Chapter 2 We Will Find Your Dad Together

My brain started working so fast. I looked around in, contemplating whether to show myself or stay hidden. I didn't want to die. But then, I noticed something. On one end of the room, there was something like a door. I slowly and quietly walked towards it. And when I pushed it, it actually opened. It was a door leading to and underground tunnel. “Hey,” I whispered. “Come on. We have to get out of here.” The tunnel was so long. We didn't even know where it led. But it was better than being burnt alive. “What's your name?” I finally asked the boy. He was walking quietly beside me, hugging his backpack tightly. “Adam,” he replied. I nodded in understanding. “That's a nice name. I'm Kelly.” Adam nodded. He seemed more mature than most kids his age. Even with everything that was happening to him, he still had the courage to keep going. “Where are you planning to go, Adam?” I asked after thinking for a while. It was hard running without knowing your destination. I was in that situation at the moment. Adam shook his head. “I don't know.” We were silent for so long until we reached the end of the tunnel. I opened the other end, and we were almost blinded by the light. After making sure that the coast was clear, I got out and helped Adam out too. He looked at me anxiously, “Where are you going?” I was silent for a second too as I stared at the smoke in the distance. The men had actually set the house on fire. I didn't understand why anyone would be that heartless. I felt so emotional at that time. “I don't know either, Adam. I'm just running from them, like you.” I knew that it was useless sharing my problems to a kid who had his own share. But it somehow felt better. I hadn't talked to anyone for a long time. Adam took some water from his bag and gave it to me. “You look thirsty. Have some,” he said. I hesitated for a second before drinking a few mouthfuls. I was actually thirsty. “Why don't we stick together? I will help you find your dad once we are safe,” I said. I knew that he was actually going to slow me down, but I couldn't leave him behind. I swore to protect him. “Okay,” Adam immediately nodded his head. He seemed relieved to hear that. “Let's go, then,” I said and held his arm. I felt determined again. But just when I turned around, I saw someone I least wanted to see at that time. “Luke,” I called in fear. Luke was one of Cliff's men. However, he was my friend for the few months that I had stayed there. He stared at me calmly, and I even felt more terrified. “You have to let me go, please. I didn't mean to hurt him…” “Go this way,” Luke said and pointed in a certain direction. “I'll divert them.” “Thanks,” I said. I knew he had a lot of words to say to me, but we didn't have the time. “I'll owe you, Luke.” I held Adam's hand and we ran again, in the direction that he had told us. However, a few days later, something happened. We jumped over the fence and a wire cut Adam's leg. He was bleeding a lot. We rushed to the first house we saw. We found an old couple. “Please, you have to help us,” I begged. Luckily, after explaining to them our situation, they seemed to understand. They were good people. I dressed Adam's wound and the couple gave us some more water and food. “Thanks so much,” I said. “We have to keep going.” The elderly woman looked at me and then back at Adam. “He is not in good shape,” she said. “Why don't you leave him here and find whatever you are looking for? We can hide him well and say that he is our grandson.” I looked at Adam again and I felt sad. “It'll be dangerous for you…” “Don't worry about us,” the old man said. “We'll try to keep the kid safe. You can move faster that way.” What they said made sense. Adam needed to rest. It wasn't good to keep him running. However, he looked hesitant. I leaned down and looked at him. “Adam, I promise to come back for you. We'll find your dad together. Let me find some help for us first, okay?” “Promise?” He asked, his eyes red with tears. We had gotten close over the last few weeks. I knew that he looked up to me. “I promise,” I said and wrote down the couple's contact information. “Just stay here and be good. I'll come back for you.” After we came to an agreement, I packed just a few of the things the couple gave me and left. I wished I could stay too. That would mean no more running. But it would be difficult for them to explain the presence of two people. At least for Adam, they could just say that he was their grandson. I didn't want to risk their life and maybe make them lose their home. I ran for a few more days, and met them again. Cliff's people were everywhere again. I was out of cash, and my food and water were finished. I was tired and exhausted. I just wanted to rest. But I couldn't, because they were right behind me, and everywhere else. I also noticed that the people on the streets seemed to have pictures of me. They were looking for me too. I couldn't go anywhere. It was like I was trapped. “Hey!” One woman called at me. And when she saw my face, she shouted. “I found her!”