The Girl Behind the Smile Chapter 5

     I told Yuri and Josh, two of my closest and most trustworthy friends, about the plan. They told their friends, and soon all the kids in camp were notified and ready for what was to come. Our captors didn’t suspect anything, and kept treating us harshly as usual. Today, when dirt, sweat, and blood covered my body, I had hope burning in my chest. It was a feeling I hadn’t had in a long time.

     “Do you think it will work?” Kate asked, her big brown eyes staring into mine.

     “It has to work, and it will work. I promise.” I said as Kate hugged me.

     The sun was beginning to set and my heart was thumping loudly inside my chest, telling me that freedom was so close. If this failed, there might not be another chance, and many would be killed, and I have already had my fair share of the death of children. Josh, Yuri, and a few other kids were already in the tent. As I entered the tent, expectant eyes pierced into my soul. We would not fail. Endric came into the tent and greeted the kids. He handed each of the older kids a weird device.

     “Once the explosions go off, you guys put one of these in each of the main buildings. The leaders will be drawn out by the explosions, so you don’t have to worry about being seen.” Endric explained.

     “Yuri and I will get The Break Room.” I said as everyone nodded.

     Soon, everyone in the tent had main buildings assigned to them. Endric was so full of confidence as he saw his plan coming together. He looked into my eyes and I noticed the ocean in his eyes was calmer and more blue. The smile that broke onto his face was unlike anything I had seen. The light had returned to him. He deserved this feeling. He was the reason we were going to be delivered from this place. I looked at all the faces in the tent, and I saw some light returning to their eyes. A bright future was on the horizon. Loud explosions rang throughout the camp, causing us all the jump.

     “Alright guys, this is it. Freedom is calling to us, and we’re going to answer it. Think about all the kids who have died in this camp and in others. Think about loved ones who fell at the hands of these evil people. We’re doing this for them. We’re doing this for all the kids who have suffered here. We’re doing this for justice and freedom.” Endric spoke, strength and power radiating with every word that fell from his chapped lips. “Let’s do this!”

     Everyone in the tent dispersed, their bodies springing to life and running at lightning speed. Yuri and I began to advance toward The Break Room. I felt like I was flying as I rushed toward The Break Room. I finally knew why the United States of America favored the eagle, because on your way to freedom, you ride on the backs of eagles, their wings slicing through the thick air of injustice, to the bright paradise of freedom.

     We were almost to The Break Room, when Yuri began to talk.

     “Harper, I don’t know if we should be doing this.” Yuri said as I frowned at her.

     “What do you mean, Yuri. This is the best thing we could ever do. What’s gotten into you?” I said as we got closer to the building.

     “What if we get caught?” Yuri asked, fear evident in her voice.

     “We won’t. It’s okay to be scared, Yuri. I’m scared too. Once we’ve escaped this place, we won’t have to be scared anymore.” I said giving her an encouraging smile.

     “I’m sorry Harper. I really am. I didn’t mean to put anyone else in danger.” Yuri cried, tears sliding down her cheeks.

     “What are you talking about? Yuri, why are you sorry? And what do you mean you didn’t mean to put anyone else in danger?” I asked as Yuri closed her eyes and sobbed.

     I quickly got my answer. “G234! Surrender right now! Do not resist! We have your friends in custody!” A loud voice said as multiple adults with guns surrounded us.

     “Good job, G554.” A man, I knew as Brad said as he walked up to Yuri and put his hand on her shoulder.

     “Yuri?” I asked looking at her, my hope slipping away. “What did you do?”

     “I-I was s-scared.” Yuri sobbed, her body shaking violently. “I didn’t know what else to do. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

     I felt sadness and fear, quickly seep back into my body. I hung my head and let my tears splash onto the ground.

     “You did the right thing.” The man said as Yuri kept crying. “You saved your friends. Even if they don’t see it yet.”

     “You’re a sick man!” I screamed running toward him, anger pulsing through my veins.

     Two men grabbed me before I could touch the man I so badly wanted to kill.

     “You lost little girl.” Brad whispered in my ear. “You’re never escaping this place.”

     I growled and turned my head, trying to bite him. I spit on him, and it slowly trickled down his scarred face.

     “Feisty, are we? I’ll change that. Put her with the rest of them.” Brad said dismissing the men who were holding me.

     As I got dragged away, I glared at him, wishing I could slap that smug little grin off his ugly face. I was so angry. I could hardly contain the bubbling volcano of anger and hatred inside me. How could Yuri do that to us?! We were so close to escaping and she ruined the entire thing! My fists clenched in pure rage, and my blood began to boil. I felt the men’s grip on my arms tighten, and a growl emitted from my mouth.

     “Easy little missy. You don’t want us to torture your friends due to any of your irrational actions.” One of them said digging their fingernails into my flesh.

     Blood began to flow down my arm as the men tightened their grip even more. I thought we were on our way to a bright paradise. A place without all this violence. The eagles we were riding on were brutally shot down. I guess there is always going to be poachers.