Footsteps . Not marches . But quick , unsteady footsteps of people who are running through the very leaves Orange was staring at , trampling dirt and green under their feet .
I almost let out a gasp , but my hand covers my mouth just in time . But now , I reach forward , yanking back Elliott ’ s leg so he wakes up .
“ Wha —?” A sleepy murmur comes from Elliott ’ s mouth and I clamp my hand over his mouth . His wide eyes swivel to me , bright with confusion and fear .
“ They found us .” I whisper , my voice hardly there , and Elliott ’ s head barely shakes before a beam of light swipes through where the fire used to be . It disappears , but then it comes back , fixated on the ashy pile of branches and leaves . “ Hey ! I found something ! A fire , I think .” A man ’ s voice . My heart feels like it ’ s being squeezed with a fist , blood spurting into my throat , making it tight and cold and hard to talk . My feet shrink back in their scuffed sneakers . I feel Orange tremble next to my ribs . Then a shadow casts over as the flashlight disappears . Kneeled knees appear at the mouth of the hole , clothed in ironed denim jeans . A pair of feet poke out from behind the blue , clad in newer sneakers than mine . A man .
“ Go , go , go !” Elliott ’ s voice is husky with sleep , but there ’ s no doubting the determination in his quiet voice .
“ Where ?” I whisper back , watching the man out of the corner of my eye . He seems to be lowering himself into our hideaway spot .
Elliott ’ s strawberry hair flips around as he turns around to look behind us . The ditch which is our little hideaway spot has a small tunnel , where the roots of a tree above trickle down and brush your skin . It leads out to the other side , but it doesn ’ t guarantee a far enough getaway .
It ’ s barely big enough for a six year old girl , and Elliott and I would be able to get through , but it would take too long . Orange is the only one who can run through fast enough .
I turn to Orange , who seems to know what I ’ m thinking . His usually dreamy eyes have turned inquisitive and his head is cocked to the side .
“ Orange , go through and distract them from us .” I whisper urgently , my eyes darting across his little face . There ’ s no time to explain . Orange ’ s face perks up , and he almost nods , before he darts through the tunnel .
I turn back around , seeing a shirt being pulled up by the rocks and branches that jut out from the opening , showing off the man ’ s midriff . He ’ s almost down . My legs have started to tremble , and I hug them closer to me , waiting for Orange . Suddenly , a bark sounds out through the dark forest and the sound of screams fill the sky for just a second . It ’ s almost wonderful . Another bark sounds out , then a growl . “ Rory ! Rory ! What on earth are you doing ?” A woman ’ s voice . “ I-I saw something here .” The man sounds off . “ A dog ’ s here . Growling and spitting at us .” The woman spits . “ Terrible creatures . Don ’ t know why we still have them around .” The man says nothing , but his midriff , then his legs and his feet disappear as he hoists himself out of the ditch .
“ Go , go , go !” Elliott says , his voice loud but muffled , and we both shoot into the tunnel , but get stuck . My fingers plough along the edges of the tunnel , my fingernails dragging deeper and deeper into the dirt . Roots stick out and tickle our skin . It ’ s hot in there , heavy , and the air feels like it ’ s pressing me down , pushing my ears together and sitting on my head so I fall . We both crawl through the tunnel , slowly , but steadily , each step hoping and hoping that someone won ’ t catch us .
It feels like we were stuck for an hour , but Elliott escapes out the other side , and drags me by the wrists so we fall forward .
Flashlights are waving through the night sky , shining different coloured beams into the air . It makes the dust light up and dance in their artificial light .
A soft yap comes from the distance , and I stand up , so quickly the blood seems like it ’ s flowing the wrong way in me for a moment .
Orange comes at me , his eyes sparking . I crouch down and he runs into my arms , tail wagging excitedly .
“ Li . Li !” Elliott ’ s hushed voice runs through the happy moment , making it melt . “ Come on . We ’ ve got to go .”