Mayday Chapter 1

Mayday!

Mayday!

Chapter 1

A small girl walks though an abandoned city. The buildings have begun to decay. Roofs have fallen in and glass windows are broken. Smoke from distant fires can be seen. The girl sighs and drops her rucksack down in the shelter of an abandoned shop. From her rucksack she pulls a small blanket, the girl also removes a small canteen of water and a bag of what seems to be food. She then pushes the air out of her rucksack and places behind her. She lies down and pulls the blanket over herself, placing her head on the rucksack as a pillow. The girl soon falls asleep.

The girl is rudely awoken by the sound of guns. Car tiers screech as the approach sharp corners. Far off voices can be heard; as the cars come closer the voices become clearer. One noticeable voice is that of woman. The girl’s eyes widen as a sudden though pops into her head. “The rebel core”. The girl hurriedly sits up and begins to pack everything into her rucksack. She places the bag over her shoulder and moves to the shattered front window of the shop. At first she sees nothing but the dark remains of buildings but as the noises get closer she notices a large black van turn around a corner to her right. The sleek black paint is camouflaged in the moonlight and the windows are barley visible. The headlights are one full beam effectively blinding the girl until it comes to a halt just next to her hiding place.

The women’s voice can be heard clearly “We got them, but they have called for backup, grab whatever you can and let’s get moving” The small girl smiles to herself.

This is my chance; I won’t have to travel alone anymore. She finds herself stepping through the window and walking slowly towards the van. The woman has gone but a small boy with short hair stands outside it, he is fiddling with some type of computer. His face is contorted in concentration. Come on Lola you can do this. The girl thinks to herself. “Ummmm Hi” The boy jumps, startled. The device drops from his hands and he mumbles a quiet swear word.

“Woah! Ammm hi?” The boy looks annoyed and confused.

“Oh I’m sorry I thought you heard me” Lola hangs her head scared of what the boy might do. Noticing the scared tone in the girls voice the boy stops and walks to her.

“Hey, it’s ok don’t be scared I’m not gonna’ hurt you” The boy smiles and places his hand on her back. He can feel the muscles tense and relax as she becomes aware of his touch.

“But I made you drop your thing” Lola says quietly. The boy smiles and laughs quietly.

“Piece of shit wasn’t gonna work anyway” “The names Mark by the way. What’s your name?””

Lola looks at the boy. He has fair features with medium length brown hair tucked behind one ear. His eyes are a chocolate brown and are framed with thick rimmed black glasses. He is smiling softly at her and Lola suddenly realises that she’s starting. “Oh well Ummmm as long as you’re sure and I’m Lola” Her cheeks turn pink and she looks away.

“You look tired wanna’ go inside while we wait for the others?” Mark asks while sliding the van door open. Lola nods and makes her way into the van. Inside the lights that have been attached to the roof are on and there are blankets and pillows everywhere. In the far back lies a pile of electrical equipment. Must be Marks. Lola thinks to herself. The side of the van is filled with boxes and upon closer inspection Lola finds out that they are filled with water and food. Lola sits in the middle of the blankets and pillows and soon after the woman’s voice can be heard again.

Lola has her ear pressed against the cold van door. “Mark! Open the door, I’ve got a pile of crap here and I don’t wanna be carryin’ it anymore.”

“Ammm you may wanna slow down for a bit there Hayley” Lola’s eyes widen. Hayley that’s her name. The women everyone’s after. Lola moves from the van door and slides back into the middle.

“Why? What have you done?” Lola can hear the suspicion in Hayley’s voice.

“Not so much something I’ve done more like what I found” says Mark slowly. Lola can hear Hayley’s gasp from were she is sitting.

“Oh my god you found a puppy didn’t you? A cute little fur ball of adorableness” Lola stifles a laugh. Ha the woman that the city is afraid of is in love with puppies.

“No, no it’s not a puppy, but it could be useful” Mark says with a smile in his voice.

“Hmmmmm, I’m onto you, if I get in this van and there is a puppy I will put you on scouting duties for a week. How’s that sound?” Hayley says with a bit of authority.

“Sounds fine to me” Laughs Mark knowing he’s right.

Hayley drops the bag she was varying on the floor with a thud. She pulls back the main van door to see Lola staring at her. “Oh!” says Hayley in surprise “It’s not a puppy but it is pretty cute” Hayley laughs while pulling herself in to the van.

Lola’s eyes brighten at being called cute and she laughs quietly. Hayley has finished pulling her bag into the van and turns to face Lola. “Hi, I’m Hayley leader of this lovely group of rebels. Who are you?”

“Oh I’m Lola” Hayley smiles.

“Nice to meet you but if I may, can I ask one little question?” Hayley’s eyes look happy but there is a glint of something that Lola cant quiet put her finger on.

“Yeah sure” Lola smiles.

“What’s a young girl like you doing out on your own?” Hayley looks sad for a moment. “This is no place for a teenager” The last sentence is quieter and more nostalgic than the last.

“Oh... Well I was in a group, it was me my mum and dad and a few of their friends. We were doin’ pretty well but when we went to close to the cities boundary, they got us. I managed to get away but my parents and friends were taken.” Lola looks down at her hands. She fiddles with her thumbs before finishing “I came to look for your group actually.” Hayley’s eyes look sad as she sits forward and hugs Lola.

“Well you found us now and I promise that we’ll find your family. How’s that sound?” Hayley asks while letting Lola go and smiling.

“You would do that for me? A stranger?” smiles Lola excitedly.

“We’ve lost too many good people to that city and I won’t let that happen anymore.” Hayley says a sound of motivation in her voice.

“Thank you thank you so much” Lola says while hugging Hayley tightly.

Hayley laughs. “There is one thing though”

“What’s that?” Asks Lola her smile fading.

“Well me and my group don’t know you, hell you could be working for them. I don’t need another spy in my group. We didn’t notice last time but this time we have to take precautions. From here until we reach the city you will have to be treated as if under suspicion. No team information is to be shared with you. No scouting missions unless it’s an emergency and you do not communicate with anyone outside this van. You understand?” Hayley’s eyes are cold but Lola recognises it as a mask to hide some sort of earlier pain related to this subject.

Lola’s earlier happiness has all but gone now. Her eyes are sad. “Yeah I understand.”

“Hey, it doesn’t mean me and Mark are gonna treat you like shit or something’ I like you kid, it’s just a precaution ya know?” Hayley puts her hand on the door handle and it slides back. “Mark I’m driving tonight make sure everyone’s back before you hop in ok?”

Marks quiet “ok” is the only reply Lola hears.

Hayley slides out of the van and goes to the front driver side’s door. “Sleep well Lola”

“I will” sighs Lola. At the mention of sleep Lola realises how tierd she is. Her eyes are heavy and almost as soon as she lies down she’s asleep.