Is This How We Die?

I silently swore as the dish water splashed on my shirt. Whipping the water that had gotten on my face and arms, I glanced out the window. The plate that I was drying crashed to the ground as several black vans pulled up to the house. My sister ran out of one of the rooms, shaking me out of my shock. My mind cleared as I grabbed the gun and ammo hidden in the cabinet under the sink. The magazine slipped out of my hand as a blast wave threw me across the room. Black. 

...

I stared at the body behind me, the enemy flag on its shoulder was seared in my brain. A sharp whistle blew through the area calling us to regroup. One of the fellow rebels grabbed my hand as the slung the rifle onto their back. If it hadn't been for them...

...

We reached the next shelter building. The refugees rushed to our small party with hopes for food and medical supplies. We talked with them as they tended to our wounded. I looked around for my sister. Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle as she played a game with two little children. She got our mother's blue eyes and we shared our father's black hair. A smile broke through my hard exterior. We had to enjoy these moments. They are hard to come by and steadily decreasing. 

…

The cold shelter walls greeted me from my dreams. It was a small space. The concrete walls were damp and cold. Shelters like these were strategically placed around the country with supply routes running through them. A couple held each other while sharing a cot. A child slept curled in the corner. Two men sat at a table playing cards, the firearms that were normally concealed lied on the table. How many times have they been used? I couldn't judge them as my own gun rested arms length away from me. 

A steaming mug was placed in front of me as I nodded thanks. My sister leaned on my shoulder. Her body, however, did not relax. She's too young for this. She should be making friends and complaining about how hard high school is. "What grade would she be in?" I silently tried to guess, "Senior?" I used to dream of finishing college. Now it's just the two of us. The raids started, those who were deemed dangerous disappeared. The streets turned to chaos. Every man for himself. My mother worked for the government and my father served in the military. They were some of the first to go. Tyranny now ran rampant. This is all that's left of us. Hidden underground like rats. But how long can you hide three hundred wanted people? Crazy, right? But that was our mission.

My shoulder length hair hung down in my face as I tried to hide my emotions. A soft hand curled into mine as I set the now cold coffee to the side. "What are you thinking about?" She asked me. Oh how I wanted to take us away from this. "The republic fell and he rose to power. This might be the end of us all." The heaviness of my words seemed to flood the room. I felt a small dampness on my shoulder; this time I didn't stop my own tears. She whimpered and my heart broke, "It's not fair." 

Her body was limp next to mine. The ragged blanket that covered us was caught in her white-knuckled grip. My eyes felt heavy as we lied there. My watch glowed 0235 (2:35 am). My watch wasn't for another two hours. I wrapped my arms around her while the sleep set in. 

…

A swatted my arm in an attempt to scare off whoever decided to interrupt my sleep. The heck?... I groggily opened my eyes and rubbed the spot on my leg. "Wake up." One of the other leaders stood in front of me. When this war started we set up leaders, one to look over a specific region and shelter/camp. There were originally 67; now there is only 18. I am one of them. "No need to kick me," I half whispered, not wanting to wake my sister. 

Quickly, the realization that he was here set in and I stood to my feet. He was still not much older than me, maybe 3 years max. The bags under his eyes spoke of many years lost. I probably didn't look much better. "I need to talk to you." I nodded as we crept out of the shelter. My turn to speak, "Why are you here, 27?" As leaders we agreed against the use of names in order to keep information at a minimum if we were caught. He ran his hand through his blond hair. "12 was compromised. Someone gave them up." The air in my throat turned to lead and I felt it crash in my stomach. "W-what happened?" I forced the question out and commanded my body to stand. "A raid was sent to their district. 12 was shot on the spot while others were taken captive. Some made it to us while we were on one of the supply routes. We took them to one of the old shelters. They have been searched and I have a small squadron guarding them. 

I shook my head to stop the spinning. "And what of the traitor?" He sighed before answering, "The Emperor placed a bounty for every leader he gets and an offer to pardon the informant. One of the refugees felt tempted." His eyes glazed over, gaze turning to steel, "But they weren't spies." Somehow that was reassuring. "What of them?" The Emperor is not a man of integrity. "They walked out of the shelter first and were filled with lead." We stood in silence. 

"Come in," I guided. "I can't promise the coffee is good but we have some. I will send some food and aid to those who came with you." I glanced at two of the refugees who immediately jumped to their feet to help. "Thank you, 01. I have a small party of 6 soldiers. They should be about 20 meters to the east my the large rocks making sure we were not followed." We walked over to the two middle-aged soldiers who were playing cards, probably trying to bet for a cigarette. "Who's winning, gentlemen?" The one rubbed the back of his head and let out an embarrassed breath, "Well..." "You're losing, Cain." The other one let out a chuckle at his card friend. "I won the last game, Wyn. And this is our 7th game." I smiled at the antics, so did 27. "Well, if you two aren't in the middle of something could you escort Alex and Paris to 27's group?" The both quickly stood up. Cain neatly set the deck of worn cards down while Kal grabbed the guns. Alex handed a flashlight and rifle to Kal. Paris carried a large bag and a few blankets. One of the older ladies set a mug of coffee down in front of 27. "Thank you, Ms. Parks." She touched the side of my cheek before walking off. "Do you know everyone by name?" 27 looked at me quizzingly. "I try. And I only have 24 people here since the last run. 10 people left to join 52." He nodded while sipping his coffee. 

I felt a weight on my back. "Hi, sleepy head." The lump behind me grumbled, "Shouldn't you be on watch?" My younger sister asked. "I was but Frank offered to take it since we have a guest." Her head shot up at the mention of 27. She nodded a welcome before wandering to help with a newly nursing mother.

I looked back at 27 and the smile on my face as I saw the seriousness on his. "It's time to move." I frowned. 19 and 55 have already made it to Pentagon. I have sent half of my district and they have arrived safely. 31 and 42 will be leaving next, they are waiting to intercept the prisoner caravan from 12's raid." Pentagon is a region outside of the Emperors district, off the continent at a secret location. We've been working on this since this massacre started." The urgency in his tone grew." I've already contacted the other 10 districts. We've already moved almost half of our members." 

A surge of confidence flooded my chest. Or maybe it was adrenaline. Call your men in, I have something to say. 27 pulled out a signaling device and I gathered my people. My sister put her arm around me, standing tall next to me. "I have an announcement!" I voiced aloud. Silently I pleaded, please don't let this be how we all die.