Christopher Belneu

     I'm glad Alice helped me out, and made the pain go away, but  I'm even more glad that Emma kissed me.  I thought I would be the one to kiss her first.  Oh well.
    "Well Alice you were saying we needed to start leaving soon, so let's get everything ready. Shall we?"  Alice looked shocked that I was standing after the pain, and stitches.
    "You do have a point we do need to get ready. Emma if you can pack everything up in my bag, and Thomas if you could help me with the fire, and Christopher could you get some snow?"
    "Yea" Emma started getting the bag ready.
    "Of course." I said in agreement.
    "Fine." Thomas doesn't trust her, but he needs to.  I got to work with the snow.  When I walked outside I was met by the unpleasant sight of the bus, and bloodied snow.  I try to ignore it, but it's hard to ignore a sight so gory. While getting the snow I would occasionally smell smoke and burning flesh.  Every time that whiff came around I would gag. I finish getting a bowl full of snow, and bring it inside. 
    "Thanks Christopher.  The snow will help put out the fire so we don't have to waste our water.  If you just want to help Emma, then me and Thomas will finish up here, and we will be able to leave by 9:00."  She was so happy I walked in.  Probably from Thomas' doubt gauge being so high.
                    ****
    By 8:50 we had everything ready, and were getting ready to leave.  Alice told us to follow her every step and to try not to make any noise.  It was almost impossible, but we tried.  We walked through the snow.  We would occasionally have to hide out of sight, or take a break.  As we were approaching the end of the canyon, the smell of burning flesh, and smoke grew.  The city became a place that was very easily recognized.  We were able to see a fawn though.  Emma was like a kid in a candy shop when she saw it.  She was able to coax the fawn into coming over to us, so we could pet it.  I never knew she was so good with animals.  When we got out of the mountains the sight was not pretty.  Everything was burning except few houses and small towns.  Emma was crying so I wrapped her into a hug and kissed her on the forehead.
    "Stay close. We don't know what trouble could lie ahead."  Alice then took out her hand gun.  How did Alice have a handgun? I tried to part that from my mind.  We came across a maze sort of path.  The walls were at least 6 feet tall. There were vines, and blood.  I don't remember this being here, but who knows what could have happened while we were in the mountains.  Occasionally we would walk and see nails sticking out of the wall, but with people on there.  I will never forget the faces of those people.   It kind of reminded me of the movie that came out in 2014 Maze Runner We soon heard sounds of whoops and hollers.  Three people with knives, and guns came up behind us yelling: 'WE FOUND HER!' and 'GET HER!'.
    "RUN! AS FAST AS YOUR LEGS CAN!" Alice screamed at us.  This was an order not a question.  So we sprinted.  It was a lot of running, and 5 minutes in I was exhausted. I had to keep going though. So I went until I tripped.
    "CHRISTOPHER!" Emma screamed.
    "Emma! Thomas! Keep running! I'll catch up." Gunshots rang out, and I heard Alice groan.  She didn't bother assessing the damage, but she picked me up and flung me over her shoulder.  This was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me.  I know I'm heavy, but I thought I was too heavy for her to carry me.  I started to struggle then I was greeted with,
    "Don't *groan* struggle!" Alice was struggling to run, and catch up with Emma and Thomas. Once we did she set me down, and had us keep running.  She shot at the 3 following us and hit one in the leg.  The other in the torso, and the last one caught up and tackled her.
    "Keep RUNNING!" Alice ordered us. She hit the guy in the back of the head with a gun, and knocked him out. This day is really event-full.  10 minutes later  we arrived at Thomas' house.  It was fully intact, but the houses around it weren't so lucky.  Thomas went up and knocked on the door while I gave a kiss to Emma as a reassurance that we were safe now.  Alice was clutching her arm trying to find where the bullet pierced her skin.  The door opened a crack.  Then all the way.  We were pulled inside by Thomas' parents and quickly rushed to an underground bunker that I had no idea they had.  We were soon inside a different house.  Not literally, but it looked like it was.  Thomas' parents hugged Thomas, then me, then Emma, but they never hugged Alice.
    "Oh my goodness we are so relieved you are okay.  Are you hurt? You must be thirsty. I'll get you some water."  Thomas answered those questions from his mom with:
    "Care to explain more about Alice, and Cia, and anything else you have been keeping secret from me?"  Thomas seemed out of breath and annoyed.
    "All in due time son.  You all need rest first."  Oh good rest I need sleep.
    "No answers NOW!" Thomas was really persistent, and was not going to give up so I pulled Thomas aside and...
    "Listen Thomas we all need rest bro.  How about we get cleaned up, get actual food and water, then they can explain?"  He just gave a angry nod.  Alice had an embarrassed look on her face.  Thomas likes Alice, but I think everyone needs some light shed on what's going on.  I just really hope we were right about trusting Alice. 
    "All right we have 2 bathrooms with showers down here who's taking them first."  Emma and I went first.  The warmth of the shower felt good, but slightly burned against my skin.  I washed the blood off of me and lingered in the shower for a bit just to feel the water running down my face.  I then wondered... What is to become of us?