Chapter VIII - Escape

Chapter VIII - Escape

Silence sweeps over the balcony. Callum and Aralyn are staring at me, waiting for a reply.

“Olivia?” Aralyn finally speaks up. 

“Just give me a second to think.” I pause. “I mean, I guess it makes sense. But how do I even get to the Lower-Flat-Lands?”

“Ada, the girl I just told you about, said that Elias escaped on one of three safe paths in Cultridia. There’s one right outside of Effgere. I assume that’s how Elias escaped.” Says Aralyn.

“Okay, this all makes a ton of sense. I totally agree that Liv should go find this Elias guy, but, why am I here?” Aks Callum.

“Well, I don’t want Liv wondering around the Lower-Flat lands all by herself.” I roll my eyes at Aralyn’s motherly ways. She continues. “So I was thinking you could go with her.”

“What? No. What if something happens to him?” I exclaim.

Aralyn retorts. “What if something happens to you? Liv, you’ll need someone to watch your back and so will Callum.”

I take a deep breath. “Okay. I guess I’m up for it if you are.” I look over at Callum. 

“Alright. When should we leave?” As soon as his words hit my ears I blackout and fall to the ground. I see flashes of things. Callum yelling my name, Aralyn running in a blood-stained wedding dress, and Elias, blood streaming down his face screaming.

“COME NOW! YOU HAVE TO HELP US! NOW!” My surroundings return to me. Callum is holding my hand and Aralyn is lifting my head.

“Now. We have to leave now.” I stand up.

“What did you see?” Callum asks.

“Horrible things. Terrifying things.” We exchange stares. “Look, it doesn’t matter. But, we have to go now!” Aralyn and Callum nod and I quickly unlock the door. 

“Uncle Berke will know something’s up. I’ll keep him distracted.” Aralyn says and we begin to shuffle back inside. As we walk she explains how to get to the safe path down the mountain, and precautions we should take.

“Okay, this is it.” Aralyn stops us at the bottom of the stairs. “You two be safe. Watch each other’s backs. I know you can do this.” She hugs both of us while holding back tears. “Now, you have to go.” Callum takes my wrist and pulls me away from her. A wall of fear builds up behind my pounding heart when I realize I may never see my sister again.

Callum and I split up after agreeing to meet at the back entrance of the house. I go to my room and begin removing pins from my hair as quickly as possible. I then slip out of my precious gown and put on a long white shirt that covers all of the necessary places. Callum will be bringing me a pair of trousers which, of course, I don’t own. I grab a shawl and lay it out on the bed. Inside I place an extra shirt, a sweater, a jacket and some socks. After tying up all four corners of the shawl and slinging it over my shoulder, I grab a pair of flat shoes and begin running towards the back entrance of the house.

I begin to worry when Callum doesn’t show. However, I am relieved when I hear the door open behind me.

“What took you so long?” I whisper sternly. 

“I ran back to Berke’s car to get food. Here are your trousers. They’re too small for me, so they should fit you” He says handing me a blue pair of pants. After I finish dressing, we take hands and begin running in the direction Aralyn told us to go. By the time we reach the incline the sun is rising into the sky.

“I see the path right over there.” Says Callum, beginning to move faster towards the path.

“Callum, can we stop here? I can’t go on much further.” I say in between breaths.

“Sure, of course.” He says then moves over to a nearby rock and takes a seat on it. I sit next to him. I recollect my last moments with Aralyn and I begin to cry. Callum puts his arms around me and I burry my face in his chest just as I did after his proposal.

“Yes.” I say.

“What?” Callum asks. His quivering voice tells me he is also crying.

“Yes. If we ever get the chance, I’ll marry you.” 

He smiles, kisses the top of my head and says “I’d be honored.”

“Olivia Netherly! Callum Cortallo!” Different voices yell our names in the distance.

“They know we left. We have to go. We have run!” He says but, I’m already gathering my things. I start to sprint down the path as fast as I can. Tree branches slap my face and bushes grab my bare ankles as I run. This all feels so familiar. The shouting of my name, the running down the hill. Where have I experienced this before? 

I keep going, and going until I run right into some sort of invisible barrier that knocks me onto the ground.

“Olivia!” Callum shouts from behind. 

“Cal, there’s some sort of barrier!” I shout back. He helps me off the ground when he reaches me, then picks up a rock off the ground and throws it over the barrier.

“I think I can lift you over it.” He says, out of breath.

“What? No. What about you? I can’t leave you here.” I cry. “What if something happens? What if they catch you before you can get over?”

“Liv, I’ll be fine. I can make it” He reassures me.

“Are you sure?” I ask again. He takes my face in his hands and presses his lips onto mine. All the chaos around us seems to fade away for a few brief moments in the warmth of his kiss. He lets go and rests his forehead on mine.

“I’m sure.” He replies. “I’ll see you on the other side, okay?”

“Okay.” 

He cups his hands and I put my foot inside them.

“Okay, now put your hands on my shoulders and when I lift you into the air you’re gonna have to push off.” I nod and do as he says. The voices grow louder and I can see people running down the hill after us.

“Ready?” He pauses. “One, two, three!” He shoves me high into the air and I fall to the ground. Pain shoots up my arm as I hit the other side of the path. I lay there for a moment, embracing my pain, then sit up and wait for Callum. However, when I look at the barrier, I don’t see anything. I see trees and rocks leading up the mountain, but, all is silent. There is no yelling and there are no people running down the hill. But, worst of all, Callum is nowhere to be found.

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