Errand

After I finish the rest of my chores, I walk back into the house and toward Mrs. Stevenson’s office. It’s noon now and I should be getting lunch ready. I knock on the door, “Come in.”

I open the door slowly and she’s sitting at her desk, eating a sandwich. “You prepared sandwiches yesterday, right?” she asks me. I nod and she smiles approvingly, “Good, here is the list. You will take Lila with you.”

“Lila?” I ask.  Her eyes look up at me coldly, “Yes, Lila. You will need help bringing the stuff back. Grab the wagon and try to be home before dark.” She grins.

“Wait, we are walking?” I ask, horrified. The town is 5 miles away.

“Yes, you are both in good shape. I take good care of you, that long of a walk isn’t so bad. Now you better get going if you are going to get back before dark. Rural areas are not safe at night for two teenage girls.”

I stare at her in disbelief, and she hands me a list, “Get everything that you can.” She then hands me money, “If it’s not on the list, you don’t buy it, understand?” I nod and she looks at the door, “Get going.”

I walk out and look for Lila. She has the red wagon already waiting and I smirk, “One day she is going to catch you eavesdropping.”

She smirks and shakes her head, “Nah, I am sneaky like a cat.” She hisses. We both laugh and turn toward the road, “I am glad she chose you to come with me.” I admit. She smiles, bumping into me, “Me too. Did you think over the offer anymore?” she sighs, looking down.

“No, I don’t know what to do. There has to be more than this place.” I sigh. Lila frowns, wiping a tear from her eye and I bump into her this time, “You are the closest thing I have to family, what if you come with me?”

Lila’s eyes light up, “But I don’t age out for another year.” She sighs.

I shrug, “So, you can run away. I’ll take care of you.” Lila smiles, dropping the wagon handle, and hugs me tightly, “Yes, we can stay together!” she shouts. I hug her back and smile, “Yes, stay sisters.”

A flashback hits me

“Maddie, you and I are like siblings, right?” Colt asks me. I nod and he smiles, “What do you think it’s like out there?” he asks, pointing beyond the fence. The breeze is soft, and the trees are beyond the iron. It’s the perfect autumn day.

I sigh as I follow his gaze, “I think it’s probably better than in here,” I say, looking at the leaves that are beginning to change color.

Colt sighs and lifts his head weakly, “I don’t think I can take much more of this.” The needle sticks in his arm and the bag of fluids that seep into him is almost empty. There are still bruises and gashes all over his body from when they made us fight one other. I look at the ones I gave him and push the tears back from my eyes; we are supposed to be strong.

I shake my head but my voice cracks, “Yes, you can. We are getting out of here.” I whisper, “Just a few more days.” He nods but I can tell whatever they have been giving him is slowly killing him.

We were rats. Bred in a lab to be experimented on. We didn’t have mothers or fathers. We were the closest thing we had to family. We had created a bond and the big man allowed it. It was another experiment of his, one we didn’t stick around to find out what led to.

“Maddie,” Lila pulls me out of my thoughts. I look at her and smile wearily, “Do you remember your family?” I ask her.

Lila’s eyes look at the dirt we are waking on, “Only a little. I was five when the car accident happened.”

I nod and she looks at me, expecting my answer to the same question. I sigh and shake my head, “No, I don’t really remember anything.” That’s what I had told everyone when they found me in the forest. I told them I had run away from another orphanage. I didn’t want anyone looking for me. 

Lila sighs and wraps her arm around my neck, “Well, you and I are sisters now and we will be each other’s family. When should we escape?” she asks me.

I smile, “I age out in three days, I think after I am out clear and free, I come back for you.”

She smiles brightly and nods as we can now see the town’s buildings. The town is small and old but there is a grocery-type store, that is where we shop for the list items.

I wipe the sweat from my brow and Lila smiles, “Come on.” She urges me excitedly. We don’t get to leave the farm much and I share her excitement.

We walk to the store, and I open the door. The bells dings and a husky voice is heard, “Maddie, Lila. Joyce called ahead and said you would be in. She wants me to remind you to stick to the list.” We both nod at the storekeeper, Mr. Jones.

I am very thankful Mrs. Stevenson allowed Lila to come today, I honestly don’t like the way he looks at me with lust.

I pull the list out of my pocket and Lila, and I go down each aisle, getting what is written, “When we leave, how will we buy things?” Lila whispers to me. I look at the list and sigh, she has a good point.

“I don’t know. Maybe I should stay on and earn a wage first to get away.”

Lila sighs, she knows that is the last thing I want to do.

“We will figure it out,” I say hopeful. She plasters a smile on her face as we grab the last item and walk to Mr. Jones. He smiles as we hand him each item and he rings them up. When he finishes, he smiles, “$30.05.” I nod and hand him the two 20-dollar bills she gave me. He hands me back the change and then smirks, “You know, Maddie, I could give you some cash, but I would need something in return.” He grins looking at the door behind him.

I shake my head politely, “No, thank you. We better get going. Mrs. Stevenson is expecting us.” Mr. Jones’s smile falls, and he shrugs, “Think it over. You could work here and earn money other ways when you age on.” He glances at me lustfully.

I want to vomit but I keep my composure, “Thanks, I’ll think it over,” I lie.

Lila and I load the bags into the wagon and begin our walk home, “Well, that was disgusting.” Lila gags. I nod in agreement, “Yes, no way.” She shakes her head and soon we are close to the farm.

only my heart begins to sink when I smell smoke.  My vision is coming true- they are going to DIE!