Chapter 6 - The escape

I watched Pipsqueak as he faced 10 adversaries.

How was he going to get out of this one? He was able to kill the cook thanks to the element of surprise but that one was long gone.

All the adults working in the labs were trained in order to easily control the children in case they put up a fight. Or lost their sanity. Just like what seemed to be the case now.

As I remained rooted on my spot, Pipsqueak looked at me.

What the hell are you doing. Snap out of it, his eyes seemed to scream to me.

I looked around me. Kids were running everywhere, some were already on the ground, trying their best not to be stomped to death.

I tapped on the table as if it where a drum and the sound resounded in the room.

Change of plan. We escape. Now.

I looked back at Pipsqueak who was desperately dodging the attacks of his adversaries, sometimes managing to pierce their feet with his trusted weapon.

We’ll come back for you. I promise.

I saw a small sad smile on his face. We all knew the fate of those who rebelled. Even if he managed to survive, he would never be the same again.

My eyes began to prickle, but I kept my tears at bay. I ran towards the last table of children that we were supposed to talk to. The little ones were frozen in fear. I yelled above the chaos.

“BABIES, LOOK AT ME”.

Recognizing the sound of my voice, a dozen pair of eyes turned towards me.

“I NEED YOU TO LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY NOW. REMEMBER OUR LITTLE GAME? WHEN I SAY, “IT’S TIME” YOU…” “WE FOLLOW YOU” they all said in unison.

I didn’t have the time to register the immense pride that started swelling in my chest as I screamed “IT’S TIME” and started running out of the canteen amid all the other panicked kids. The little ones on my heels, I ran towards the dorms, the voice of our dead caretaker ringing in my head.

“Now remember little one. When you’re old enough, when you are left with no other choice but to flee, run to the dorms.”

As she had said those words, she walked to a precise spot in the dorms and scratched the metallic wall with a small dagger.

“Where I am right now is what we call a blind spot. The cameras do not reach here. And guess what?” She knocked on the wall. “Just outside this wall, freedom awaits.”

When I finally reached the blind spot, I turned around. Despite the large corridor, the other “big kids” with their respective groups of little ones were squeezed against each other.

I asked loudly, hoping my voice would reach the back.

“Is Big Bro there with the rest of his group?”.

“YES, WE’RE ALL HERE SIS” answered Big Bro’s voice.

“LET THEM THROUGH”.

As the kids squashed themselves against the walls of the corridor to make way for Big Bro and company, I ran to my cell, making sure the little ones weren’t following me. Once in my cell, I grabbed the titanium pieces I had hidden underneath my bed before sleeping and ran back were Big Bro and his crew were already waiting for me.

Quick, we needed to be quick. The adults could come at any minute to see what this big group of children were doing in the middle of the dorms.

I tore one of my sleeves and rolled it around a spoon I had taken from the canteen amidst the chaos. I nodded in confirmation at Big Bro. I was ready.

As soon as he saw my signal, he and the eleven other big kids took out their trousers, that were now filled with flour, and threw them up in the air. They quickly backed away together with the rest of the kids. Only I remained frozen in place.

As soon as they were far enough, I began colliding the two pieces of titanium against each other as quickly as I could. Again and again and again. Finally, a spark fell on my torn sleeve and the piece of fabric caught fire. I threw the flaming spoon towards the white cloud of dust before me and ran away as quickly as I could.

As soon as the flames licked the first particles of flour dust, the entire cloud exploded, the force of the explosion propelling me two feet further. I winced as I fell back on the ground, Big Bro immediately next to me to help me back on my feet.

Throwing him a grateful look, I turned around to see the extent of the damage created by the explosion. Where the scratched metallic wall lay before, now only a gaping hole greeted us. We made it!

Without lingering any further, I began running towards the hole, all the others close behind. I continued running through the hole without paying attention to the trees, the strange feeling of grass and twigs under my bare feet, the unfamiliar new smells. I just continued running straight ahead. The further away the better.

Once again, I heard the voice of our late caretaker.

“If or when you manage to escape, remember to run east. You’ll be out of the woods in a few hours. As soon as you see the first man-made structures, look for the oldest building. It should be on the edge of the forest. Remember to remain unseen. Hide in the shadows provided by the trees. Do not, for any reason, venture on the streets. If you get caught on camera or if someone sees you, it will be over.”

When I asked what the old building was, she had answered with a sad smile on her face.

“It’s an orphanage where the ordinary kids go when their parents do not come back from the expeditions. I personally know the couple in charge of it. I know you will probably never escape on your own. The little ones should be safe there.”

I looked at the night sky beyond the treetops.

Orienting myself thanks to the position of the stars, I veered left and continued running.

Soon, soon we will be safe. Please, please let us be safe and free at last, I pleaded. To whom? Even I didn’t know.

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