Now Or Never (chpt. 3)

A Chapter by Lillian B.

Sapphire slowly eased herself into the rubble as an attempt to hide herself in the chaotic ruins. She fearfully glanced over her shoulder to see a group of no more than two dozen soldiers, dressed in camouflage, marching military-style past the gap in the city's barbed wire fence where the steel gates used to stand before the explosions. The soldiers were too far off for Sapphire to examine clearly.

"Are they Opposers or Protectors?" asked Sapphire quietly, daring only to look away from the oncoming intruders for a moment to seek her mother's answer.

"I, I can't tell," she responded fearfully. Sapphire could see her own fear and uncertainty reflected in her mothers expression.

As the soldiers marched closer, Sapphire could see them more clearly. She counted twenty soldiers who seemed to be in two groups marching side by side. Each group had a general marching in front and three rows of three soldiers following behind. In the back, Sapphire spotted two vehicles. She noted a Red Cross symbol on the larger vehicle. Somewhat relieved by the Red Cross truck, Sapphire began examining the second vehicle. Her heart sank. The second vehicle was a combat vehicle that seemed to Sapphire to be similar to a U.S. tank but much smaller, bearing the Russian flag.

"They're Russian," Sapphire quickly told her mother, growing panicky. "The combat vehicle has the Russian flag on the side. What do they want!" Sapphire clenched her fists. She didn't sound scared, but furious and ready to fight.

"I don't know," said Sapphire's mother, turning even paler (which terrified Sapphire even further). "Wait," she said confusedly, staring down the road. "They've stopped."

Sapphire jerked her head around. Sure enough, they had come to a halt. The soldiers had reached what used to be the town square, which was just a short distance away. The drivers of both vehicles hopped out to join the others. Sapphire mentally noted the new total of soldiers. The generals turned to face the soldiers. The taller of the two began barking orders.

"What is he saying?" Sapphire's mother asked half nervously, half earnestly.

Sapphire listened intently, straining her ears toward the group of soldiers.

"I can't tell," Sapphire responded. "I think," she turned to face her mother. "I think it's a different language."

Sapphire turned back and slowly crept closer to continue observing the soldiers. The general had finished giving orders and resumed his position as the lead. His division set off down the main road, closer to Sapphire and her mother. The second general began barking orders to his division. To Sapphire's astonishment, he spoke in English. She could only catch bits and pieces, but that was all she needed to hear.

"What did he say?" Sapphire's mother asked, startling Sapphire out her concentration."

"They're gathering up survivors," Sapphire replied, still staring at the incoming soldiers. "I don't know where they're taking them."

Sapphire's mother gasped. Sapphire turned to look her mother in the eyes. They both were thinking the same thing. Whatever they were going to do with them, it wouldn't be anything pleasant. The whole city was a refuge for the families of Protectors, the Russian's enemies. The Russians weren't known for treating their enemies with kindness.

The second group of soldiers set off down the road where the first missile hit. The first group came closer every second. They stopped marching abruptly and they began spreading out, searching piles of rubble for survivors. They seemed rushed and almost frantic.

"We have to get out of here," urged Sapphire. "We could make a break for it," she rushed without thinking. "We could run to the forest past the fence. I know we could make it if we-"

Sapphire glanced down at her mother's injury. There was no way that they could make an escape like that. Sapphire was not ready to leave her mother. She knew she could find another way. She had to!

"I remember the general saying that everything had to be searched within, like, two hours," said Sapphire hopefully. "Maybe if we hid, they would overlook us,"

"Sapphire," whispered her mother so softly that Sapphire could barely hear. "You have to go."

Sapphire's mother was heart-broken, but she knew that her daughter could make it, even if she couldn't. She reached out for her daughter's hand. Sapphire grasped her mother's hand tightly. Tears ran down both faces as the two stared into each others eyes.

"I can't leave you," said Sapphire, holding back sobs. "I-I can't!"

"Go when they aren't looking," Sapphire's mother instructed. "Head for the fence. Use the escape gate."

"What?" asked Sapphire, wiping away tears. "But I would need a key!"

Her mother reached into her pocket and handed her daughter the key: a small, slender rod with a pointed end that looked like an arrowhead with three notches on the side.

"Go, now!" Sapphire's mother urged. Her expression softened. She let go of her daughter's hand. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Sapphire scrambled to her feet and darted. The gate was in sight.

prev chapter