1
Silence was the key to surviving in this new world. From a young age we were taught how we are all imperfect and are given our imperfection on our faces as a reminder. From birth the elders decide our futures.
When they believe we reach our maturity we are either assigned as a soldier or a wife. I was assigned to be given to an elder. My parents were so proud and honored and I smiled but on the inside I knew it was wrong only ten and being married to a man five times my age. I couldn't do it so I gathered a backpack of supplies, a bow and arrow and left in the middle of the night. The minute I stepped out of the village I was no longer a seraphite. I was now an apostate.
It took a while to get an understanding of the land outside of Haven Some young children would venture out. I knew some routes but my mother was extremely protective and would make me stay at home. Leaving me to entertain myself while the other children played outside and learned together.
Looking at a map I was trying to find the best way to leave Seattle. The farther away I could get from Seattle the safer I would be.
Maps were not uncommon when we were children. The Seraphite elders taught us how to make coded maps, several different whistles that all had different meanings such as location, safe area, and demons
*Click*
I closed my eyes and breathed out, my neck moved forwards as I felt a cold weapon right up against it.
“Turn around slowly” A voice behind me says
May she guide me,may she protect me
I turn to see a young boy couldn’t be older than seventeen
“Give me everything you have?” he said as he pointed the weapon closer to my face.
“I am all alone. I only have my bow and a couple of arrows.” He sneered at me
“You really expect me to believe that bullshit? Where is it? Tell me and I might make it quick.”
Soon a moan was heard he turned to look at door as a multiple demons entered.
I slammed my hand into his arms and kicked his stomach. Taking him by surprise he aimed his weapon but fell I grabbed my stuff and ran as fast I could. As I ran from the room I heard shot after shot. Then a scream as the demons took over
Jumping over tables I hear more demons right behind me. I entered a room and closed the door moving a metal shelf to buy me some time
I quickly exited through an open window and kept running until I found myself at the edge of a small broken down street by a river. .
The water rushed quickly below me.
Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I jumped straight into the cold ridgid waters.
Traveling outside of Washington was truly an experience. So much nature and the old world mixed together was a sight.
I had been traveling for a few weeks hunting, scavenging, and killing demons. Fall soon turned into winter and trading was becoming a common occurrence. I was able to trade a couple of squirrels and rabbits for new shoes, scarves,and coats for the winter.
Seraphites clothing was simple, and light that was not meant for these conditions.
Of course meeting new people was awkward, they would just stare at my face, the lines from cheek to forehead were uncommon for people outside of Heaven.
But in these trades I met Jake and Cherry and an older couple. But of course our first encounter wasn’t the friendliest, more like bloody.
I walked through the trails checking to see if my snares caught anything. Winter was tough but rabbits appeared here and there.
As I walked down a hill I heard a huff, walking through the tree line I spotted a horse. It was a light colored with white spots all over its body. Clearly grasing , a younger foal walked up next to it.
Smiling seeing the mother and its baby. I began to approach them and the mother turned to me but soon went back to eating and ignored me. Just as I was about to pet it.
*Shot*
My body moved backwards and I fell to the floor. I was shocked, my eyes widening and gasping for air as if I suddenly forgot how to breathe.
“Oh shit! Chery, it's a young girl. Go get the first aid kit ready.” I looked up to see a man with a hat and a weapon looking down at me.
“Don’t worry kiddo I got you, I am sorry but this is going to hurt.” He said as he put his hand on the wound and I screamed.
I woke up in a room blinking multiple times and looked around. I was in a pink room surrounded by toys, a vanity and pictures on the wall. I tried to get up but felt pain. I looked down to see my stomach was wrapped with a bandage. Suddenly I remembered what happened.
The door opened. I looked over to see an older woman with dark hair but with a couple of white strips beginning to show. She smiled warmly at me holding a tray.
“You're up, thank God you've been asleep for two days.” she said as she placed the tray down.
Looking over there was basin, bandages, scissors, and tape. I looked up and frowned at her.
She smiled, “I am just going to clean the wound and check how the stitches are holding up.” I nodded as she began to unwrap my wound.
I stayed in bed for a couple of weeks after getting up on my feet Jake, Cherry’s husband would not stop apologizing even with me reassuring them. I was still apprehensive but I soon warmed up to them. They were the first people I told about my previous life, they had horrified looks on their faces. I tried reassuring them of our prophet's beliefs but Jake said they took advantage of the beliefs and twisted them to fit their own agenda.
They were sweet and offered me a place to live in their cabin. Of course I was skeptical and opted not to but seeing my hesitation they offered their smaller shed a couple of yards away. Easily visible but enough space for privacy.
They had lost their daughter early on once the infection spread. It took a while but we soon realized I needed them as much as I needed me.
Jake taught me how to shoot and I was taken aback. We were taught to not embrace the old word possessions they were not needed.
“Hey you are no longer there and while a bow is useful a gun is faster.” He explained it to me.
I was crap at shooting and he laughed when I missed all my targets which only motivated me more. Took two years but now I am a skilled marksman as he likes to say.
Cherry taught me medical terminology, and hand on practice explaining she was something called a resident where she would learn how to fix people by opening up their body. Jake couldn't stop laughing as he saw my horrified face as she explained something called Thoracotomy.
I helped with the animals around the farm. They were easier to be around than people. They did not judge you or hold any kind of resentment, just looked for food and affection.
“Hey kiddo” I turn to see Jake holding the reins to Ginger and the older horse.
I nodded in his direction
“I just wanted to warn you we are having some company today. A couple of folks from Jackson..”
“The settlement down the hill right?” asking as I pet Ginger
He nodded as he took a seat on a barrel.
“Yes, Tommy and his brother are making new trail routes, and asked to come up here when I was down there.”
Jackson was a large settlement down the hill from the farm. I looked at it from time to time but would avoid its residents.
“Okay I won't be in your way I’ll stay in the shed.”
“No, I wanted you to meet them, maybe even show them some of the trails you made.”
“Why would they even need to know that if they just patrol routes down by them. They won't lead anywhere. It's just for hunting and seeing how they have their own settlement. I doubt they need my help in that area.”
He laughed “Well okay you got me I knew that was a shit excuse, but I just wanted you to meet them and try to go see Jackson.” I was about to protest but he held his hands up
“I know you don’t like to socialize with other people unless you have to but this would be a great opportunity to meet people your own age. They have many kids in Jackson and being around me and Cheery doesn't give you that opportunity, just think about it ok.”
“I won't promise anything.” Going back to spreading out the food for the animals he huffed and hugged me.
“I just want the best for you kiddo, when Cherry and I leave this wor-” I turned and glared at him.
“We won't always be here and I trust you can take care of yourself but kiddo, being alone is not healthy.”
“But I am not alone, I have the animals.” I protested as he ruffles my hair
“Okay but I was thinking about someone with less hair and could talk.” I snorted “How do you know they don’t talk? Maybe you just scared them.”
He laughs and squeezes me “Just think about it okay?” and I nod.
“Jake, come on out Tommy and Joel are here!.” We turned towards the door. He looks down at me with pleading eyes. I sigh and begin to walk outside to see two men with similar features.
“Tommy, Joel good to see you” Jake says as he goes up them giving them a firm handshake. I stand behind him.
“Well welcome to our farm.” He steps to the right and grabs my shoulders, pushing me forward.
“This is Lena, I don't think you had the pleasure of meeting.”
“So this is the famous Lena. It's great to finally meet you.” Tommy extends his hand out. I just stare at him. He slowly retracks it
“Lena, remember that a handshake is a friendly gesture.” Jake says to me and I roll my eyes
“Really I thought he was asking for my hand in marriage.” I replied sarcastically.
I see Tommy’s eyes widen , and Joel trying to cover a laugh with a cough as Jake’s lip forms into a thin line so it was so easy to annoy him.
“Don’t be a smart-ass” he says as he pushes my shoulder.
“Hello it’s nice to meet you.” I smiled and as quickly as it appeared it disappeared. They both nodded.
“Look who else came” we looked to our left seeing Chery walking out of the back door with a young girl with auburn hair carrying a backpack and rifle.
She looked up at us. She has green eyes, a scar on her left eyebrow, freckles, and a stern expression as if she tries to anticipate someone's next move.
“Ah, and I see you brought Ellie, how are you darling?” Her focus shifts to Jake and gives a small smile and a nod.
She stands by Joel, within arms distance but doesn't acknowledge him but she does nod at Tommy, interesting. Now We both stare at each other. He moves in between us, opening his arms.
“Ellie this Lena, Lena this is Ellie.”
She keeps her eyes on me as I nod. “Nice to meet you.” She extends her arm out. I looked down and saw she had lines to what seemed to be leaves.
I paused. I’ve never seen something like that before. I grabbed her arm and pulled it towards me. She took a step back.
“Hey what the fuck are you doing.” She pulls her arm back. I let go and looked down, ashamed I didn't know what came over me.
“Sorry Ellie, she's never seen or heard of tattoos before.” She looked skeptical.
“Sorry it was nice meeting all of you but I have work to do.” I walk away back to the shed. I heard Jake trying to apologize as I closed the door. I looked up to see her green eyes staring intensely back at me.