~Chapter One~
xxxxx“Em. Em, we need to go. Em,
now!”
xxxxxI glance up from the rustic well at the urgency in Dad's tone, letting the bucket drop straight down.
xxxxx“Dad, what's wrong?” I jog toward him, worry welling inside me as he tries not to run to me from across the other side of the square.
xxxxx“We need to go,” he says shortly, grabbing my hand. “Quickly.” We set off at a quick walk through the town, Dad glancing furtively over his shoulder as we go. I don't understand the rush; he was at the council meeting for only a few minutes, what could happen in that time?
xxxxx“Go home.” Dad releases my hand, catching me by surprise, and flicks his hands. “Go. Run. Tell your mother to start packing; take only what we'll need. Run, girl!”
xxxxxI nod quickly, leaping forward into an instant sprint. He's scaring me.
xxxxxSmall clouds of dirt puff up from my heels as I push myself to run faster, slicing the air with my hands.
xxxxxI'm a good runner, the fastest in town, but it takes a minute or two to reach home. Slowing to a jog, I shove the gate open and head up the driveway, panting heavily.
xxxxx“Mum!” I call, leaning forward to leap up the steep, gravelly hill we call a driveway. “Mum, quick, Dad said —” I burst through the door and stop, anxiety welling in my chest. Where is she? I decide to check the livingroom, and tension leaves my chest as she glances up at me from a chair, baby Izak held upright against her chest.
xxxxx“Mum, Dad said to start packing; only essentials — he looks really worried, what's going on?”
xxxxx“I don't know,” she replies absently, passing Izak to me, and quickly exits the room.
xxxxxI frown, settling the baby as he starts awake with a small cry. Mum's lying. Or holding something back.
xxxxx“The man's
mad!” Dad's voice thunders through the house and the door slams shut loudly, causing both Izak and I to jump out of our skins.
xxxxxI skip to the doorway, watching as he storms down the hall, still shouting.
xxxxx“He's mad, Dem — he's
mad!”
xxxxx“Who is?” Mum steps out from their bedroom doorway, a worried frown creasing her face as she folds a coat. “What's going on?”
xxxxx“Simeon!” Dad chokes out, grief and anger obvious in his tone. “He —” Izak wails softly, and Dad quietens. “He's ordered all children under the age of one to be killed. Some mad theory about usurpers.
xxxxx“I'm sorry, Dem, I should have listened; we should have left with the others; this is my —”
xxxxx“That's enough,” Mum says commandingly, in a tone she only ever uses on me — and, despite my horror and disgust, I can't help smiling a little. “You did what you thought was right; that's all any of us did. Now come, help me pack the clothing. Em, are you able to hunt out some portable food with Izak?” I nod, and she smiles weakly. “Thanks, hun.”
xxxxxI make my way over to the kitchen, hugging the baby tightly to my chest. Poor little boy. Simeon is insane, I decide, letting a scowl slip across my face. Who could do such a thing?
xxxxxMoving as quickly as I can, I slowly pick away at packing the supplies. Nuts, chocolate, bottles of water, dried meat, a few salad greens... We don't have much at all.
xxxxx“How's it going?”
xxxxxI nearly have a heart-attack, and spin round wildly, nearly dropping the can of beans in my hand.
xxxxx“Dad! Don't
scare me like that!” I shake the beans reprovingly, trying not to laugh, but he doesn't respond. Normally, he'd laugh, or wink teasingly. But he just stares, waiting for an answer to his question.
xxxxx“Good. Sort of,” I say quietly, popping the beans in a bag and trying not to stare at how worn-out and haggard he looks already. "We don't have much."
xxxxx“I know. But we have these.” He leans over, handing me the butchering-knife he often uses to slaughter livestock. Its blade is long, curved, and dangerously sharp. “I want you to keep that on you at all times, Em. Never put it down, never let it out of sight. I have a few more for your mother and I, so defend yourself at all costs and don't worry about us.”
xxxxxMy throat is tight with reluctance and fear as I hold the knife awkwardly, trying to keep it as far from the sleeping Izak as I possibly can.
xxxxx“But — Dad, a-are you sure? Surely the car can outrun any dangers on the road?”
xxxxxDad sighs heavily; it seems to come from the very depth of his being and exit his mouth in a great gust. Perching on the nearest benchtop, he runs a hand through his thick hair and stares absently at the floor with a troubled expression.
xxxxx“We're not taking the car, Em. They know our license-plate; they'll track us and stop us before we get Izak to safety. No, we have to go on foot.”
xxxxx“
On foot?” I can't believe my ears. On foot through hostile territory? With a baby? Fording rivers, crossing mountains, wandering who-knows-where with
a baby?xxxxxI realise I'm excited by the prospect. Despite the danger Izak is in, despite the hardships ahead, despite fear of the unknown, something inside of me is singing.
At last, at last!xxxxxDad glances at me from under his hand, looking mildly surprised. “You sounded more impatient than upset,” he chuckles softly, and I grin at him, reassured now he's looking more normal.
xxxxx“I guess.”
xxxxx“Izac?” Mum's voice emanates from down the hall, and Dad wearily rises to his feet. “Izac, can you help me lift this, please?” He forces me a smile and leaves to help Mum.
xxxxxI quickly finish sorting the food, butterflies swimming in my stomach as I daydream over the potential adventures ahead, and deliver the bags to Mum.
xxxxxSorting out all our belongings takes up the better part of an hour; I'm restless and annoyed, ready to be gone, but Mum and Dad seem reluctant.
xxxxx“Right. I suppose we'd better go,” Mum says softly, laying a hand on Dad's shoulder. He clears his throat a few times, then silently nods.
xxxxxQuietly, he opens the door and stands aside to let Mum and I walk through. It swings shut behind us with an ominous clicking sound, and Dad wordlessly pockets the keys.
xxxxxThe sky burns behind our home, dark tears of fiery blood-red dripping from its dull blue face as Dad gently takes Izak from my arms and takes the first steps of a long, long journey.
