Hiding in the Heart of the City

The sound of their footsteps echoed along the cobblestone street, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they fled from the research facility now heavily guarded. Ricky, Sophie, Kieran, and Keeper ran without stopping toward the forest they had previously passed. But the sound of sirens and guard dogs grew closer. They knew that if they were caught, it would be the end of their journey.

"I see something ahead!" Sophie pointed to an old house on a narrow side street that looked abandoned.

Without hesitation, they approached the house. Before they could knock, an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles appeared at the door, looking at them with suspicion. "Who are you?" the man whispered sharply.

"We're just… travelers," Kieran answered quickly. "We need a place to hide they're chasing us."

The man eyed them for a moment, as if weighing whether he could trust them. After a few tense seconds, he finally nodded and opened the door wider. "Come in quickly."

They hurried inside the small house, and the man locked the door carefully behind them. Inside, an elderly woman sat in a wooden chair, looking at them with a worried expression.

"Who are they, Ed?" the woman asked softly.

"People in need of help," the man, Ed, replied. "Stay calm, Lena. We can't let them be captured."

After ensuring the coast was clear, Ed led them to a small basement room at the back of the house. There were a few wooden crates and stacks of old cloth. Though not comfortable, it was at least a safe hiding place for now.

"You can stay here until things calm down," Ed said. "But don't make too much noise. The guards often patrol this area."

"Thank you," Sophie said sincerely. "We're very grateful for your help."

Lena soon returned with bowls of simple food porridge with slices of dried meat and freshly baked bread.

"Here, eat," Lena said kindly. "You must be hungry."

Ricky and the others took the bowls hesitantly. The porridge looked very different from the food they were used to in the future. The warm smell of freshly baked bread filled the small room, making their empty stomachs growl even more.

"This… is amazing," Ricky murmured after his first bite. "I don't even remember the last time I ate something that actually tasted like real food."

"It tastes natural," Sophie added, her eyes gleaming. "Not like the synthetic meals we have in the future."

Ed raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'future'?"

Kieran quickly turned to Sophie, realizing her mistake. "Ah, she meant… food in our region is very different. We come from a faraway place."

Though Ed didn't seem fully convinced, he didn't press further.

After eating, Lena suggested they rest for a while before continuing their journey. However, Ricky felt they needed to scout the area first.

"I want to check outside," Ricky said to Kieran. "Maybe we can learn more about the city and find a shortcut to the time portal."

"Are you crazy? They're still looking for you!" Kieran replied firmly.

"But we also need information. If we know more about this city, it'll be easier to find our way," Ricky argued.

After a brief discussion, they agreed to go out in turns to avoid drawing attention. Ed handed them long dark cloaks for disguise. Cautiously, Ricky and Sophie stepped out first, leaving Kieran and Keeper behind in the house.

The city was far more lively than the desolate world they had left behind. Children ran through the streets, merchants cheerfully hawked their goods, and the scent of food from small stalls filled the air. It was a scene almost impossible to imagine in their future.

"I can't believe the world was ever this beautiful," Sophie whispered, her eyes scanning every corner of the city.

"Yeah… if only we could bring it back to this," Ricky replied softly.

They continued walking until they reached a small marketplace. There, they saw various goods they had never encountered before. Fresh fruits, fragrant spices, and colorful fabrics amazed them.

But their excitement didn't last long. In the distance, several guards could be seen inspecting every corner of the market, as if searching for someone.

"We need to leave now," Ricky whispered.

They quickly turned around and walked briskly toward Ed's house. But before they could get far, one of the guards spotted them and shouted, "Hey, you there! Stop!"

Ricky and Sophie immediately broke into a run. The guard chased after them, calling for reinforcements. The once peaceful market turned chaotic as people scrambled to get out of the way.

They managed to reach Ed's house just before the guards saw where they had gone. Kieran and Keeper, who were already on alert inside, quickly closed the door.

"What happened?" Keeper asked.

"They almost caught us," Sophie said, panting. "There are more guards now."

"We need to leave tonight," Kieran said firmly. "The longer we stay, the greater the risk."

Hearing their conversation, Ed looked worried

"I know a secret way out of the city, but you must be careful. Once you're outside, I can't help you any further."

That night, with Ed and Lena's help, they slipped through a narrow passage hidden behind the house. After walking for hours under the cover of darkness, they finally reached the outskirts of the city.

"Thank you for everything," Sophie said sincerely to Ed and Lena.

"May you stay safe," Lena said, holding back tears.

After bidding farewell, Ricky, Sophie, Kieran, and Keeper continued their journey toward the hidden time portal buried in the ruins of the past.

However, as they moved away, a mysterious figure appeared in the distance, watching them intently.

***

"They won't escape that easily," the figure whispered before vanishing into the shadows of the night.