The Bomb Shelter

* * *

Ana

I walked over to the branch-covered doors at the side of the house, ignoring Derek’s question, “Where are you going?” from back at the carriage.

I got on my knees and brushed aside the cleverly-placed rubbish to camouflage the doors and unlocked it by moving the wooden rod that prevented it from being opened from the inside. My heart began to pound and I hesitated to open the doors, but then I remembered that mother was far away and locked in a dungeon, she couldn’t hurt me or trap me in here again.

Taking a deep breath, I finally opened the doors and saw Derek walk around the corner and to me. His bushy eyebrows shot up when he saw me start to descend underneath the house and he hovered where he stood for a moment, unknowing if he should follow me.

I brought a light with me, remembering that the oil lamp had burnt out the night that I was stuck in here readin