuge in the garage's shade. The sound of explosions persists, yet Dad remains out of sight.I'm dying for him to come back.Mom's foot taps in the sand, her eyes narrowing. It's taking too long.She gets in Falcon and drives Falcon into the garage, hiding it behind our pickup truck. I follow her.We cover our special car with dark cloths and pile junk on top and around it, making it look like a heap of scrap metal.It's weird to see Falcon go from symbolising freedom and adventure to being hidden like this.Mom focuses on a far steel wall. She uncovers a small hole by lifting a heavy metal slab. My heart's going crazy as she calls me over."Go in there," she instructs.I'm scared, but I trust her. I tuck my knees to my chest and wedge myself into the hiding spot, pressing my back against the wall. Mom gives me one last look, her touch soothing as she strokes my back. She puts her finger on her lips, telling me to shush.I can't bear being separated as she slides the covering plate into place. In a rush of emotions, I push the metal plate aside, bursting out of my hiding spot. I wrap my arms around her, tears streaming down my cheeks."Please don't go! Mom, stay," I say, my voice all choked up."I love you... Go in here."I nod.When my mom closes the hideout, it gets all dark, and I'm just staring at this little gap where I can see outside. The silence in the empty garage gives me a heavy feeling of dread.What am I supposed to do? How long do I have to wait?Gunfire! In the far distance.The sound of blasts, and I desperately pray, something we never did. However, right now, everything has changed."God, I promise I will believe in you if you save us. Please help us!" I plead.A piercing cry shatters the silence, echoing through the hangar.A moment later, my father's cry joins hers, a cry of pain. Their voices give me chills, and I want to help.No matter how hard I push, the metal plate won't move.Peering through the small gap, all I can see is a pile of junk and our pickup truck."Dad! Mom!" I call out, but there is no answer. It's super quiet right now. Suddenly, loud bangs, each gunshot hurting my eardrums.Please save them! Oh God, please!As the echoes fade away, the only sound that reaches me is the howling wind.But before long, I hear footsteps and my heart fills with relief as I see her silhouette blocking out the light.It's Mom.She clears the rubble blocking the metal plate, then glances back at me through the opening."Sorry, I put too much stuff in front of the plate.""It's okay... You're back."She smiles at me and presses her finger against her lips again."Whatever happens, don't leave until it's safe. Then go to the Far East. Use Falcon. You can do it. I know you'll reach Eden."I nod.Mom didn't notice me. She's too focused on the exit.Low to the ground, she moves towards a garbage heap, holding a rifle in one hand and dropping Dad's gun in the other."Mom, I can help," I whisper.I stretch my arm, attempting to grasp my father's weapon. My fingertips brush the barrel."Come on!" I clench my teeth."Just stay still and be quiet," she replies.Then I hear a soft bang.And from the corner of my eye, I watch in horror as a lifeless hand falls to the ground. I recognise it.No! It's Dad!I can only see his chest because the plate still blocks most of my view.My throat tightens, and tears start flowing."Mom, is he okay?""What did I say? Be quiet, Hero, and stay in there.""Dad?" I whisper, hoping for an answer from him."Shhh!" Mom corrects me again.She moves towards me, grabbing the metal plate.The cover slides shut, leaving just a little daylight that keeps me connected to the outside world.This time, nothing's being shuffled around in front of the plate.My heart is pounding, and I want to call out to Mom. But I can't. I must obey.The wind buzzing outside gives way to the rumble of engines, causing the metal walls to vibrate.Just a little later, they cut the engines, and in the creepy silence, I hear two people laughing evilly.Then, the sound of heavy footsteps getting closer to me.These footsteps are not my parents'. They are loud, clumsy, and full of danger. The crashing of metal and shifting of our belongings penetrates the steel plate I'm behind. Panting, gurgling, and spitting sounds grow louder and terrifying with each passing second.What are they doing? Are my parents still alive?BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!Four shots ring out, and I flinch as if the bullets have struck me.I hold my breath, trying to remain as quiet as possible.Please, God, give me some answers. What is happening? Did we make it? Are we safe?The false laughter of my unwelcome visitors crushes my hopeful question, and they fire two more shots. I cover my mouth with both hands. Pain shoots through my head as I bump the back of it against the wall.Ouch."Well, they must be dead by now," says a man with a hoarse voice, followed by a sinister chuckle."Do you think so?" asks his female companion, snorting.Bang! Bang!"Yup! Now, I'm sure!" the unknown man confirms, their laughter echoing.No! This can't be happening. Please, let it not be true.I clasp my legs with my arms, balling my fists in anger. These killers fill my heart with fire, and I yearn to fight back.My mom's words echo in my head, holding me back again. "Stay here until it's safe."I will, I promise.Someone else calls out to the two murderers outside the hangar, and his heavy breathing sounds like air rushing through a tube. "So, did you find it?""No... but look at this!" says the woman, excitement in her voice.Heavy footsteps and a jingling sound approach, like army boots marching.A rugged slap lands on someone's skin, creating an awkward silence. My parents' killers erupt in laughter, coughing and choking on their drool."Shut up!" the artificial voice commands, silencing them.This must be their leader.After some spitting and catching their breath, they fall silent."There's only junk here! What good are two skinny, riddled corpses?" the leader growls.The woman laughs, a cold and heartless sound."Well, their limbs are still pretty good, aren't they?" the other man mumbles."Silence! It must be here. Search! We have little time!" the leader orders. "If Swifters find us here, we're dead."They rummage through the clutter, shifting metal and plastic.What do they want? Falcon? Me?"Wait!" the artificial one commands."What boss?" the male Freak says."This woman. I think I know her.""From what?"A moment of silence."I... I don't know. Let's move!""And the bodies, boss. Their eyes, maybe, for your collection?""No time... Let them rot."The three pairs of footsteps fade away, car doors close, and their engines roar to life. I cringe and clap my hands over my ears, waiting for the noise to subside.The engines get quieter as they drive away.Are they gone? Or is it a trap?I stay put, as I promised, and I pray again.Why did this happen? What did I do wrong? God, please help me! I don't want to be alone!There's still no answer. It feels as if God has abandoned this earth a long time ago.Hours pass, and exhaustion washes over me. My tears have dried, leaving salty traces. I drift off to sleep, my dreams haunted by the images of my parents lying lifeless, their hands intertwined.I'm yawning and rubbing my eyes, trying to figure out how much time has passed.Sliding the plate aside, I cautiously exit the hole and scan for dangers.The coast is clear.I notice a pool of blood on the ground, and I follow its trail to my father's hand.There they lie, my parents, holding each other's hand, their bodies riddled with bullets.Why did they just shoot them? They should have taken them, right? What were they looking for? What did I do wrong?My vision blurs and tears flow down my cheeks. I drop to my knees beside them."Please, wake up! I'm so sorry about everything! Tell me it's not my fault. Mama, papa, I did as you told me. I stayed put... I did good, didn't I? Please!" I sob.Still waiting for a response.They can't hear me... They're gone.Loneliness overwhelms me.Suddenly, memories and words of paradise flood my mind.I get up, wiping away my tears.No matter what it takes, I will find Eden.I remove their wedding rings and thread them into a lace from my mother's shoe. The lace forms a necklace that I wear close to my heart.My supercar, Falcon, appears before me as I sift through the junk in the hangar. I gather tools and car parts, shove them in Falcon's trunk, and figure I'll sort them out later.I search for my parent's guns.Dang it, they took them.Sneaking through the remains of our garden and shattered greenhouses, I return to our house and go through the living room in search of useful and valuable items.Something beneath the emergency closet captures my attention.With great effort, I remove a bag and hold it upside down. My parents' crossbow, their go-to weapon, falls out with some arrows.It's weird to take their stuff... Almost too painful.But there's more.A round steel box drops to the ground. It's a beat-up compass.I turn it around, and the needle moves, pointing me in a direction.This could be very helpful.I search for five minutes. But no luck finding anything else.The engine hums to life as I sit behind the wheel, gripping it tight.This is it... I think I've got everything I need.I promise never to be like a Freak or USR.Tears still in my eyes, I give one last look at my old home and the two grave mounds where I buried my parents.I'm so sorry for everything.Then, I step on the pedal and zoom away, leaving my past in the dust as I set out on a journey that will shape my future.The Journey to Eden.