Is that you?

I stepped out of the dark hallway, it was silent, no people, nothing. Except me. Of course this wasn't exactly what I had planned, who would have thought it'd be so easy. Something had to be off, just the night before the hallways were booming with voices. I had nothing but my father's compass in my arms. You many be thinking this is just another story of a girl with a dead dad, who is looking for who killed him. I can assure you that's not the case, I know exactly who did it. I folded my hair back into a bun. Here's the backstory, my name is Ceara and I am on the most wanted list, for the murder of the king of Ember. Before you say what you're thinking, I did not do it.

 So yes I am looking for murder, but the thing is everyone seems to think that I am that murderer. So yeah, that’s fun. If they find me I know for certain they will kill me, unless of course I find the real murderer. Technically speaking, I could see why they would think of me as the king's murderer because I lead a group of rebels who fight against the king, and I was there the night it happened, but I swear it wasn't me. You may be asking yourself “Well where is she?” I am under the ground, in a rebel camp.  I know they are looking for me and soon enough they will find me. They were here last night, but they will be back. I am just trying not to get captured until i find the real killer.

I heard voices, and footsteps. Doors nearby creaked open. I cursed underneath my breath and climbed up to a wooden post, I knew these tunnels like the back of my hand, so the dark was not a problem for me. They walked closer and closer until they were right below me. I held my breath until they continued walking past, once they had turned around the corner I lifted myself down. Suddenly they stopped walking, I heard a scream and stopped myself from running to see what had happened. I heard footsteps again I waited a minute, two, then began walking in the shadows, I walked around the corner and there it was, where the scream had come from.

I circled it, trying not to look at the disabled body. I knew I had to be getting close to the door out, I stayed in the shadows until I saw light peaking out of a slightly ajar door. I took one final breath and pushed through the door. The bright light blinded me, I knew if I didn't want to get taken that I couldn't stay out here for long. Nearby Birds chirped then fluttered away. There was a forest that could conceal me a mile maybe two away. I would never be able to make it that far looking as I did now. keeping my head down I walked to a local shop, I grabbed a hat and some new clothes. I know I could have gotten on without paying, but I really couldn’t stand to have that many eyes on me.

I put my new clothes on and threw my old ones into a bin in a dark alley. Staying in the shadows and keeping my head down was the best I could do, I kneeled scooping up a handful of dirt, I rubbed it against my face to conceal my features. I walked quickly but not fast enough to get noticed, I've always been able to stay in the middle. I looked up and saw that the road had been gated off. No, no this wasn't happening, guards stood nearby if I turned around and walked it would look suspicious so I stayed put. Looking back on it now that was probably the dumbest thing I could have done. The guards walked by, scanning the crowd.

“Hey, look at me.” One said with force. I kept my head down hoping they weren't talking to me.

“Wrong choice.” The guard said. He yanked my head back with effort. Soon everyone was looking at me, I didn’t breathe, blink, or move.

“Bring her to the front.” He said his voice deep and commanding. Well I guess this was it, my time to shine. I didn’t move until I knew I could get free. His grip loosened and I took that as a sign to run. They chased after me cursing, I had never particularly liked running but at least I was fast now. I ran and ran, rounding corners. There was a small shack nearby, I quickly slipped underneath the porch. The guards ran by as I hid trying to catch my breath. Time passed until I figured now would be as good as time as any to leave my spot under to porch. 

I wondered if they had known who I was, or if they had recognized me at all. I was now caked in dirt and sweat. I walked deep into the forest, the trees seeming to get taller as the sky darkened. I found a good place to stay for the night as I ducked into a bush. Luckily for me it was warm for mid-fall, except the occasional gusts of wind.

I hadn't the slightest clue where to start when I awoke the next morning. My stomach growled and I took that as a sign to go find something to eat, nearby I heard water rushing and wondered how I had not noticed it the day before. I cupped my hands in the water and brought them up to my mouth, water had never tasted so good before. There were now sticks in my hair and my face was hard with dirt. 

I pulled off my disgusting clothes and jumped in the water, I could feel the dirt lifting as I sat in the cold lake. I hadn't the slightest clue about where I was or what I was even going to do. My long hair rubbed across my back as I pulled it out of the knarl of a bun it had become. I swam back over to the shore and grabbed my clothing. I strained the dirt from them as the water turned a nasty shade of brown before it was washed away downstream. I found a bush full of berries and began to eat. Before I knew it I had stopped eating and was plotting how I would find this person, the first step was for me to get back home. But now as I was stranded in the woods how could I do that?

I had no idea where I was. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my compass. One thing my father told me was if you’re ever lost just pick a direction and walk, that was of course until he died. Following his words I picked a direction and walked. I walked all day until I was ready to pass out, like the night before I found a bush and slept until morning. I did the same the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that, until I made it. Somehow, miraculously, I picked the correct direction. 

I knew where I was. I found a new hope that maybe, possibly, I could do this. 

“Ceara? Is that you?”