Chapter 1. Moving On

I look out across the horizon and watch as the city that I once called home is engulfed by a black sea. The top of sky scrapers is all that could be spotted, the rest forever to be drowned under a dark ocean of waste. Sighing I turn to the group of strangers that I would soon get to know. 'Come on we need to find a place to sleep before sun down' I say walking away from them, heading inland. The sound of leather boot trudging against coarse sand and the distance rumbling of the dunes shifting is all that could be heard as the group of women, young and old carrying their young children through the scorching hot desert, hoping to find a place in time. After what seemed like hours I manage to catch a glimpse of a distant spot on the horizon. 'Look' I say pointing towards the dark spot. 'Hopefully it's a house' One of the younger children say. I hum in agreement still being cautious of what might be lurking.

With the sun setting the group have little time to decide whether they are going to go inside and face whatever dangers are in there or to risk it outside with 'them'. 'I don't think that staying in there is a good idea' A girl with blonde tangled hair strikes into the argument. 'Where else do we have to go?' an elderly woman snaps back. 'I don't know we could keep searching and find a different place to stay!' the girl raised her voice, and stepping forward aggressively. 'I wanna stay here sister' a quiet voice peeps. 'I know Zoe; I know' The bickering stops as a distant howl interrupts them. Stepping forwards 'its settled then we're staying' I say taking charge of the situation. I stop and look in through the open door waiting for something, anything. 'fine, but you're going in first' the girl grumbles. 'fine by me' I say walking into the broken house.

After clearing the house of any unwanted visitors we set up camp in what seems to be a lounge room, well what used to be. The room has sand scattered everywhere most likely from a broken window and nearly all of the furniture has been flipped or broken. Setting my tattered backpack down by the in the farthest corner from the door, I plonk down and try to get comfortable using my backpack as a pillow. Wishing that this would all just be a bad dream I toss and turn on the hard wooden floor. I think back to the life we could have had if Thresh and I didn't get caught. Stupid girl always getting herself into trouble, whether it was just some petty thieving or if it was something more life threatening she always managed to find trouble around every corner.

'Oi Red head you gonna join us or not' A voice hissed breaking me free from my thoughts. 'what does that blonde bimbo want now' I mentally groan. 'what' I snap lifting myself up from the cold floor. 'we're sharing food if you want some' She growled back. My stomach grumbled as I finally realize just how hungry I have been. 'whatever blondie' I say pushing past her to join the other women, who were sitting huddled in a circle trying to keep warm as they shared a couple cans of soup and vegetables. 'Hey this blondie has a name you know!' She snaps stomping her feet. 'yeah!?' I raise my voice sarcastically clearly making it known I'm not interested. "yeah and its Britney!' She stomps over to the opposite side of the circle and sits down with a thud. 'whatever' I say before shoving a spoonful of cold peas and corn into my mouth. 'this is around about the time you tell us your name' Britney glares. I look down into my lap guiltily 'Thorn' I mumble. Silence falls upon the group like a heavy coat of snow. Not that many of us knew what that looked like. 'what a crappy name' Britney snorts. 'Brit!' a girl no older than I, slaps her knee. 'What? I just saying'. 'sorry about her she's a little rough around the edges' the girl smiles. Nodding I pass on the spoon and can of soggy vegetables, before laying back onto the floor with my arms tucked under my head. Cozily drifting off to sleep.

After a couple of minutes, I hear a small voice peep next to me. 'Hey Thorn, umm I just want to say thanks for you know, getting us here' I lift my head slightly to see a younger girl with low brown pig tails sitting next to my boots. I make a 'tsking' noise before laying back down and closing my eyes. 'Umm I'm Zoe, and my sister is Amy, she's the one that told Britney off for you' she peeped again. Sitting up now and looking over at the other sister, who is conversing with some older women. I can now see the resemblance between the two. They both share the same brown wavy hair, Zoe with hers pulled into two low pig tails, and Amy with hers into a long high ponytail, which was poking out the back of a bright yellow beanie. Both bearing the same bright blue eyes and mass amount of freckles upon their rosy cheeks. Nodding my head, I lay back onto my side and curl up into a ball in hope to keep warm. Slowly darkness takes over and I drift off into a deep sleep.

Thank you for reading. I hope that you enjoyed the first chapter.