Midnight Fire - Rise of the Dark Angel - Book One (16 page)

             
He ran back to the cave and easily slipped inside without anyone’s notice. He walked to Phoenix’s door, needing to check on her. He cracked it open and saw her sleeping soundly with Sadie by her side
.
I
t made him smile. He was glad she had a friend to comfort her
but
frustrated by the intrusion.
If her friend hadn’t been there he most likely would’
ve climbed in next to her.

             
He quietly shut the door and went to his designated room. It was only a few doors from
her, which he’
d made sure of. He needed to be near her, right next to her was preferable.
His
room was
basic
but
sufficient.

             
He
lay
on the
mattress
, not caring it was
n’
t comfo
rtable. He didn’t sleep much. He liked the moments of unconsciousness, though. He’d watched many humans sleep and was fascinated by the emotions crossing their features. He wondered if those same emotions would show on his human form. He would imagine so, at least if he were able to dream. He shut his eyes and his last thought
was
of Phoenix.

             
We’ve
been in the cave for a year.
It was
my
fourteenth
birthday and mom made me a cake. It was a real treat to get a piece of cake with real frost
ing
on it. She
even managed to save some pink sprinkles, which filled me with delight. It was funny
how
those little things, I
never thought of before
,
were
what
mattered so much now.

             
Of course
,
there were
n’t any
presents
. I
t wasn’t like mom could go to a local mall and pick
out
something but that didn’t bother me. At least I was one of the lucky
few
who still had my family with me. There were so many children without parents and even worse, parents who’d lost their children. Mom made sure we prayed daily, thanking the heavens we were still together. 

             
We’d all grown accustomed to our daily routines and everyone was close, like one large family unit. The elders were always off somewhere planning
things
and making sure
the place
ran
smoothly, while
the
rest of us
had our own chores
.
W
e also
found
a lot of play time.
             

             
One of the great things about the cave
was
school
being
only a couple hours a day.
There was some book work
but the main focus
was
on self-defense and more physical activities. The elders told us we had to be prepared in case we ever got caught.

             
I know in those early years I never truly comprehended what it meant to be caught. It was so unbelievable I refused to even think about it. There was no way
what happened
to other people who came into our caves could ever happen to us. That was a thought that got me through the early days and somehow made me able to survive all the horror around me.

             
None of
the
kids were armed with weapons, as that would’ve been too dangerous in the tight quarters but we were armed with knowledge. We were also taught how to use our strength and
skills in order to survive. I’d always enjoyed sports in school so the boxing lessons were my favorite activity of the day. I missed having a volleyball court to play on, or a soccer field to kick a ball but I made
do
with what I had, as
everyone
did. We even managed to have a good time
in
our sanctuary. 

             
I quickly became one of the best boxers out of
everyone
. John would tease me that his baby sister could kick his butt. I knew he was
just
humoring me but it would still make my head swell with pride. There wasn’t a lot to be proud of in the type of society we’d formed so any praise was
seriously
appreciated.

             
Sadie and I had always been close but being together so much made us even more like sisters than ever before. We depended on each other. I was kind of shy and quiet but quick to learn things and always responsible.
People were naturally drawn
to
Sadie, so she was good at making friends
.

             
With the two of us having our own strengths it wasn’t hard to find others to hang out with so we were always surrounded. It seemed everyone felt the same way and felt comfort in numbers being in such a new and strange place.

             
The longer we stayed in the cave, the more it felt like a real home. Our numbers kept
growing
because we had trackers who’
d
search
for other escapees in the woods. The people who were found were awed and humbled by our set-up and
the
kids were always happy to have new friends.

             
Sometimes
,
we’
d even forget we were in hiding and things would almost seem normal, that is when we stopped looking at the rock walls surrounding us. Time continued
to
press forward
and the fear lessened each day we were there because the elders never told us of any real dangers. It made it a lot more bearable. I can’t imagine how my father and the other parents felt
,
worrying about how they were going to keep
us safe and wondering if we’
d ever get to leave this place.

             
As the time
continued
to pass
people even started to get
married. I’
ll never forget the first time a new baby was born
in
the cave. You would’ve thought it was a Christmas Miracle or something because there was so much joy in the air.

             
That tiny baby seemed to be more of an example of hope than anything else was. It was a symbol that life truly would keep going on and we could survive even the worst things life threw at us. I still smile today thinking about that moment
.
E
ach time I see that little boy my heart beats with joy of a new beginning and a
possible
future
away from the caves
.

**********

             
“I don’t think you should be allowed to go out
yet
after
last week’s
stunt
but
dad disagrees
,
” John grumbled at Phoenix in the dining room.
She
and Sadie had overslept and were lucky to get anything good to eat. Both girls were starving and not paying much attention to John.

             
Jayden was there, looking t
o
o
attractive
for so early in the
morning
. It actually made Phoenix a bit grumpy how
handsome
he look
ed
, considering she knew she must look like a train hit her. She
’d
rushed to the k
itchen, hoping for a hot meal. She hadn’
t taken any time for hair, make-up, or clothes.
She
and Sadie were still in the
ir
pajamas.

             
“I’
m
certainly glad she wandered off
or I may still be out there,” Jayden said, coming to Phoenix’s defense, which earned him a stern look from John.

             
“She needs
to take better care of herself
or one day she won’t make it home,” John said. Jayden knew the
harsh
words were said because of how much John loved his
sister. O
therwise
,
he wouldn’t ever let the guy get away with talking to Phoenix that way.

             
“I
already
told you I was really sorry
,
John and I promise I
won’t
go wandering again
but
please don’t keep me inside. We only ha
ve so much time
for
good weather
and I lo
ve to be outside,” Phoenix said
and gave her brother a big grin
.
Jayden saw the moment he caved.
He
wondered if she knew the power she
had over the people around her
or
if it
was unconscious. He
thought it was
unintentional
, as she was simply t
o
o
sweet
to try and
purposely
manipulate anyone.

             
“Okay
,
but
you
won’t be alone.
Sadie will go with you
,
since she’
s the only one who can actually make you behave
.
Plus,
you have to stay near us,” John relented. Phoenix jumped from the table and gave her brother a huge hug, which he tried
to shrug off
but
Jayden could see he liked the a
ffection. Jayden wished she’
d rush over to him next.

             
“You know
,
you’
re the best brother ever
,
right?” Phoenix said
,
then
she
and Sadie took off to get ready to head out. John shook his head at their retreating backs and then turned to Jayden.

             
“I adore my sister
but
she’
s really naï
ve to the world around her. She’s clueless as to
how many ways she can get hurt,” John sighed.

             
“I’
ll keep an e
ye on the girls today while you’
re
hunting. I understand what you’
re saying, as
I lost my sister
,
too
,” Jayden said.

             
“I couldn’t
take it
if something happened to her. I’m sorry you lost your sister,
” John said. The girl
s returned quickly, both
afraid
John
would change
his mind
if they were gone t
o
o long
.
Then they’
d be stuck
with
kitchen duty.

             
“We’
re ready to go,” Phoenix said, a bit out of breath, which made both John and Jayden smile.

             
“Is Brian going out today?” Sadie asked shyly and turned a bit pink.

             
“Yeah, he should be here any minute,” John told her, not even noticing Sadie’s obvious crush on his friend. Phoenix thought g
uy
s really were clueless.

             
“This must be the meeting place,” Brian said, as he entered the room and Sadie flashed him a huge smile, which he promptly
returned
.

             
“Yep, we’
re getting ready to head out,” she told him and then giggled. Phoenix had to turn her head to hide her smile. Sadie was as hopeless as she was when it came to flirting with the opposite sex. She wished they had a class on it or something, like how to make a guy swoon in thirty days or l
ess. The thought made her smile
even more.

             
“Who are we waiting for?” Brian asked and then grabbed a couple of apples to take with him. John named
several
of the guys, who showed up a few minutes later.
Once everyone was gathered t
hey headed out.

             
“Remember your promise
,
Phoenix,” John said before
the men headed in one direction
and
the girls started to turn another way
.
Then, John sprung another surprise on her.
“Jayden will be following you,” he finished with a smile.

             
Phoenix normally would’ve been really irritated to have a babysitter assigned to her
but
since she actually wanted to spend the day with Jayden
,
she couldn’t get too mad
.
S
till
,
she didn’t like anyone
thinking she was weak
so she glared at John.

             
“Hey
,
how did Jayden get the fun job?” Brian whined a bit, which made John laugh.

             
“Okay, now you’
re sounding like one of the girls,” John said, which made B
rian glare at him. “Don’t worry. T
he girls
won’t
be far from us, s
o
we won’t have any
trouble
keeping an eye on
them. We’
re going
to be doing all the traps today
so we don’t have to worry about accidentally shooting them,” John added with a wicked grin.